Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- part with / pɑrt wɪθ / (phrasal v.) – to give away or let go of something
Example:Maria parted with her favorite dress because it no longer fits her.
- infamous / ˈɪn fə məs / (adj.) – known or famous for something bad
Example:The city is infamous for its heavy traffic. Residents get stuck on the road for hours every day.
- mentorship / ˈmɛn tɔr ʃɪp / (n.) – the act of helping and guiding someone with less experience for a period of time
Example:Through his manager’s mentorship, Jake learned how to lead a team and handle difficult tasks.
- captivate / ˈkæp təˌveɪt / (v.) – to catch and hold someone’s attention by having interesting and pleasant qualities
Example:The new book has captivated many readers with its exciting characters and unexpected changes in the story.
- brilliance / ˈbrɪl yəns / (n.) – great talent, skill, or intelligence
Example:The scientist’s brilliance led to an important discovery that changed the medical field.
Article
Read the text below.
Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen turned his controversial denim into some greens—for charity.
The Norwegian chess grandmaster announced in February that he is auctioning off the Italian luxury brand jeans that started a dress code dispute at December’s World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships. Carlsen ultimately quit the New York competition after accepting a $200 fine while refusing to change his pants.
While the tournament’s governing body agreed to loosen the dress code, Carlsen parted with his infamous britches.
Chess fanatics and #JeansGate followers had the chance to own Carlsen’s pair of size 32 regular-fit Corneliani jeans. The auction was scheduled to end March 1. Listed as pre-owned but in “good” condition on eBay, the pants’ highest offer was $8,200 as of the morning of February 21.
Proceeds went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), a national youth-mentoring charity that carries out its mission through local chapters across 5,000 communities nationwide. According to BBBSA President and CEO Artis Stevens, they will be used to “bring mentorship to even more youth through chess clinics, community events, and more, equipping them with the skills and confidence to navigate life’s challenges.”
Stevens said chess has long been a favorite activity for program participants that creates opportunities for critical thinking and lifelong connections.
“Magnus Carlsen has captivated the world with his brilliance in chess, and now, this iconic piece of chess history will help inspire and empower the next generation through mentorship,” Stevens said.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Magnus Carlsen sparked a dress code controversy at a chess championship by wearing jeans instead of following the official rules. Do you think dress codes are important in competitions or events? Why or why not? How do you think dress codes affect a person’s confidence or performance? Discuss.
- Carlsen parted with his infamous jeans and sold them on eBay for charity. Why do you think people bid so much money for such an item (ex. it’s owned by a famous person, it represents change)? In your opinion, are Carlsen’s jeans a valuable thing to have? Why or why not? Discuss.
Discussion B
- In what situations do you think dress codes should be strict? Do you think Magnus Carlsen was right to refuse to change his jeans? Why or why not? Discuss.
- Do you think people should always follow rules, or is it okay to challenge them sometimes? Why? Can you think of a situation where breaking the rules led to a good outcome? Discuss.
