Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Level 1 l Advanced
1 Key Words
Fill the gaps using these words from the text: subdued encampment abduction warp overwhelmed crave thug 1. If you 2. If a place is 3. To 4. A 5. An 6. To 7. A fundamentalist raid breed
something, you want it very much and in such a way that it is very hard to control. by people, there are so many people in it that it is difficult to deal with them. a negative feeling or situation is to cause it to develop. is a man who is violent, especially a criminal. is the act of taking someone away from their home or family using force. something, for example a persons character, is to affect it in a negative way. person or group believes that original religious and political laws should be followed
very strictly and not be changed. 8. A 9. If someone looks 10. An is a sudden short attack. , he looks slightly sad or worried. is a large group of tents or temporary shelters.
2. What is the main problem in northern Uganda? a. A civil war. b. Severe floods.
c. Severe droughts.
3. How long has this problem existed? a. For almost 5 years. b. For almost 10 years. c. For almost 20 years. 4. What is the Lords Resistance Army (LRA)? a. The group in power. b. A rebel group.
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3 Comprehension check
Match each fact with a reason or purpose. Facts 1. In Uganda 40,000 children leave their home every night. 2. The LRA abducts children. 3. Aid agencies have set up shelters. 4. Food isnt provided in night shelters. 5. Wardens patrol the shelters with torches. 6. A lot of children crave affection. 7. Childhood is very short in Uganda. 8. The childrens link with their villages will be lost. Reasons or purposes a. To avoid having overwhelmed shelters. b. Because they fear abduction. c. To break up fights and check on the children. d. To use them as soldiers, porters and sexual slaves. e. Because they are orphans. f. To provide a safe place for children to go to. g. Because there are few written records and the older generation is dying out. h. Because children are thrown on their own resources at an early age.
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1. the roadside scorched by the sun 2. blankets that have been rolled up 3. a girl who is 14 years old 4. the civil war that has run the longest 5. metal doors that are proof against thieves 6. a society that has been damaged by the war
1. The LRA carries 2. Geoffrey had to go 3. Aid agencies set 4. Mary is heading 5. The shelter is made and tents.
7 Discussion
Of all the problems in Uganda, which do you think is the most serious of all? Why? What could be done to help solve it?
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3 Comprehension check
1. b; 2. d; 3. f; 4. a; 5. c; 6. e; 7. h; 8. g
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is a small simple house with only one or two rooms. is a place where people are protected from bad weather or from danger. is someone who opposes their government and tries to remove it using force. is someone who is responsible for a place and checks that people follow rules. a person, you take him or her prisoner. a place, you move regularly around it in order to prevent trouble or crime. is an area in a hot country that is not used for growing food. is an organization that gives money, food or help to people in need. is someone who is forced to do what another person tells them to do and has to work for
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4 Vocabulary 1 Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make phrases from the text. 1. feed 2. look 3. wear 4. carry 5. leave 6. build 7. become 8. cook a. dirty old clothes b. pregnant c. home / school d. shelters e. the cattle f. sacks g. dinner h. sad
5 Vocabulary 2 Prepositions
Complete these sentences based on the text using an appropriate preposition. Check your answers in the text. 1. Mary lives northern Uganda. a fire. dinner on buses. 6. The rebels take the children camps in the bush. 7. The shelter is full teenagers. 8. Wardens patrol night.
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to the
2. Marys mother cooks dinner 3. Adults go home 4. The shelters are guarded government troops. 5. The rebels attack the villagers
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006
children and
torches.
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by the rebels. after three months. the camp. by the rebels. almost everything in northern Uganda.
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3 Comprehension check
1. c; 2. e; 3.a; 4. d; 5. b; 6. f
4 Vocabulary 1 Collocations
1. e; 2. h; 3. a; 4. f; 5. c; 6. d; 7. b; 8. g
5 Vocabulary 2 Prepositions
1. in 2. over 3. for 4. by 5. at 6. away 7. of 8. with
6 3
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3 Comprehension check
Choose TWO correct answers to complete each sentence: 1. In northern Uganda 40,000 children a. spend the night in shelters built by aid agencies. b. leave their homes at the age of 14. c. are afraid of being captured by the rebels. 2. The LRA is a rebel group that a. captures children to use them as slaves. b. attacks villages and murders people at night. c. takes adults away to camps in the bush. 3. The shelters a. provide children with food. b. are a safe place for children to stay. c. are guarded by government troops. 4. The war in Uganda has lasted so long that a. it has completely destroyed society. b. there is little hope of returning to a normal life. c. people will have to stay in camps forever.
4 Vocabulary 1 Descriptions
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to form descriptions from the text. 1. a mud 2. a sandy 3. a concrete 4. a canvas 5. an extended 6. a crowded a. building b. tent c. hut d. shelter e. track f. family
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7 Discussion
Of all the problems in Uganda, which do you think is the most serious of all? Why? What could be done to help solve it?
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3 Comprehension check
1. a, c; 2. a, b; 3. b, c; 4. a, b
4 Vocabulary 1 Descriptions
1. c; 2. e; 3. a; 4. b; 5. f; 6. d
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plants, tall enough for people to work inside 10. to arrive somewhere in large numbers
Now read the first four paragraphs and see if you were right.
When Val Salisbury walked down her lane in Herefordshire, in southern England, and into a giant plastic polytunnel where dozens of Ukrainians, Lithuanians and other east Europeans were picking strawberries, the workers were surprised. She was, after all, a 69-year-old Englishwoman using a walking frame. But when she started pulling up the plants and throwing them to the ground, they realised why she was there. Mrs Salisbury herself was surprised by what the east Europeans did next. According to some of the people who witnessed her act of defiance against S&A Davies, Europes largest strawberry grower, the workers started clapping, and then cheered her on. By the time the farm manager had arrived, Mrs Salisbury was a hero. A hero, not just for those people in the county of Herefordshire who object to thousands of acres of plastic-covered farmland, but also to an army of workers from all over eastern Europe who pick fruit for British supermarkets.
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Welcome to the English strawberry fields, where the beginning of summer sees at least 5,000 people from eastern Europe descend on Herefordshire and Worcestershire to pick fruit. This year two villages, each of more than 1,700 people, have sprung up without planning permission, each with 400 or more caravans, football pitches, internet cafes and even saunas. The pickers are welcomed by the majority of local people, but there is concern that the migrant labour force is being exploited. Last weekend an informal survey of 50 people working in the tunnels suggested that many pickers are as angry as Mrs Salisbury. Those who spoke English said they were being paid less than they expected, that they had to wait for payment, that the accommodation was expensive, that they had paid too much to get there, and that the management were profiting excessively from their stay. In Lithuania I earn two hundred pounds a month, said Mindaugas, a Vilnius policeman. I thought I could earn more here. It looks like I am not going to. It cost more than I thought to get here; it costs more to live. None of us like strawberry picking, said Svetlana, a Ukrainian student. Today I have earned 23. But I must pay 35 a week to live in a box with three other people. Perhaps I earn 150 in a week, but when I have paid for food, accommodation, tax, everything, maybe I have 70 for a six days. Its not good. The money is bad, said Artur, a waiter from the Czech Republic. We waited days to have work. Last year we heard there was a strike here; perhaps there will be one this year, too. It is like a prison. I have been given a yellow card already. One more and I am sent home. Documents drawn up by S&A Davies and seen by the Guardian set out the terms and conditions for workers, who live four or five to a room. They must pay 26.25 a week for accommodation, 3 a week for sewage and waste collection, 2.25 for electricity and 2.75 for leisure facilities, including a TV set, football pitch and disco. For 30, they have access to medical and translation advice. The documents state that pickers can be sacked for eating a single strawberry, for stopping work, going to the toilet in a hedge, or for smoking indoors. If rooms are not clean and tidy, the workers can be asked to leave. If they want to invite a visitor to the camp, they must ask permission two days in advance. I have never been anywhere like this, said Irynya, a Ukrainian housewife. The company said they guaranteed pickers 5.05 an hour when there was work, and a bonus if they met targets. But they said that at the start of the season or in bad weather they could not guarantee hours. When 3,500 people turn up, its hard to get everyone going at the same time. We reduced the accommodation charge to 10 when it was raining, two weeks ago, said Graham Neal, a manager with S&A Davies. Mr Neal blamed agents in east European countries for sending them unsuitable workers. The old student agriculture workers quota scheme meant we could go to an east European university and know peoples history and character. We had superb people. Now the government says that we must recruit EU people. Some countries ... have sent over their unemployed drunks, he said.
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As a final irony, the east Europeans cannot afford to buy the fruit they pick. Yes, we like strawberries but we cannot pay for them, said Linas Petraitis, a Ukrainian buying cheap white bread and margarine in the local supermarket. When you eat one, just think of us in the tunnels.
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4 Detailed comprehension
Are the following statements true or false? 1. Mrs Salisbury was fit and healthy. 2. She didnt want the countryside covered with plastic. 3. None of the local people agree with her. 4. The workers were angry that she was destroying their work. 5. There is nothing for the workers to do in their free time. 6. Some local people think the management are making an unfair profit out of the workers. 7. The migrants working conditions are severe. 8. Doctors and interpreters are provided free. 9. There is not always enough work for everyone. 10.The S&A Davies manager is critical of all European workers.
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7. when 3,500 people turn 2. Now match numbers 1, 5, 6 and 7 to these definitions: a) prepared and written b) explained clearly in writing c) arrive (sometimes unexpectedly) d) removing, roots and all
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4. Detailed Comprehension
1. False; she used a walking frame 2. True 3. False; a hero not just for those people in Herefordshire who object 4. False; the workers started clapping, and then cheered her on 5. False; football pitches, internet cafes and even saunas. 6. True 7. True 8. False; for 30 they have access to medical and translation advice 9. True 10.False; We had superb people. Now ... Some countries ... have sent over their unemployed drunks
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something (usually concerning work). 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. is to shout loudly to show that you are happy about something or somebody. is someone who moves to another country to work or live. is to hit your hands together, many times, to show that you think something is good. is to have enough money to buy something. (used in football) is a sign or warning that you have done something wrong. are things you can use to help you enjoy your free time.
Val Salisbury lives in a country village in England. She loves the countryside, but just near her house there is a big strawberry farm. So now the fields are covered with very big pieces of plastic, called polytunnels, where the strawberries grow. And people have to work in the polytunnels, too. These workers come to England from eastern Europe every summer, to pick the strawberries for British supermarkets. Mrs Salisbury was very angry about all the plastic, and she was also angry that the workers were badly paid. She wanted to show the farm company (S&A Davies, Europes largest strawberry grower) how she felt. So one day she walked into one of the polytunnels, and started pulling the strawberry plants out of the ground. The east Europeans understood why she was angry, and they clapped and cheered. I felt so much better after my protest, said Mrs Salisbury last weekend. We dont need these strawberries and these polytunnels in Herefordshire.
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Every year, at the beginning of summer, at least 5,000 people from eastern Europe arrive in south-west England to pick fruit. This year, two villages, with more than 1,700 people in each, have been built there. Each one has about 400 caravans, football pitches, internet cafes and even saunas. Most local people welcome the fruit-pickers, but some are afraid that the fruit company is making too much money out of them. Last weekend, a reporter interviewed 50 people working in the tunnels, and many were as angry as Mrs Salisbury. The workers who could speak English said that their conditions were terrible. They thought the company was making too much money from their stay. In Lithuania I earn 200 pounds a month, said a policeman from Vilnius. I thought I could earn more here. It looks like I am not going to. It cost more than I thought to get here; it costs more to live. None of us like strawberry picking, said a Ukrainian student. Today I have earned 23 pounds. But I must pay 35 pounds a week to live in a box with three other people. Perhaps I earn 150 pounds in a week, but when I have paid for food, accommodation, tax, everything, maybe I have 70 pounds for a six days. Its not good. The money is bad, said a waiter from the Czech Republic. We waited days to have work It is like a prison. I have been given a yellow card already. One more and I am sent home. The contracts S&A Davies gives the east Europeans make life hard for the workers. They have to pay 26.25 a week to live four or five in one room. They must pay 3 a week for toilets and waste collection, 2.25 for electricity, and 2.75 for leisure facilities, including a TV set, football pitch and disco. It costs them 30 to see a doctor or a translator. The contracts say that the pickers can lose their jobs if they eat a single strawberry, stop work, or go to the toilet at the side of the field, or smoke indoors. If they want to have a visitor, they must ask permission two days in advance. I have never been anywhere like this, said a Ukrainian housewife. The company said they promised to pay pickers 5.05 an hour when there was work, and extra money if they picked a lot of strawberries. But they said that they could not promise full-time work for everyone at the start of the strawberry season. When 3,500 people arrive, its hard to give everyone work at the same time. And when it was raining, two weeks ago, we only charged 10 for accommodation, said Graham Neal, a manager with S&A Davies. The strange but sad thing is that the east Europeans cannot even afford to buy the fruit they pick. Yes, we like strawberries but we cannot pay for them, said a Ukrainian who was buying cheap white bread and margarine in the local supermarket. The next time you eat one, just think of us in the tunnels.
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4 Vocabulary 1 Collocation
Match these word pairs from the article: 1 white 2 full-time 3 football 4 country 5 internet 6 strawberry 7 eastern 8 badly 9 Czech 10 extra Now read quickly to check. a cafe b village c Europe d work e paid f bread g Republic h money i pitch j farm
a grower
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a buyer
6 Discussion
Do you think Mrs. Salisbury was right to pull up the strawberry plants? Why / why not?
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5. Vocabulary 2
1. (a grower) 2. a manager 3. a picker 4. a worker 5. (a buyer) 6. a farmer 7. a prisoner 8. a smoker 9. a cleaner 10.a drinker
Word Building
4. Vocabulary 1 Collocation
1 white bread 2 full-time work 3 football pitch 4 country village 5 internet caf 6 strawberry farm 7 eastern Europe 8 badly paid 9 Czech Republic 10 extra money
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is to say that you are not satisfied with something. is a metal support that helps old or disabled people to move. is a strong disagreement. is to shout loudly to show that you are happy about something or somebody. is a long, transparent polythene cover to protect growing plants,
tall enough for people to work inside. 6. 7. 8. is an agreement in writing, about work or business. is someone who moves to another country to work or live. is when the workers all stop work to show the management that
they are not happy about their working conditions. Now read the text quickly to check the words, and to see if your answer to question 1 2 was right.
Val Salisbury walked down her road in the English countryside and went into a giant plastic polytunnel. Inside, lots of people from eastern Europe were picking strawberries. The workers were surprised to see a 69-year-old Englishwoman using a walking frame come in. But when she started pulling the strawberry plants out of the ground, they began to understand that she was angry with the company they worked for. Mrs Salisbury herself was surprised when the east Europeans clapped and cheered her act of protest against S&A Davies, Europes largest strawberry grower. By the time the farm manager had arrived, Mrs Salisbury was very popular. Popular, not just with the local people who dont want large areas of farmland covered in plastic, but also with the workers from all over eastern Europe who pick fruit for British supermarkets. I felt so much better after my protest, said Mrs Salisbury last weekend. We dont need these strawberries and these polytunnels in Herefordshire.
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 Downloaded from the News Lessons section in www.onestopenglish.com
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Every year, at the beginning of summer, at least 5,000 people from eastern Europe arrive in Herefordshire and Worcestershire to pick fruit. This year, two villages, with more than 1,700 people in each, have been built there. Each one has about 400 caravans, football pitches, internet cafes and even saunas. Most local people welcome the fruit-pickers, but some are afraid that the fruit company is treating the migrant workers unfairly to make money out of them. Last weekend, 50 people working in the tunnels were interviewed, and many seemed as angry as Mrs Salisbury. Those who could speak English complained about their conditions, and thought the company was making too much money from their stay. In Lithuania I earn 200 pounds a month, said a policeman from Vilnius. I thought I could earn more here. It looks like I am not going to. It cost more than I thought to get here; it costs more to live. None of us like strawberry picking, said a Ukrainian student. Today I have earned 23 pounds. But I must pay 35 pounds a week to live in a box with three other people. Perhaps I earn 150 pounds in a week, but when I have paid for food, accommodation, tax, everything, maybe I have 70 pounds for a six days. Its not good. The money is bad, said a waiter from the Czech Republic. We waited days to have work. Last year we heard there was a strike here; perhaps there will be one this year, too. It is like a prison. I have been given a yellow card already. One more and I am sent home. The Guardian has seen the contracts S&A Davies gives the east Europeans. The rules and conditions are hard. The workers have to pay 26.25 a week to live four or five in one room. They must pay GBP3 a week for toilets and waste collection, 2.25 for electricity, and 2.75 for leisure facilities, including a TV set, football pitch and disco. For 30, they can get medical and translation advice. The contracts say that pickers can lose their jobs for eating a single strawberry, for stopping work, for going to the toilet at the side of the field, or for smoking indoors. If their rooms are not clean and tidy, the workers can be asked to leave. If they want to invite a visitor to the camp, they must ask permission two days in advance. I have never been anywhere like this, said a Ukrainian housewife. The company said they promised to pay pickers 5.05 an hour when there was work, and extra money if they picked more than a set amount of strawberries. But they said that they could not promise full-time work for everyone at the start of the strawberry season, or in bad weather. When 3,500 people arrive, its hard to give everyone work at the same time. We reduced the cost of accommodation to 10 when it was raining, two weeks ago, said Graham Neal, a manager with S&A Davies. Mr Neal blamed agents in east European countries for sending the wrong kind of workers. Under the old system, where fixed numbers of students came to do farm work, we could go to an east European university and get excellent people. Now the government says that we must take anyone from the EU. Some countries ... have sent over their unemployed drunks, he said. The strange but sad thing is that the east Europeans cannot even afford to buy the fruit they pick. Yes, we like strawberries but we cannot pay for them, said a Ukrainian who was buying cheap white bread and margarine in the local supermarket. The next time you eat one, just think of us in the tunnels.
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5 Vocabulary 2 Collocation
See if you can remember the missing propositions. Use the paragraph numbers (in brackets) to help you. 1. angry 2. work 3. complain 4. pay 5. 6. 7. the cost 8. blame somebody somebody (1) somebody (1) something (4) something (6, 8 and 10) advance (9) the same time (9) something (9) something (10)
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7 Discussion
Do you think Mrs Salisbury was right to pull up the strawberry plants? Why / why not?
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6. Word Order
1. I thought I could earn much more money here. 2. I have never been anywhere like this. 3. We like strawberries but we cannot pay for them. 4. The next time you eat one 5. Just think of us in the polytunnels.
5. Vocabulary 2 Collocation:
1. with 2. for 3. about 4. for 5. in 6. at 7. of 8. for
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Modern pirates
Level 1 l Elementary
1 Key vocabulary
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. pirate navy 1. A armed cargo cabin crew safe (n) grenade target chaos
2. The people who work on a ship are called the ships 3. If someone is 4.
, they are carrying a weapon, usually a gun. is a situation where everything is confused and in a mess. .
5. The things that a ship carries are called its 6. A 7. A 8. The 9. A 10. A
is a strong metal box with a lock used to store valuable things and money. is someone who attacks ships while they are sailing in order to steal things from them. is the part of a countrys armed forces that fights at sea. is a private room on a ship. is something that someone plans to attack.
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Modern pirates
Level 1 l Elementary
The 17th century was the golden age of the pirates. European countries colonised the Caribbean and pirates such as Edward Blackbeard Teach and Calico Jack Rackham attacked trading ships. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the navies of the great powers controlled the seas and attacks by pirates were rare. But now pirate attacks are on the increase again. There are two main reasons. Firstly, shipping companies are trying to save money so they do not spend much money on security. Secondly, there is no international law to control pirates. Most modern-day pirate attacks happen in the South China Sea. More than a third of last years 266 reported pirate attacks happened there. The seas around lawless countries are particularly dangerous. The Indian Ocean coast of Somalia has had a lot of pirate attacks. Modern pirates use inside information, satellite phones and tracking technology to plan attacks on ships with valuable cargo. They attack the ships using ropes and special hooks. It is very difficult to climb onto a moving ship and some experts believe that many pirates have had military training. Captain Newton says that pirate attacks are increasing because there is almost no danger for the pirates. Our ships dont have armed guards and nobody is going to come after you because you are in international waters, he says. As soon as pirates are on your ship, there is nothing you can do if they are armed and you are not. The pirates feel safe because many shipping companies do not report pirate attacks. They think it is cheaper to lose $20,000 in cash than to pay much more money for insurance. In October 2002, there was a suicide attack on a French oil tanker in Yemen. After that the cost of insurance increased by 300% for ships entering Yemeni waters. Navy vessels sometimes keep pirates away but they do not often arrest them in international waters. The US navy recently arrested some pirates who attacked a Thai fishing vessel off the coast of Somalia, but had to free the men because neither the Thai government nor any other government wanted to put them on trial. Shipping companies are trying to save money and now there are only 2024 crew members on modern container ships. Usually, just two crew members sail the ship at night. Sometimes only five or six people are up and working on a ship which is the size of two football pitches. This means that the risk of a pirate attack is very great. There has been an increase in pirate attacks in oceans with a lot of warships. There were no attacks in Iraqi waters in 2004, but last year there were 10 attacks on oil tankers and cargo vessels near Basra. Ships are easy targets for terrorists. Attacks in a key area like the Suez Canal could cause chaos. About 90% of world trade goes by sea. Piracy isnt fantasy, says Andrew Linington of the ship officers union in London. It is happening every week. It is an advertisement to terrorists that it is easy to attack ships.
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings of the sentences. 1. There is almost no danger for the pirates because 2. Shipping companies do not report pirate attacks because 3. Some experts believe many pirates have had military training because 4. The South China Sea is dangerous for ships because 5. Shipping companies do not spend much money on security because 6. Navy ships often do not arrest pirates because
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Modern pirates
Level 1 l Elementary
a. b. c. d. e. f. it is very difficult to climb onto a moving ship. they are trying to save money. they are in international waters. ships do not have armed guards. more than one third of pirate attacks last year happened there. they do not want to pay more money for insurance.
4 Sequence of events
These sentences tell the story of what happened to Captain Newtons ship (paragraph 1). Put them in the correct order. Check your answers in the text. a. They tied his hands with rope. b. Captain Newton was in his cabin. c. They used a rope to leave the ship. d. They told him to open the safe. e. They held a knife against his neck. f. They took the money from the safe. g. Nine armed pirates came into the cabin.
5 Vocabulary ships
Find the words in the text that are used with these words: 1. navy 2. container 3. fishing 4. oil 5. cargo 6. war 7. trading 8. cruise
6. Vocabulary prepositions
Fill the gaps using prepositions. 1. sail 2. to increase 3. pirate attacks are 4. spend money the South China Sea 300% the increase security 5. attacks 6 to put someone 7. 90% of world trade goes 8. the coast of Somalia ships trial sea
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Modern pirates
Level 1 l Elementary KEY
1 Key vocabulary
1. grenade 2. crew 3. armed 4. chaos 5. cargo 6. safe 7. pirate 8. navy 9. cabin 10. target
5 Vocabulary ships
1. vessel 2. ship 3. vessel 4. tanker 5. vessel 6. ship 7. ship 8. liner
6 Vocabulary prepositions
1. across 2. by 3. on 4. on 5. on 6. on 7. by 8. off .
3 Comprehension check
1. d 2. f 3. a 4. e 5. b 6. c
4 Sequence of events
1. b 2. g 3. e 4. a 5. d 6. f 7. c
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Modern pirates
Level 2 l Intermediate
1 Key vocabulary
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. machete risk free 1. A 2. If something is 3. If something 4. If you 5. If you 6. If something is 7. 8. 9. A 10. If something is ambush detain secluded vulnerable decline non lethal jurisdiction cost-cutting
place is private and peaceful and not near other people or places. , it does not involve any danger. it gets smaller, less effective or weaker. someone, you keep them under arrest. someone, you attack them after hiding and waiting for them. it will not kill you. is the process of taking certain actions to reduce the costs of a business. is the right or power to make legal decisions. is a large knife with a long wide blade used as a weapon or tool. , it is weak or easy to attack.
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Modern pirates
Level 2 l Intermediate
The golden age of piracy was the 17th century, when European powers colonised the Caribbean. Pirates such as Edward Blackbeard Teach and Calico Jack Rackham attacked trading ships, taking advantage of the political vacuum and a secluded coastline that was perfect for ambushes. During the age of empire, the navies of the great powers enforced order on the high seas and piracy declined; but now, as the empires have vanished, piracy is on the increase again. It is helped by a number of things from cost-cutting by the shipping industry to fact that there are no international arrangements to deal with piracy. The centre of modern-day piracy is the South China Sea, where more than a third of last years 266 reported pirate attacks took place. The seas around failing states are particularly dangerous. The Indian Ocean off Somalia is home to a special brand of piracy, in which ships are hijacked and crews are kidnapped and ransomed. Modern pirates use intelligence (including information from corrupt port officials), satellite phones and tracking technology to plan attacks on valuable cargo, but one tool of modern pirates remains the same: the rope and grappling hook. Climbing onto a ship in motion requires special forces-style skills and many in the shipping industry believe some modern pirates have a military background. According to Newton, the increase in piracy is also the result of the fact that there are few risks for the pirates. Our ships dont have armed guards and nobody is going to go after you because it is international waters and no one has jurisdiction, he says. Once they are on your ship, there is nothing you can do if they are armed and you are not. Another reason why piracy is so risk free is that many victims fail to report the crime. Shipping companies would rather lose $20,000 stolen from a safe than report it to their insurers and face a large increase in premiums. Insurance premiums rose by 300% for vessels entering Yemeni waters after a suicide boat crashed into Limburg, a French oil tanker, in October 2002. Ships sometimes do not report piracy because they think that no country will bother to investigate crimes in international waters. Naval vessels often discourage pirates but rarely want to capture and detain them in international waters. The US navy recently caught and detained pirates who attacked a Thai fishing vessel near Somalia, but had to release the men because neither the Thai government nor any other government was willing to put them on trial. When ships have been seized and crews kidnapped off the coast of Somalia, shipping companies simply pay the ransom demands. About 90% of world trade is carried by sea. Cost-cutting has made modern cargo ships extremely vulnerable to attack, according to Andrew Linington of Numas, the ship officers union in London. There are only 2024 crew members on modern container ships. Usually, just two crew members patrol the bridge at night. You can have ships the size of two football pitches and at any one time you will have just five or six people up and working, says Linington. Few companies are willing to pay for security measures such as non-lethal electric fences or sonic weapons. As well as being small in number, modern multinational crews are poorly paid. Many boats use Filipino crew members, who earn just $400 a month. For that money, few captains expect their crew to risk their lives by defending their ship. Even oceans full of warships have seen an increase in pirate attacks. There were no attacks in Iraqi waters in 2004, yet last year there were 10 attacks on oil tankers and cargo vessels near Basra. Ships are soft targets for terrorists. It would only take couple of major incidents in a key area such as the Suez canal to cause chaos. Piracy isnt fantasy, says Linington. It is happening every week. It is an advertisement to terrorists that it is easy to attack something that is so crucial to world trade.
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Modern pirates
Level 2 l Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the information in the text. 1. Why dont navy ships capture and detain pirates? a. because its too dangerous b. because no country wants to put them on trial c. because its too difficult to catch them 2. What is the main reason for the increase in piracy? a. many victims do not report the crime b. cost-cutting by the shipping industry makes piracy easy c. the pirates often have inside information 3. Why dont captains expect their crews to defend their ships? a. because its impossible to defend a big ship b. because the ships are the size of two football pitches c. because they are poorly paid 4. Why do some experts believe some pirates have a military background? a. because they are able to climb onto a moving ship b. because they wear special uniforms c. because they use intelligence
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Modern pirates
Level 2 l Intermediate
5 Vocabulary prepositions
Complete these expressions from the text by adding a preposition. Check your answers in the text. 1. take advantage 2. 3. 4. deal 5. put someone 6. vulnerable 7. armed 8. shipping is crucial a situation the coast of Somalia the increase a problem trial attack grenades world trade
6 Vocabulary word-building
Complete the table. Verb 1. arrange 2. hijack 3. kidnap 4. move 5. risk 6. investigate 7. advertise 8. insure (person) (person) Noun
7 Discussion
What measures should countries adopt to defend themselves against pirates?
