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Grammar,

Awesome Olympic Facts

Practice using its and it’s correctly while you learn all about the 2020 Olympics!

 

Note: We sent this issue to press before events around the world were cancelled because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, have now been postponed until 2021.

From the May/June 2020 Issue
Featured Skill: Writing and Editing,

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Grammar Rules

1. Use its to mean “belonging to something.”

Example: The robot waved its arm.

2. Use it’s as a contraction of it and is.

Example: It’s going to be warm outside next week. 

Directions: Select the correct choice of its or it’s below.

ALEXEI ZAVRACHAYEV\TASS VIA GETTY IMAGES

1. Its/It’s Olympics season again! Every two years, athletes from around the world meet in one city to compete in team and individual sporting events.

2. Each country sends its/it’s best athletes to participate. Skateboarder Sky Brown, who will be 12 this summer, could be one of the youngest athletes competing in 2020.

3. The first Olympics were in ancient Greece. This year, they’re in Tokyo, Japan. Eight of its/it’s stadiums are brand- new. Its/it’s the second time the games will be held in Tokyo.

SIMON BRUTY/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED VIA GETTY IMAGES

4. There’s a brand-new Olympic sport this year: surfing! With all of Japan’s beaches, its/it’s sure to make a big splash.

5. The prize for winning an event in ancient Greece was a crown made of olive leaves. Today, its/it’s a gold medal. This year, its/it’s pieces will include parts of recycled cell phones.

6. Its/It’s the dream of every athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics. In 2008, American swimmer Michael Phelps set a record by winning eight gold medals.

Create your own Olympics. Imagine you get to plan your own Olympics. What would the events be? Videogames? Lego robots? Dancing? Baking? Write out your plan and then draw a poster inviting people to attend.


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Although the Summer Olympics have been postponed to 2021, students can meet the athletes who qualified for Olympics’ Team USA on this website. Challenge students to find athletes who hail from your state! 

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Bring the ancient Olympics to life with this webpage from DKFindOut.

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