World News for Students of English

15-08-2016 07:00

Brazil unfolded a vast canvas celebrating its rainforest and the creative energy of its diverse population at the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. After a global doping scandal, the outbreak of the Zika virus and months of uncertainty as to whether the country would be ready for the games, the ceremony was a vibrant but poignant celebration of Brazil’s history, culture and natural beauty. Three billion people across the world tuned in to watch.

Brazil’s interim president Michel Temer declared the first games ever in South America open.

While the Rio 2016 committee has not said how much the ceremony cost, it’s believed to be about half of the 42 million dollars spent by London in 2012. Outside the stadium, though, the views were different as demonstrators set light to a 2016 Rio Olympics shirt in protest against corruption and overspending on the games, which come at Brazil’s worse economic downturn in decades.

Difficult words: unfold (open), vast (very great), canvas (a demonstration), diverse (various, of many types), outbreak (when something bad suddenly happens), vibrant (full of energy and life), poignant (touching, moving), interim (only for some time).

Source: www.ondemandnews.com