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Modern pirates
Level 2 l Intermediate KEY
1 Key vocabulary
1. secluded 2. risk free 3. declines 4. detain 5. ambush 6. non lethal 7. cost-cutting 8. jurisdiction 9. machete 10. vulnerable
5 Vocabulary prepositions
1. of 2. off 3. on 4. with 5. on 6. to 7. with 8. to
6 Vocabulary word-building
1. arrangement 2. hijacker 3. kidnapper 4. motion (movement) 5. risk 6. investigation 7. advertisement 8. insurance
3 Comprehension check
1. b 2. b 3. c 4. a
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Modern pirates
Level 3 l Advanced
1 Key vocabulary
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. machete secluded 1. A 2. If something is 3. A 4. A 5. 6. If something is 7. A 8. If something is 9. If a ship is heavily 10. glamorous plunder tip-off jurisdiction vulnerable premium laden non lethal
is a warning or secret information given to someone. , it is attractive and interesting in an exciting or unusual way. is the amount of money you pay regularly for an insurance policy. is a large knife with a long wide blade used as a weapon or tool. is the right or power to make legal decisions. it will not kill you. place is private and peaceful and not near other people or places. , it is weak or easy to attack. , it is full of cargo. means the valuable things taken from a place by force.
3. The coast off which of these countries is particularly dangerous because of pirates? a. Russia b. Tanzania c. Somalia 4. How many crew members does a modern container ship have? a. Fewer than 10 b. 2024 c. 6070 5. How much money do Filipino sailors on international container ships earn each month? a. $400 b. $1,000 c. $4,000
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Modern pirates
Level 3 l Advanced
there have been 3,583 piratical attacks reported worldwide, causing 340 deaths. Last November, a ship called Seabourn Spirit was ambushed off the coast of Somalia. Pirates with rocket-propelled grenades in two boats were repelled when the crew directed a sonic blaster at their attackers. Robbery at sea entered a golden age during the 17th century, when European powers colonised the Caribbean. Pirates such as Edward Blackbeard Teach and Calico Jack Rackham attacked heavily laden trading ships, taking advantage of the political vacuum and a secluded coastline perfect for ambushes. As the age of empire took hold and naval forces imposed order on the high seas, piracy lost its vigour; now, with imperial decline, it is regaining strength. A variety of conditions from the cost-cutting of the shipping industry to the absence of international arrangements to tackle piracy is aiding modern pirates. The centre of modern-day piracy is the South China Sea, scene of more than a third of last years 266 reported raids. Waters around failing states are particularly dangerous. The Indian Ocean off Somalia is home to a special brand of piracy, in which ships are hijacked and crews are kidnapped and ransomed. Modern pirates use intelligence (often tip-offs from corrupt port officials), satellite phones and tracking technology to plan attacks on valuable cargo, but one tool of modern pirates remains the same: the rope and grappling hook. Storming a ship in motion requires special forces-style skills and many in the shipping industry believe some of the more sophisticated modern pirates have a military background. A relative absence of risk also is behind the rise in piracy, according to Newton. We dont carry armed guards and nobody is going to pursue you because it is international waters and no one has jurisdiction, he says. Once they get on board, there is nothing you can do if they are armed and you are not. Another reason why piracy is so risk free is that many victims fail to report the crime. Shipping companies would rather bear the loss of $20,000 stolen from a safe than report it to their insurers and face a large increase in premiums. Insurance premiums rose by 300% for vessels entering Yemeni waters after a suicide boat rammed into Limburg, a French oil tanker, in October 2002. Ships sometimes do not report piracy because they fear that no country will bother to investigate crimes in international waters. Naval vessels often discourage pirates but rarely want to capture and detain them in international waters. The US navy recently caught and detained pirates who attacked a Thai fishing vessel near Somalia, but had to release the men because neither the Thai government nor any other would put them on trial. Where ships have been seized and crews kidnapped off Somalia, shipping companies simply pay the ransom demands. About 90% of world trade is carried by sea. Cost-cutting has made modern cargo ships more vulnerable than ever to attack, according to Andrew Linington of Numas, the ship officers union in London. There are only 2024 crew members on modern container ships. Usually, just two crew patrol the bridge at night. You can have ships the size of two football pitches and at any one time you will have just five or six people up and working, says Linington. Few companies are willing to pay for security measures such as non-lethal electric fences or sonic weapons. As well as being small in number, modern multinational crews are poorly paid. Many boats use Filipino crew members, who take home $400 a month. For that money, few captains expect their crew to risk their lives by defending their ship. Low wages also lead to the occasional inside job: crew members can be tempted to provide pirates with information on freight and opportune times to strike. Even oceans full of warships have seen an increase. There were no attacks in Iraqi waters in 2004, yet last year there were 10 opportunistic assaults on oil tankers and cargo vessels near Basra. Piracy provides a juicy example of soft targets for terrorists. It would only take couple of major incidents in a key area such as the Suez canal to cause chaos. Piracy isnt fantasy, says Linington. It is happening on a weekly basis. It is an advertisement to terrorists that it is easy to attack something that is so crucial to world trade.
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Modern pirates
Level 3 l Advanced
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements true or false according to the text? 1. Only about a quarter of a container ships crew are up and working at any one time. 2. Container ships would be a difficult target for terrorists. 3. Crew members are expected to risk their lives by defending their ships. 4. Storming a moving ship requires the kind of skills used by special forces. 5. The 17th century was the golden age of piracy. 6. Shipping companies usually report piracy incidents to their insurance companies. 7. It is cheaper to lose $20,000 than to pay an increased insurance premium. 8. There are international arrangements to tackle piracy.
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Modern pirates
Level 3 l Advanced
6 Vocabulary word-building
Complete the table. Verb 1. n/a 2. seclude 3. attack 4. rob 5. vary 6. investigate 7. secure 8. hijack Noun (person) pirate n/a n/a n/a Noun (thing) n/a n/a n/a n/a Adjective
7 Discussion
What measures should countries adopt to defend themselves against pirates?
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Modern pirates
Level 3 l Advanced KEY
1 Key vocabulary
1. tip-off 2. glamorous 3. premium 4. machete 5. jurisdiction 6. non lethal 7. secluded 8. vulnerable 9. laden 10. plunder
6 Vocabulary word-building
1. piracy, piratical 2. seclusion, secluded 3. attacker, attack 4. robber, robbery 5. variety, various/varied 6. investigator, investigation 7. security, secure 8. hijacker, hijacking6
3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. F 3. F 4. T 5. T 6. F 7. T 8. F
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EXPRESS LESSON
An end to malaria?
Level 2 l Intermediate
1 Gap-fill exercise
These words have been removed from the text. Use them to fill the gaps in the text: neglected estimated identified excited licensed developed
about 12 months. And because it is no longer under patent, it can be made very cheaply. The breakthrough has researchers because of the cost of developing other
anti-malarial treatments. Time and money are major problems when it comes to developing new drugs for diseases like malaria, said David Sullivan at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg school of public health. One study of drug development costs in the 1990s that each drug that
reached the market cost pharmaceutical companies $802m in research and development.
3 Collocations
Look at these eight words from the text. Use them to make four collocations (adjective + noun; preposition + noun). Check your answers in the text. potential 4 problem public patent major cure health under
Word game
Complete these words from the text. Check your answers in the text. 1. a 4. d s er s ie s 2. p 5. d t v l ti p t
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3. t
tm
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EXPRESS LESSON
An end to malaria?
Level 2 l Intermediate KEY
1 Gap-fill exercise
A drug developed to treat allergies has been identified by US researchers as a potential cure for malaria. Tests in mice show that the antihistamine astemizole also kills the malaria parasite. It is licensed for use in people, so it could be developed for use as a malaria drug in about 12 months. And because it is no longer under patent, it can be made very cheaply. The breakthrough has excited researchers because of the cost of developing other anti-malarial treatments. Time and money are major roadblocks when it comes to developing new drugs for neglected diseases like malaria, said David Sullivan at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg school of public health. One study of drug development costs in the 1990s estimated that each drug that reached the market cost pharmaceutical companies $802m in research and development.
3 Collocations
potential cure; major problem; under patent; public health
4 Word game
1. allergies 2. potential 3. treatment 4. diseases 5. development
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EXPRESS LESSON
An end to malaria?
Level 3 l Advanced
1 Put the words back
These words have been removed from the text. Put them back into the text - anywhere they will logically and grammatically fit. Note that they are in the original order. potential also about major new neglected
3 Collocations
Match the verbs with the nouns or noun phrases. Check your answers in the text. 1. treat 2. develop 3. cure 4. reach 4 a. a new drug b. a disease c. the market d. an allergy
Word game
Re-order the letters to make words from the text. Check your answers in the text. 1. aarmail 2. aseapirt 3. tntape 4. mepratlacichau 5. erscheerars
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EXPRESS LESSON
An end to malaria?
Level 3 l Advanced KEY
1 Put the words back
A drug developed to treat allergies has been identified by US researchers as a potential cure for malaria. Tests in mice show that the antihistamine astemizole also kills the malaria parasite. It is licensed for use in people, so it could be developed for use as a malaria drug in about 12 months. And because it is no longer under patent, it can be made at rock-bottom prices. The breakthrough has excited researchers because of the cost of developing other anti-malarial treatments. Time and money are major roadblocks when it comes to developing new drugs for neglected diseases like malaria, said David Sullivan at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg school of public health. One study of drug development costs in the 1990s estimated that each drug that reached the market cost pharmaceutical companies $802m in research and development.
3 Collocations
1. d; 2. a; 3. b; 4. c
4 Word game
1. malaria 2. parasite 3. patent 4. pharmaceutical 5. researchers
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1. A
2. If someone says that they will do something very bad to you if you dont do what they say, they you. .
4. People who are in danger in their own country sometimes move to another country and ask for , or the right to stay there in safety. .
5. Money that is provided by a government or organization to help people is called 6. To is to formally ask a court to change its decision. them.
are pieces of paper, instead of money, that let people buy what they need.
I first met Thomas last spring, when I asked him to write an article about living underground in Britain. He had applied for asylum, afraid for his life in Zimbabwe because Robert Mugabes youth militia, the Green Bombers, threatened to kill him for leaving their organisation. Now, at the beginning of the summer, he looks happy and relaxed, living with his new partner, Tanya, in a village in East Anglia. But it has been a long, hard journey surviving as a persona non grata in Britain. And it is not over yet.
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After his final appeal for asylum was rejected in 2004, Thomas lived rough in Manchester; on friends floors and in a disused factory with other failed asylum seekers. One night, five white youths attacked him and left him with bruised ribs and a swollen eye. But he wouldnt go to the police. I was terrified that they would send me back to Zimbabwe. Shaken by the attack, he went to Glasgow to stay with friends, but an old illness forced him to go to hospital. He was afraid to give his real name, so he didnt attend his check-up, went back to Manchester and slept in the bus station. The following day he contacted Refugee Action - the charity that had helped him with his asylum case. But hostels in Manchester cant take people like Thomas who cant receive state funding, so they had to send him to a homeless hostel in Liverpool. It was full of drug addicts, says Thomas. There was a massive room with lots of beds. Five oclock, they gave me dinner, and six oclock you had to be in bed. I was scared of the other residents. They made racist jokes. I couldnt sleep all night. The next morning I took the first bus back to Manchester. He spent his second night in the bus station before another friend let him stay. At this time, the asylum and immigration tribunal judged that failed asylum seekers deported to Zimbabwe would be in danger. This gave Zimbabweans refugee status, and Thomas reapplied for asylum. But his claim was rejected. His case worker at Refugee Action appealed, and Thomas was invited to attend an appeal hearing in London. He won the appeal, and returned to Manchester ready to move into a hostel and receive government food vouchers, instead of having to rely on handouts from friends and charity, but it was another two months before anything arrived. Three days before Christmas, he was finally given a room in a National Asylum Support Service [Nass] hostel. But it was a disgusting place to live. My bedroom floor was covered in water, the kitchen ceiling leaked, there was mould growing everywhere. And the first food vouchers didnt arrive until Christmas Eve, when the only supermarkets that accepted them were closed. I spent Christmas Day ill with hunger, he says. The new year, however, looked more promising: Thomas was transferred to a better- maintained Nass hostel, and then he heard that his sister, who he hadnt seen for three years since escaping from Zimbabwe, was living in the Midlands. I couldnt believe it, he says. She had left the same night as myself, after the Green Bombers had beaten me up in front of my family. None of us had heard from her. He remembered Sonia as a big woman. Now 43, also a failed asylum seeker, she was tiny. We hated each other when I was growing up, Thomas laughs. But now I just wanted to be with her. She is the only family I have here. He has one brother still in Zimbabwe and another who died last year. Another brother and two other sisters are in South Africa, where his mother now lives, too. Her house in Zimbabwe was destroyed by Mugabes so-called slum clearance programme. Thomas met Tanya through a mutual friend while he was staying with Sonia, and they clicked immediately. She invited Thomas to move in with her and her four young children. With Tanya at work all day, Thomas became a house husband. Its the happiest I have ever been, he beams, clutching Tanyas hand. They plan to marry, but say they dont want to tie the knot until Thomas has his refugee status. I dont want anyone to think we are getting married so I can stay, he insists. Shes been there for me, more than anyone else in my life. She took me in when I had nothing.
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Thomas is desperate to find work to support his new family, but asylum seekers are prohibited from working. Five months on, the Home Office has told him nothing about his case. The uncertainty is making him nervous. Its the not knowing what is going on that is stressful, he says. In April the government obtained permission to send failed asylum seekers back to Zimbabwe, and later this legislation was confirmed, allowing it to forcibly remove up to 7,000 people. What will he do if the Home Office does start deporting failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe? Thomas says: Its harder now. I have a family here, but Ill have to go underground again. No way am I going back. And Tanya? Without hesitation, she replies: Ill go wherever he is. Names have been changed. Thomass article, and more on asylum seekers, can be found at SocietyGuardian.co.uk/asylumseekers
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3 Comprehension check
Put these events in the order in which they happened. a. Thomas went to Liverpool. b. He went to live in East Anglia. c. He was attacked by five young white men. d. He was a member of the Green Bombers in Zimbabwe. e. He met Tanya. f. He went to live in Manchester. g. He went to his appeal in London. h. He went to Glasgow. i. He met his sister in the Midlands.
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6 Discussion
How do you feel about Thomass situation? What is your countrys immigration policy? Do you think countries should have limits to the numbers and types of immigrants it accepts? What kind of immigration policies do you think are ideal?
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3. Comprehension check
1. d 2. f 3. c 4. h 5. a 6. g 7. i 8. e 9. b
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Fill the gaps using these words from the headline and the text. asylum seekers militia threaten vouchers slum refugee status 1. A appeal deport
2. If someone says that they will do something very bad to you if you dont do what they say, they 3. you. are people who are in danger in their own country
and move to another country and ask for the right to stay there in safety. 4. If the government allows these people to stay in the country, they have 5. A 6. If you . is a group of ordinary people trained to fight in an emergency. against a court decision, you formally ask the court to change it. them.
are pieces of paper, instead of money, that let people buy what they need.
Three years ago, Thomas came to Britain from Zimbabwe. He was afraid for his life, because when he left Robert Mugabes youth militia, the Green Bombers, they threatened to kill him. Now, he is living happily with his new partner, Tanya, in a village in East Anglia. But it has been a long, hard journey surviving as an unwanted visitor in Britain. And it is not over yet. After he was refused permission to stay in 2004, Thomas slept on friends floors and in an empty factor in Manchester. One night, five white youths attacked and injured him badly. But he wouldnt go to the police. I was terrified that they would send me back to Zimbabwe. Frightened by the attack, he went to Glasgow to stay with friends, but an old illness forced him to go to hospital. He was afraid to give his real name, so he didnt attend his check-up, went back to Manchester and slept in the bus station. The next day, he went to Refugee Action the charity that had helped him with his asylum case. They couldnt put him in a homeless hostel in Manchester because he didnt have government support, so they sent him to one in Liverpool. It was a huge room full of drug addicts, says Thomas. Five
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At this time, the law decided that Zimbabweans would be in danger if they were sent home, so Thomas asked for asylum again. His claim was rejected, but his case worker at Refugee Action appealed. He won the appeal, and returned to Manchester expecting to move into a hostel and have government food vouchers. He didnt want to depend on friends and charity. But nothing changed for another two months. At last, three days before Christmas, he was given a room in a National Asylum Support Service [Nass] hostel. But it was horrible. My bedroom floor was covered in water, the kitchen ceiling leaked, there was mould growing everywhere. And the first food vouchers didnt arrive until Christmas Eve, when the only supermarkets that accepted them were closed. I spent Christmas Day ill with hunger, he says. But in the new year, life improved. Thomas was moved to a better Nass hostel, and then he heard that his sister, who he hadnt seen since he escaped from Zimbabwe, was living nearby! I couldnt believe it, he says. She left the same night as me, after the Green Bombers beat me up in front of my family. None of us had heard from her. He remembered Sonia as a big woman. Now 43, also a failed asylum seeker, she was tiny. We hated each other when I was growing up, Thomas laughs. But now I just wanted to be with her. She is the only family I have here. He has one brother still in Zimbabwe; another died last year. Another brother and two other sisters are in South Africa, where his mother now lives, too. Mugabes soldiers destroyed her house in Zimbabwe when they were clearing the slums. Thomas met Tanya through a friend of Sonias. He now lives with her and looks after her four young children while she is at work. Its the happiest I have ever been, he smiles, holding Tanyas hand. They plan to marry when Thomas has his refugee status. I dont want anyone to think we are only getting married so I can stay, he insists. Shes been there for me, more than anyone else in my life. She took me in when I had nothing.
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Thomas wants to support his new family, but asylum seekers are not allowed to work. The Home Office has told him nothing about his case for five months, and this makes him nervous. In April, the government obtained permission to send failed asylum seekers back to Zimbabwe, so it could deport up to 7,000 people. What will he do if the Home Office does deport failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe? Thomas says: Its harder now. I have a family here, but Ill have to go underground again. No way am I going back. And Tanya? Without hesitation, she replies: Ill go wherever he is.
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1. Name all the places in Britain where Thomas has stayed. 2. What places in Manchester has he stayed in? 3. Why didnt he go to the Police, or go back to hospital? 4. How many brothers and sisters did he have? 5. Why did his mother leave Zimbabwe?
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Vocabulary development 1
All these adjectives from the text are about fear. Put them in order, with the strongest first. afraid frightened terrified nervous scared
6 Discussion
Do you feel sorry for Thomas? Do you think countries should stop refugees from living in them?
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4. Vocabulary development 1
terrified frightened afraid scared nervous
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1. A
2. If someone says that they will do something very bad to you if you dont do what they say, they 3. you. are people who are in danger in their own country and move
to another country and ask for the right to stay there in safety. 4. If the government allows these people to stay in the country, they have 5. If someone gives you permission to do something, they give you 6. A 7. 8. If you is a group of ordinary people trained to fight in an emergency. means ran away, or escaped against a court decision, you formally ask the court to change it. them. . to do it.
are pieces of paper, instead of money, that let people buy what they need.
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I first met Thomas last spring, when I asked him to write an article about living secretly in Britain. He had
applied for asylum, afraid for his life in Zimbabwe because Robert Mugabes youth militia, the Green Bombers, threatened to kill him for leaving their organisation.
2
Now, months later, he looks more relaxed, living with his new partner, Tanya, in a village in East Anglia. But it has been a long, hard journey surviving as an unwanted visitor in Britain. And it is not over yet. After his final appeal for asylum was rejected in 2004, Thomas lived rough in Manchester; on friends floors and in an empty factory with other failed asylum seekers. One night, five white youths attacked and injured him badly. But he wouldnt go to the police. I was terrified that they would send me back to Zimbabwe. Frightened by the attack, he went to Glasgow to stay with friends, but an old illness forced him to go to hospital. He was afraid to give his real name, so he didnt attend his check-up, went back to Manchester and slept in the bus station. The next day Refugee Action the charity that had helped him with his asylum case sent him to a homeless hostel in Liverpool, because hostels in Manchester cant take people like Thomas without government support. It was a huge room full of drug addicts, says Thomas. Five oclock, they gave me dinner, and six oclock you had to be in bed. I was scared of the other residents. They made racist jokes. I couldnt sleep all night. The next morning I took the first bus back to Manchester. He spent his second night in the bus station before another friend let him stay. At this time, the asylum and immigration tribunal decided that Zimbabweans would be in danger if they were sent home, so Thomas reapplied for asylum. But his claim was rejected. His case worker at Refugee Action appealed, and Thomas attended an appeal hearing in London. He won the appeal, and returned to Manchester expecting to move into a hostel and receive government food vouchers, instead of depending on friends and charity, but nothing arrived for another two months. Three days before Christmas, he was finally given a room in a National Asylum Support Service [Nass] hostel. But it was horrible. My bedroom floor was covered in water, the kitchen ceiling leaked, there was mould growing everywhere. And the first food vouchers didnt arrive until Christmas Eve, when the only supermarkets that accepted them were closed. I spent Christmas Day ill with hunger, he says. But in the new year, life improved: Thomas was transferred to a better Nass hostel, and then he heard that his sister, who he hadnt seen for three years since escaping from Zimbabwe, was living in the Midlands! I couldnt believe it, he says. She had left the same night as myself, after the Green Bombers had beaten me up in front of my family. None of us had heard from her. He remembered Sonia as a big woman. Now 43, also a failed asylum seeker, she was tiny. We hated each other when I was growing up, Thomas laughs. But now I just wanted to be with her. She is the only family I have here. He has one brother still in Zimbabwe and another who died last year. Another brother and two other sisters are in South Africa, where his mother now lives, too. Her house in Zimbabwe was destroyed by Mugabes so-called slum clearance programme. Thomas met Tanya through a friend of Sonias, and they liked each other immediately. She invited Thomas to move in with her and her four young children. With Tanya at work all day, Thomas became a house husband. Its the happiest I have ever been, he smiles, holding Tanyas hand. They plan to marry when
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Thomas wants to support his new family, but asylum seekers are not allowed to work. Five months on, the Home Office has told him nothing about his case, and this makes him nervous. Its not knowing what is going on that is stressful, he says. In April, the government obtained permission to send failed asylum seekers back to Zimbabwe, allowing it to deport up to 7,000 people. What will he do if the Home Office does deport failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe? Thomas says: Its harder now. I have a family here, but Ill have to go underground again. No way am I going back. And Tanya? Without hesitation, she replies: Ill go wherever he is.
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3 Comprehension check
Are the following statements true or false? 1. Alison Benjamin has written about Thomas before. 2. He was given permission to stay in 2004. 3. Manchester is his favourite place. 4. He was afraid that the police and the hospital would report him to the authorities. 5. The British government has never changed its ideas about refugees from Zimbabwe. 6. He wants to marry Tanya so that he can stay in Britain. 7. He still doesnt have permission to stay.
1.
is the action of removing things that you dont want. (CLEAR). . (RACE).
2. People who hate other people just because of the colour of their skin are 3. Please can I have 4. 5. A feeling of to leave the room? (PERMIT)
is when people move to another country to live there always. (IMMIGRATE). is when you cannot be sure what is going to happen. (CERTAIN)
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6 Discussion
How do you feel about Thomass situation? Do you think countries should restrict or refuse refugees?
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3. Comprehension check
1. False: she asked him to write. (1) 2. False; his appeal was rejected. (3) 3. False; he keeps going back because he has friends there. 4. True. 5. False; see the title: has been given the go-ahead, para 5: at this time thetribunal judged that., and para 11: in April 6. False; he wants to marry her anyway, and to get refugee status first, to prove that. 7. True.
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 3 l Advanced
1 Key Words
Fill in the gaps in the sentences with the words below. flicker deter affection conviction disinclined disobedient cuddle up perpetuate cajole widower
1. If you do something with certain about it. 2. A 3. A 4. A 5. If you are 6. 7. If you 8. If you warm, protected or loved. 9. If you
person deliberately does the opposite of what someone in authority has told them to do. is a man whose wife has died. is a small, sudden movement. to do something, you are unwilling to do it. is a feeling of liking and caring about someone a process or a situation, you make it continue. to someone, you sit or lie with your body against theirs because you want to feel
gently or being nice to them. 10. When something you from doing something, it makes you decide not to do it.
2 True or False?
Decide whether you think these statements are true or false and then read the article to see if your predictions were correct. 1. Arranged marriages are commonplace in Indonesia. 2. Disasters like the tsunami are reducing the numbers of arranged marriages. 3. The tradition of arranged marriages is likely to die out soon. 4. Divorce rates are rising in Indonesia. 5. When a woman dies, their older sister often marries the widower.
I do (not know who you are) Indonesian parents still pick childrens marriage partners
By John Aglionby in Bumi Agung When Tri Cayono and Yanti caught sight of each other, their reactions were hardly what one would expect from two people on their wedding day. Yanti greeted her future husband with a handshake and the merest flicker of a smile. He gave a nod and moved on. The affection level barely rose throughout the evening. Yanti and Tri did
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 3 l Advanced
not kiss. They were disinclined to cuddle up, even when cajoled by the photographer. This reflects the traditions that persist in many parts of Indonesia. Not only had Yanti, 22, a restaurant cook, and Tri, 24, a farmer, just met, they barely knew anything about each other. Er, what does he like to do in his spare time? Yanti asked a cousin the day before the wedding. Two months ago Tri announced he wanted to marry a girl from central Java. I think theyre cooler and more fun, he said. That he did not know any did not deter him. When an acquaintance, Fajar, said he had a cousin, Mursiyati, who might be appropriate, Tri accepted immediately. Pressured by her parents into accepting Tris offer - his possession of a 11/4-acre (0.5 hectare) farm being a tempting prospect for her labourer father - Mursiyati agreed to the match. A month later Mursiyati met someone she liked and married her new boyfriend instead. But Tri was still determined to marry a central Java woman and Fajar felt he had to provide one. So early in June the family came up with Yanti, a cousin. Again land proved the crucial factor. As soon as I heard her voice, saw her photo and learnt she was a cook, I knew that she was the woman for me, Tri said, without conviction. Yanti said she was happy and excited at the prospect of marrying Tri, but her father, Saulusmin, was not. I mean they havent even met - how can they get married? he said. But he did not dare to stand up to his wife, Gina. She would have got so angry with me if Id objected it would not have been pleasant, Saulusmin said. It is impossible to know how many Indonesians end up in such marriages. Saman, the cleric who married Yanti and Tri, said extreme stories such as theirs, where the couple had not met, comprised perhaps 1% of marriages. But there are many where the children do what theyre told, he said. Tini, a maid in Jakarta who ran away after her parents tried to force her, at the age of 15, to marry a 28-year-old, reckons about a third of all unions in her district are undertaken without full consent. World Vision, an international aid agency, describes the practice as still common and experts say it is unlikely to die out soon. Its the tradition and its hard to go against traditions, said Gadis Arivia, of the womens group Jurnal Perempuan. Parents dont believe in modern practices, particularly when they see divorce rates going up. On the daughters part if you obey your parents you are supported. The disobedient ones have a much harder life. Indonesias string of recent natural disasters and communal conflicts have also perpetuated the tradition, said Samsidar, a commissioner of the National Commission for Violence Against Women. Its traditional in situations where women have died for their younger sisters to look after their children, and this usually means they have to marry the widower, she said. There is also a strong economic side to it. After something like the tsunami many people were in a very bad way financially, Samsidar said. So we saw a lot of people hurrying to marry off their children to make their own lives that much easier. Back in Bumi Agung, Yanti was continuing to put a brave face on it. As long as I dont have to go to work again - its his job to provide for me - and can have a couple of children, then Ill be happy, she said. And Ill probably be able to come back and visit once a year.
