The Spreadsheet Champion

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The Spreadsheet Champion

Warm-up

How often do you use a computer? (Every day, once a week, ...)

Vocabulary Match

spreadsheets •• played
focused •• tables
competed •• contest
proving •• stress
pressure •• thought
competition •• showing

Vocabulary Answers

spreadsheetstables
focusedthought
competedplayed
provingshowing
pressurestress
competitioncontest

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

Diarmuid Early, an Irishman, entered a bright arena in Las Vegas, but he was not there for a ball game. Instead, he ________ in the 2025 Excel World Championships. Known as the "LeBron James of ________," Diarmuid faced players from around the world. The ________ was fast and difficult, with players removed every few minutes if they were too slow, so the ________ was high.

In the final, Diarmuid had to do virtual origami, folding shapes by following strict rules. He stayed calm and worked quickly. "I just ________ on the task," he said. Diarmuid won the title and prize money, ________ that office skills can be an exciting sport for young people today.

Diarmuid Early, an Irishman, entered a bright arena in Las Vegas, but he was not there for a ball game. Instead, he competed in the 2025 Excel World Championships. Known as the "LeBron James of spreadsheets," Diarmuid faced players from around the world. The competition was fast and difficult, with players removed every few minutes if they were too slow, so the pressure was high.

In the final, Diarmuid had to do virtual origami, folding shapes by following strict rules. He stayed calm and worked quickly. "I just focused on the task," he said. Diarmuid won the title and prize money, proving that office skills can be an exciting sport for young people today.

Quiz

  1. Where did Diarmuid Early compete?
  2. What was Diarmuid known as?
  3. What happened to players if they were too slow?
  4. What did Diarmuid have to do in the final?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. In Las Vegas at the Excel World Championships.
  2. The "LeBron James of spreadsheets."
  3. They were removed from the competition.
  4. He had to do virtual origami.

True or False

  1. Diarmuid competed in a ball game. T F
  2. The competition was fast and dangerous. T F
  3. Diarmuid proved office skills can be exciting. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. False
  3. True

Conversation

A:Diarmuid, how did you stay so calm during the final?
B:I just focused on the task, nothing else.
A:That's impressive! Was it really tough?
B:Oh, absolutely! The pressure was on.
A:Well, you made it look easy. What's next?
B:Maybe I'll try origami for real!

Discussion

  1. Have you ever used Excel before?
  2. Do you think office skills can be exciting?
  3. Do you work better under pressure?
  4. What computer or technology problems have you experienced?
  5. Do you know any other unusual competitions?

Further Reading

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4qzgvxxgvo

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