School Sports Marathon & New York City Dreams
School Sports Marathon: A Memorable Event
A few years ago, when I was studying at IES Padre Anchieta, the end of the course included a twelve-hour-long sports marathon. It ran from eight in the morning until eight at night. At the center, we conducted various sports such as football, basketball, skating, and volleyball. The whole school, teachers and students, were involved. We had to prepare the fields for each sport, ensuring the benches and nets were well-placed, and the boundary lines were clearly painted to avoid any disputes. We also prepared snacks and drinks. Everything had to be perfect because these activities involved not only our institute but also other students.
That day, it didn’t matter that we had to leave school earlier than usual, skipping exams or classes. It was a day to spend with colleagues and friends, without the usual school bell. I remember the last year I participated; the soccer final was between IES Padre Anchieta and IES César Manrique. Both teams had good players, and a palpable rivalry. The game started, and like all intense matches, the quarrels and pushing were evident from the start. With just a few minutes left and the score tied at two, an opposing player simulated a penalty, throwing himself into the area. The referee, who was near the play, whistled hesitantly. The tension was increasing; not only the prize but also our reputation was at stake. The player took the penalty, but under the pressure of the stands and the booing, he missed. Fate did justice. The match ended in a draw, and the tiebreaker would be when IES César Manrique organized their twelve-hour sports event.
My Dream Trip to New York City
One of my dreams is to go on holiday to the United States, especially to New York City. I believe it’s one of the most spectacular cities in the world, with its unique streets, buildings, diverse cultures, and lifestyle. I dream of going to the island of Manhattan, visiting the Empire State Building, and seeing the Rockefeller Center in winter, skating on the ice rink, and appreciating the spectacular traditional Christmas tree.
I’d love to go to Broadway theaters and attend a musical, see Columbia University, Wall Street, and Times Square. And while I cannot see the Twin Towers, as they were destroyed on September 11, 2001, in a major attack that shocked everyone (I still remember those shocking images), I can still visit the area.
I also dream of going to Madison Square Garden to see a game of any of the sports played there. It’s the stadium where professional teams like the New York Knicks (basketball), New York Rangers (ice hockey), and the New York Liberty (women’s basketball) play. I’d stroll through Central Park, the most visited park in the United States, even more so than the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. And finally, I’d get lost in the magnificent shops of Fifth Avenue.
Verb Tense Examples and Modal Verbs
Here are some examples of verb tenses and modal verbs, for reference:
- Present Simple: increases = are increased
- Present Continuous: is increasing = are being increased
- Past Simple: increased = were increased
- Past Continuous: was increasing = were being increased
- Present Perfect Simple: has increased = have been increased
- Past Perfect Simple: had increased = had been increased
- Future Simple: will increase = will be increased
- Modals: should increase = should be increased
- Modal Perfect: must have increased = must have been increased
- Have to/Has to: have to increase = have to be increased
- Be going to: is going to increase = are going to be increased
Modal Verb Explanations
- Can: Permission.
- Be able to: Was able to.
- Can’t: Is not.
- Could: Permission, could.
- May: Formal.
- Might: Possibility.
- Must: Obligation.
- Have to: Necessity/Obligation.
- Need to: Necessity.
- Mustn’t: Prohibited.
- Don’t have to: We don’t have to.
- Should/Ought to: Advice or opinion.