Listen & Learn: Simone Biles

Learn about the famous American gymnast

• medal: an award given at a sports competition
• talent: a natural skill
• field trip: a day trip that children take while in school
• nationally: within one country
• debut: someone’s first performance
• drop out: to voluntarily leave a competition or project
• mental health: a person’s emotional and psychological well-being

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:37 — 2.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

Simone Biles is an American . She has won the most Olympic and world championship medals of any gymnast in . Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1997. She first discovered her talent for gymnastics on a field trip when she was six years old. In 2011, when Biles was 14, she began competing nationally. Biles was too young to qualify for the 2012 Olympics, but she quickly became for her all-around win at the 2013 world championships. Her Olympic debut was in Rio in 2016, where she won four gold medals. Biles has several gymnastics moves named after her. During the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Biles dropped out of the competition to take care of her mental health. Her brought worldwide attention to the importance of mental well-being in .

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. Biles discovered her talent for gymnastics while
   a. on a field trip
   b. playing with neighbours
   c. watching the Olympics on TV
   
2. Biles made her Olympic debut in
   a. London in 2012
   b. Rio in 2016
   c. Tokyo in 2021
   
3. In 2021, Biles dropped out of the Olympic Games
   a. to rest a leg injury
   b. to try new sports
   c. to take care of her mental health

Discussion/essay questions

1. Do you like to watch the Olympics? What sport does your country perform best in?
2. What are some things you do to take care of your mental health?

Transcript

Simone Biles is an American gymnast. She has won the most Olympic and world championship medals of any gymnast in history. Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1997. She first discovered her talent for gymnastics on a field trip when she was six years old. In 2011, when Biles was 14, she began competing nationally. Biles was too young to qualify for the 2012 Olympics, but she quickly became famous for her all-around win at the 2013 world championships. Her Olympic debut was in Rio in 2016, where she won four gold medals. Biles has several gymnastics moves named after her. During the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Biles dropped out of the competition to take care of her mental health. Her decision brought worldwide attention to the importance of mental well-being in sports.

Answers to comprehension questions

1a 2b 3c