Cheese-rolling race continues despite danger

Nick's ESL News Lessons

A printable worksheet for news-based English conversation classes.

Date: 2025/06/16

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Cheese-rolling race continues despite danger

Vocabulary Match

competitors •• people
steep •• hurt
tumble •• custom
injured •• fall
tradition •• racers
locals •• high

Vocabulary Answers

competitorsracers
steephigh
tumblefall
injuredhurt
traditioncustom
localspeople

Article

Every year, people from around the world gather in Gloucestershire, England, for a crazy event: the cheese-rolling race at Cooper's Hill. Competitors chase an 8-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a very steep hill. They often fall, slide, or tumble as they race to catch it.

This year, dry weather made the hill harder and more dangerous. Many people were injured, but that didn't stop the fun. Tom Kopke from Germany won the first men's race, and Ava Sender Logan won the women's race.

Although the official race was cancelled in 2010, locals have continued the tradition. Police keep watch, but the event remains wild and exciting.

Quiz

  1. What do people chase in the cheese-rolling race?
  2. Who won the first men's race this year?
  3. Why was the hill more dangerous this year?
  4. When was the official race cancelled?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. An 8-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese.
  2. Tom Kopke from Germany.
  3. Because of dry weather.
  4. In 2010.

Conversation

A:Wow, that hill was really steep!
B:Tell me about it! I nearly rolled the whole way down!
A:But you won, didn't you? Congrats!
B:Cheers! Totally worth the bruises.
A:Will you do it again next year?
B:Definitely. I can't say no to a wheel of cheese!

Discussion

  1. Would you ever participate in a cheese-rolling race?
  2. What is the craziest event you have ever heard of?
  3. Why do you think people enjoy dangerous sports?
  4. Name 3 cities. What food would you try in each?

Source Material

https://news.sky.com/story/cheese-loving-daredevils-hurl-themselves-down-coopers-hill-in-gloucestershire-for-famous-race-13374975


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