Reading

TV Sports Report

"...and so that wraps up last night's scores and highlights. Now, I'll give you a preview of what's happening around the league tonight. In Premier League action, first place Manchester United plays their biggest rival Arsenal in what will surely be a hotly-contested match. Only four points separate the two teams atop the current league standings, and with only five weeks left in the season, no one knows for sure who will wind up on top. Certain to disappoint Man U. fans was the announcement by star midfielder David Beckham earlier today that he is not going to play in tonight's match. Beckham aggravated his left knee in practice yesterday, the same one that has bothered him on and off all season. Team doctors are planning to postpone surgery on the knee until after the post-season, but confirm that sooner or later he will face an extensive procedure followed by a lengthy rehab. Even without Beckham's leadership and team-high 17 goals thus far, the front-runners have plenty of firepower to rely on in their star's absence. On the other end of the pitch, underdog Arsenal will be looking to avenge an embarrassing 4-1 away defeat earlier in the season. Leading the way for the Gunners will be French star striker Thierry Henry, the leading scorer in the league this year, and goalkeeper David Seaman, who has not been scored on in his past five starts. When asked about the outcome of tonight's match, Arsenal's manager said, "I won't make any real predictions, except to say that if Manchester think they will walk onto our pitch tonight and tally another four, they have another thing coming!" Manchester's manager declined to respond, saying just, "We'll let the lads do their talking on the pitch."

Questions

Choose the best explanation for the following phrases from the text.
  1. "We'll let the lads do their talking on the pitch" means:
  2. "Underdog" means: 
  3. "hotly-contested" means: 
  4. "he will face an extensive procedure" means: 
  5. "has bothered him on and off" means:
Are the following statements about the reading true or false?

1.   Beckham will have surgery on his knee sometime during the playoffs.

2.   Arsenal is currently four points out of second place in the league.

3.   Beckham is Manchester's only real scoring threat.

4.   Tonight's match is at Manchester's home ground.

5.   Manchester United won their first match against Arsenal this year.