バンクーバーで人気があるプロスポーツは、ホッケーとフットボール。
バンクーバーに一番近い町シアトルで人気があるのは野球、フットボール、バスケットボール。わずか数時間しか離れていない町でも、国境を超えると人々の好みも違う。

　

David: Hi, Sayuri! I hear you just arrived in Canada. What are you planning to do in Vancouver?

Sayuri: I am here to study, but I am also here to have fun. Are there any sports games we can attend?

David: You bet! In Vancouver we have our own hockey, lacrosse and soccer teams, as well as a football team.

Sayuri: I was thinking about watching a major league baseball game, which happens to be my favourite sport.

David: Vancouver doesn't have a baseball team. Baseball is a popular sport in Seattle but it is not as popular in Vancouver.

Sayuri: Seattle is not too far from here, and they do have a popular baseball team.
My favourite player, Ichiro Suzuki, plays for the Seattle Mariners.

David: Even though Seattle is geographically close to Vancouver the cities are different when it comes to sport popularity.

Sayuri: What is the most popular sport in Vancouver?

David: Without a doubt it is hockey. Canadians love hockey more than any other sport, and many have a favourite Canadian team or player in the NHL.

Sayuri: I have never seen a hockey game in person. What is the hockey team in Vancouver?

David: The Vancouver Canucks. They are a very popular team, and many of the players are like celebrities.

Sayuri: That sounds similar to the baseball teams and players in Japan. Are there any more similarities?

David: Yes. In Japan there is a Central and Pacific League, and the winners from each league face off in the Japan Series. In North America there is a Western and Eastern Division, and the winners from each division face off for a chance to earn the Stanley Cup.

Sayuri: I guess I will have to wait until I get home to attend a game with my favorite baseball team, the Yomiuri Giants. But until then I will attend a Vancouver Canucks game and see what the fuss is all about!


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I hear you just arrived / 着いたばかりだと聞いたけど・・・
I am here to / ここにいる目的は・・・　
have fun /　楽しむ
you bet! / その通り！
as well as / ・・・も
happens to be my favourite sport / 私のすきなスポーツ
even though / ・・・けれど、
geographically close / 地理的に近い
when it comes to /　・・・については
without a doubt /　絶対に・・・
in person /　実物を
like celebrities / 有名人のよう
sounds similar / ・・・に似ているようだ
similarities / 似ている点
face off / 対戦
but until then / でもそれまでは、
what the fuss is all about! / どうしてそんなに人気があるのか