The International Dance Competition

The situation

An international ballroom dance competition is taking place this evening. Eight couples have travelled from different countries to take part. Four judges will assess every performance.

Each judge awards two marks to each couple: one for technical merit and one for artistic impression. Each mark is between 1 and 10. The highest possible score from one judge is therefore 20, and the highest possible total from all four judges is 80.

The dances

There are several different dances in ballroom competitions. They are often divided into two groups:

In this competition, for example, the Brazilian couple has chosen a samba, the Argentinian couple a tango, the Italian couple a foxtrot and the Japanese couple a Viennese waltz.

These are the couples' choices for the competition; the dances are not exclusive to those countries.

Cardinal numbers tell us how many people or things there are: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and so on.

• Eight couples are taking part.
• Four judges are watching the competition.
• Each couple performs one dance in this round.
• There are two marks for each couple from each judge.

A/an and one

We use a/an when we introduce one person or thing without emphasising the number:

• A couple from Brazil is ready to dance.
• A judge gives a mark for technical merit.

We use one when the number itself is important, often to contrast it with another number:

• One couple will win, not two.
• Each judge gives one technical mark and one artistic mark.
• Only one of the eight couples can finish first.

Numbers with plural nouns

Use a number directly before a plural countable noun. Do not put a/an before the plural noun.

• three judges (not a three judges)
• five dancers
• eight couples

When we mean a particular group, we can put the before the number:

• Three couples received more than 70 points. (Three, but not necessarily a particular group already identified.)
• The three couples at the top of the table will dance again. (A particular group.)

Ordinal numbers tell us the position of someone or something in a sequence: first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth.

We normally use the with an ordinal number when we identify a particular position:

• The first couple is from Brazil.
• The fifth couple is from Japan.
• Argentina received the second-highest total.

Other determiners can replace the

We do not normally put the before an ordinal if another determiner already identifies the noun:

• Our first performance was a success.
• That second dance was particularly expressive.
• Her third mark was the highest.

Not: the our first performance or the that second dance.

Cardinal or ordinal?

Compare:

• Couple five is from Japan. (The number assigned to the couple.)
• The fifth couple is from Japan. (The couple in fifth position in an ordered line or sequence.)
• Couple five finished first. (Identity and competition position are different.)

We can identify a couple in several ways. The best expression depends on what we know and what we want to emphasise.

Notice the articles:

• Brazil, Japan and Argentina normally have no article.
• The United States takes the.
• We say the Brazilian couple, the Japanese couple and the American couple when we mean particular couples in this competition.
• We can say a Japanese couple when introducing one without assuming the listener already knows which one.

The eight couples had all prepared carefully for the international competition. The first couple to dance was from Brazil. Mariana and Lucas gave a lively performance, and the audience applauded enthusiastically. The couple from the United States followed. Their dancing was accurate, although some people thought their performance lacked expression.

As the evening continued, the judges saw several different styles. The Italian couple combined precise footwork with elegant movement. The Spanish couple made one or two mistakes, but their performance was full of energy. The Japanese couple danced with great control and musicality. The French couple gave a polished performance, while the Argentinian couple impressed the audience with their expression and confidence. The Australian couple finished the first round.

When the marks were added, the Japanese couple had the highest total: 73 points. The Argentinian couple was only one point behind. The Italian couple came third, and the Brazilian couple came fourth. There was only a small difference between several of the other results.

The judges now had to decide whether the marks reflected the performances fairly. One judge thought technical merit should be given greater importance. Another believed artistic impression was just as important. The other two judges argued that both categories mattered equally. They agreed that the Japanese couple deserved first place, but they also praised the Argentinian couple for its expressive dancing.

There was no perfect performance, and none of the couples received the maximum score. Nevertheless, every couple had contributed something memorable to the competition. The final result was close, and the audience had enjoyed eight very different performances.

Comprehension

• Cardinal numbers tell us how many: eight couples, four judges, one mark.
• Ordinal numbers tell us position: the first couple, the second dance, the eighth contestant.
• A/an introduces one person or thing; one emphasises the number.
• The + number + plural noun identifies a particular group: the two couples at the top.
• Another determiner can replace the: our first performance, that second dance.
• A contestant's number and their position in the competition are not necessarily the same.