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Marriage Indonesian-style
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3 Comprehension Check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. When Tri and Yanti saw each other at their wedding a. they were overjoyed to see each other b. they didnt acknowledge each others presence c. they greeted each other in a rather formal way 2. Tri didnt marry his friends cousin because a. her father said his farm wasnt big enough b. she decided to marry someone else c. she wasnt from central Java 3. Yanti put a brave face on things. This means: a. she tried to hide the fact that she was disappointed b. she was enthusiastic c. she was optimistic about the future 4. What has the effect of natural disasters and communal conflicts been? a. they have resulted in a continuation of the tradition of arranged marriages b. they have resulted in a reduction in the number of arranged marriages c. they have resulted in a sharp increase in the number of arranged marriages
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 3 l Advanced
5 Vocabulary Phrasal verbs
Match the phrasal verbs with their meanings. 1. come up with 2. stand up to 3. end up 4. die out 5. go against 6. look after 7. marry off 8. run away a. not allow yourself to be bullied by someone else b. care for c. produce or provide something that someone else wants d. oppose e. find oneself finally in a particular situation f. become less common and then disappear completely g. secretly leave a place because you are not happy there h. find a husband or wife for someone
6 Vocabulary Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. catch sight 2. 3. believe 4. provide 5. violence 6. conviction full consent
7 Discussion
Do you agree with the idea of arranged or forced marriages? Make a list of points for and against the practice.
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 3 l Advanced KEY
1 Key Words
1. conviction; 2. disobedient; 3. widower; 4. flicker; 5. disinclined; 6. affection; 7. perpetuate; 8. cuddle up; 9. cajole; 10. deters
5 Vocabulary
1. c; 2. a; 3. e; 4. f; 5. d; 6. b; 7. h; 8. g
Phrasal verbs
2 True or False?
1. T; 2. F; 3. F; 4. T; 5. F
Prepositions
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 1 l Elementary
1 Key Words
Fill in the gaps in the sentences with the words below. bride bridegroom wedding cousin cleric common divorce (n) conflict (n) widower arranged marriage 1. A 2. A 3. 4. An is a man whose wife has died. is a ceremony in which two people get married. is a general word for priest. is a marriage where parents choose a husband or wife for their children. . . . .
5. A child of your uncle or aunt is your 6. A woman who is getting married is the 7. A man who is getting married is the 8. Fighting between different groups of people is called a 9. 10. If something is
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 1 l Elementary
Two months ago Tri told his friends and family that he wanted to marry a girl from central Java. I think girls from central Java are cool and more fun, he said. But Tri didnt know any girls from central Java. However, this wasnt a problem for him. A friend of Tris, Fajar, said he had a cousin called Mursiyati who would be a good wife for him. Tri accepted the offer immediately. Mursiyatis parents forced her to accept Tris offer Mursiyatis father was pleased that Tri had some land and she agreed to marry Tri. A month later Mursiyati met someone she liked and she married her new boyfriend instead. But Tri still wanted to marry a woman from central Java and Fajar had to find one for him. So in June the family suggested Yanti, a cousin. When I heard her voice, saw her photo and learnt she was a cook, I knew that she was the woman for me, said Tri. Yanti said she was happy and excited about marrying Tri, but her father, Saulusmin, was unhappy. They havent even met - how can they get married? he said. But he did want to argue with his wife, Gina. She will be angry with me if I say no to the marriage. It will not be pleasant, Saulusmin said. It is impossible to know how many Indonesians are married in arranged marriages. Saman, the cleric who married Yanti and Tri, said situations like this, where the couple have never met, do not happen very often. But there are many where the children have to do what their parents tell them, he said. Tini, who now works as a maid in Jakarta, ran away from home when she was 15 after her parents told her to marry a 28-year-old man. She thinks about a third of all the marriages in her district take place without the full agreement of the bride and bridegroom. World Vision, an international aid agency, says that arranged marriages are still common and experts say the tradition will probably continue. Its the tradition and its hard to fight against traditions, one expert said. Parents dont like modern ways, especially when they see that divorce rates are going up. Daughters who listen to their parents get support. The ones that dont listen have a much harder life. Natural disasters and conflicts in Indonesia also help the tradition to continue. In situations where women have died, it is traditional for their younger sisters to look after their children, and this usually means they have to marry the widower. Money is an important factor. After the tsunami many people had financial problems so a lot of people wanted to marry off their children to make their own lives easier. Back at the wedding, Yanti told everyone she was happy. If I dont have to go to work again - its his job to provide for me - and if I can have a couple of children, then Ill be happy, she said. And Ill probably be able to come back and visit central Java once a year.
3 Comprehension check 1
Put these sentences in the correct order to retell the story. a. Unfortunately, he didnt know any girls from central Java. b. Unfortunately, Mursiyati married another man. c. Finally, Tri and Yanti got married. d. Tri wanted to marry a girl from central Java. e. However, his friend Fajar said he had a cousin called Mursiyati who would be a good wife. f. Luckily Fajar found another wife for Tri.
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 1 l Elementary
4 Comprehension Check 2
Match the beginnings and endings of the sentences. 1. Tri wanted to marry a girl from central Java because 2. Tri and Yanti were nervous because 3. Yanti will be happy if 4. Yantis father was unhappy about the marriage because 5. When women die 6. Experts believe a. b. c. d. e. f. she doesnt have to go to work and she can have a couple of children. their younger sisters usually look after their children. they had not met each other before. the tradition of arranged marriages will probably continue. he thinks they are cool and more fun. his daughter hadnt met her future husband.
5 Vocabulary Opposites
Find the opposites of these adjectives in the text: 1. relaxed 2. noisy 3. rare 4. unhappy 5. unpleasant 6. traditional 7. easier 8. possible
6 Vocabulary
Complete the table. 1. man 2. bridegroom 3. husband 4. uncle
woman
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 1 l Elementary KEY
1 Key Words
1. widower; 2. wedding; 3. cleric; 4. arranged marriage; 5. cousin; 6. bride; 7. bridegroom; 8. conflict; 9. divorce; 10. common
5 Vocabulary Opposites
1. nervous; 2. quiet; 3. common; 4. happy/pleased; 5. pleasant; 6. modern; 7. harder; 8. impossible
3 Comprehension Check 1
d; a; e; b; f; c
6 3
4 Comprehension Check 2
1. e; 2. c; 3. a; 4. f; 5. b; 6. d
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 2 l Intermediate
1 Key Words
Fill in the gaps in the sentences with the words below. bridegroom divorce (n) 1. 2. If someone is 3. If you 4. The 5. 6. A 7. If you like or love them. 8. A 9. The is a huge tidal wave. is a woman who is getting married. , you do it in such a way that no-one really believes you. bride cuddle (vb) unconvincingly cleric disobedient widower tsunami object (vb) is a legal way of ending a marriage. , they do not do what people in authority tell them to do. to something, you are opposed to it. is a man who is getting married. is a general word for priest. is a man whose wife has died. someone, you put your arms round them and hold them close to show that you
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 2 l Intermediate
This is an example of the traditions that continue to exist in many parts of Indonesia. Not only had Yanti, 22, a restaurant cook, and Tri, 24, a farmer, just met for the first time, they hardly knew anything about each other. Er, what does he like to do in his spare time? Yanti asked a cousin the day before the wedding. Two months ago Tri told his friends and family that he wanted to marry a girl from central Java. I think theyre cooler and more fun, he said. The fact that he didnt know any girls from central Java wasnt a problem for him. A friend of his, Fajar, said he had a cousin, Mursiyati, who might be a good wife. Tri accepted the offer immediately. Mursiyatis parents forced her to accept Tris offer the fact that Tri has a one and a quarter acre (0.5 hectare) farm was very attractive to her labourer father and she agreed to marry Tri. A month later Mursiyati met someone she liked and married her new boyfriend instead. But Tri was still determined to marry a woman from central Java and Fajar felt he had to find one for him. So early in June the family suggested Yanti, a cousin. Again land was the central factor. As soon as I heard her voice, saw her photo and learnt she was a cook, I knew that she was the woman for me, Tri said, unconvincingly. Yanti said she was happy and excited at the prospect of marrying Tri, but her father, Saulusmin, was not. I mean they havent even met - how can they get married? he said. But he did want to argue with his wife, Gina. She would have been angry with me if I had objected. It would not have been pleasant, Saulusmin said. It is impossible to know how many Indonesians end up in arranged marriages like these. Saman, the cleric who married Yanti and Tri, said extreme stories such as theirs, where the couple had not met, are rare and perhaps only 1% of marriages are like this. But there are many where the children do what theyre told, he said. Tini, a maid in Jakarta who ran away after her parents tried to force her, at the age of 15, to marry a 28-year-old, thinks about a third of all marriages in her district take place without the full agreement of the bride and groom. World Vision, an international aid agency, says that arranged marriages are still common and experts say it is unlikely they will die out soon. Its the tradition and its hard to go against traditions, said Gadis Arivia, of the womens group Jurnal Perempuan. Parents dont believe in modern practices, particularly when they see divorce rates going up. Daughters who obey their parents get support. The disobedient ones have a much harder life. The series of recent natural disasters and communal conflicts in Indonesia have also helped to maintain the tradition, said Samsidar, a commissioner of the National Commission for Violence Against Women. In situations where women have died, it is traditional for their younger sisters to look after their children, and this usually means they have to marry the widower, she said. There is also a strong economic aspect. After something like the tsunami many people had financial problems, Samsidar said. So we saw a lot of people hurrying to marry off their children to make their own lives that much easier. Back in Bumi Agung, Yanti tried to convince everyone she was happy. If I dont have to go to work again - its his job to provide for me - and if I can have a couple of children, then Ill be happy, she said. And Ill probably be able to come back and visit central Java once a year.
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 2 l Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True or False according to the text? 1. Arranged marriages are dying out in Indonesia. 2. Natural disasters have prolonged the tradition of arranged marriages. 3. Tri and Yanti were cool towards each other at their wedding. 4. Yantis father was happy and excited about his daughters wedding. 5. Most marriages in Indonesia are arranged marriages. 6. The bridegrooms land is an important factor. 7. Yanti says she will be happy if she has a couple of children. 8. When women die, their older sisters look after their children.
4 Vocabulary
Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make collocations from the text. 1. wedding 2. nervous 3. spare 4. full 5. aid 6. divorce 7. natural 8. communal a. agency b. rate c. agreement d. day e. conflict f. time g. smile h. disaster
5 Vocabulary
Complete the table. Verb Noun 1. exist 2. marry 3. offer 4. arrange
Word Building
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 2 l Intermediate
6 Vocabulary Word family
Look at the example with agree and then make a similar word family with obey. agree agreement disagree disagreement (adjective) (adjective)
obey
7 Discussion
Do you agree with the idea of arranged or forced marriages? Make a list of points for and against the practice.
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Marriage Indonesian-style
Level 2 l Intermediate KEY
1 Key Words
1. divorce; 2. disobedient; 3. object; 4. bridegroom; 5. cleric; 6. widower; 7. cuddle; 8. tsunami; 9. bride; 10. unconvincingly
4 Vocabulary Collocations
1. d; 2. g; 3. f; 4. c; 5. a; 6. b; 7. h; 8. e
3 Comprehension Check
1. F; 2. T; 3. T; 4. F; 5. F; 6. T; 7. T; 8. F
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3. n what year was Ceausescu removed from power? a. 1979 b. 1989 c. 1999
4. What was the name of the Romanian secret police? a. KGB b. STB c. Securitate
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5 Vocabulary
Complete the table. verb 1. collaborate 2. recruit 3. investigate 4. blackmail 5. participate 6. prosecute 7. perpetrate 8. reform
Word Building
noun (person)
noun (activity)
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Put these words from the text into two groups depending on their stress patterns: inquiry foreigner ordinary opinion 1. o 0 o reporter recruiter communist execute tragedy institute
2. 0 o o
7 Discussion
Can you think of any situation when it is right for people to spy on their friends, family and school or workmates?
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5. Vocabulary
2. recruiter, recruitment;
Word Building
1. collaborator, collaboration;
3. investigator, investigation; 4. blackmailer, blackmail; 5. participant, participation; 6. prosecutor, prosecution; 7. perpetrator, perpetration; 8. reformer, reform
3 Comprehension Check
1. T; 2. F; 3. F; 4. T; 5. F; 6. F; 7. T; 8. T
6 Pronunciation
Word Stress
1. inquiry, reporter, election, opinion, recruiter 2. foreigner, execute, communist, tragedy, institute
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3 Comprehension Check
Match the beginnings with the endings to make sentences about the text. 1. The Securitate used children 2. Some of the agents who recruited the child spies continued 3. Historians think the Securitate had 4. The child spies had to tell the Securitate 5. In the 1980s it was difficult for the secret police 6. The secret police were interested in intelligent and sporty children because
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Ceausescus child spies
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a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.
if their friends and families told jokes about Ceausescu. they had contact with many teachers and other children. to spy on their families, friends and teachers. to recruit informers. hundreds of thousands of informers by 1989. to work for the security services after 1989. to weaken in Eastern Europe. to open up all the old Securitate archives.
4 Vocabulary
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make collocations. Check your answers in the text. 1. do 2. tell 3. get 4. leave 5. lose 6. listen to a. power b. a job c. school d. the radio e. wrong f. a joke
5 Vocabulary
Prepositions
Fill the gaps using prepositions 1. work 2. listen 3. opinions 4. have contact the security services western radio stations something somebody
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6 Vocabulary
Word Stress
Put these words from the text into two groups according to their stress. support except A. 0 o process secret recruit blackmail police agent complex punish about believe
B. o 0
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5 Vocabulary Prepositions
1. for; 2. to; 3. on; 4. with; 5. about; 6. in; 7. for; 8. about
3 Comprehension Check
1. c; 2. f; 3. e; 4. a; 5. d; 6. b; 7. h; 8. g
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people embarrassing information about them. is someone who secretly helps an enemy or opponent by giving them information. to something, you have the right or opportunity to use it. someone, you get them to join an organisation. is a collection of historical documents and records. person is someone who feels a lot of love, respect and duty towards their country.
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3 Comprehension Check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why did Ceausescu increase control over the people of Romania in the late 1980s? a. because the same thing was happening in other Eastern European countries. b. because the Securitate was blackmailing children. c. because other Eastern European countries were becoming more liberal.
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4 Vocabulary
Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make collocations from the text. 1. secret 2. security 3. ordinary 4. public 5. old 6. complex a. services b. guard c. police d. people e. network f. prosecutor
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Word Building
6 Vocabulary
Prepositions
Use prepositions to complete these phrases from the text. 1. control 2. remove 3. contact 4. make jokes 5. focus attention 6. participation 7. spy 8. access someone power foreigners someone something teams and clubs someone something
7 Discussion
Can you think of any situation when it is right for people to spy on their friends, family and school or workmates?
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4 Vocabulary Collocations
1. c; 2. a; 3. d; 4. f; 5. b; 6. e
5. Vocabulary
1. collection; 2. disappearance; 3. threat; 4. participation; 5. investigation; 6. promotion; 7. removal;
Word Building
6 Vocabulary Prepositions
1. over; 2. from; 3. with; 4. about; 5. on; 6. in; 7. on; 8. to
3 Comprehension Check
1. c; 2. b; 3. a; 4. b
CA OT N B O FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 3 l Advanced
1 Pre-Reading 1
Have you heard of Sgolne Royal? What do you know about her? What would you want to know about a possible future president of France?
1. A famous person who represents a particular idea is sometimes called 2. A society or organization where levels of status are very important is 3. People whose political ideas are more socialist than conservative are known as 4. A problem or difficult situation that suddenly gets much worse, can 5. is a small group of people with a lot of power or influence. them.
is a small group of people who seem very unfriendly to others. are subjects that a group or society agrees they should never talk about.
Madame La Prsidente?
Could Sgolne Royal become Frances first female head of state, asks Angelique Chrisafis
1
In a sports hall in a small town outside Bordeaux, a crowd of more than 1,000 fans suddenly leapt to their feet,
arms in the air, and began stamping and clapping the furious rhythm of a second world war Italian partisan song: Bella, ciao! Bella, ciao! Bella, ciao, ciao, ciao! From the back of the hall, smiling benevolently, waving to the beat, stepped La Bella, Sgolne Royal.
2
In less than a year, Royal, the 53-year-old mother of four and head of the Poitou-Charentes regional government,
has rocketed from relative obscurity to the top of the opinion polls. She is now the only serving MP in Frances top 50 list of most-loved personalities, and an icon of Frances celebrity gossip magazines. They revel in her personal story of triumph over adversity: the shy teenage daughter of an ultra-Catholic, authoritarian army colonel who brutally punished his children and believed women should stay at home like his wife, has grown up to wage war on French male chauvinism.
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 3 l Advanced
3
Royal has challenged the hierarchical system of the male-dominated French left. Rather than wait around helping the ageing men who run the socialist party - les lphants - she has attracted cult status and an army of devoted supporters of her movement, Dsirs dAvenir - Wishes for the Future. They tirelessly campaign for her unpaid, and believe that she alone can rescue France from the depression and glaring social inequalities of 12 years under President Jacques Chirac.
France certainly has problems. Youth unemployment is high, violent crime is rising and many fear that last
years riots in the run-down, immigrant suburbs, where teenagers say racism ruins their lives, could rapidly erupt again. The centre-right presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy, the charismatic interior minister, is making no secret of trying to appeal to far-right sympathisers with his tough position on immigration.
5
Royals huge popular support makes her seem the only Socialist capable of winning the presidential race. But the elephants will not go down without a fight. They say she is inexperienced, and her popularity cannot last. It is going to be nasty, admits one Royal supporter. Like the last Socialist president, Franois Mitterrand, to whom she was once adviser, Royal is focusing on
the provinces, touring the countrys regions and promising to shift power away from the Paris elite. In one village she so charmed more than 200 wine-makers who face losing their vines as Europe tries to drain its surplus wine-lake that the old ladies lined up to kiss her and have their photographs taken with her.
7
Its all about the people, she smiled between meetings in Bordeaux. I asked her what kept her going:
My need to rise to the challenge of the trust that the people, the country, has given me.
8
At the exclusive Ecole National dAdministration, training ground of the French ruling class, Royal was in
the same class as the prime minister, Dominique de Villepin. There, too, she met her partner, Franois Hollande. Later, she held ministerial positions for education, environment, family and childhood, while he became Socialist party leader in 2002. They have four children but have never married.
9
For months, Royal was ridiculed for vaguely promoting family values and public morals instead of defining
her political ideas. Now she is clarifying her vision to modernise France, but, like Mitterrand, she somehow manages to swing both right and left. She outraged the left by suggesting a form of military service for unruly teenagers and criticising the Socialists treasured 35-hour working week, yet she is strongly pro-trade union, and has promised to ban genetically modified food. An admirer of Tony Blair within a party that was always suspicious of him, she is nonetheless against the war in Iraq. My diplomatic policy would not consist of going and kneeling in front of George Bush, she has said.
10
I dont think she always wanted to be president. I think she stood up because she had another message to
give, says MEP Gilles Savary, part of Royals inner circle. The Socialist party in France has been a clique of men, cut off from the population. Shes not afraid to confront the taboos that the party once left alone, like security, crime, and Frances ghettoes. Royals promise is to give the people a voice in a society where those in power have stopped listening to the street.
11
Socialist rivals have criticised her for avoiding difficult issues. What is the first measure youll take if youre elected? she was asked in Bondy, but she neatly sidestepped the question. Before she left, she promised the crowd, Power wont change me. But many outside the Segosphere still wonder who Royal really is, and what wont be changing.
Guardian News & Media Ltd 2006
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 3 l Advanced
3 General comprehension
These statements about the article are all false. In what way? (The paragraph numbers are written after each one, to help you.) 1. Sgolne Royal is the only female Member of Parliament in France (1) 2. She has joined the French army to fight against men. (1) 3. Her supporters are satisfied with Jaques Chiracs government. (3) 4. Nicolas Sarkozy is a hopeful man who welcomes immigrants. (4) 5. People once thought she was stupid for supporting family values and morality. (9) 6. Tony Blairs party was always suspicious of him. (9) 7. Ms Royal didnt like sitting down to give people messages. (10) 8. She wants everyone in the country to have a microphone. (10) 9. Most people in France have never heard of her. (11)
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 3 l Advanced
5 Useful Phrases 1 Word Order
Rearrange these words to make phrases from the text. 1. both / to / left / swing / and / right 2. surplus / drain / lake / wine / its / to 3. without / will / fight / down / a / go / not 4. listening / stopped / the / to / have / street 5. away / elite / shift / to / from / Pairs / power / the 6. no / of / appeal / trying / secret / is / to / making / to 7. ruling / training / French / of / class / the / ground 8. kneeling / front / going / Bush / in / and / of / George 9. relative / opinion / rocketed / obscurity / has / from / the / to / polls / of / top / the
7 Discussion
Does your country have a woman president? If not, do you think you are likely to have one in the future? Why / why not? What do you think of Sgolne Royals policies? Would you vote for her? Why / why not?
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 3 l Advanced KEY
2. Pre-Reading Key Words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. an icon hierarchical the left erupt an elite outraged a clique taboos.
3. General comprehension
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. No; shes the only one in the top 50 most popular French people (1) No; she wants to change the system so that women have equal power. (1) No; they want Royal to rescue them from his government, which they think created inequality and depression. (3) No; he is hopeful that he may become president, and is against immigration. (4) No; some people thought her ideas on these and other issues were not clear enough. (9) No; she admired Tony Blair, although most of her party (not his) didnt trust him. (9) No; she decided to try to become president because she had something new to say. (10) No; she wants to speak for, or represent, the ordinary people. (10) No; people outside her circle are not sure of her real opinions, because they seem to change quite a lot. (11)
CA OT N B O FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 1 l Elementary
1 Pre-Reading 1
Have you heard of Sgolne Royal? What do you know about her?
2. People whose political ideas are more socialist that conservative are known as 3. are very big differences between the rich and the poor. .
5. People who are very angry about their situation sometimes take part in violent protests or 6. Workers can join an organization called 7. Countries are sometimes divided into different areas or 8.
Madame La Prsidente?
Could Sgolne Royal become Frances first female head of state, asks Angelique Chrisafis
1
In a sports hall in a small town outside Bordeaux, a crowd of more than 1,000 fans suddenly jumped up,
arms waving, and began stamping and clapping to a popular Italian second world war song: Bella, ciao! Bella, ciao! Bella, ciao, ciao, ciao! At the back of the hall, smiling warmly, appeared La Bella, Sgolne Royal.
2
Royal, the 53-year-old mother of four and head of the regional government in Poitou-Charentes, is now very
popular. She is the only MP among the top 50 most-loved personalities in France, with her picture in all Frances celebrity magazines. They love her personal success story: she was the shy teenage daughter of a strict Catholic army colonel who punished his children brutally and thought women should stay at home like his wife; now she is fighting against French male chauvinism.
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N TO B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
Madame la Prsidente?
Level 1 l Elementary
3
Royal doesnt agree that only men should rule the French left. She has stopped helping the older men who run the socialist party - les lphants. She now has her own movement, Dsirs dAvenir - Wishes for the Future, and an army of loyal supporters. They believe that she alone can save France from the poverty and terrible social inequalities of 12 years under President Jacques Chirac. France certainly has problems. Lots of young people are unemployed, and violent crime is increasing. Last year, teenagers rioted against racism in the poor immigrant suburbs, and many are afraid it will happen again. Nicolas Sarkozy, the centre-right interior minister who would also like to be president, is openly trying to attract the far-right with his strict immigration policies. Royals huge popular support makes her seem the only possible Socialist president. But the elephants dont agree. They say she is inexperienced, and her popularity cannot last. It is going to be nasty, admits one Royal supporter. Like the last Socialist president, Franois Mitterrand, who she once worked for, Royal is hoping to get support from the provinces. She visits them, promising to give more power to the regions. In one village, more than 200 wine-makers who may lose their vines as Europe tries to reduce its wine-lake were very impressed. The old ladies lined up to kiss her and be photographed with her. Its all about the people, she smiled between meetings in Bordeaux. I asked her what kept her going: My need to rise to the challenge of the trust that the people, the country, has given me. At the exclusive Ecole National dAdministration, where the French ruling class are trained, Royal was in the same class as the prime minister, Dominique de Villepin. There, too, she met her partner, Franois Hollande. Later, she worked in the ministries of education, environment, family and childhood, while he became Socialist party leader in 2002. They have four children but have never married. For months, people criticized Royal for having no clear policies, and just talking vaguely about family values and public morals. Now she is explaining her plans to modernise France, but, like Mitterrand, her opinions seem both right and left. She annoyed the left by suggesting a form of military service for difficult teenagers, and criticising the Socialists popular 35-hour working week. However, she strongly supports trade unions, and has promised to ban genetically modified food. Unlike the rest of her party, she admires Tony Blair, but she is against the war in Iraq. My diplomatic policy would not consist of going and kneeling in front of George Bush, she has said. The Socialist party in France has been a clique of men, cut off from the population. says MEP Gilles Savary, part of Royals inner circle. Royal is promising to speak for ordinary people in a society where those in power dont listen to them. She has also promised, Power wont change me. But many outside the Segosphere still wonder who Royal really is, and what wont be changing.
Guardian News & Media Ltd 2006
10
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B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
Madame la Prsidente?
Level 1 l Elementary
3 General comprehension
Match the beginnings to the ends of these sentences about the article. 1. Sgolne Royal 2. There are not enough 3. Madame Royal would like people 4. Some members of the socialist party 5. She lives with Franois Hollande 7. She thinks difficult teenagers 8. She doesnt agree with 6. Some of her policies a. but he is not her husband. b. are not typically socialist. c. ...should go into the army. d. British and American policy on Iraq. e. to be more equal. f. had an unhappy childhood. g. dont want her to be president. h. jobs for everyone in France.
5 Vocabulary development 2
Political Anagrams
These political words come from the article. Put the letters in order; the first letter is there to help you. 1. NTOMVREENG 2. TOIILSCAS 3. NTMSRIEI 4. SEIOLCPI G S M P D S
5. CLATIMDOTI 6. YESCITO
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 1 l Elementary
6 Prepositions practice
Each of these groups of phrases needs the same preposition. Can you remember which one? 1. a sports hall; a small town; the socialist party France;
fans; lots
supporters; a form
3. she is fighting
chauvinism; riots
racism; she is
4. Wishes
ordinary
people; who she once worked Scan the text quickly again to check.
And now, put one of those prepositions in each of these sentences. 5. I hate cigarettes; I am 6. He lives a little village you, smoking. Italy. your birthday. the square.
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 1 l Elementary KEY
2. Pre-Reading 2 Key Words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Male chauvinism the left Social inequalities unemployed riots a trade union provinces a clique
3. General comprehension
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. f h e g a b c d
6. Prepositions practice
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. in of against for against in for of.
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 2 l Intermediate
1 Pre-Reading 1
Have you heard of Sgolne Royal? What do you know about her?
1. Workers can join an organization called 2. working conditions. is a polite word for old.
. .
4. People whose political ideas are more socialist than conservative are known as 5. 6. 7. is the belief that your own country, race or sex is better than any other. is a small group of people with a lot of power or influence. is a small group of people who seem very unfriendly to others.
Madame La Prsidente?
