profound influence – глубокое влияние
the only – единственный
works of fiction – произведения художественной литературы
human condition – человеческое состояние
relatively new – относительно новый
significant milestone – важная веха
nuanced stories – тонкие истории
QUESTIONS:
What is the main idea of the article?What is the title of the world's first novel?
Who wrote the world's first novel?
When was the world's first novel written?
What are the criteria for a work of fiction to be considered a novel?
Why is The Tale of Genji considered to be the world's first novel?
What are some other early novels that are mentioned in the article?
Fact 16. Did you know that the most popular sport in the world is football?
With over 3.5 billion fans worldwide, football is the most popular sport on the planet. It is played in over 200 countries and territories, and there are an estimated 250 million registered players.
What is football?
Football is a team sport played with a ball between two teams of 11 players. The object of the game is to score by getting the ball into the other team's goal. Football is played on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. The game is played for 90 minutes, and the team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.
Why is football so popular?
There are many reasons why football is so popular around the world. Here are a few:
● It is a simple game to learn. The basic rules of football are easy to understand, and anyone can play it, regardless of their age or skill level.
● It is a fun and exciting game to play. Football is a fast-paced and action-packed game that is always exciting to watch.
● It is a social game. Football is a great way to meet new people and make friends. It is also a great way to stay active and healthy.
The history of football
The origins of football can be traced back to ancient China, where a game called cuju was played as early as the 2nd century BC. Cuju was a game played with a ball made of leather and stuffed with feathers or hair. The game was played on a rectangular field with a goal at each end.
Football was introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages, and it quickly became popular in England. The first official football match was played in England in 1863. The game quickly spread to other countries, and by the early 20th century, it was being played all over the world.