Table of Contents
The recent soccer match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup between Australia and England has become the most-watched TV program in Australia since the year 2001.
2001 is the year that Australia started its current TV program rating system.
According to OzTam ratings and Channel Seven, the match in Sydney was watched by an average of 7.13 million viewers, and a peak audience of 11.15 million people.
England won the match 3-1 and advanced to the final. Australia will play in a third-place match on Saturday.
The person in charge of sports at Channel Seven, Lewis Martin, said that the Matildas’ performance made Australians really proud. “The Matildas” is the nickname for the Australia women’s national soccer team.
This game had more viewers than other important events like the final match of the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2003, which was watched by around 4 million people. Another big event in Australia was when Cathy Freeman won a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics, which was watched by more than 8 million people.
A lot of people watched the Matildas’ game on the internet, too. Almost a million viewers saw it on the 7plus streaming service, which was a new record for that service.
The Women’s World Cup has also been very popular on social media. Since August 12, there have been more than 20 million views on social media posts about the tournament.
The Matilda’s final game on Saturday will be available for everyone to watch for free on TV or online.
Vocabulary
- Match – A match is a game or contest between two teams or individuals where they try to win by playing a sport
- TV program – a show or event on TV
- Current – now; happening or being used or done now;
- Rating system – a way to measure or judge how good or popular something is
- According to – as ‘someone’ said; as stated by ‘someone’; in the opinion of ‘someone’
- Average – a standard or level that is considered to be typical or usual; the usual or ordinary amount; standard level
- Million – 1,000,000 – one-million
- Viewer – a person who watches an event or show;
- Peak – to reach the highest point, value, or level; to reach the maximum; climax
- Audience – a group of people watching an event or show; viewers; spectators
- Advance – to move forward or progress; to go to the next stage; to continue
- Final – The last round of a competition
- Place – position or rank in a competition/tournament; 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, etc.
- In charge – To be responsible for or in control of something
- Performance – the act of doing something, such as your job; how well someone does their job; the action of entertaining other people by dancing, singing, acting, playing music, etc.
- Proud – feeling pleased and satisfied with one’s achievements or possessions; to feel good about yourself
- Nickname – A name that is given to someone instead of their real name; a short name that people use instead of a person’s real name
- Streaming service – an online platform that allows users to watch videos, movies, or TV shows on demand over the internet (Netflix, Disney+)
- Record – the most or least ever; the highest level ever; achieved for the first time
- Social media – services like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.
- View – the measure/count of someone watching or seeing something on social media
- Post – to write or publish something on the internet; to put a message on social media
- Tournament – a contest or competition with only one winner after many games/rounds
- Available – able to be used: ready for use; accessible
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the match between Australia and England had more viewers than the Rugby World Cup final in 2003?
- Do you use social media? Have you seen any posts or videos about the Women’s World Cup?
- What do you think the Matildas’ performance in the tournament means for the future of women’s soccer in Australia?
- What are your thoughts on the Women’s World Cup in general? Do you think it is a positive thing for women’s sports?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
The recent soccer match _____ the FIFA Women’s World Cup between Australia and England has become the most-watched TV _____ in Australia since the year 2001.
2001 is the year _____ Australia started its current TV program rating system.
According to OzTam ratings and _____ Seven, the match in Sydney was watched by an _____ of 7.13 million viewers, and a peak audience of 11.15 million people.
England won the _____ 3-1 and advanced to the final. Australia will play in a third-place match on Saturday.
The person in _____ of sports at Channel Seven, Lewis Martin, said that the Matildas’ performance made Australians really _____. “The Matildas” is the nickname for the Australia women’s _____ soccer team.
This game had more _____ than other important events like the final match of the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2003, which was watched by _____ 4 million people. Another big event in Australia was when Cathy Freeman won a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics, which was watched by more than _____ million people.
A lot of people watched the Matildas’ _____ on the internet, too. Almost a million viewers saw it on the 7plus streaming service, which was a new record for that _____.
The Women’s World Cup has also _____ very popular on social media. Since August 12, there have _____ more than 20 million views on social media posts about the tournament.
The Matilda’s final game on Saturday will be _____ for everyone to watch for free on TV or online.