Could Sgolne Royal become Frances first female head of state, asks Angelique Chrisafis
1
In a sports hall in a small town outside Bordeaux, a crowd of more than 1,000 fans suddenly jumped up,
arms in the air, and began stamping and clapping to the rhythm of a second world war Italian partisan song: Bella, ciao! Bella, ciao! Bella, ciao, ciao, ciao! From the back of the hall, smiling benevolently, waving to the beat, stepped La Bella, Sgolne Royal.
2
In less than a year, Royal, the 53-year-old mother of four and head of the regional government in
Poitou-Charentes, has unexpectedly become very popular. She is now the only MP among the top 50 most-loved personalities in France, and appears in all Frances celebrity gossip magazines. They love her personal story of success out of difficulty: she was the shy teenage daughter of an ultra-Catholic, authoritarian army colonel who brutally punished his children and believed women should stay at home like his wife; now she is fighting against French male chauvinism.
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P H
N TO B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
Madame la Prsidente?
Level 2 l Intermediate
3
Royal doesnt accept that the French left should be ruled by men. Instead of just helping the ageing men who run the socialist party - les lphants - she now has an army of devoted followers of her own movement, Dsirs dAvenir - Wishes for the Future. They support her totally, unpaid, and believe that she alone can save France from the depression and terrible social inequalities of 12 years under President Jacques Chirac. France certainly has problems. Youth unemployment is high, violent crime is rising and many fear that last years riots in the run-down, immigrant suburbs, where teenagers say racism ruins their lives, could rapidly start again. Nicolas Sarkozy, the centre-right interior minister who would also like to be president, is openly trying to attract the far-right with his strict immigration policies. Royals huge popular support makes her seem the only possible Socialist president. But the elephants will not go down without a fight. They say she is inexperienced, and her popularity cannot last. It is going to be nasty, admits one Royal supporter. Like the last Socialist president, Franois Mitterrand, who she once worked for, Royal is focusing on the provinces, touring the countrys regions and promising to move power away from the Paris elite. In one village, more than 200 wine-makers who may lose their vines as Europe tries to reduce its wine-lake were so impressed that the old ladies lined up to kiss her and be photographed with her. Its all about the people, she smiled between meetings in Bordeaux. I asked her what kept her going: My need to rise to the challenge of the trust that the people, the country, has given me. At the exclusive Ecole National dAdministration, where the French ruling class are trained, Royal was in the same class as the prime minister, Dominique de Villepin. There, too, she met her partner, Franois Hollande. Later, she worked in the ministries of education, environment, family and childhood, while he became Socialist party leader in 2002. They have four children but have never married. For months, people criticized Royal for talking vaguely about family values and public morals and having no clear policies. Now she is clarifying her plans to modernise France, but, like Mitterrand, her opinions seem both right and left. She annoyed the left by suggesting a form of military service for difficult teenagers, and criticising the Socialists beloved 35-hour working week. However, she strongly supports trade unions, and has promised to ban genetically modified food. Unlike the rest of her party, she admires Tony Blair, but she is against the war in Iraq. My diplomatic policy would not consist of going and kneeling in front of George Bush, she has said. I dont think she always wanted to be president. I think she stood up because she had another message to give, says MEP Gilles Savary, part of Royals inner circle. The Socialist party in France has been a clique of men, cut off from the population. Royal is promising to speak for ordinary people in a society where those in power dont listen to them. Socialist rivals have attacked her for avoiding difficult subjects. What is the first measure youll take if youre elected? she was asked in Bondy, but she didnt really answer. Before she left, she promised the crowd, Power wont change me. But many outside the Segosphere still wonder who Royal really is, and what wont be changing.
Guardian News & Media Ltd 2006
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11
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 2 l Intermediate
3 General comprehension
Are the following statements True or False? If they are false, say why. 1. Sgolne Royal was not always so popular. 2. She had a happy childhood. 3. She wants to save the elephants. 4. She doesnt think Jacques Chiracs government helped the French people. 5. All her own party members support her. 6. Franois Hollande is her husband. 7. Not all her policies are typically socialist. 8. She wants to help ordinary men and women.
Now scan the article quickly to see if you were right. (Different combinations are sometimes possible in other texts!)
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 2 l Intermediate
5
Vocabulary development 2 Adverbs 1
These adverbs come from the article. Match each one with a definition below. strongly 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. openly genetically very cruelly warmly and kindly not very clearly very quickly all at once not trying to hide what you are doing positively, without hesitation connected with the genes, or DNA brutally rapidly suddenly vaguely benevolently
8. she has promised to ban Now re-read the article quickly to check.
7 Discussion
Does your country have a woman president? If not, do you think you are likely to have one in the future? Why / why not? What do you think of Sgolne Royals policies? Would you vote for her? Why / why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Madame la Prsidente? / Intermediate
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Madame la Prsidente?
Level 2 l Intermediate KEY
2. Pre-Reading 2 Key Words
1. a trade union 2. Ageing 3. run-down 4. the left 5. Chauvinism 6. an elite 7. a clique
3. General comprehension
1. True. 2. False; her father was unkind to her. 3. False; the elephants are the older male leaders of the socialist party, and she is critical of their attitudes. 4. True. 5. False; the elephants dont agree with her. 6. False; they are not married. 7. True. 8. True.
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is the political system that existed in South Africa, in which only white people had political rights and power. is a country that contains people of many different races. is someone who has killed several people. is a short period of time in which a large number of people are killed. a group of people is to kill them in a very violent way. is a situation in which there is a lot of death and destruction. is a cruel and violent act. is careful examination of someone or something by people in general. is someone who enters a place where he or she is not allowed to go, especially
10. A/An
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Match each sentence beginning with a suitable ending. Beginnings Endings
1. Louis Van Schoor was sent to prison 2. He was released from prison 3. During the apartheid regime no one knew about his rampage 4. Magistrates and the police welcomed his killings 5. The truth about Van Schoors actions was revealed 6. Van Schoor killed a lot of black people 7. Van Schoors job was to protect property, 8. So far, Van Schoor has faced no backlash
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Advanced
a. because he has kept a low profile. b. when apartheid started crumbling. c. so he does not think he should apologise for killing intruders.
d. after being convicted of murder. e. because the police hid the evidence of his actions. f. while he worked as a security guard. g. before completing his sentence. h. because he instilled terror in black people.
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2. When he was freed, he slimmed down and shaved off his beard to keep a low 3. The bookseller didnt recognize Van Schoor but when he gave his name, the penny 4. The police covered his 5. Most whites in East London have turned a 6. Their indifference has been laid because they were grateful for the terror he instilled. eye to Van Schoors killing spree. in a book by Heidi Holland. .
7. Van Schoors daughter is fearful that Hollands book might open old Now match each expression with one of the explanations below. a. b. c. d. e. f. g.
To make something known that has been secret or hidden. To try to stop people from noticing you. To pretend not to notice something because you should do something about it but you do not want to. To realize or understand something. To make someone remember something bad that happened in the past. To hide any evidence that you were somewhere or did something. To remember or record a number as it changes over a period of time.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Advanced
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, Van Schoors daughter hired a black man to kill her mother. (ironic)
7 Discussion
How do you think Van Schoor should be dealt with? Should he and the whites in general apologise for the killings during the apartheid period? Why/Why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
1d 2g 3e 4h 5b 6f 7c 8a
a6 b2 c5 d3 e7 f4 g 1
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Advanced
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4 Vocabulary 1 Synonyms
Match the words or phrases used in the text that have the same meaning. killer jail freed convicted apologise prisoner convict released murderer say you are sorry found guilty prison
5 Vocabulary 2 Crime
Fill in the blanks with words related to crime. The first letter of each word is given. 1. Louis Van Schoor was c 2. He was found g 3. During his t 4. He was r 5. A s of murder. of seven murders and two attempted murders. , white people showed sympathy for him. from prison before completing his sentence. reduction issued by Nelson Mandela benefited all c in 2004. .
6. He benefited from the sentence reduction and he was f 7. While Van Schoor was in j 8. She was sent to the same p 9. Sabrina is popular among other p
, his daughter Sabrina hired a black man to kill her mother. as her father. at Fort Glamorgan. of his crimes.
B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
10.Van Schoor wasnt tried during the apartheid regime because the police hid the e
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Elementary
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dont always find it easy to live together in South Africa. equality everyone should have the same rights. child. . .
campaigners support
4. Sabrina Van Schoor had a 5. She believes that her mother was a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Elementary
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5 Vocabulary 2 Crime
1. convicted 2. guilty 3. trial 4. released 5. sentence, convicts 6. freed 7. jail 8. prison 9. prisoners 10. evidence
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. True False False False True True False True
4 Vocabulary 1 Synonyms
killer, murderer jail, prison freed, released convicted, found guilty apologise, say you are sorry prisoner, convict
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Elementary
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never apologized for what happened during the apartheid regime. a. Louis Van Schoor b. The whites in general . b. after twelve years . c. both . b. he has kept a low profile . c. both . c. both c. both c. both c. both
b. foreman
6. So far, no one has taken revenge on him because a. people have sympathy for him
7. Van Schoors daughter shocked the community because a. she dated black men
8. Sabrina Van Schoor hired someone to kill her mother because a. her mother didnt respect black people b. her mother didnt respect her father
and
(2).
According to black
(3) (4)
and
(4),
people who are members of the clergy people who have a job in politics
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and the
judges in court for minor cases people who catch criminals and check that the law is obeyed
(7)
(8) revealed
(7) (8)
people whose job is to report the news people who try to produce political or social change
(9)
All
(9) people who are in prison for a crime they committed Van Schoor expressed sprrow to the relatives of his
(10) (10).
someone who does not like or respect people from other races.
3. When he was freed, he slimmed down and shaved off his beard to 4. Van Schoors daughter is fearful that Hollands book might Now match each expression with one of the explanations below. a. b. c. d. To try to stop people from noticing you. To make someone remember something bad that happened in the past. To hide any evidence that you were somewhere or did something. To remember or record a number as it changes over a period of time.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Intermediate
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1. Van Schoor was convicted 2. He was released 3. He benefited 4. He has never apologised 5. Thanks 6. The police were grateful 7. I love Louis stickers were decorated 8. He does not approve 9. His daughter gave birth
10.In South Africa, black and whites are trying to find new ways to live
7 Discussion
How do you think Van Schoor should be dealt with? Should he and the whites in general apologise for the killings during the apartheid period? Why/Why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Intermediate
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a3 b4 c2 d1
3 Comprehension check
1b 2a 3c 4c 5b 6b 7c 8a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The colour of crime in S Africa / Intermediate
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is a vehicle pulled by animals and travels on snow. In the UK and the USA, people say that
Santa Claus rides one. 2 A is a decorated paper tube that makes a noise when you pull it apart. It contains a small toy,
a paper hat and a joke inside. Its used traditionally at Christmas in the UK. 3 4 5 6 A is special paper used for wrapping presents. are objects produced for sale. is money or property that you use to start a business or invest. is an amount of goods delivered.
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4 Vocabulary Extremes
Find examples of the following ways of expressing extremes in the text. Using a superlative (e.g. the biggest ship) Using a metaphor or simile (e.g. mountains of crackers, toys) Using extreme adjectives (e.g. astonishing quantities) Using large numbers to create effect (e.g. 1,866,000 Christmas decorations)
5 Vocabulary Definitions
Find a word or expression which means the following. 1 done for the first time (paragraph 1) 2 going quickly (paragraph 1) 3 a giant animal (paragraph 2) 4 in quantities of twenty (paragraph 2) 5 argument (paragraph 3) 6 something small that represents something larger (paragraph 3) 7 begin a voyage (paragraph 4) 8 waste (paragraph 6)
6 Vocabulary Collocations
Fill the gaps using adjectives. Check your answers in the text. 1 4 7 cheer row partner 2 5 8 blocks trade rate 3 6 9 batteries countries toys
7 Discussion
Do you think that this is an example of globalism gone mad? Do you think people consume too much at Christmas? Is it wrong for Britain to import so many goods from China?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Christmas is coming / Advanced
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5 Vocabulary: Definitions
1 maiden 2 steaming 3 behemoth 4 by the score 5 row 6 microcosm 7 set off 8 detrius
6 Vocabulary: Collocations
1 festive cheer 2 building blocks 3 rechargeable batteries 4 intense row 5 global trade 6 developing countries 7 trading partner 8 phenomenal rate 9 soft toys
3 Comprehension check
1 T 2 F 3 F 4 T 5 F 6 T 7 F 8 T
4 Vocabulary: Extremes
Superlatives: the largest ever built, the largest single consignment, the worst labour exploitation, Britains biggest export Metaphors or similes: as wide as a motorway, a floating world, mountains of dogfood Adjectives: intense row, implications are terrifying, absolute advantage, a phenomenal rate Large numbers: 22,280kg of Vietnam tea, 12,800 MP3 players, 138,000 tins of catfood, 16bn, a 30-fold increase, 11,000 containers
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is a decorated paper tube that makes a noise when you pull it apart. It contains a small
toy, a paper hat and a joke inside. Its used traditionally at Christmas in the UK. 2 In countries which celebrate Christmas, people often put up 3 A 4 A 5 6 7 If you 8 If you 9 A 10 in their house.
is something you use for keeping or storing things, for example a box. is an area of water on the coast where ships stop. are objects produced for sale. is the useless material you have after youve used something. something, you send it to another country to sell it. something, you buy a product from another country and bring it to your country. is something you give to someone as a present. are things that are sent by ship, airplane or truck.
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginning and ending of the sentences. 1 The Emma Maersk 3 is... 2 The ship contains 3 There are large quantities of goods 4 The real cost of the ship should include 5 Yentian port exports around... 6 China has an advantage in more and more... 7 When the Emma Maersk 3 returns to China, it will contain... trade sectors 30,000 containers every day a Chinese ship on the Emma Maersk 3. waste plastic from Britain. the environment, destroyed markets and lost jobs. 3,000 containers for Britain.
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5 Vocabulary Phrases
1 Complete the sentences with phrases from the box. in history 1 The ship is 2 Its the largest container ship 3 Mountains of crackers, toys and games 4 China is a country that now has a big advantage in 5 Europe made these goods . as well as on the way more and more in the past
to Felixstowe, Suffolk, on the Emma Maersk 3. . decorations, wrapping paper are on the ship. sectors.
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5 Vocabulary: Phrases
1 on the way 2 in history 3 as well as 4 more and more 5 in the past
3 Comprehension check
1 e 2 g 3 d 4 f 5 b 6 a 7 e
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is a decorated paper tube that makes a noise when you pull it apart. It contains a small
toy, a paper hat and a joke inside. Its used traditionally at Christmas in the UK. 2 In countries which celebrate Christmas, people often put 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A is special paper used for wrapping presents. are objects produced for sale. is money or property that you use to start a business or invest. is unfair treatment of someone in order to get benefit for yourself. are possible effects or results are things that are sent by ship, airplane or truck. voyage or flight is one that is done for the first time. up in their house.
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the correct answer. 1 2 3 The Emma Maersk contains 3,000 containers for a) China b) Britain c) Europe The UK represents a) the majority b) a small part c) the third-largest part .
According to Christine Lucas, the Emma Maersk a) harms the environment b) creates jobs c) creates markets in developing countries
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The goods on board the Emma Maersk 3 a) used to be made in Europe b) are made in Europe c) are made in Britain
When the Emma Maersk 3 returns to China it will contain a) decorations b) soft toys c) waste plastic from Britain
SEA TRAVEL vocabulary: on board, TRADE vocabulary: trade, CHRISTMAS vocabulary: toys,
Verb
float recharge develop terrify imagine
Adjective
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7 Discussion
Do you think people consume too much at Christmas? Is it wrong to import so many goods from China?
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3 Comprehension check
1 2 3 4 5 6 b c a b a c
6 Vocabulary: Collocations
1 intense row 2 building blocks 3 trading partner 4 phenomenal rate 5 rechargeable batteries 6 developing countries 7 global trade
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Another country
Level 3 l Advanced
1 Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text: carnage snippet antithesis agrarian predominant heinous excommunicate 1. If something is 2. A 3. 4. If you 5. A 6. If you 7. The 8. A 9. An 10. The schism shun peeping Tom
, it is extremely evil. is an occasion when one group divides into two groups because of a disagreement. is a situation in which there is a lot of death and destruction. someone, you no longer allow them to be a member of a particular church. is a small piece of something, especially information or news. someone, you avoid them intentionally. of something is its exact opposite. is someone who enjoys secretly watching other people. society is one based on farming. group in a society is the main or most important one.
Another country
Ed Pilkington on the extraordinary survival, and even prosperity, of the Amish in the modern world In all the newspaper reports and hours of satellite television coverage devoted to last weeks carnage in the schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, it was the little details that stood out and made you think. The fact that the police had to use vans to take the parents to hospital to be at the bedsides of their mortally wounded children because they refused to go by police helicopter. The scene of worried mothers timidly peeking over the heads of television cameramen filming a press conference near the school: while the pictures were being beamed instantly to Shanghai, they had to be there in person as they had no televisions at home. There is something about those snippets of life in the Amish community of Lancaster county that is strangely hard to deal with. On top of the sheer horror of the killing of five girls by a milk truck driver, there is bewilderment. How can it be, in this digital age where news spreads at the speed of light, that people living
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Another country / Advanced
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Another country
Level 3 l Advanced
within a few miles of the tragedy were still learning by word of mouth what Charles Roberts had done hours after he had unloaded his 9mm semi-automatic handgun? How can it be that he chose to inflict his revenge for some insult he suffered at the age of 12 on girls from a community whose very existence is the antithesis of the act he committed? The Amish are pacifist. At time of war they are conscientious objectors, prepared for civilian duties but refusing anything military. The community where Roberts exacted his revenge, 80km west of Philadelphia, has no police force and no guns. In the United States that is quite something. Anyone who can recall Witness, the 1985 Harrison Ford thriller, will have a feeling for the setting of Lancaster county. Green rolling hills with Holstein cattle, weather-beaten barns, unadorned buildings, and black horse-drawn buggies. Add to that the plain dress, as they call it and it all looks like what it is a community of agrarians largely unchanged since the late 19th century. Note the word largely. Among the many misrepresentations of the Amish is that they are a group that is completely opposed to modernity. In reality, they are the product of change, some of it dramatic. The emergence of todays Amishes is a story of many schisms. Their parent faith, Mennonitism, was born of a split in Switzerland in 1525, when the Mennonites broke from the Protestant reform. Later, in Switzerland in 1693, the Amish broke from the wider Mennonite community in another dispute. The Amish emigrated to Pennsylvania around the 1730s to benefit from the Quaker William Penns offer of protection for persecuted religions. The Old Order of Amishes, the predominant group of people in Lancaster county, was then formed by another schism when they broke from their fellow members in a dispute over the technological changes brought by the industrial revolution. The Old Order was determined to take from technology only those elements that matched their interpretation of the Bible. It is easy to get it wrong about the Amish, says Peter Seibert, president of the Heritage Centre of Lancaster county and a non-Amish. They are not about putting up walls to block out the modern world. What they are about is adapting their community to modernity in order to preserve its essential being as a simple agrarian society. They will pick and choose what they want from our world. So they will not have television, not because it is intrinsically heinous but because they do not want their children exposed to sexual and violent images. They travel by buggy to keep the community together and avoid the disruptive social influence of the motor car. And there is some modernity in Lancaster county. They will not have phones in the house, but they will in the nearby shed where they run a woodworking business. They wont have electrical gadgets but they will have battery-powered cash registers and even laptops. Thats a subtlety lost in the peeping-Tom relationship that the real world has with the Amish. Tourists can be quite disrespectful. They walk right into Amish houses or schools assuming that they are there as an attraction. They have no sense that this is a living community that greatly prizes its privacy, says researcher Stephen Scott. The joke is, as Scott points out, that the Amish are the ones who benefit. They may dislike being treated as zoo animals but they also make a great deal of money out of the flow of tourists. That duality was illustrated most vividly a couple of years ago when a reality TV company shot Amish in the City, a show in which a group of Amish teenagers were taken out of their communities and transported to downtown LA. Yet the Amish faith could accommodate even that. The teenagers were going through what is known as running around years, the period between the end of school, at the age of 14, and the entry into the church through baptism in ones late teens or early 20s. In those five to eight years of freedom the children are not officially members of the church so cannot be shunned or excommunicated. The result is a community that is thriving. 80% of the teenagers who move away from the community eventually return. The main pressure on the Amish is now population growth, coupled with a lack of arable land on which they can subsist.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Another country / Advanced
B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
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Another country
Level 3 l Advanced
None of this will be any comfort to the parents and neighbours of the five girls who died in last weeks shooting or the others who remain critically ill. Any comfort will come from their faith itself. Seibert puts it well: For them this is Gods will, and that is all. Our world is all about the individual. Theirs is all about the community before God and the better life they will lead after death. That is hard for us to comprehend, but that is how it is.
Guardian News & Media Ltd 2006
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer: 1. Why was Charles Roberts act the antithesis of the Amish way of life? a. Because he exacted revenge for an insult against him at the age of 12. b. Because the Amish are pacifists and he used violence against them. c. Because the police force in Lancaster county has no guns. 2. According to Peter Seibert, the Amish a. are largely unchanged since the 19th century. b. put up walls to block out the modern world. c. are trying to preserve their simple agrarian society. 3. Why dont the Amish have television? a. Because they dont want their children to see sexual and violent images. b. Because they believe television is intrinsically evil. c. Because they are opposed to everything modern, including television. 4. What is the main problem the Amish now face? a. Peeping Tom tourists. b. The influence of modernity all around them. c. A growing population and a lack of land for farming.
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Another country
Level 3 l Advanced
5 Vocabulary Collocations
Match the verbs in the left-hand column with the nouns and noun phrases in the right-hand column 1. to exact 2. to beam 3. to unload 4. to run 5. to shoot 6. to lead a. a weapon b. a business c. revenge d. a television programme e. a better life f. television pictures
8. disrespect
7 Discussion
Imagine that you lived in a society that was isolated from the modern world. What things would you miss? What aspects of the modern world would you be happy to avoid?
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Another country
Level 3 l Advanced KEY
1 Key Words
1. heinous 2. schism 3. carnage 4. excommunicate 5. snippet 6. shun 7. antithesis 8. peeping Tom 9. agrarian 10. predominant
5 Vocabulary: Collocations
1. c 2. f 3. a 4. b 5. d 6. e
3 Comprehension Check
1. b 2. c 3. a 4. c
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Another country
Level 1 l Elementary
1 Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text insult van tragedy pacifist buggy emigrate gadget expel comfort faith 1. If you 2. A 3. If you have 4. If you 5. A 6. 7. A 8. A 9. If you 10. A , you leave your country to live in another country. is someone who believes that war and violence are wrong. , you believe in God. someone, you say something personal to them that makes them very angry. is a very sad situation in which people suffer or die. is a feeling of being less sad or worried about something than before. is a small vehicle with two or four wheels that is pulled by a horse. is a vehicle used for carrying goods. It is bigger than a car but smaller than a truck. someone from an organisation you force them to leave. is a small piece of equipment that is very useful.
Another country
Ed Pilkington on the extraordinary survival, and even prosperity, of the Amish in the modern world Last week a truck driver called Charles Roberts went into a school in Nickel Mines in the American state of Pennsylvania and shot five schoolgirls dead. It was a shocking crime and newspapers and television stations from around the world reported the case. According to police, Roberts was angry because someone insulted him there when he was 12 years old. He killed five people because of that insult. There was something else that was unusual about this case. Nickel Mines in is Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Lancaster county is home to the Amish people, a deeply religious group who mostly work as farmers. The five girls who died were Amish. If you watched the television pictures from the scene, you could see some unusual things. For example, the parents of the children went to the hospital in police vans because they did not want to travel in the police helicopter. Outside the hospital worried mothers waited for news while television pictures
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Another country / Elementary
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Another country
Level 1 l Elementary
went around the world. The Amish do not have televisions in their homes so the parents had to come to the hospital in person to find out what had happened. Several hours after the tragedy some people still did not know about it. They found out when their friends and neighbours told them. The Amish are pacifist. At times of war they will not fight in the army but do civilian jobs instead. Lancaster county, 80km west of Philadelphia, has no police force and no guns. In the United States that is extremely unusual. If you can remember Witness, the 1985 Harrison Ford film, you will have an idea what Lancaster county looks like. Green hills with black and white cattle, old farm buildings, plain, simple houses, and black buggies pulled by horses. People also wear very simple clothes. Lancaster county is a community of farmers that has changed only a little since the late 19th century. In reality, the Amish are the product of some dramatic changes. They began as Mennonites, a religion that was born in Switzerland in 1525, when the Mennonites left the Protestant church. Later, in Switzerland in 1693, the Amish split from the Mennonites. Then the Amish emigrated to Pennsylvania around the 1730s. The main group of Amish in Lancaster county is The Old Order of Amishes. This group split from the other Amish because of an argument over modern technology. The Old Order only wanted to use technology they could understand through reading the Bible. It is easy to get it wrong about the Amish, says Peter Seibert, president of the Heritage Centre of Lancaster county and a non-Amish. They are not trying to block out the modern world. They want to keep their community as a simple farming society. They pick and choose what they want from our world. So they do not have television because they do not want their children to see sexual and violent images. They travel by buggy because they believe they help to keep people together and that motor cars do not keep people together. And there are some modern things in Lancaster county. They do not have telephones in their houses, but if they have a business they have a telephone there. They dont have electrical gadgets but they have cash registers and even laptop computers. Tourists often have no respect. They walk straight into Amish houses or schools because they think they are a tourist attraction. They do not understand that this is a living community that wants to remain private, says researcher Stephen Scott. The funny thing is that the Amish profit from tourism. They do not like being like zoo animals but they also make a lot of money out of the tourists. A couple of years ago a reality TV company made a programme called Amish in the City. The programme clearly showed the two sides of Amish life. A group of Amish teenagers were taken out of their Amish communities and transported to downtown Los Angeles. The Amish religion was able to understand this. The teenagers were in a period known as the running around years, the period between the end of school, at the age of 14, and the entry into the church in your late teens or early 20s. In those five to eight years of freedom the children are not officially members of the church so the church cannot expel them. The result is a successful community. 80% of the teenagers who move away from the community come back in the end. The main problem for the Amish is that their population is growing quickly and there is not enough land for them to farm. None of this will be any comfort to the parents and neighbours of the five girls who died in last weeks shooting or the others who remain critically ill. Any comfort will come from their faith itself. Seibert puts it well: For them this is Gods will, and that is all. Our world is all about the individual. Their world is all about the community before God and the better life they will lead after death. That is difficult for us to understand, but that is how it is.
Guardian News & Media Ltd 2006
B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
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Another country
Level 1 l Elementary
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. Charles Roberts shot five people because 2. The parents went to the hospital by police van because 3. Many people didnt hear about the shooting for several hours because 4. The Amish will not fight in the army because 5. The Old Order of Amish split from the other Amish because 6. The Amish do not have television because 7. They do not have cars because 8. The Amish church cannot expel Amish teenagers because a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. they are pacifist. they believe cars keep people apart. they dont have televisions in their homes. someone insulted him when he was 12 years old. they did not agree with their views on technology. they didnt want to travel by helicopter. they are not officially members of the church. they do not want their children to see violent images.
