Learn English with the News: “Hula Hoop”

Good morning!

There are many types of exercise and sport, but some are more fun than others; hula hooping is certainly one of the fun ones!

1. Read the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the video

Text

Hundreds of people twisted en masse at Thailand’s first hula hoop contest. The event was organized by the Public Health Ministry to promote exercise. And one of the competition requirements was that every team has at least three members with a waistline of no less than 80 centimeters or around 31 inches.

– We need to have good teamwork when working as a big team because we’re all from different backgrounds. Some get regular workouts and some have never had exercise before.

Competitors had to keep the hoops between their shoulders and hips for 30 minutes. And the winning team walked – or shimmied – away with more than $1,000 U.S. dollars.

Vocabulary

Twisted – to bend or turn (something) in order to change its shape.

Requirements – something that is needed or that must be done.

Waistline – the distance around the narrowest part of your waist.

Backgrounds – the experiences, knowledge, education, etc., in a person’s past.

Shimmied – to move or shake your body from side to side.

Video