Ilia Topuria: The Eagle Has Landed
Grammar: Phrasal verbs in context — sport, ambition, and momentum
A Level 4 English lesson exploring sport.
What's in this lesson
A Level 4 (upper intermediate) ESL lesson on sport, practising phrasal verbs in context — sport, ambition, and momentum. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary, a grammar reference with practice and discussion questions.
From the reading: Ilia Topuria: The Eagle Has Landed
On 17 February 2024, a 27-year-old fighter from Tbilisi, Georgia walked into the Kia Forum in Los Angeles and knocked out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round. Ilia Topuria had just taken on one of the most dominant champions in UFC history — and he pulled it off in under seven minutes. The MMA world did not see it coming. Even seasoned analysts who had written him off were forced to sit up and take notice.
Vocabulary
- back down
- build up
- pull off
- take on
Grammar
- Phrasal verb
- He built up his reputation slowly. — object can split the verb
- Phrasal verb + object
- He pulled it off. ✓ — pronoun always goes between verb and particle
Discussion questions
- Have you ever followed a combat sport like boxing or MMA?
- What does it take to bounce back from your first defeat?
- Do you think moving to another country helps or hurts an athlete's development?
Ilia Topuria: The Eagle Has Landed
Grammar: Phrasal verbs in context — sport, ambition, and momentum
What's in this lesson:
Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
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