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Another country
Level 1 l Elementary
5 Vocabulary Word Building
Complete the table Noun Adjective
6 Vocabulary Opposites
Using the words in the box, make six pairs of opposites.
normal worse
better unusual
complicated modern
easy living
old-fashioned simple
dead
difficult
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Another country
Level 1 l Elementary KEY
1 Key Words
1. emigrate 2. pacifist 3. faith 4. insult 5. tragedy 6. comfort 7. buggy 8. van 9. expel 10. gadget
5 Vocabulary:Word Building
1. successful 2. shocking 3. angry 4. religion 5. worried 6. dramatic 7. violence 8. freedom
6 Vocabulary: Opposites
normal/unusual better/worse complicated/simple easy/difficult old-fashioned/modern dead/living
3 Comprehension Check
1. d 2. f 3. c 4. a 5. e 6. h 7. b 8. g
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Another country
Level 2 l Intermediate
1 Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. bewilderment revenge pacifist buggy gadget dispute persecute determined 1. A 2. A 3. 4. If a society beliefs. person is someone who is not willing to let anything stop them from doing what they had emigrate preserve
is a person who believes violence is wrong and refuses to fight in wars. is a serious disagreement between two or more groups of people. is something you do to punish someone because they have hurt you. someone, they treat then very badly because of their race, religion or political
5. A decided to do.
a way of life, you keep it from changing or being lost. is a feeling of extreme confusion. is a light vehicle pulled by a horse. , they leave their country in order to live abroad. is a small piece of equipment that does something useful.
Another country
Ed Pilkington on the extraordinary survival, and even prosperity, of the Amish in the modern world Last weeks horrific shootings in the schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania attracted an enormous amount of attention in the newspapers and on television. Looking at the television pictures, it was the little details that made you think. For example, the fact that the police had to use vans to take the parents to hospital to be at the bedsides of their children because they refused to go by police helicopter. The scene of worried mothers shyly peeking over the heads of television cameramen filming a press conference near the school while the pictures were being relayed instantly around the world. The parents had to be there in person as they had no televisions at home. There is something about those images of life in the Amish community of Lancaster county that is difficult for many people to understand. Apart from the horror of the
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Another country / Intermediate
N TO B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
CA
P H
Another country
Level 2 l Intermediate
killing of five girls by a milk truck driver, there is bewilderment. How is it possible, in this digital age where news travels at the speed of light, that people living just a few miles from the tragedy were still learning about the murders hours after they had happened? Why did Charles Roberts decide to take revenge for an insult he suffered at the age of 12 on girls on the Amish community? The Amish are pacifist. At times of war they will undertake civilian duties but will not fight in the army. The community where Roberts committed the murders, 80km west of Philadelphia, has no police force and no guns. In the United States that is extremely unusual. Anyone who can remember Witness, the 1985 Harrison Ford film, will have a feeling for the setting of Lancaster county. Green rolling hills with black and white cattle, weather-beaten barns, plain, simple buildings, and black horse-drawn buggies. Add to that the plain dress, as they call it and it all looks like what it is a community of farmers that has hardly changed since the late 19th century. The word hardly is important. Many people think the Amish are completely opposed to everything modern. In reality, the Amish are the product of change, some of it dramatic. They were originally Mennonites, a religion born in Switzerland in 1525, when the Mennonites broke away from the Protestants. Later, in Switzerland in 1693, the Amish broke away from the wider Mennonite community after a religious dispute. The Amish emigrated to Pennsylvania around the 1730s to after William Penn offered protection to persecuted religions. The Old Order of Amishes, the main group of people in Lancaster county, was then formed when they broke away from their fellow Amish in a disagreement over the technological changes brought by the industrial revolution. The Old Order was determined to take from technology only those elements that matched their interpretation of the Bible. It is easy to get it wrong about the Amish, says Peter Seibert, president of the Heritage Centre of Lancaster county and a non-Amish. They are not putting up walls to block out the modern world. What they are doing is adapting their community to modernity in order to preserve it as a simple farming society. They pick and choose what they want from our world. So they do not have television, not because they think it is a modern evil but because they do not want their children to see sexual and violent images. They travel by buggy to keep the community together because they believe motor cars drive people apart. And there is some modernity in Lancaster county. They do not have phones in their houses, but they will have one in the shed where they have a woodworking business. They dont have electrical gadgets but they have battery-powered cash registers and even laptop computers. Tourists can be quite disrespectful. They walk straight into Amish houses or schools thinking that they are there as a tourist attraction. They have no sense that this is a living community that greatly values its privacy, says researcher Stephen Scott. The joke is, as Scott points out, that the Amish are the ones who benefit. They may dislike being like zoo animals but they also make a great deal of money out of the flow of tourists. These contradictory aspects of Amish life were clearly illustrated a couple of years ago when a reality TV company made a programme called Amish in the City, a show in which a group of Amish teenagers were taken out of their communities and transported to downtown LA. Yet the Amish faith was able to accept that. The teenagers were going through a period known as the running around years, the period between the end of school, at the age of 14, and the entry into the church in ones late teens or early 20s. In those five to eight years of freedom the children are not officially members of the church so they cannot be expelled from the church. The result is a successful community. 80% of the teenagers who move away from the community eventually return. The main problem for the Amish is now population growth, together with a lack of land for them to farm.
B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
CA
P HO N TO
Another country
Level 2 l Intermediate
None of this will be any comfort to the parents and neighbours of the five girls who died in last weeks shooting or the others who remain critically ill. Any comfort will come from their faith itself. Seibert puts it well: For them this is Gods will, and that is all. Our world is all about the individual. Their world is all about the community before God and the better life they will lead after death. That is difficult for us to understand, but that is how it is.
Guardian News & Media Ltd 2006
3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True or False according to the text? 1. The Amish are opposed to everything modern. 2. The Amish think television is evil. 3. The Amish are a simple farming community. 4. Some Amish have laptop computers and telephones. 5. The Amish are pacifists. 6. The Amish dont make any money out of tourists. 7. Most young Amish eventually return to the community. 8. The main problem for the Amish is that their numbers are falling.
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P HO N TO
B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
Another country
Level 2 l Intermediate
5 Vocabulary Word Building
Complete the table. Adjective Noun
6 Vocabulary Prepositions
Which prepositions follow these words? Check your answers in the text. 1. apart 2. revenge 3. opposed 4. adapt 5. expel 6. lack
7 Discussion
Imagine that you lived in a society that was isolated from the modern world. What things would you miss? What aspects of the modern world would you be happy to avoid?
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Another country
Level 2 l Intermediate KEY
1 Key Words
1. pacifist 2. dispute 3. revenge 4. persecutes 5. determined 6. preserve 7. bewilderment 8. buggy 9. emigrates 10. gadget
6 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. from 2. on 3. to 4. to 5. from 6. of
3 Comprehension Check
1. F 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. T 6. F 7. T 8. F
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of an activity is the most important place where it takes place, . against something, there is a strong negative reaction to it. , it is not allowed by law. business or activity is one that makes a lot of money. is a long and difficult search for something. state is a country that other countries dislike and avoid. is a soldier who fights for any army that will pay him. is something that can be bought or sold, especially basic food products or fuel. someone, you force them to leave their home or their land. something, you make it seem less important or serious than it really is.
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer 1. Conflict diamonds are: a. uncut or rough diamonds. b. diamonds produced in countries where civil wars are in progress. c. diamonds produced by large mining companies. 2. The Kalahari Bushmen are opposed to diamond mining because: a. they were evicted from their land to make way for diamond mining. b. the diamond industry is wrecking lives. c. there is a civil war in Botswana. 3. The diamond trade is worried about the film Blood Diamond because: a. the film suggests that the diamond industry is violent. b. the film might bring a lot of negative publicity to the diamond business. c. the film shows a lot of violent images. 4. London jewellers dont buy rough diamonds from conflict zones because: a. they are not sure where the diamonds come from. b. they are not sure if the diamonds are genuine. c. they dont want the money to be used to buy weapons.
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7 Discussion
Should moral and ethical considerations prevent trade in certain commodities even though the lives of local people may depend on these commodities (e.g. the fur trade)?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Hollywood caught in gem warfare / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
1. b 2. a 3. b 4. c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Hollywood caught in gem warfare / Advanced
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, it is not allowed by the law. , it is allowed by the law. , it doesnt happen very often or is not often seen or found. is fighting between countries or groups. is fighting between different groups of people inside a country. is someone who makes or sells things made from valuable metals or stones. is someone who tries to remove a government by using force. is someone who has been harmed, injured or killed as a result of a crime or a bad situation. .
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B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
a. b. c. d. e. f.
it wants to fight negative publicity from the film. they lost their land because of diamond mining. the film Blood Diamond might bring negative publicity. the control systems arent strong enough. 25% of jobs are linked to the diamond industry. it doesnt want the money to be used to buy arms.
4 Vocabulary
Collocations
diamond
CA
P HO N TO
B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
Match the people with the descriptions of what they do. 1. a smuggler 2. a campaigner 3. a diplomat 4. a mercenary 5. an employer 6. a spokesman 7. a dealer 8. a film-maker a. fights anywhere in the world for money b. represents an organisation c. makes movies d. takes goods illegally from one country to another e. buys and sells things f. works for political or social changes g. pays someone to work for them h. represents their country in another country
6 Vocabulary
Complete the table. Noun
Word building
Adjective
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Hollywood caught in gem warfare / Elementary
CA
P H
N TO B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
5 Vocabulary: Definitions
1. d 2. f 3. h 4. a 5. g 6. b 7. e 8. c
3 Comprehension Check
1. c 2. f 3. d 4. b 5. e 6. a
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
industry company mining trade mines smuggling
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Hollywood caught in gem warfare / Elementary
CA OT N B O FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
P H
CA
P H
CA
P HO N TO
4 Vocabulary Adjectives
Match the adjectives from the text in the box with their opposites. unfashionable 1. careless 2. strong 3. frequent 4. fashionable rare careful natural occasional 5. artificial 6. common 7. external 8. legitimate illegal weak internal
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Word building
7 Discussion
Is it right to prohibit trade in items like fur for moral reasons? What about the lives of poor people who depend on these items to make a living?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Hollywood caught in gem warfare / Intermediate
CA
P H
N TO B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
4 Vocabulary: Adjectives
1. careful 2. weak 3. occasional 4. unfashionable 5. natural 6. rare 7. internal 8. illegal
3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. T 3. F 4. F 5. T 6 F 7. F 8. T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Hollywood caught in gem warfare / Intermediate
CA OT N B O FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
P H
2. A is an occasion on which government officials count the people who live in a country and record other information about them. 3. If an issue is 4. A of births in the USA. 5. A is literally a large movement in the surface of the earth but can also mean a fundamental change in something. 6. 7. If you are 8. 9. If a population is 10. To means the ideas and principles on which a belief or a system is based. by something, you are very shocked or upset. is the process of trying to find the answer to something by guessing. , it is spread over a wide area and does not live in the same place. means to suddenly move in a different direction. , it causes disagreement between people or groups. is someone born between 1945 and 1964 when there was a rapid increase in the number
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / US population passes 300 million / Advanced
CA
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N TO B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
CA
P HO N TO
3 Comrehension check
Are these statements True or False according to the text? 1. Without immigration the population of the United States would be approximately the same as it is today. 2. The USA uses a quarter of the worlds energy resources. 3. The largest ethnic group in the USA is the Hispanic group. 4. More than one in ten people in the USA is a new immigrant. 5. Each American occupies 20% more land than they did 20 years ago. 6. The current rate of growth in the US population will continue after 2070. 7. California is the fastest growing state in terms of population. 8. More than 1,000 hectares of farmland is concreted over every day.
5 Vocabulary Chunks
Rearrange these words to make phrases from the text. Check your answers in the text. 1. a American generation Chinese fourth 2. its largest the growth population history in 3. gravity centre of the demographic 4. consumer ultimate society the disposable 5. ageing a rapidly population white 6. on group immigration a research focusing
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6 Discussion
What are the advantages and disadvantages of immigration? Should people be allowed to live where they want to in the world?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / US population passes 300 million / Advanced
CA
P H
N TO B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
5 Vocabulary Chunks
1. a fourth-generation Chinese-American 2. the largest population growth in its history 3. the demographic centre of gravity 4. the ultimate disposable consumer society 5. a rapidly ageing white population 6 a research group focusing on immigration
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. T 3. T 4. T 5. F 6. F 7. F 8. T
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B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
is an area or town near a large city but away from its centre. , people disagree about it. area is an area that is in a large city. of a country is all the people who live in it. , it increases only a very little.
is a story that everyone believes but which is not true. is a person who arrives from another country to live and work in a country. is when government officials count all the people who live in a country. is the natural world, including land, water, air and plants. , it changes a lot and people are surprised by it.
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
Decide whether these statements are True or False. 1. Americans are moving from the south and west to the northeast. 2. The birth-rate is higher then the death-rate in the US. 3. By 2050 almost a quarter of the population of the US will be Spanish-speaking. 4. Americans use 5% of the worlds energy resources. 5. The population of the mid-western states is increasing. 6. The fastest-growing states are Florida and California. 7. More than half the population of the USA lives in just 10 states. 8. America is becoming less crowded.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / US population passes 300 million / Elementary
B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
CA
P HO N TO
6 Word stress
Put these words from the text into one of the three boxes according to their stress pattern. A B C
l l
dramatically suburban
l
l
l l
CA
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B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
4 Vocabulary Numbers
1. one thousand two hundred and fourteen 2. sixty-nine percent 3. two thousand and seventy 4. four hundred million 5. nineteen seventy 6. twelve point one percent
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. T 3. T 4. F 5. F 6. F 7. T 8. F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / US population passes 300 million / Elementary
CA
P H
N TO B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
is a situation where a place is crowded with people or vehicles. is a gradual reduction in the amount or quality of something. is a situation where government officials count the number of people in a country. is an event that marks an important stage in a process. immigration is the number of people arriving minus the number of people leaving. is the southern part of the USA from California to Florida. population is one that is growing older. is a story that people wrongly believe is true.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / US population passes 300 million / Intermediate
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the information in the text. 1. What happens every 11 seconds in the USA? a. an immigrant arrives b. someone dies c. the population increases by one 2. When is the rate of growth in population expected to stop? a. around the year 2070 b. in 37 years time c. when it reaches 400 million
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / US population passes 300 million / Intermediate
B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
CA
P HO N TO
4 Vocabulary Adjectives
Match the words in the left-hand column with their opposites in the right-hand column. 1. urban 2. coastal 3. major 4. net 5. rapid 6. short-term a. inland b. minor c. long-term d. gradual e. rural f. gross
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P HO N TO
5. the population is not evenly spread 6. most people live 7. the US is moving 8. existence
7 Discussion
Would you like to move to another country? If you had to move to another country, which country would you move to and why?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / US population passes 300 million / Intermediate
CA
P H
N TO B FR E D CO OM OW P W NL IAB EB OA L SIT D E E ED
6 Vocabulary Prepositions
1. in 2. through 3. in 4. from 5. across 6. along 7. towards 8. under
3 Comprehension Check
1. c 2. a 3. a 4. b
4 Vocabulary Adjectives
1. e 2. a 3. b 4. f 5. d 6. c
CA
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1. If you ____________ something, you introduce or start something new or important. 2. ____________ is a situation in which there are so many cars on the roads that traffic cannot move. 3. If you ____________ someone, you criticise them in an angry way. 4. ____________ is a problem or situation that interrupts something and prevents it from continuing or from working properly. 5. An ____________ is a long journey during which many things happen. 6. A ____________ is a way of going from one place to another that is not the shortest or the usual way. 7. ____________ is a state where people easily become annoyed or impatient. 8. If a street or road is ____________, there are a lot of holes in it and it is difficult to drive along it. 9. If streets are ____________ with traffic, they are completely blocked. 10. A ____________ is a sudden major increase in trade or profits in a particular country or region.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
baked beneath a tropical sun, can appear to be the site of a battle against geography and climate. The government, flush with oil revenues, has inaugurated bridges and metro lines in the run-up to next months presidential election, but many are unfinished, including a bridge connecting Caracas to the airport, which is forcing detours through hillside barrios that can turn the 16-mile trip into a five-hour odyssey. Everyone agrees that gridlock is getting worse every month. Taxi drivers say their income has been slashed because they are down from an average of five to three fares a day. lts impossible. If someone asks to go into especially heavy traffic I say no, itll take up half my day, said Fredy Afanador, a veteran cabbie. President Hugo Chvez has berated previous infrastructure ministers but praised the incumbent for doing a good job. And he is also looking further afield for help. In return for discounted diesel for London buses, the citys mayor, Ken Livingstone, is to share insights on congestion charging and other policies in an attempt to end the traffic nightmare.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Advanced
CA
P H
2. Leaving home at 5 am is likely to a. allow drivers to beat the traffic jams. b. cause various health and personal problems. c. stop people sleeping.
3. The problem is made worse by a. stress. b. a sense of anxiety and tension. c. a neglected infrastructure.
4. Psychiatrists are advising people to a. leave home earlier. b. try and relax. c. punch or shoot other drivers.
4 Vocabulary
Expressions
Match these expressions from the text with their meanings. 1. in the wake of 2. to drive to distraction 3. road rage 4. to grind to a halt 5. a creaking infrastructure 6. flush with money
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Advanced
CA
P H
a. violent behaviour by a driver towards another driver b. a system under which drivers pay to enter a particular part of a city c. with more money than you usually have d. to annoy someone so much that they become angry e. happening after an event or as a result of it f. in the middle of the day when people can be easily seen g. a transport system that is close to collapse h. to move more and more slowly until everything stops
5 Vocabulary
Collocations
What verbs go with these nouns? Check your answers in the text. 1. ____________ a crossword 2. ____________ damage 3. ____________ productivity 4. ____________ ones mind 5. ____________ irritability 6. ____________ entire districts 7. ____________ sleep deprivation 8. ____________ advice
6 Vocabulary
Find the word that means: 1. fights using guns (para. 2) 2. a lack of something you need or want (para. 3) 3. a feeling of great physical or emotional pain (para. 4) 4. the period of time just before an important event (para. 8) 5. poor districts of a city in a Spanish-speaking country (para. 8)
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Advanced
7 Discussion
What do you think are the best ways to reduce congestion and prevent traffic-jams in major cities?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary: Collocations
1. do 2. inflict 3. diminish 4. occupy 5. increase 6. paralyse 7. suffer 8. give
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b b c b
4 Vocabulary: Expressions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. e d a h g c f b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. If you are ____________, you get angry very easily. 2. If you are ____________, you feel nervous and worried all the time. 3. A ____________ is a wide road with several lanes of traffic in each direction. 4. A ____________ is a small street that is connected to a major street. 5. A ____________ is a situation when cars cannot move because the road is blocked. 6. If you give someone ____________, you tell them the best thing to do in a particular situation. 7. If you ____________ something, you dont go near it. 8. A ____________ is a word game on paper where you write the answers in rows of squares.
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
everything travels on old streets full of holes. The government has a lot of money from the sale of oil. It has started a programme of building bridges and metro lines before the presidential election next month. But many of these bridges and metro lines are still not finished. One of them is a bridge that will connect the centre of Caracas to the airport. This means that drivers have to use an old road. It is only 16 miles from the city to the airport but the journey can take five hours. Everyone agrees that the traffic jams are getting worse every month. Taxi drivers say they are losing money because they can only make three journeys a day instead of the five journeys they used to make. Its impossible. If someone asks to go into especially heavy traffic I say no because I will lose half a day, said Fredy Afanador, a local taxi driver. The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chvez, has criticised former transport ministers but says the present minister is doing a good job. He is also looking to other countries for help. One idea is to work with the mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. In London, drivers have to pay to enter the centre of the city. This means there is now less traffic. Mr Livingstone will give advice to President Chvez and, in return, Venezuela will sell fuel to London at a cheaper price. Perhaps this idea will help to solve the problem of traffic jams in Caracas.
Guardian News & Media 2006
CA
P H
2. Traffic jams are very bad in Caracas because a. there are too many cars. b. the roads are very old. c. the drivers are very bad. d. the new metro lines and bridges are not finished. e. armed gangs attack and rob drivers.
3. Traffic jams make people feel a. stressed. b. bad-tempered. c. sad. d. worried. e. hungry.
4 Vocabulary
Opposites
Find the words in the text that are the opposites of these words: 1. best 2. late ____________ ____________
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom in Caracas / Elementary
CA
P H
5 Vocabulary
Prepositions
Fill the gaps using prepositions. 1. Caracas has some of the worst traffic jams _______ the world. 2. Psychiatrists are giving advice _______ drivers. 3. Streets are full of cars from early morning _______ late at night. 4. There is no easy solution _______ the problem. 5. The streets are full _______ holes. 6. Taxi drivers can only make three journeys a day instead _______ the five journeys they used to make. 7. It is 16 miles _______ the city _______ the airport. 8. In London, drivers have to pay to enter the centre _______ the city.
6 Vocabulary
1. solve 2. build 3. avoid 4. own 5. eat 6. listen to 7. do 8. give a. music b. a car c. advice
Collocations
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. in to until to of of from/to of
6 Vocabulary: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. e h f b g a d c
3 Comprehension check
1. a, d, e, f, g 2. a, b, d 3. a, b, d
4 Vocabulary: Opposites
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. worst early negative worse easy rich heavy less
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. If a vehicle is ____________, it isnt moving. 2. A ____________ is a fight in which guns are used. 3. ____________ is a situation in which something cannot continue because of a problem.
4. A ____________ is an area in which poor people live in badly built houses made of wood, metal or other thin material. 5. ____________ is a situation where drivers behave violently towards other drivers.
6. If a road or street is ____________, it is full of holes. 7. If you ____________ something, you dont look after it properly and you dont pay any attention to it. 8. If you are ____________, you become angry or impatient very easily. 9. A ____________ is someone who travels regularly to and from work. 10. If you are ____________, you feel nervous and you cannot relax.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
traffic streams into potholed streets that have been neglected for years. Caracas lies in a long narrow valley between skyscrapers and shanty towns. In the hot tropical sun it can appear to be the site of a battle against both geography and climate. The government, with plenty of money from the sale of oil, has started a programme of building bridges and metro lines before next months presidential election, but many of these are unfinished, including a bridge connecting Caracas to the airport, which means that drivers have to take detours through hillside barrios that can turn the 16-mile trip into a five-hour nightmare. Everyone agrees that the traffic jams are getting worse every month. Taxi drivers say their income has fallen dramatically because they are down from an average of five to three fares a day. Its impossible. If someone asks to go into especially heavy traffic I say no because it will take up half my day, said Fredy Afanador, a local taxi driver. President Hugo Chvez has criticised former infrastructure ministers but has praised the present minister for doing a good job. He is also looking abroad for help. In return for cheap fuel for London buses, the mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, will share his ideas on congestion charging and other policies in an attempt to solve the problem of traffic jams in Caracas.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Intermediate
CA
P H
4 Vocabulary
1. increase productivity 2. increase slightly 3. gradual increase 4. very small profits 5. getting better 6. light traffic 7. too much sleep 8. a long wide valley
Opposites
Replace the underlined words with their opposites. Check your answers in the text. ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
5 Vocabulary
Find these words or expressions. 1. A word meaning a street that is not a main street. (para. 2) 2. Two more words for blocked. (para. 2) 3. An expression meaning in the middle of the day. (para. 4) 4. A verb meaning to increase by 100%. (para. 6) 5. A word meaning a very tall building containing offices or flats. (para. 7)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary
Complete the table. Verb Noun 1. advise 2. warn 3. criticise 4. reduce 5. rob 6. disrupt 7. attack 8. appear
Word building
7 Discussion
Do you have traffic jams in your town or city? What are the best ways to avoid such jams in the future?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T T T F F F T
4 Vocabulary: Opposites
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. reduce dramatically rapid huge worse heavy a lack of narrow
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Car boom leaves Caracas in one big jam / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. fairly fat _______________ 2. a long loose shirt _______________ 3. a vehicle pulled by animals and used for travelling over snow _______________ 4. to show something that was hidden _______________ 5. a situation in which a persons name is kept secret _______________ 6. an informal name that isnt a real name _______________ 7. weak, without strength _______________ 8. in human form _______________
Larry Stewart dresses as Santa Claus every year to distribute money to poor people. _______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________ b) $1.3 million and 26 years ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
book telling his story, Santas Secret: A Story of Hope, written by a local journalist. Stewarts generosity was born out of his own experience of poverty. In the early 1970s, poor and jobless, he resorted to living in his car, a yellow Datsun 510. One day he finally mustered the courage to approach a church to ask for help. He was told that the person who could help had left and he should return the following day. As I turned around, I knew I would never do that again, Mr Stewart told Associated Press. By the late 1970s Stewart had a job and some money, but he was still plagued by misfortune. In 1979, for the second year in succession, he was fired from his job in the week before Christmas. But when he saw a shivering, roller-skating waitress at a drive-in restaurant, he realised that were others worse off than him. It was cold and this waitress didnt have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, I think I got it bad. Shes out there in this cold making nickels and dimes, he said. He gave her a $20 bill. And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble and tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She said, Sir, you have no idea what this means to me. Stewart went to the bank, withdrew $200 and drove around Kansas looking for people to give it to. The Secret Santa myth was born.
Guardian News & Media 2006
CA
P H
a) a girl who was working outside a restaurant. b) a team of other helpers at Christmas. c) because he has cancer. d) because he knew what it was like to be poor. e) people he thought were unlucky. f) will take over his job.
4 Vocabulary: Use of to
The word to has been taken out of these sentences. Can you put it back? The first one is done for you. 1. Santa has been forcedhang up his sleigh bells 2. He has decided reveal his identity. 3. I saw her lips begin tremble. 4. Stewart went the bank. 5. He handed out $5 and $10 bills people. 6. The gifts rose $100 bills. 7. He was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, which has since spread his liver. 8. He hopes he might inspire someone else take over his Santa duties. 9. He resorted living in his car, a yellow Datsun 510. 10. One day he finally mustered the courage approach a church to ask for help.
to
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary: Collocations
Correct the errors in the underlined collocations below. Check your answers in the text. 1. The reporter showed the true identity of his source. 2. The woman in the hospital bed next to mine was caught with cancer. 3. The news stories on the election show the President has won a second time. 4. The actor who plays Spiderman appeared at the film premiere in complete costume. 5. I finally collected the courage to take my driving exam. I failed. 6. I was laughing so hard that tears dropped down my cheeks.
7 Discussion
Philanthropy (donating money or aid to charity) has a long history and tradition in the United States. Is it common in your country? Do you think it is a good thing?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Use of to
2. He has decided to reveal his identity. 3. I saw her lips begin to tremble. 4. Stewart went to the bank. 5. He handed out $5 and $10 bills to people. 6. The gifts rose to $100 bills. 7. He was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, which has since spread to his liver. 8. He hopes he might inspire someone else to take over his Santa duties. 9. He resorted to living in his car, a yellow Datsun 510. 10. One day he finally mustered the courage to approach a church to ask for help.
6 Vocabulary: Collocations
1. The reporter revealed the true identity of his source. 2. The woman in the hospital bed next to mine was diagnosed with cancer. 3. The news reports on the election show the President has won a second time. 4. The actor who plays Spiderman appeared at the film premiere in full costume. 5. I finally mustered the courage to take my driving exam. I failed. 6. I was laughing so hard that tears flowed down my cheeks.
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. e) c) b) f) d) a)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. _______ is an imaginary man with a white beard and red suit who brings gifts to children at Christmas. 2. If something was covered or hidden and you show it, you _______ it. 3. A _______ is someone who helps a leader and who takes some of their responsibilities. 4. When you _______ money from a bank, you take out money from your account. 5. _______ are things that you are obliged to do. 6. _______ is kindness in giving things. 7. Your _______ is who you really are, your name. 8. If you are _______ from your job, you have to leave.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Stewart has experience of poverty. In the early 1970s he was poor and jobless and he had to live in his car, a yellow Datsun 510. One day he went to a church to ask for help. They told him the person who could help wasnt there and he should return the following day. As I turned around, I knew I would never do that again, Mr Stewart told Associated Press. By the late 1970s Stewart had a job and some money, but he was still unlucky. In 1979 he was fired from his job in the week before Christmas. But when he saw a shivering, waitress at a drivein restaurant, he realised that were others worse off than him. It was cold and this waitress didnt have on a very big jacket, and I thought to myself, I think I got it bad. Shes out there in this cold making nickels and dimes, he said. He gave her a $20 bill. And then she began to cry. She said, Sir, you have no idea what this means to me. Stewart went to the bank, withdrew $200 and drove around Kansas looking for people to give it to. The Secret Santa story was born.
