News by Levels · Level 3 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
In this lesson: Reconcile an in-match deficit with a career milestone.
Alcaraz Turns a Second-Set Deficit Into a Paris Title
How to use these two pages
Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.
Student worksheetA simple 15–20-minute lesson
- Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
- Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 2 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
- Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.
Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.
Answers to the 2 questions
The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.
How can Alcaraz win in straight sets despite trailing?
Correct answer: C — A player can trail within a set and still win it
Why: The second paragraph describes both the deficit and the straight-sets win.
Clue in the story: Despite trailing by a break in the second set, he completed a straight-sets victory in one hour and 57 minutes. This was his ninth Masters 1000 title.
Which distinction about the title is correct?
Correct answer: C — It was his first Paris title but ninth Masters 1000 title
Why: The opening specifies his first Paris title; the ending specifies ninth Masters 1000.
Clue in the story: Despite trailing by a break in the second set, he completed a straight-sets victory in one hour and 57 minutes. This was his ninth Masters 1000 title.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Explain the two achievements without confusing their totals.
One possible answer: Alcaraz won his first Paris Masters title. It was his ninth title across the Masters 1000 series, and he achieved it despite a second-set deficit.
This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.
Grammar to discuss
Concession with despite
Despite trailing by a break
Despite + -ing introduces an obstacle without changing the main result: he still won.