Guardian News & Media 2006
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Elementary
CA
P H
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Across
2. You can ____ money in the telephone business. 5. American currency 8. British currency 9. to distribute (4,3 phrasal verb)
Down
1. paper money, banknotes 3. the opposite of cheap 4. flat, round pieces of metal used as money 6. the noun form of poor 7. the amount of money you need to do something
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Money crossword
Across 2. make 5. dollar 8. pound 9. giveout Down 1. bills 3. expensive 4. coins 6. poverty 7. cost
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. T T F T F F T F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1 Key words
Complete the sentences with words from the box. tunic Santa Claus unsuspecting nickname anonymity deputy sleigh withdraw
1. _______ is an imaginary man with a white beard and red suit who brings gifts to children at Christmas. 2. A _______ is a long loose shirt. 3. A _______ is a vehicle pulled by animals and used for travelling over snow. 4. Shorty is a _______; my real name is James. 5. If you live in _______, then nobody knows who you really are. 6. _______ means not knowing about something that is happening or about to happen. 7. A _______ is someone who helps a leader and who takes over their responsibilities in some situations. 8. When you _______ money from a bank, you take out money from your account.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3. Larry has cancer and now a) he wants somebody else to be Secret Santa. b) he wants to give people $16,000. c) he doesnt want to work anymore.
4. In the United States, Secret Santa a) is unknown. b) is quite famous. c) is in every city.
5. In the 1970s, Larry Stewart asked the church a) for help with his car, a yellow Datsun. b) for a job. c) for help only once.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Intermediate
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6 Vocabulary: Collocations
Complete the gap with a suitable word. 1. ___________ a secret / a true identity / an answer 2. ___________ millions of dollars / phone calls / a mistake 3. ___________ with cancer / correctly / by the doctor 4. ___________ reports / flash / item 5. ___________ appear / flow down / fill your eyes
7 Discussion
What do you think of people like Larry Stewart? Should more rich people give money to poor people?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
6 Vocabulary: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. reveal make diagnosed news tears
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. b) b) a) b) c) a) c)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / Secret Santa revealed / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1 Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text: desalinated enlightened by-product undercut fossil fuels feasible irrigate vulnerable vessel grid
1. If the price of a particular product ____________ another product, it is available at a cheaper price. 2. A ____________ is a set of wires than carry the electricity supply. 3. A ____________ is a product that is made as the result of making another product. 4. If something is ____________ it is possible or likely to succeed. 5. A ____________ is a container for liquids. 6. If water is ____________ , the salt has been removed from it. 7. If you ____________ land, you bring water to it through a series of pipes. 8. If something is ____________ , it is easily damaged by something negative or harmful. 9. Coal and oil are examples of ____________. 10. ____________ means sensible and modern.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Scientists say global energy crisis can be solved by mirrors and the desert sun
by Ashley Seager In the Sahara desert is a vast source of energy that can promise a carbon-free, nuclear-free electrical future for all Europe, if not the world. We are not talking about the vast oil and gas deposits beneath Algeria and Libya, or uranium for nuclear plants, but something far simpler the sun. Every year it pours down the equivalent of 1.5m barrels of oil of energy for every square kilometre. Most people think of solar power as a few panels on the roof of a house producing hot water or a bit of electricity. But according to two reports prepared for the German government, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa should be building vast solar farms in North Africas deserts using a simple technology that more resembles using a magnifying glass to burn a hole in a piece of paper than any space age technology. Two German scientists, Dr Gerhard Knies and Dr Franz Trieb, calculate that covering just 0.5% of the worlds hot deserts with a technology called concentrated solar power (CSP) would provide the worlds entire electricity needs, with desalinated water for desert regions as a valuable by-product, as well as air-conditioning for nearby cities. Focusing on Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, they say, Europe should build a new high-voltage direct current electricity grid to allow the easy transport of electricity from a variety of alternative sources. Britain could put in wind power, Norway hydro, and central Europe biomass and geo-thermal. Together the region could provide all its electricity needs by 2050 with barely any fossil fuels and no nuclear power. This would allow a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from electricity production over the period. CSP technology is not new. There has been a plant in the Mojave desert in California for 15 years. Others are being built in Nevada, Spain and Australia. There are different forms of CSP,
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. How does CSP work? a. mirrors concentrate the suns rays on pipes containing gas or liquid b. mirrors reflect the suns rays into turbines c. by creating shaded areas that can be used to grow crops 2. What are the potential by-products of CSP? a. a high-voltage direct current grid b. desalinated water for irrigation and air-conditioning c. large industrial mirrors 3. What is the main problem faced by CSP? a. it is expensive and difficult to install b. most politicians are unaware of its potential c. the deserts are too far away from Europe 4. Why does the report recommend collaboration between Europe, the Middle East and Africa? a. because all three regions need electricity b. because collaboration will mean CSP is introduced more quickly c. because areas suitable for installing CSP plants are in the Middle East and Africa
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary 3: Chunks
Use prepositions to complete these phrases from the text. 1. take _______ account 2. collaboration _______ different countries 3. focus _______ something 4. a 70% reduction _______ CO2 emissions 5. competitive _______ oil 6. transport _______ long distances 7. nuclear power accounts _______ 3.1% of world energy supply 8. in the wake _______ the report
7 Discussion
Do you agree that CSP is the perfect solution to the worlds energy problems? What alternative sources of longterm energy can you think of?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
6 Vocabulary 3: Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. into between on in with over for of
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. a b b c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. A ____________ is a container for liquids. 2. ____________ power is power that comes from the sun. 3. If water is ____________, there is no longer any salt in it. 4. A ____________ is a network of wires for carrying electricity. 5. ____________ means very, very large. 6. A ____________ is a large building that contains machines that produce electricity. 7. ____________ is a slightly dark area where there is no direct sunlight. 8. ____________ is electricity and other forms of power. 9. A ____________ is a machine that uses the pressure of liquid or gas on a wheel to get power. 10. A ____________ is a place that provides something you need or want.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Scientists say global energy crisis can be solved by mirrors and the desert sun
by Ashley Seager Burning coal and oil to make electricity produces a lot of carbon dioxide, which is one of the main causes of global warming. A lot of people say that nuclear energy is cleaner but others disagree, saying that nuclear power stations are dangerous. Perhaps the answer is solar power? Most people think of solar power as a few solar panels on the roof of a house producing hot water or a bit of electricity. But a new study in Germany says that Europe, the Middle East and Africa should build enormous solar farms in the Sahara desert in North Africa. The scientists who produced the report say that these solar farms could produce enough electricity to supply the whole of Europe and perhaps the whole world. Every year the suns rays produce the same amount of energy per square kilometre as 1.5m barrels of oil. The scientists, Dr Gerhard Knies and Dr Franz Trieb, say that Europe should build a new direct current electricity grid to transport electricity easily from different sources. Britain could provide wind power, Norway could provide hydroelectric power, and central Europe biomass and geo-thermal power. Together with concentrated solar power (CSP) the region could provide all its electricity needs by 2050 with no nuclear power and almost no oil or coal. This would also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide from electricity production by 70%. CSP works by using mirrors to concentrate the suns rays on a pipe or vessel containing gas or liquid that heats up to about 400C. This hot gas or liquid then drives steam turbines. The mirrors are very large and in the shade under them people could grow vegetables and water them with desalinated water produced in the CSP process. People could also use cold water produced in the CSP process for air conditioning. CSP technology stores the hot gas or liquid in
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
a. _____ they could grow vegetables in the shade and water them with water from the farms. b. _____ hot gas or liquid is stored in large containers. c. _____ land is cheap and there is much more sunlight there. d. _____ it produces a lot of carbon dioxide. e. _____ it produces desalinated water and cold water for air conditioning as well as electricity. f. _____ it does not produce carbon dioxide.
1. ____________ energy uses water. 2. ____________ energy uses atomic power. 3. ____________ energy uses plant and animal waste. 4. ____________ energy uses natural hot water from below the earths surface. 5. ____________ power uses windmills. 6. ____________ energy uses the heat of the sun.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Verb
Noun
provision ____________ reduction disagreement recommendation ____________ ____________ growth
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f a b d e
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1 Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. solar horticulture desalinated cost-effective grid irrigate fossil fuels phase out vessel outlook
1. ____________ is the production of garden plants. 2. If you ____________ something _______, you gradually stop using it over a period of time. 3. ____________ water is water from which salt has been removed by an industrial process. 4. A ____________ is a container for liquid or gas. 5. An ____________ is a view of what a situation will be like in the future. 6. If something is ____________, it gives the maximum profit or advantage in relation to the amount of money that is spent. 7. A ____________ is a network of wires that carry electricity. 8. If you ____________ land, you bring water to it through a series of pipes. 9. ____________ means relating to the Sun. 10. Coal and oil are examples of ____________.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Scientists say global energy crisis can be solved by mirrors and the desert sun
by Ashley Seager The Sahara desert could provide a carbon-free, nuclear-free electrical future for the whole of Europe, if not the world. We are not talking about the enormous oil and gas deposits in Algeria and Libya, or uranium for nuclear plants, but something much simpler - the sun. Every year the suns rays provide the equivalent of 1.5m barrels of oil of energy for every square kilometre. Most people think of solar power as a few panels on the roof of a house producing hot water or a bit of electricity. But according to two reports prepared for the German government, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa should be building vast solar farms in the deserts of North Africa. The technology is simple. It is more like using a magnifying glass to burn a hole in a piece of paper than any space age technology. Two German scientists, Dr Gerhard Knies and Dr Franz Trieb, calculate that covering just 0.5% of the worlds hot deserts with a technology called concentrated solar power (CSP) would meet the energy needs of the entire world. Apart from electricity, CSP would also provide desalinated water for desert regions and air-conditioning for nearby cities. The scientists say that Europe should build a new high-voltage direct current electricity grid to allow the easy transport of electricity from different sources. Britain could provide wind power, Norway hydroelectric power, and central Europe biomass and geo-thermal power. Together the region could provide all its electricity needs by 2050 with no nuclear power and almost no fossil fuels. This would also reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity production by 70%. There are different forms of CSP, but they all use mirrors to concentrate the suns rays on a pipe or vessel containing some sort of gas or liquid that heats up to about 400C and is used to drive steam turbines. The large mirrors also create shaded areas that can be used for horticulture
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Intermediate
CA
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Decide whether these statements are True or False according to the text: 1. Leading politicians are very enthusiastic about CSP. 2. CSP turbines do not work at night. 3. CSP could supply all the worlds energy needs. 4. CSP is very complex technology. 5. CSP is more expensive than oil. 6. AC cables are more effective than DC cables for transporting electricity over long distances. 7. Some countries are still investing in nuclear power. 8. CSP does not produce carbon emissions.
1. ____________ energy is obtained from animals or plants. 2. ____________ energy is obtained from natural hot water beneath the earths surface. 3. ____________ power is produced on wind farms. 4. ____________ energy is produced by changing the structure of atoms. 5. ____________ power is produced by large amounts of water. 6. ____________ energy comes from the sun.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Intermediate
Adjective
Noun
awareness ____________ ____________ attraction security ____________ ____________ ____________
7 Discussion
The text mentions a number of different ways of producing energy. Which do you think are the best for the environment? Which are the worst for the environment?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F F T F F F T T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The power of the desert / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key adjectives
Match these adjectives from the text with their definitions: 1. horrific 2. traumatised 3. destitute 4. corporate 5. fabricated 6. disgruntled 7. brutal 8. gutted a. relating to large companies b. disappointed and annoyed c. extremely violent d. upset, afraid or shocked e. extremely disappointed f. shocking and upsetting g. without money or possessions h. made up or invented and untrue
Order of events
These events are all described in the text but they are not in the correct order. Read the text quickly and put the sentences in the correct order. a. Children at the school told the reporters their parents had been brutally murdered. b. The donors included well-known figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Nelson Mandela. c. The programme has found that many of the orphans are living with their parents. d. A US investigative TV programme made a film at a school in Soweto 5 years ago e. The childrens stories prompted people to give millions of dollars to a special Trust. f. Members of the Trusts board have resigned and its school has been closed. g. Now the TV programme has returned to Soweto to make another film.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Advanced
5 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Complete these phrases using an appropriate preposition. Check your answers in the text. 1. to be driven _______ a life of crime 2. to resort _______ something negative (e.g. violence) 3. to dedicate ones life _______ something 4. to make donations _______ an organisation 5. to pressurise someone _______ doing something 6. to make accusations _______ someone 7. to be reduced _______ living on bread 8. to lose confidence _______ someone or something
6 Vocabulary: Phrases
Match the phrases from the text with their meanings. 1. to go astray 2. riddled with bullets 3. a smear campaign 4. and so forth 5. to drop out 6. to pour in a. a series of attempts to damage someones reputation b. to arrive in large amounts c. to become lost d. shot a number of times e. etcetera (= etc.) f. to leave school or college before finishing your studies
6 Vocabulary: Discussion
Does the end ever justify the means? In this case, children living in poverty may have lied to get money from wealthy individuals and organisations. Do you think what they are supposed to have done was justified?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. to to to to into against to in
2 Order of events
d; a; e; b; g; c; f
6 Vocabulary: Phrases
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c d a e f b
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b b c a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
street children gangster prostitute false angel lie poverty nightmare
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. orphan spear
1. ____________ is the opposite of true. 2. A ____________ is a member of a group of criminals. 3. A ____________ someone who gets money for having sex with people. 4. An ____________ is a child who has no parents. 5. A ____________ is a very frightening and unpleasant dream. 6. A ____________ is a story that is not true. 7. ____________ are children without a home who sleep on the streets. 8. A ____________ is a long weapon like a stick with one sharp end. 9. If you live in ____________ , you do not have enough money for your basic needs. 10. An ____________ is a very kind person.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible: 1. What is the name of Mama Jackies school? 2. How much money did Oprah Winfrey give to the school? 3. How many children travelled to the US? 4. Who invited the children to the US? 5. What was the name of the television programme? 6. When did the programme first film the children?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
a. ____ because they needed money to buy food for their brothers and sisters. b. ____ Mama Jackie told them to cry a lot. c. ____ the children told lies in 2001. d. ____ because they said at the school that her daughter was an orphan. e. ____ she has not done anything wrong. f. ____ because they thought the children were orphans and street children. g. ____ because they had no confidence in Ms Maarohanye. h. ____ because there was no money to pay for their education.
4 Vocabulary: Verbs
Match these verbs from the text with their meanings. 1. resign 2. prove 3. make up 4. earn 5. repeat 6. donate a. to say something again b. to receive money for work c. to invent a story that is not true d. to show clearly that something is true e. to give something to an organisation f. to say that you are leaving a job or a position
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Fill the gaps using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. millions _______ dollars 2. care _______ someone 3. living _______ their parents 4. hes _______ the army 5. a piece _______ paper 6. money to pay _______ their education 7. to live _______ bread 8. to resign _______ the board
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary: Verbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. f d c b a e
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. orphan claim (vb) prostitute recite traumatised sponsor (n) destitute disgruntled donor bursary
1. If you ____________ something, you learn it and then say it to an audience. 2. If you ____________ something has happened, you say that it is true even though there is no proof. 3. A ____________ is someone who gives money to an organisation that helps people. 4. An ____________ is a child who has no parents. 5. A ____________ is money given to someone to pay for their college or university studies. 6. A ____________ is someone who is paid to have sex with people. 7. A ____________ is someone who agrees to support an organisation by giving it money. 8. If you are ____________ , you feel disappointed and annoyed about something. 9. If you are ____________ , you have no money and nowhere to live. 10. If you are ____________ , you are upset, afraid and shocked because of a bad experience.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible: 1. Where is the Ithutheng Trust school? 2. How much did Oprah Winfrey give the Ithutheng Trust school? 3. Which sports organisation gave money to the Ithutheng Trust school? 4. How many children from Soweto went to the US in 2001? 5. What does Lindiwe Thusis father do? 6. How many board members have resigned from the Ithutheng Trust school?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. 0 o
2. o 0
6 Vocabulary: Puzzle
Rearrange the letters to make words from the text that match the definitions. 1. b y l t l u a - r 2. m g t a i n h e r 3. s g n e r i 4. r o n e m s u u in a cruel and extremely violent way a frightening and unpleasant dream to state formally you are leaving a job or position existing in large numbers to say you will not do something to complete college or university studies
5. f e s u r e 6. d a t a r g u e
6 Vocabulary: Discussion
Is it right to lie to help people who are in a terrible situation?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Word stress
1. 0 o nightmare; strangle; comment; murder; travel; suffer 2. o 0 recite; ensure; resign; request; involve; explain
6 Vocabulary: Puzzle
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. brutally nightmare resign numerous refuse graduate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T F T T F F F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2006 NEWS LESSONS / The Angel of Soweto? / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. Note that you may need to change the form of the word (to a past participle, for example). wrangling unveil perennial dwarf (vb) dry run unprecedented plummet ethos dilute glitzy
1. If something ____________, it falls very quickly and suddenly from a high position. 2. If something is described as ____________, it has never happened or been experienced before. 3. If something is described as ____________, it has always existed and never seems to change. 4. A ____________ is something you do as a practice for an important event. 5. ____________ is a series of arguments over a long period of time. 6. If you ____________ something, you make it less strong or effective. 7. A ____________ building is bright, exciting and attractive (on the surface). 8. The ____________ of an organization or a group of people is the set of attitudes and beliefs that are typical of them. 9. When something is ____________ by something else, it is much smaller in comparison to it. 10. When a plan is ____________, it is announced for the first time.
Decide whether these statements are True or False and then check your answers in the text. 1. France 24 is a new international TV station that will broadcast only in French. 2. President Chirac walked out of an EU meeting when a French employers group leader spoke in English. 3. The idea to launch a French 24-hour news channel came from Mr Chirac. 4. Al-Jazeeras English service is watched by about 90 million households. 5. More than 4,000 people work for CNN. 6. France 24 will have a bigger budget than CNN.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Word building
These words from the text all have a second, different meaning to the one used in the text. Fill the gaps in the sentences using these words. launch channel slick dub mock embrace currency heated
1. A ____________ test or exam is one you do as practice for a real one. 2. The ____________ of Russia is the rouble. 3. A ____________ is a large open boat with an engine. 4. A ____________ swimming pool is a must in cold weather. 5. An oil ____________ is a pool of oil floating on the sea. 6. If you ____________ a film, you replace the soundtrack with a different language. 7. A ____________ is a narrow area of water joining two seas. 8. If you ____________ someone, you put your arms round them to show love or friendship.
7 Discussion
Is the English language too dominant in the world today? Can French ever be the lingua franca of the world?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. g d h a e b f c
6 Homonyms
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. mock currency launch heated slick dub channel embrace
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c a b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. channel launch broadcast partnership debate rival heated competitor struggle bulletin
1. A ____________ is a discussion in which people or groups give different opinions about a subject. 2. A ____________ is a situation where two companies or organizations work together on a project. 3. If a discussion is ____________, people become angry and excited. 4. A ____________ is a fight or an attempt to stop someone having power over you. 5. If you ____________ a programme you send it out on radio or television. 6. A news ____________ is a short programme presenting the latest news. 7. A ____________ is a television station and the programmes that it broadcasts. 8. If you ____________ a service, you begin operating it. 9. A ____________ is a company that provides the same goods or services as another company. 10. A ____________ is a person, team or business that competes with another.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many journalists will work for France 24? 2. What is the annual budget of CNN? 3. How long will each news bulletin be on France 24? 4. How often will a news bulletin be broadcast? 5. When did Mr Chirac first have the idea of a French 24-hour news channel? 6. How many viewers does France 24 plan to have?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Word building
Complete the table.
verb
noun
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F F T F F T T F
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. disagreement explanation discussion criticism announcement management (manager); belief success
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Elementary
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Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps using these words from the text. rival media launch gala cuisine funding simultaneously ceasefire heated bulletin
1. A ____________ is a special performance or event to celebrate something. 2. A news ____________ is a short news broadcast. 3. ____________ is a particular style of cooking, especially the cooking of a particular country or region. 4. A ____________ is an agreement to stop fighting for a period of time. 5. If things happen ____________, they happen at exactly the same time. 6. A ____________ is a person, team or business that competes with another. 7. If a discussion or argument is ____________, people become angry and excited. 8. ____________ is the money that a government or organization provides for a particular purpose. 9. If you ____________ a new product or service, you start offering it to the public. 10. The ____________ includes newspapers, radio, television and the internet.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many journalists will work for France 24? 2. What is the annual budget of CNN? 3. How long will each news bulletin be on France 24? 4. How often will a news bulletin be broadcast? 5. When did Mr Chirac first have the idea of a French 24-hour news channel? 6. How many viewers does France 24 plan to have?
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
8. disagreement _______
6 Word building
Complete the table.
verb
noun
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
7 Discussion
Do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that English is the so-called international language of business? Why?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. on for on for for against with over
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T F F T F F T
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. disagreement criticism preparation dominance announcement competitor/competition summary funding
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The news through French eyes / Intermediate
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Advanced
Key words
Complete the sentences using key words from the text. dwindle mood bipartisanship redeploy sworn in legislative inducement uproar sweep bill
1. __________ is the act of two opposing political parties voting the same way on a piece of law or government decision. 2. Elected members of government in the United States are __________ before they take office. 3. If you __________ an election or a race, you win it easily. 4. An __________ is an angry public criticism of something. 5. __________ is an adjective that means relating to law. 6. To __________ something is to move it to another place or a different job. 7. An __________ is something that persuades someone to do something (often something wrong). 8. A __________ is a proposal for a new law. 9. A __________ is a noun referring to the way someone feels. 10. __________ is a verb meaning to become gradually less or smaller.
Answer the questions. 1. What are the two major political parties in the US? 2. What political party does George Bush belong to? 3. The US Congress is bicameral, meaning it has two parliamentary chambers. One is called the House of Representatives. What is the other? 4. What was the number one foreign policy issue of George Bushs government in 2006? 5. What role does the Speaker of the House hold in US politics? 6. How often are there elections for Congress in the US?
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
Complete the sentences with a word from the box. There are four words you dont need. do obvious make knowledge stay remain take apparent
grasp
1. The team knew this was their big moment, their chance to ______ history. 2. The new President will ______ office in January. 3. It is starkly ______ that the world climate is changing. 4. I have rather a shaky ______ on English grammar, although my vocabulary is excellent. 5. Many teachers ______ opposed to the new exam format due to take place next term.
7 Discussion
Do you think the political changes in the US Congress will make a difference to Americas foreign policy?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Grammar focus formal and literary styles but sometimes occur in spoken
English. 1. Never had George Bush faced such opposition from Congress before. 2. Rarely does the US Congress change political colours in both houses. 3. Seldom has the Pentagon deployed so many soldiers in the Middle East. 4. Not only is it an important time for American women, it is an important for American Muslims. 5. Under no circumstances will the President support funding stem cell research. Note that all these examples are more common in
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. DS 3. F 4. T 5. DS 6. F 7. F 8. T 9. T 10. F
6 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. make take apparent grasp remain
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Complete the sentences using key words from the text. a bill to proclaim to hail to redeploy a jet to reject a lobbyist a stalemate minimum wage stem cell research
take office
1. __________ is a proposal for a new law. 2. __________ is a situation in which progress is impossible because the people cannot agree. 3. __________ something is to move it to another place or a different job. 4. __________ something means you say no to it. 5. When politicians __________ , they begin their work. 6. __________ or __________ something means you say it publicly. 7. __________ is a type of expensive plane. 8. __________ is someone who tries to influence politicians or people in authority. 9. The __________ is the lowest legal amount of money you earn for working. 10. __________ is medical research using cells taken from an animal or person at an early stage of development.
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. The Democrats ____ 2. Nancy Pelosi is ____ 3. Keith Ellison is ____ 4. Harry Reid is ____ 5. The American people ____ 6. The House of Representatives and the Senate ____ 7. George Bush is ____ a. ____ against stem cell research. b. ____ control both houses of Congress. c. ____ have rejected a war without end in Iraq. d. ____ the Democrat Senate leader. e. ____ the first Muslim in Congress. f. ____ the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives. g. ____ will focus on Iraq when they pass new laws.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Elementary
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The Democrats hail new era for US as they sweep into Congress
by Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington January 5, 2007 A new era was proclaimed in Washington as the Democratic party recaptured control of both houses of Congress for the first time in 12 years. The Democrats are back, said Nancy Pelosi, who made history when she became the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives. This is an historic moment - for the Congress, and for the women of this country. It is a moment for which we have waited more than 200 years, Ms Pelosi told Congress. Keith Ellison of Minnesota became the first Muslim to serve in Congress, taking his office on a Quran. The official message from Ms Pelosi as well as the new Democratic Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, was about cooperation with their Republican opponents. But Ms Pelosi said that George Bush would face new and energetic opposition. The President had a Republican House and Senate in his first six years in the White House. The American people were clear about the need for a new direction in Iraq. The American people rejected an open-ended obligation to a war without end, Ms Pelosi said. It is the responsibility of the President to articulate a new plan for Iraq that makes it clear to the Iraqis that they must defend their own streets and their own security, a plan that promotes stability in the region and that allows us to responsibly redeploy American forces, Ms Pelosi said. Ms Pelosi plans to use the Democrats new majority in domestic politics as well. She wants to begin almost immediately with measures to clarify relationships between lobbyists and politicians. The move would ban such
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Elementary
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4 Vocabulary 1: Opposites
Find the opposite of these words in the text. 1. the last 2. minority 3. to attack 4. foreign politics 5. to permit 6. minimum 7. in favour of ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Elementary
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noun
energy 2. ________ history 4. ________ availability 6. ________
adjective
1.________ political 3.________ responsible 5.________ secure
R S F E Z N K I N
J H T P L U E J A C
T A I J E V R C S O
A A B T K A I O U N
F O R P E L K P C G
V Q W C B H B E B R
H A K U O F O L R E
C W P L R M P U J S
M E H F T O E B S S
R H C J J G R D U E
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Opposites
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. the first majority to defend domestic politics to ban maximum opposed to
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. a b a a b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Complete the sentences using key words from the text. stalemate redeploy bipartisanship legislative inducement pledge sweep bill
1. __________ is the act of two opposing political parties voting the same way on a piece of law or government decision. 2. A __________ is a situation in which progress is impossible because the people cannot agree. 3. If you __________ an election or a race, you win it easily. 4. If you __________ something, you promise publicly to do it. 5. __________ is an adjective that means relating to law. 6. To __________ something is to move it to another place or a different job. 7. An __________ is something that persuades someone to do something (often something wrong). 8. A __________ is a proposal for a new law.
Choose the correct answer. 1. In the United States there are major political parties. a) two b) three c) five 4. The US Congress comprises: a) the House of Representatives b) the Senate c) both a) and b)
5. The leader of the House of Representatives is: a) the President of the United States b) the Speaker of the House c) the top general in the US army
2. George Bush and the party have controlled government for the past six years. a) Democrat b) Republican c) Labour
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Decide if these statements are True (T) or False (F) according to the text. 1. Nancy Pelosi is the first woman in Congress. ___ 2. There have been Muslims in the US Congress in the past. ____ 3. The Republicans controlled the House and the Senate for the first six years of George Bushs presidency. ____ 4. The speaker of the house believes that Americans want a foreign policy change in Iraq. ____ 5. The Pentagon has increased the number of soldiers in Iraq by 30,000. ____ 6. The Democrats want to examine political lobbyists. ____ 7. The Senate is not concerned with Iraq. ____ 8. George Bush does not want federal funds to be used in stem cell research. ____
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Intermediate
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5 Vocabulary 2: Politics
Reorder the words to make phrases relating to the world of politics. Check the text for the correct answers. 1. control government of recapture _________________________________________ 2. the power of sidelines on _________________________________________ 3. new opposition and face energised _________________________________________ 4. the direction for new a need _________________________________________ 5. in serve to Congress _________________________________________ 6. region the stability in promote _________________________________________ 7. bill a veto _________________________________________ 8. front trials on the domestic face _________________________________________
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
Choose the correct word. 1. to make/do history 2. to take/make office 3. starkly obvious/apparent 4. a private/personal jet 5. to stay/remain opposed
7 Discussion
Do you think the political changes in the US Congress will make a difference to Americas foreign policy?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Politics
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. recapture control of government on the sidelines of power face new and energised opposition the need for a new direction serve in Congress promote stability in the region veto a bill face trials on the domestic front
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. make take apparent private remain
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F F T T F T F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Democrats hail new era for US / Intermediate
Advanced
Pre-reading 1
Look at the headline of the article: Six thousand women missing from boardrooms, politics and courts. What do you think it means? 1. 6,000 women have been kidnapped from these places. 2. 6,000 women have gone on strike. 3. 6,000 women are needed to work in these institutions.
Pre-reading 2
Which do you think has the lowest proportion of women in parliament: Afghanistan, Britain, Iraq, or Rwanda?
Key words
boardrooms FTSE 100 glass ceiling elected chambers shortlists thrive amalgamated headhunters sidelined
1. Houses of parliament. ____________ 2. Combined. ____________ 3. Pushed to one side and not given priority. ____________ 4. People paid to find and recruit new staff from other companies. ____________ 5. An invisible barrier that stops women reaching top positions. ____________ 6. Groups of names for final selection. ____________ 7. To survive and do very well. ____________ 8. Places where company directors discuss policy. ____________ 9. The Financial Times list of the top 100 companies in Britain. ____________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Advanced
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10
11
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
12 Asking for flexible working still spells career death for too many women in todays workplace, said Ms Watson. As a consequence, women with caring responsibilities all too often have to trade down to keep working. Extending the right to ask for flexible working to everyone in the workplace would change that culture and enable more women to reach the top. 13 This is the last annual report from the EOC. Next year, the EOC is due to be amalgamated with the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission, into a new body called the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. This will be headed by the current chair of
4 General understanding
Some of these sentences are not true, according to the article. Say which ones, and say why. 1. Nannies are not good enough to help women get work. 2. The position of women has got worse in all areas since the last survey. 3. Trying to recruit more women is not enough. 4. Everyone will benefit if women have equal opportunities. 5. There should be 39,000 top jobs, not 33,000. 6. Parliamentary elections happen more or less every 5 years in Britain. 7. The EOC thinks all members of parliament should be women. 8. Women in their thirties get more money than women in their twenties. 9. Women in Britain are paid more for part-time work than if they work full time. 10. Giving men the right to request flexible working would actually help women.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Advanced
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Fallen, decreased
Government / administration
Racial descriptions
Private industry
The law
Now match the compound adjectives with the nouns they described. 1. Women are _______________. 2. A ________________ culture. 3. _______________ shortlists. Now scan the text to see if you were right.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Advanced
1. if women from different backgrounds are able to enjoy an equal ______ . 2. no-one can afford to ______ in half the talent ______ . 3. and then slip further down the career __________ . 4. Asking for flexible working still _____ career _______ for too many women. Now match the expressions with the meanings below.
a. find themselves in even worse jobs b. means that they may lose their jobs c. have as many rights and as much power (as men) d. look for the best staff from only part of the population
8 Discussion
1. Were you surprised by any of the information in the article? 2. How similar is the situation for women in your country? 3. About what proportion of women have top jobs? 4. Is there a big pay gap between women and men? 5. What about women from ethnic minorities? 6. What do you think should be done to improve the situation?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2 Pre-reading 2
Britain
3 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. elected chambers amalgamated sidelined headhunters glass ceiling shortlists thrive boardrooms FTSE 100
4 General understanding
1. No. It means that even if they have a nanny, successful women still find it hard to get promotion. 2. No. In some sectors there is a decline. 3. Yes, because they also need to deal with the barriers that prevent women from progressing. 4. Yes. 5. No. Of the 33,000, another 6,000 should be women. 6. Yes, 40 elections in 200 years. 7. No, it means that it would be a good idea if the political parties had some all-female lists of candidates for election. 8. No, the pay gap between women and men gets bigger for 30-year-olds. 9. No, again, the pay gap is even bigger for part-time staff.
Now match the compound adjectives with the nouns they described: 1.e 2.f 3a 4b 5c
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Pre-reading 1
Look at the headline of the article: Six thousand women missing from boardrooms, politics and courts. What do you think it means? 1. 6,000 women have disappeared? 2. 6,000 women are refusing to go to work in boardrooms, politics and courts? 3. We need 6,000 more women to equal the numbers of men in boardrooms, politics and courts?
Pre-reading 2
Which do you think has the lowest number of women in parliament: Afghanistan, Britain, Iraq, or Rwanda?
Key words
boardrooms glass ceiling representative (adj) civil service discrimination thrive attitudes promotion
1. Something you cant see that stops women getting promotion to the top jobs. ____________ 2. To stay alive and do very well. ____________ 3. Places where company directors meet to discuss and make important decisions. ____________ 4. Opinions and ways of thinking. ____________ 5. Getting a better job. ____________ 6. Behaving unfairly to one person or group because of their sex, race, etc. ____________ 7. Government departments and the people who work there. ____________ 8. With the same balance of men and women as in the country as a whole. ____________
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13 This is the last annual report from the EOC. Next year, with the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission, it will be part of a new organisation called the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. As this will be headed by the present chair of the CRE, some people are afraid that they may forget to consider womens rights. 14 Katherine Rake, an equal rights campaigner, protested: This research proves beyond a doubt that life at the top is white and male.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a b c d e f g h i
Women in parliament Women running top companies Women judges Women in Scottish assembly Women in Welsh assembly Male/female pay gap in their 20s Male/female pay gap in their 30s UK pay gap full-time UK pay gap part-time
5 General understanding
Underline the correct answer in each sentence. 1. (Too many / not enough / quite a lot of) women get top jobs in Britain. 2. (Only four / about one in ten) judges are women. 3. When successful women want promotion, they have (more difficultly than / less difficulty than / as much difficulty as) low-paid women do. 4. 20 year-old men in Britain earn more than (20 year-old women / 30 year-old men) 5. Women in Britain usually earn (less / more / the same) after they have children. 6. Ms Watson thinks that (only women / only men / both men and women) should be able to ask for flexible working hours.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Elementary
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parliament
assembly
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
5 General understanding
1. (Too many / not enough / quite a lot of) women get top jobs in Britain. 2. (Only four / about one in ten) judges are women. 3. When successful women want promotion, they have (more difficulty than / less difficulty than / as much difficulty as) low-paid women do. 4. 20 year-old men in Britain earn more than (20 year old women / 30 year-old men). 5. Women in Britain usually earn (less / more / the same) after they have children. 6. Ms Watson thinks that (only women / only men / both men and women) should be able to ask for flexible working hours.
2 Pre-reading 2
Britain
3 Key words
1. glass ceiling 2. thrive 3. boardrooms 4. attitudes 5. promotion 6. discrimination 7. civil service 8. respresentative
4 Scanning for information 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 a 10.4% b 9.8% c 40% d 51.7% e 3.7% f 10.7% g 17% h 38% i
19.5% Women in parliament Women running top companies Women judges Women in Scottish assembly Women in Welsh assembly Male/female pay gap in their 20s Male/female pay gap in their 30s UK pay gap full-time UK pay gap part-time
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Pre-reading 1
Look at the headline of the article: Six thousand women missing from boardrooms, politics and courts. What do you think it means? 1. Someone has kidnapped 6,000 women from these places. 2. 6,000 women are refusing to go to work in these places. 3. There are jobs for 6,000 women in these institutions.
Pre-reading 2
Which do you think has the lowest percentage of women in parliament: Afghanistan, Britain, Iraq, or Rwanda?
Key words
boardrooms glass ceiling flexible working headhunters address the barriers ethnic minorities shortlist thrive
1. People paid to find excellent workers from other companies and employ them. ____________ 2. Something invisible that stops women getting promoted to the top jobs. ____________ 3. The final list of names when you choose someone (for a job, etc.). ____________ 4. To stay alive and do very well. ____________ 5. Places where company directors meet to discuss and make important decisions. ____________ 6. Look at and change the things that are stopping people. ____________ 7. Being able to choose or change the hours you work. ____________ 8. Small groups of people from a different race to most people in the country. ____________
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said Ms Watson. So women with children often have to find less professional jobs to keep working. Extending the right to ask for flexible working to everyone in the workplace would change that culture and enable more women to reach the top. 13 This is the last annual report from the EOC. Next year, with the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission, it will be part of a new body called the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. This will be headed by the present chair of the CRE, and some people are afraid that womens rights may then
5 General understanding
Match the beginnings and endings of these sentences.
1 2 3 4 5 6
Laws to give women better job opportunities A lot of top male bosses Life for everyone would be better The male/female balance in government The situation for ethnic minority women The difference in pay between men and women
a b c d e f
dont like women to choose their own hours. gets worse if women start to work part-time. is even worse than for whites. have not made much difference. is much better in Scotland and Wales. if women had equal opportunities in all areas.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7
a b c d e f g
a. boardrooms, companies b. our survey, the report c. protested, summed up, found
4. from ethnic minorities d. the judiciary, courts 5. the research 6. said 7. says e. shows, suggests f. non-white, black g. the civil service, parliament, assembly, politics
8 Discussion
1. What is the situation for women in your country? 2. Do many women have top jobs? 3. Is there a big pay gap between women and men? 4. What about women from ethnic minorities? 5. What do you think should be done to improve the situation?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 General understanding
1. d (1) 2. a (2) 3. f (6) 4. e (8) 5. c (9) 6. b (11)
2 Pre-reading 2
Britain
3 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. headhunters glass ceiling shortlist thrive boardrooms address the barriers flexible working ethnic minorities
a b c d e f g
just over half just over a tenth just under a tenth nearly a fifth nearly two fifths exactly two fifths just over a sixth
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Six thousand women missing from top jobs / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. swarm quarantine alien graffiti scramble scrawl ecosystem fragile strive soar
1. If a person or animal is kept in ____________, they might have a disease so they are kept apart from other people or animals so that they do not catch the disease. 2. If something is ____________, it can be broken or damaged easily. 3. ____________ is words or pictures drawn on walls in public places. 4. If something ____________, it rises very quickly to a high level. 5. If you ____________ into or out of something, you have to use your hands and feet to do so. 6. If a species is ____________ to a particular area, it comes from a different country or region. 7. An ____________ consists of all the plants and animals in a particular area, which are dependent on one another. 8. A ____________ is a very large group of insects flying or moving together. 9. If you ____________ something, you write it carelessly or in a hurry so that it is difficult to read. 10. If you ____________ to do something, you make a lot of effort to achieve it.
Decide whether these sentences are True or False in your opinion. Then check your answers in the text. 1. The Galpagos Islands belong to Mexico. 2. There are a lot of rats on the Galpagos Islands. 3. The isolation of the Galpagos Islands has helped to preserve their unique wildlife. 4. Environmental campaigners have welcomed the arrival of cruise ships in the Galpagos islands. 5. Visitors need a permit to visit the Galpagos islands. 6. The number of visitors to the islands is decreasing.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
A 0 o o
B o0o
C oo0
7 Discussion
Should tourists be allowed to visit places with sensitive ecosystems?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. c b a b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Advanced
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Elementary
Key words
Match these words from the text with their definitions. wildlife unique species pest rat litter conservationist graffiti swarm infrastructure
1. For example, pieces of paper that people have dropped on the ground in public places. 2. A large group of flying insects. 3. Animals, birds and plants that live in natural conditions. 4. An insect or small animal that damages plants or food supplies. 5. An animal with a long tail that looks like a large mouse. 6. The services, communications and transport systems of a particular place. 7. A person who works to protect the environment from damage. 8. Not the same as anything or anyone else. 9. A plant or animal group whose members have the same general features. 10. Words or pictures written on walls in public places.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. In what ocean are the Galpagos Islands? 2. Which country owns the Galpagos Islands? 3. How far are the islands from the coast of Ecuador? 4. How many passengers will arrive on the MV Discovery? 5. How many tourists visited each year in the late 1980s? 6. How many tourists visit each year now?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Elementary
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a. ____believes the risk of foreign species will increase if more tourists come. b. ____because they are so far away from the rest of South America. c. ____has increased a lot. d. ____because of their unique wildlife. e. ____the rat arrived on the cruise ship. f. ____because they believe the ship will bring foreign species to the islands. g. ____believes the conservationists are wrong. h. ____have only increased a little.
1. To stop a ship moving, you drop its ____________ into the water. 2. A ____________ is a large passenger ship for long-distance travel. 3. A ____________ is a long journey by ship. 4. A ____________ is a journey on a ship for pleasure, stopping at several places. 5. When you leave the ship you go ____________.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Verb
1. arrive 2. discover 3. damage 4. instruct 5. operate 6. increase 7. protect 8. prove
Noun
6 Word game
Rearrange these letters to spell words from the text. 1. g 2. t 3. r 4. t 5. n
sepenasr uttiso
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
6 Word game
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. passenger visitor tourist director environment
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. d f b a g e h c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Elementary
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Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. alarm ecosystem conservationist cruise enigma pest campaigner mainland swarm graffiti
1. A ____________ is a journey on a ship for pleasure, usually involving visiting several places. 2. A ____________ is someone who works to prevent damage to the environment. 3. A ____________ is someone who is involved in a series of actions for a political or social cause. 4. An ____________ is all the plants and animals in a particular area that depend on one another. 5. Words or pictures drawn on walls in public places are called ____________. 6. If there is ____________ about something, there is a lot of fear or worry that something unpleasant or negative will happen. 7. A ____________ is a very large group of flying insects. 8. The ____________ is the large mass of land that forms the main part of a country and does not include any islands. 9. An ____________ is something that is mysterious and difficult to understand. 10. A ____________ is an insect or small animal that damages plants or supplies of food.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. Which country do the Galpagos Islands belong to? 2. How many people visit the islands each year? 3. What was the increase in sales for local businesses when the cruise ship first visited the islands? 4. How far are the Galpagos from the mainland? 5. How far is San Cristbal from Santa Fe? 6. How many passengers will arrive on the next cruise ship?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
Which prepositions follow these words and expressions? Check your answers in the text. 1. as a result _______ 2. due _______ 3. protect _______ 4. damage _______ 5. belong _______ 6. suitable _______ 7. covered _______ 8. sensitive _______
7 Discussion
What problems can mass tourism cause? Should tourism be restricted to protect the environment?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. T F T F F F T F
6 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. of to from to to for in to
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mass tourism reaches Galpagos / Intermediate
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Advanced
Key words
1. to completely change the way things are done or thought about 2. to spread through the whole of something 3. to spread a disease from one person to another 4. to test someone if they have a particular illness 5. to become less, or to make something become less 6. to succeed in doing or having what you planned
Skim the text to find the answers to the questions. 1. Who has identified the fifteen milestones of modern medicine? 2. Which came first, anaesthesia or chlorpromazine? 3. What caused 30% of deaths at the end of the 1800s? 4. What is the English name for the milestone in womans contraception? 5. What disease did the first vaccine treat?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Advanced
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Fifteen of the most important milestones on the road to modern medicine are identified today by the British Medical Journal. They range from vaccines to computers to the pill - and the journal is calling for readers to vote on which was the most significant. The 15 have been shortlisted from more than 100 nominated discoveries since the BMJ was launched in 1840. 1. Anaesthesia Revolutionised surgery. By the end of the 19th century, anaesthesia had become a symbol for the wider humanitarian movement. It remains the most vivid example of medicines capacity to diminish human suffering. 2. Antibiotics The first wonder drugs. Alexander Fleming reported on penicillins potential to kill bacteria in 1929. Cheap mass production was achieved in the US during the second world war, allowing soldiers to be protected from wound infections but also sexually transmitted diseases. Antibiotics transformed healthcare. 3. Chlorpromazine Breakthrough drug for schizophrenia, which helped close the asylums. Pierre Deniker, who ran the first trial on psychotic patients, published in 1952, wrote that aggressiveness and delusive conditions of schizophrenia improved, and contact with patients was re-established. 4. Computers Computers have allowed decoding of the genome and permitted doctors to see the body and its functions in three dimensions.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Advanced
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for rheumatoid arthritis, with a spectacular reduction of symptoms. They have helped reduce organ transplant rejection and these magic bullets target radioactive treatment for cancer precisely to the tumour. 10. Oral rehydration Children in poor countries are faced with episodes of diarrhoea about three times a year. Simple, cheap and easily prepared oral rehydration therapy, which combines salt and sugar with clean water, saves millions of lives. 11. The pill The oral contraceptive brought about a social as well as a medical revolution and had huge benefits for women. It was the first potent drug to be taken by millions of healthy people and the active ingredient is virtually unchanged. 12. Risks of smoking Two landmark studies in the 1950s led to a growing body of evidence about the harmful effects of tobacco, and a gradual decline in the numbers of people smoking and dying of tobacco-related disease.
3 Comprehension check
Read again and match the words with the sentences. There are two words you do not need.
evidence-based medicine sanitation computers anaesthesia oral rehydration vaccine imaging antibiotics magic bullets tissue culture chlorpromazine the pill
1. It is one of the most important examples of how medicine reduces human suffering. 2. It was used by the American military to protect soldiers. 3. It meant that schizophrenic people were no longer locked away. 4. It helped map the human genome.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Advanced
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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many illnesses
people
deaths
disease
1. The article is about fifteen ... in medicine. 2. Anaesthesia was invented at the end 3. The nature was unknown before computers. 4. Semmelweis discovered the germ theory 5. Sanitation reduced the number from cholera. 6. Children in poor countries are often victims of episodes 7. Vaccines have saved millions 8. The risks became known in the 1950s.
1. to treat/ to serve an illness 2. sexually transmitted/transposed diseases 3. to make/to run medical trials 4. clinical trials/tests 5. to send/ to transmit infections 6. a potent/strong drug
7 Discussion
Which of the milestones do you think are the most important? How has medicine changed in your lifetime?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. anaesthesia 2. antibiotics 3. chlorpromazine 4. computers 5. evidence-based medicine 6. imaging 7. magic bullets 8. vaccine 9. tissue culture 10. sanitation
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Advanced
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
1. an important event or process 2. extremely good 3. an old mental hospital 4. a method of preventing pregnancy 5. bacteria grown in experiment 6. bacteria that spreads disease 7. emphasis on one thing more than another 8. a form of treatment for an illness 9. legally or officially acceptable
Look in the text and find the answers as quickly as possible. 1. How many medical milestones have been chosen by the British Medical Journal? 2. When did doctors first identify the potential of antibiotics? 3. What medical milestone allows doctors to see the human body in three dimensions? 4. Who discovered the structure of DNA? 5. Who won the first Nobel prize for physics? 6. What is another word for the process of creating clean and healthy drinking water?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Elementary
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Fifteen of the most important milestones in modern medicine have been identified today by the British Medical Journal. They range from vaccines to computers to the pill - and the journal is calling for readers to vote on which was the most significant. The 15 have been chosen from more than 100 nominated discoveries since the BMJ began in 1840. 1. Anaesthesia Revolutionised surgery. By the end of the 19th century, anaesthesia had become a symbol for the humanitarian movement. 2. Antibiotics The first wonder drugs. Alexander Fleming reported on penicillins potential to kill bacteria in 1929. During the second world war, cheap mass production in the US allowed soldiers to be protected from wound infections but also sexually transmitted diseases. Antibiotics changed healthcare. 3. Chlorpromazine Breakthrough drug for schizophrenia, which helped close the asylums. Pierre Deniker, who ran the first trial on psychotic patients, published in 1952, wrote that conditions improved and contact with patients was reestablished. 4. Computers Computers have allowed decoding of the genome and permitted doctors to see the body and its functions in three dimensions. Computers could help us achieve good health, whoever or wherever we are. 5. DNA Newborn babies are now tested for genetic diseases and all patients for surgery have
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potent drug to be taken by millions of healthy people and the active ingredient is still the same. 12. Risks of smoking Two important studies in the 1950s led to evidence about the harmful effects of tobacco. Since then there has been a gradual decline in the numbers of people smoking and dying of tobacco-related disease. 13. Sanitation First came the industrial revolution, then urbanisation. By the 1800s infectious diseases were everywhere. Cholera outbreaks turned attention to urban water systems and modern sanitation was born.
3 Comprehension check
Answer the questions true or false.
1. Anaesthesia was the first wonder drug. 2. Newborn babies are tested for DNA. 3. Clinical trials contain bias. 4. Infection caused more deaths in the 19th century than the 20th century. 5. X-rays are used for diagnosis and treatment. 6. Oral rehydration therapy is expensive for developing countries. 7. The ingredients for the pill have changed many times. 8. Deaths from tobacco have gone down since the 1950s. 9. Sanitation killed many people in the 19th century. 10. Louis Pasteur invented every vaccine.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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1. An illness that affects people _________ 2. Two things that can help people who are ill: _________ _________ 3. A person who visits a doctor because he/she is sick _________ 4. A person who works in a hospital and cures people _________ 5. A medical treatment in which a doctor cuts open someones body _________ 6. A common illness in the 19th century _________
ooOo
rehydration
oOo
infection
Ooo
therapy
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary: Puzzle
a) 1. cholera 2. disease 3. doctor 4. drugs 5. patient 6. surgery 7. vaccine b) 1. disease 2. drugs, vaccine 3. patient 4. doctor 5. surgery 6. cholera
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2.F 3. T 4. T 5. T 6. F 7. F 8. T 9. F 10. F
oOo
infection condition genetic invention
Ooo
therapy medical surgery
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Tell students you are going to give them a quick test to see how much they remember from the news article they read in the previous class. There are two ways of doing this. 1) Read the comprehension check questions aloud and ask the students to write down the answers on a piece of paper. 2) Make some new questions relating to the text. One easy way of making new questions on the Milestones text would be to make a quick True/False exercise, one question per milestone. For example:
Anaesthesia became a symbol of the humanitarian movement true or false? (true) Antibiotics were first used widely by the United States in the First World War true or false? (false)
Once students have finished, ask them to check their answers in the text. This is also good for any student who missed the first class with the reading.
Level: Any Time: 10 minutes Take one of the vocabulary exercises from the original Milestones worksheet and repeat it as an oral exercise. Tell the students to turn over their worksheet. Start calling out the questions or cues. The students must call out answers. Use this time to monitor pronunciation of the new words or phrases.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / News lesson extra
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Make a copy of the Discussion questions for every three to four students. Cut them out. Put the students into groups of three or four and give each group a pile of questions. They should put them face down. One student picks up a question and asks it to the person on their left, who answers. Students take turns asking and answering the questions until they have all finished. Circulate and help with any difficult language or persistent mistakes.
Note: Do not include questions you think will be unsuitable for your class. You can always give the students the chance to refuse a question (if they think its too personal, for example) by asking for another one. The discussion questions provided are a real mix.
Cut out The gallery of modern medicine cards and put them on the walls around the classroom. Divide the students into pairs, A and B. Explain to them the following situation:
Student A. You are an expert in medicine. You are going to explain to your partner the significance of an important aspect of modern medicine. You can refer to the text if you like, but you must not read the text. Walk around the room with your partner and when you come to one aspect of medicine you feel comfortable with, explain it.
Student B. Student A is taking you on a tour of different important aspects of modern medicine. Listen to what he/she tells you and ask a question or two to follow up.
Students then circulate around the class, explaining the different medical milestones. After a little while, they should swap roles.
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Give sets of The gallery of modern medicine cards to groups of two or three students. Ask them to put them in order from most to least important. Depending on the level, you may need to give them some useful language to help them do this in English. When they have finished, they can check the results of the British Medical Journal survey at www.bmj.com (tell them to search the site for the key words medical milestones, or browse the headlines section of the site).
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / News lesson extra
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / News lesson extra
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Anaesthesia Chlorpromazine DNA Magic bullets Germ theory Risks of smoking Vaccines Oral rehydration
Antibiotics
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / News lesson extra
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
1. an important event or process 2. a discovery after a lot of hard work 3. an old mental hospital 4. a method of preventing pregnancy 5. bacteria grown in experiment 6. bacteria that spreads disease 7. when a woman is having a baby 8. a form of treatment for an illness
Skim the text and find the significance of the following numbers and names.
1. 15 2. Alexander Fleming 3. Pierre Deniker 4. Watson and Crick 5. 1847 6. Wilhelm Roentgen 7. salt, sugar and clean water 8. Louis Pasteur
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Intermediate
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Fifteen of the most important milestones on the road to modern medicine are identified today by the British Medical Journal. They range from vaccines to computers to the pill - and the journal is calling for readers to vote on which was the most significant. The 15 have been shortlisted from more than 100 nominated discoveries since the BMJ was launched in 1840. 1. Anaesthesia Revolutionised surgery. By the end of the 19th century, anaesthesia had become a symbol for the humanitarian movement. It is still the most vivid example of medicines capacity to diminish human suffering. 2. Antibiotics The first wonder drugs. Alexander Fleming reported on penicillins potential to kill bacteria in 1929. Cheap mass production was achieved in the US during the second world war, allowing soldiers to be protected from wound infections but also sexually transmitted diseases. Antibiotics transformed healthcare. 3. Chlorpromazine Breakthrough drug for schizophrenia, which helped close the asylums. Pierre Deniker, who ran the first trial on psychotic patients, published in 1952, wrote that aggressiveness and delusive conditions of schizophrenia improved, and contact with patients was re-established. 4. Computers Computers have allowed decoding of the genome and permitted doctors to see the body and its functions in three dimensions. Computers could help us achieve good
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Intermediate
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rejection. These magic bullets can also target radioactive treatment for cancer precisely to the tumour. 10. Oral rehydration Children in poor countries are faced with episodes of diarrhoea about three times a year. Simple, cheap and easily prepared oral rehydration therapy, which combines salt and sugar with clean water, saves millions of lives. 11. The pill The oral contraceptive brought about a social as well as a medical revolution and had huge benefits for women. It was the first potent drug to be taken by millions of healthy people and the active ingredient is still the same. 12. Risks of smoking Two important studies in the 1950s led to a growing body of evidence about the harmful effects of tobacco. Since then there has been a gradual decline in the numbers of people smoking and dying of tobacco-related disease.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the information in the text.
1. The British Medical Journal is asking to choose the most important medical milestone. a) doctors b) readers c) specialists
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Intermediate
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Intermediate
2. Antibiotics were produced on a large scale to soldiers during the second world war.
3. Computers have allowed doctors to a) see how the body functions. b) see the body better. c) cure the human genome.
4. DNA testing helped a) understand SARS. b) cure babies of AIDS. c) close the asylums.
5. In the past doctors ... a) killed 4% of patients. b) transmitted germs to women having babies. c) only practised evidence-based medicine.
6. Magic bullets are used ... a) to treat cancer. b) to treat arthritis. c) both a) and b)
7. In the 19th century infectious diseases were caused largely by a) urbanisation and dirty water. b) tobacco. c) vaccines.
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Intermediate
Intermediate
4 Vocabulary: Chunks
Complete these expressions from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
1. the end ___ the 19th century 2. range ___ vaccines ___ the pill 3. see ___ three dimensions 4. ___ a result 5. children are faced ___ episodes of diarrhoea 6. a gradual decline ___ numbers 7. to pave the way ___ every other vaccine 8. 18 out ___ the last 52
1. It was a significant 2. Medicine has the to diminish human suffering. 3. is a characteristic of schizophrenia. 4. SARS is an disease. 5. X-rays are invaluable for the correct of illnesses. 6. Cholera was caused in part by drinking water. 7. The pill caused a revolution. 8. Doctors use tissue culture for
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Intermediate
cure
diagnose
grow sickness
disease
soldier
4. antibiotic 5. labour
vaccine cholera
diarrhoea
7 Discussion
How is medicine different now than in the past? Do you think that other diseases will be cured? Which ones?
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Intermediate
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Chunks
1. of 2. from/to 3. in 4. as 5. with 6. in 7. for 8. of
3 Comprehension check
1. b 2 .c 3. b 4. a 5. b 6. c 7. a 8. a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Milestones that showed the way to modern medicine / Intermediate
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Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. falter furore consternation elocution allegation outraged abuse aberration regulator humiliation
1. If someone is ____________, they are extremely shocked and angry. 2. ____________ is cruel, violent or unfair treatment. 3. ____________ is the unhappy and ashamed feeling people have when something embarrassing happens. 4. ____________ is a shocked or worried feeling, often caused when something unexpected happens. 5. An ____________ is something that is not normal or not what you would usually expect. 6. An ____________ is a statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal even though this has not been proved. 7. If something ____________, it ceases to be effective or to make progress. 8. A ____________ is an organization whose job is to check that companies, systems etc act fairly and follow rules. 9. ____________ is the skill of speaking clearly and with an accent that is considered to be correct. 10. A ____________ is a lot of anger caused by a particular event or situation.
Sequence of events
These six sentences about the story are not in the correct order. Reorder them and then check your answers in the text. a. Amongst other things, they called her a fake and made fun of her accent. b. The controversy has led to an increase in the number of viewers, however. c. Celebrity Big Brother is a reality TV show that is now in its fifth year. d. Some of the other contestants are alleged to have made racist remarks about her. e. One of the contestants in this years show is a film actress from India, Shilpa Shetty. f. This led to more than 20,000 viewers complaining to the official TV regulator.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Advanced
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Racism, ratings and reality TV: now Big Brother creates a diplomatic incident
Complaints over Channel 4 show hit record 22,000. Police to investigate abuse of Bollywood film star. by Owen Gibson, Vikram Dodd and Randeep Ramesh in Delhi. January 18, 2007 Three days ago it was merely the below par fifth season of a faltering reality TV show. But as the storm over the alleged racism of its participants intensified, Celebrity Big Brother yesterday sparked demonstrations on Indian streets, consternation in Downing Street, condemnation from the chancellor on a state visit to Bangalore and a police investigation. The Channel 4 show has always courted controversy but has never before been on the verge of sparking an international incident. Yet as the number of complaints from outraged viewers topped 22,000, the Indian government spoke out against the programme and Hertfordshire police confirmed it would investigate allegations that Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty had been subjected to racist abuse by three white fellow contestants. The number of complaints looked sure to rise last night as Channel 4 broadcast a furious row between Shetty and Jade Goody, who earned millions after finding fame on the non-celebrity version of the show. Speaking after the argument to another contestant, Cleo Rocos, Shetty said: Im representing my country. Is that what todays UK is? Its scary. Its quite a shame actually. Rocos said: I dont think theres anything racist in it. But Shetty replied: It is, Im telling you. Later, glamour model Danielle Lloyd, when talking to Goody, said that the Bollywood star should go back home. Indias Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi appealed to Shetty to appear before the Indian High Commission in London when she came out of the house. If there has been some racism shown against her in the show, it is not only an attack on women
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
Which prepositions follow these words? Check your answers in the text. 1. subjected __________ 2. row __________ 3. appeal __________ 4. appear __________ 5. attack __________ 6. based __________ 7. protest __________ 8. detract __________
7 Discussion
What do you think of reality television programmes such as Big Brother? Do they perform a valuable service by showing how people interact or are they just complete rubbish?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. to 2. between 3. to 4. before 5. on 6. on 7. against 8. from
2 Sequence of events
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c e d a f b
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b a b b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. celebrity complain investigate petition viewer slum contestant fake racism tolerant
1. A ____________ is a very poor area of a city with houses in very bad condition. 2. A ____________ is a person who watches television programmes. 3. A ____________ is someone who pretends they have skills they do not really have. 4. A ____________ is a document which many people sign asking the authorities to do something. 5. A ____________ is a famous person, especially in entertainment or sport. 6. A ____________ is someone who takes part in a contest or a competition. 7. ____________ is a situation where people do not respect other people because they belong to a different race. 8. If you ____________ about something, you say that it is bad or wrong. 9. If you are ____________, you accept other peoples beliefs and way of life. 10. If the police ____________ something, they try to find out exactly what happened.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. What is Celebrity Big Brother? 2. What TV station broadcasts Celebrity Big Brother? 3. How many people signed the online petition against the programme? 4. How many people watched the Tuesday night edition of the programme? 5. How many complaints will the police investigate formally? 6. How many viewers have made complaints?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Racism, ratings and reality TV: now Big Brother creates a diplomatic incident
Complaints over Channel 4 show hit record 22,000. Police to investigate abuse of Bollywood film star. by Owen Gibson, Vikram Dodd and Randeep Ramesh in Delhi. January 18, 2007 Celebrity Big Brother is a reality TV programme shown on British television. It is now in its fifth year. In the programme a group of famous people live together in a specially constructed house for several weeks. They have no contact at all with the outside world (no telephones, television, newspapers etc.) and cameras film everything they do and say. In the last two years the number of people watching the programme has fallen. But the number of people watching this years programme has suddenly risen. Why? Some people believe several of the contestants behaved in a racist way towards another contestant. This has led to street demonstrations in India, shock and anger in the government and a police investigation. People have always disagreed about the programme, which is shown on Channel 4, but this is the first time it has caused an international argument. 22,000 viewers have made official complaints about the programme; the Indian government has criticised it and UK police said they would investigate reports that three white contestants had behaved in a racist way towards Indian film actress Shilpa Shetty. Last night Channel 4 broadcast an angry argument between Shetty and Jade Goody, who earned millions of pounds after appearing on the non-celebrity version of the programme several years ago. Speaking to another contestant, Cleo Rocos, after the argument, Shetty said: Im representing my country. Is that what todays UK is? Its frightening. Its quite a shame actually. Rocos said: I dont think theres anything racist in it. But Shetty replied: It is racist, Im telling you. Later, another contestant Danielle Lloyd,
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
a. ____ the behaviour of some of the other contestants was racist. b. ____ it was the result of class and cultural differences. c. ____ there wasnt anything racist in it. d. ____ they believe some of the contestants have behaved in a racist way. e. ____ the UK does not tolerate racism in any way. f. ____ more people are watching the programme.
4 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. shown _______ television 2. contact _______ the outside world 3. disagree with someone _______ a subject 4. complain _______ 5. behave _______ a racist way 6. attack _______ the colour of her skin 7. an argument _______ someone about something 8. the result _______ class differences
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. complain 2. demonstrate 3. criticise 4. investigate 5. behave 6. argue 7. discuss 8. disagree
noun
ujioratns
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f a c b e
4 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. on with about about in on with of
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. controversy elocution allegation contestant condemn fake regulator overt petition prejudice
1. If someone is a ____________, they pretend to have skills they do not really have. 2. A ____________ is a document signed by many people asking the authorities to do something. 3. If you have ____________ lessons, you learn to speak clearly and with an accent that is considered correct. 4. If something is ____________, it is not hidden or secret. 5. ____________ is an unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially the feeling of not liking a group of people. 6. An ____________ is a statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal even though this has not been proved. 7. A ____________ is a disagreement that a lot of people have strong feelings about. 8. If you ____________ something, you say publicly that something is bad or wrong. 9. A ____________ is an organization whose job is to check that companies, systems etc. act fairly and follow rules. 10. A ____________ is someone who takes part in a contest or competition.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. What is Celebrity Big Brother? 2. What TV station broadcasts Celebrity Big Brother? 3. How many people signed the online petition against the programme? 4. How many people watched the Monday night edition of the programme? 5. How many complaints will the police investigate formally? 6. Who is the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Racism, ratings and reality TV: now Big Brother creates a diplomatic incident
Complaints over Channel 4 show hit record 22,000. Police to investigate abuse of Bollywood film star. by Owen Gibson, Vikram Dodd and Randeep Ramesh in Delhi. January 18, 2007 The reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother is already in its fifth year. The number of viewers has been falling but now a controversy over the alleged racism of some of the participants in this years show has led to demonstrations on Indian streets, shock and anger in Downing Street, condemnation from the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a state visit to India and a police investigation. The Channel 4 show has always been controversial but has never before caused an international incident. However, as the number of complaints from angry viewers grew to 22,000, the Indian government criticised the programme and local police confirmed they would investigate allegations that three white fellow contestants had behaved in a racist way towards Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty. The number of complaints looked sure to rise last night as Channel 4 broadcast a furious argument between Shetty and Jade Goody, who earned millions after appearing on the non-celebrity version of the show. Speaking to another contestant, Cleo Rocos, after the argument Shetty said: Im representing my country. Is that what todays UK is? Its scary. Its quite a shame actually. Rocos said: I dont think theres anything racist in it. But Shetty replied: It is, Im telling you. Later, glamour model Danielle Lloyd, talking to Goody, said that the Bollywood star should go back home. Indias Information and Broadcasting Minister appealed to Shetty to appear before the Indian High Commission in London when she came out of the house. If there has been some racism shown against her in the show, it is not only an
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. tolerate 2. complain 3. allege 4. condemn 5. behave 6. refer 7. criticise 8. argue
noun
7 Discussion
Would you appear on a reality TV programme like Big Brother? Why? Why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. T F T F F F T F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Racism, ratings and reality TV / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. shimmer pinpoint fluctuate engulf turmoil trigger orbit tandem glow substorm
1. If something operates in ____________ with something else, they happen at the same time. 2. A ____________ is a soft light, often red or orange in colour, coming from something that produces heat. 3. The moon ____________ the Earth, meaning that it moves around it on a regular path. 4. A ____________ is a complicated phenomenon in the magnetosphere that scientists still do not fully understand. 5. When something ____________, it reflects a gentle light that seems to shake slightly. 6. ____________ is a state of uncontrolled activity. 7. If something ____________, it changes frequently. 8. If you ____________ something, you discover exactly where something is or you explain exactly what something is. 9. If something ____________ something else, it covers it completely. 10. A ____________ is something that sets a process in motion.
Try to guess whether these statements are true or false. Then look in the text and check your answers. 1. The northern lights are also known as aurora borealis. 2. The northern lights are caused by electron activity in the Earths upper atmosphere. 3. The main colours of the northern lights are red, yellow and blue. 4. Scientists know what causes the substorms that cause the northern lights. 5. Understanding the northern lights will lead to better weather forecasting on Earth. 6. The Earth is the only planet with a magnetic field, also called a magnetosphere.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Into the aurora: NASA craft probe mysteries of the northern lights
Project will help predict damaging space storms. Satellites will line up in orbit to measure effect. Alok Jha, science correspondent February 15, 2007 The shimmering waves of colour of the northern lights are an unparalleled display of nature, caused as the Earths atmosphere is hit by energetic particles from magnetic storms in space. For scientists, however, the lights also represent one of the longest-standing mysteries in space physics: how and where in space do the displays begin? And how can they be predicted? Today, NASA will launch five identical spacecraft from Cape Canaveral in Florida, in an attempt to answer the question. By measuring how the magnetic field around the Earth fluctuates in real time, the Themis project will allow scientists to better predict the weather in space that lies behind the northern lights - crucial for keeping communications satellites and, eventually, humans safe in orbit. The northern lights - aurora borealis - are a visual representation of the turmoils of the Earths magnetic field. The sun continually streams energy towards our planet, some of which is stored by the Earths magnetic field at heights of 10,000 km above the surface. The field creates a protective shield for the Earth in space, called the magnetosphere, which protects our planet from much of the deadly radiation coming from the sun. But every so often, the field will release the energy it has stored and shower energetic electrons towards the upper atmosphere. When these hit air molecules, the energy released causes a characteristic glow. The colours represent the composition of the air at that height, said Mike Hapgood, a UK space researcher. Green and red is the oxygen glowing, violet is nitrogen. Most of the time, the northern lights make up a steady band stretching from east to west but every few hours the energy
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Advanced
CA
P H
so we study substorms to get better insight into large space storms, said Prof Angelopoulos. Predicting these storms is important for scientists to describe the environment around the Earth and ensure spacecraft and astronauts can operate safely, as the particles created in the storms can damage electronic circuits. The radiation can also knock out power grids on the Earths surface. Once they [NASA] have the timing right, it becomes much easier to give people a warning, said Dr Hapgood. If you give a control centre half an hours notice, they can be alert and ready to deal with things or issue a warning saying things arent going to be so reliable for the next few hours. Modern warnings of space storms are unreliable. Its like what weather forecasting may have been a century ago. Over the last 50 years, it
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text: 1. The aim of the Themis project is: a. to measure the magnetic field around the Earth. b. to pinpoint the point of origin of the northern lights. c. to find out what colour the northern lights really are. 2. How does the magnetosphere protect the Earth? a. It showers electrons towards the upper atmosphere. b. It releases energy causing a characteristic glow. c. It prevents a lot of solar radiation reaching the Earth. 3. Electronic particles created in substorms could be dangerous because: a. they can damage electronic circuits in spacecraft and power grids on the Earths surface. b. they cause thunderstorms. c. they interfere with weather forecasting. 4. The purpose of the European Cluster project is: a. to find the origin of the northern lights. b. to measure substorms. c. to measure the Earths magnetic field.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Sequencing 5
Rearrange these sentences to form the sequence of events leading to the appearance of the northern lights. a. From time to time the field releases the energy it has stored. b. It is this contact which causes the characteristic glow of the northern lights. c. It sends showers of energetic electrons towards the upper atmosphere. d. The sun continually streams energy towards the Earth. e. This energy is stored by the Earths magnetic field. f. These electrons come into contact with air molecules.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Discussion 7
Should money be spent on space exploration?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Sequencing
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d e a c f b
6 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. on from to with with into of of
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c a c
4 Vocabulary 1: Adjectives
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. unparalleled long-standing crucial deadly magnificent elusive precise alert
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. particle meteorologist spacecraft astronaut satellite reliable orbit deadly atmosphere solar system
1. An ____________ is someone who travels and works in space. 2. The ____________ is the air around the Earth. 3. The ____________ is the sun and the group of planets that go around it (including the Earth). 4. A ____________ is a vehicle that can travel in space. 5. A ____________ is an object that travels in space and sends information back to Earth. 6. A ____________ is an extremely small part of an atom. 7. The ____________ of a satellite is the path it follows as it travels around the Earth. 8. A ____________ is someone who studies the weather. 9. If something is ____________, you can trust it. 10. If something is ____________, it can kill you.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many spacecraft are NASA sending into space? 2. How high is the magnetic field above the Earth? 3. How many ground stations will track the satellites? 4. What colour is nitrogen in the magnetic field? 5. What is the other name for the northern lights? 6. Where can you see the northern lights?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Project will help predict damaging space storms. Satellites will line up in orbit to measure effect. Alok Jha, science correspondent February 15, 2007
Above the Arctic Circle a bright pink light often appears in the night sky. This is called the northern lights (or aurora borealis). Sometimes it seems that the sun is rising in the wrong place. Colours of pink, red, green and violet fill the sky. Where does this strange light come from? Magnetic storms in space send out energy particles. These particles hit the Earths atmosphere and produce the coloured light. For scientists the lights are one of the oldest mysteries in space physics: how and where in space do these light shows begin? And how can scientists predict when and where they will happen? Now the North American Space Agency (NASA) is sending five spacecraft into space to try to answer these questions. This project, known as the Themis project, will measure how the magnetic field around the Earth changes in real time. This will allow scientists to make better forecasts about the weather in space. This information is important for the safety of communications satellites as they orbit the Earth and will also be very important for human space travellers. The northern lights are the result of changes in the Earths magnetic field. The sun continually sends energy towards our planet. The Earths magnetic field stores some of this energy at a height of 10,000 km above the surface of the Earth. The magnetic field protects us from much of the deadly radiation that comes from the sun. However, sometimes energy escapes from the field and showers of electrons rise into the upper atmosphere. When these electrons come into contact with air, they create the energy that produces the light of the northern lights. The different colours are the result of the different gases in the atmosphere at 10,000km above the Earth. Green and red are oxygen and violet is nitrogen. Most of the time, the northern lights are a wide band of light from east to west but every few hours the energy causes a storm.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Elementary
Into the aurora: NASA craft probe mysteries of the northern lights
CA
P H
4 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in the phrases and sentences from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. _______ the wrong place 2. sending spacecraft _______ space 3. the result _______ changes 4. the sun protects us _______ radiation 5. energy escapes _______ the magnetic field 6. come _______ contact _______ air 7. most _______ the time 8. _______ the last 50 years
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. predict 2. measure 3. forecast 4. protect 5. record 6. appear 7. improve 8. produce
noun
0o
o0
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
1. in 2. into 3. of 4. from 5. from 6. into/with 7. of 8. in
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T F T T F F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. phenomenon glow particle substorm turbulence satellite shield circuit orbit power grid
1. A ____________ is an object that is sent into space in order to receive and send information. 2. A ____________ is a storm created by energy released by the Earths magnetic field. 3. A ____________ is an extremely small piece of matter that is part of an atom. 4. The ____________ of a satellite is the path it follows as it travels around the Earth. 5. A ____________ is the set of wires that carries the electricity supply. 6. A ____________ is the complete path that an electric current flows around. 7. A ____________ is something that can be seen to happen or exist. 8. A ____________ is something that protects against danger. 9. A ____________ is a soft, warm light produced by a source of heat. 10. ____________ is a sudden violent movement of air or water.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How high above the Earths surface is the magnetosphere? 2. How many Themis satellites will orbit the Earth? 3. What are the colours of oxygen glowing? 4. How many ground stations will track the Themis satellites? 5. In which direction does a substorm move? 6. How many satellites does the European Cluster project have?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Into the aurora: NASA craft probe mysteries of the northern lights
Project will help predict damaging space storms. Satellites will line up in orbit to measure effect. Alok Jha, science correspondent February 15, 2007 The northern lights (also known as aurora borealis) are a unique natural phenomenon, caused as the Earths atmosphere is hit by energy particles from magnetic storms in space. For scientists, however, the lights also represent one of the oldest mysteries in space physics: how and where in space do the displays of light begin? And how can they be predicted? Today, NASA will launch five identical spacecraft from Cape Canaveral in Florida, in an attempt to answer the question. By measuring how the magnetic field around the Earth changes in real time, the Themis project will allow scientists to better predict the weather in space that lies behind the northern lights. This information is important for keeping communications satellites safe as they orbit the Earth and will also be vital for humans as they travel in space. The northern lights are a visual representation of turbulence in the Earths magnetic field. The sun continually sends energy towards our planet, some of which is stored by the Earths magnetic field at heights of 10,000 km above the surface. The field creates a protective shield for the Earth in space, called the magnetosphere, which protects our planet from much of the deadly radiation coming from the sun. But every now and then, the field releases the energy it has stored and sends showers of energetic electrons towards the upper atmosphere. When these electrons come into contact with air, the energy released causes a characteristic glow. The colours represent the composition of the air at that height. Green and red are the oxygen glowing and violet is nitrogen. Most of the time, the northern lights are a steady band stretching from east to west but every few hours the energy
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Decide whether these sentences are True or False according to the text: 1. Scientists dont know what the northern lights are. 2. Scientists dont know what causes the displays of lights to begin. 3. The glow of the northern lights is caused by electrons coming into contact with air molecules. 4. Glowing oxygen is violet in colour. 5. Studying substorms will enable scientists to understand large space storms. 6. Radiation from space storms has no effect on the Earth. 7. The Themis satellites have already started taking measurements. 8. If scientists understand how the Earths magnetic field works, they will be able to understand how the magnetic fields of other planets work.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Sequencing
Rearrange these sentences to form the sequence of events leading to the appearance of the northern lights. a. These electrons come into contact with air molecules. b. The sun continually sends energy toward the Earth. c. But sometimes the field releases the energy it has stored. d. It is this contact which causes the characteristic glow of the northern lights. e. This sends showers of energetic electrons towards the upper atmosphere. f. The Earths magnetic field stores this energy.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
noun
1. phenomenon 2. turbulence 3. mystery 4. vision 5. energy 6. variety 7. accuracy 8. universe
adjective
7 Discussion
Should money be spent on space exploration?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
4 Vocabulary 1: Adjectives
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. unique identical vital deadly steady entire magnificent precise
5 Sequencing
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. b f c e a d
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T T F T F F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Into the aurora / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Pre-reading 1
Look at the main headline. What do you think the story will be about? 1. A female alien recharges her batteries and dives from outer space to bomb another woman. 2. A woman astronaut loses her job when she is accused of attempted murder. 3. An actress playing a character like Wonder Woman is electrocuted when her rocket crashes.
Pre-reading 2
Key words
Match these key words from the text with the definitions below. a shuttle alleged screening a tracking device docked a nappy stalking
1. ____________ A piece of electronic equipment that lets the police know where you are, wherever you go. 2. ____________ A piece of soft material usually worn by babies, who cant use the toilet. 3. ____________ Checking very carefully that someone is suitable for a job. 4. ____________ Watching and following someone all the time in a frightening way because you have an excessive interest in them. 5. ____________ Said to be true, but not yet proved in court. 6. ____________ Joined to another spacecraft while still in space. 7. ____________ A space vehicle that travels to outer space and back to Earth. Now read the text quickly to see if you were right.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
12 Can you help me, please? My boyfriend was supposed to pick me up and he is not here, Mrs Nowak is alleged to have pleaded. When Ms Shipman said she could not help, the astronaut started to cry. Ms Shipman wound down her window a couple of inches at which Mrs Nowak let off the pepper spray. Ms Shipman drove off, her eyes burning, and raised the alarm. She alleges the astronaut had been stalking her for around two months. 13 Sergeant Barb Jones of Orlando police said last night: The intent was there to cause serious bodily injury or death. Mrs Nowaks behaviour and subsequent appearance in court has amazed people in the rarefied world of space exploration. Tariq Malik, who covers shuttle missions for the website space.com and who interviewed Mrs Nowak shortly before she went into space, said astronauts were carefully chosen and trained so that surprises did not happen. 14 They go through deep medical and psychological screening, he said. They have
4 General understanding
Match the beginnings and endings of these sentences:
1 2 3 1 4 5 6 7 8
The time Mrs Nowak spent becoming an astronaut She was afraid that Her employers had made an effort to check that It was clear that she planned to attack somebody The man she was in love with When Mrs Nowak approached Ms Shipman Mrs Nowak pretended she just wanted to talk She had been fascinated by space travel
a b c d e f g h
her lover was seeing another woman. because she took a lot of weapons with her. she was not easy to recognize. but as soon as she could, she hurt Ms Shipman. she was a perfectly suitable astronaut. since she was a small child. was wasted in a few hours of jealous anger. had studied with her to be an astronaut.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Collocations
From memory, complete the collocations below with words from the box. intense admission 1. released from _____________ 2. rigorous ____________ process 3. space ____________ 4. by her own ____________ 5. appearance in ____________ 6. ____________ chosen 7. very ____________ spaces 8. under ____________ stress custody carefully shuttle court screening cramped
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Compound words
Match the beginnings and endings of these compound adjectives and nouns from memory.
First scan the text to see if you were right. Then complete the descriptions below with one of the compound expressions. 1. You can cut things with this, and keep it safely in your pocket: _______________. 2. You can wear these to protect your hands: _______________. 3. A kind of flexible pipe that can hold liquid or gas: _______________. 4. People who work for the military as their main job are on _______________. 5. The cutting part of a knife, about 10 cm long: _______________. 6. Describing something that is done inside a company: _______________. 7. Large plastic bags that go inside rubbish containers: _______________. 8. Very painful liquid that can burn your face or blind you: _______________. 9. If you kill somebody because you intend to, the murder is called _______________.
8 Discussion
What aspects of Mrs Novaks behaviour do you sympathize with? What aspects are you critical of? What do you think would be a suitable punishment? Would you like to be an astronaut? Why / why not?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Advanced
Advanced
6 Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. released from custody rigorous screening process space shuttle by her own admission appearance in court carefully chosen very cramped spaces under intense stress
3 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. a tracking device a nappy screening stalking alleged docked a shuttle
7 Compound words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Folding knife Latex gloves Rubber tubing Active-duty 4-inch blade In-house Bin liners Pepper spray First-degree
4 General understanding
1. g 2. a 3. e 4. b 5. h 6. c 7. d 8. f
5 Vocabulary development
1. bizarre 2. battery 3. custody 4. bail 5. baffling 6. affidavit 7. slammed 8. slapped 9. rarefied 10. covers
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Advanced
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Elementary
Pre-reading 1
Look at the main headline. What do you think the story is about? 1. A woman from outer space dives to Earth to bomb another woman. 2. A woman astronaut loses her job when she is accused of attempted murder. 3. The star in a Spacewoman film dies when her rocket crashes.
Pre-reading 2
Key words
Match these key words from the text with the definitions below. a rival a shuttle alleged an astronaut a tracking device bail a colleague a disguise a nappy stalking
1. ____________ Someone who travels and works in space. 2. ____________ Wearing strange clothes, etc, so that people dont know who you are. 3. ____________ A space vehicle that travels to outer space and back to Earth. 4. ____________ Someone in competition with you in business, sport or love, etc. 5. ____________ Someone who works at the same place as you. 6. ____________ Someone says this is true, but it hasnt been proved in court. 7. ____________ Money you must leave with the court to make sure you come back for your trial. 8. ____________ A piece of soft material usually worn by babies, who cant use the toilet. 9. ____________ A piece of electronic equipment that shows the police where you are, wherever you go. 10. ____________ Annoying or frightening someone by watching and following them all the time.
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hours, 37 minutes and 54 seconds, travelling 5.3 million miles, to join one of the worlds most select clubs: travellers in space. Last Monday, she only took about 14 hours, and 950 miles, to lose her place in the club. attempted first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping and battery. Nothing like this has ever happened to a NASA astronaut before. Apparently, the married mother of three, separated from her husband, was part of a love triangle with a fellow male astronaut and a female air force captain. She thought he was going out with her. Mrs Nowak go until her trial. But she had to pay $25,000 (13,000) bail, wear a tracking device and must not contact her victim again. belongs is extremely select: there are only 97 astronauts already trained and ready to fly. Only 20 are women. NASA has only chosen a total of 321 astronauts since the US agency started its space programme in 1959. Monday morning were so surprising. For 10 years before her flight in the Discovery space shuttle in July, NASA had very carefully selected and trained her to live with extreme stress. She had an important technical job on Discovery, in charge of a
become interested in space at the age of five when she watched the moon landing on television, and on visits to the Air and Space Museum in Washington. But this Monday, she set off on her own private mission. drove 950 miles from Houston, Texas, to Orlando, on Sunday. She took with her a carbon-dioxide powered pellet gun, a folding knife with a four-inch blade, pepper spray, a steel hammer and $600 in cash. She also took several large black bin liners, six latex gloves and rubber tubing, as well as a wig and two hooded coats for disguise. She also wore a nappy in the car, so that she wouldnt have to stop very often just like astronauts, who wear nappies during take off and landing. She explained that she had discovered that Colleen Shipman, a US air force captain, was flying in to Orlando that night. Mrs Nowak wanted to be there to scare her into talking about her relationship with the man at the centre of the love triangle. did astronaut training with Mrs Nowak. Like her, he first went into space last year, also on Discovery, but they have never flown together. Police found signs of Mrs Nowaks feelings for Mr Oefelein in a letter in her car. They also found emails between him and Ms Shipman and directions to Ms Shipmans house. Mrs Nowak told police she had more than a working relationship, but less than a romantic relationship with him. she had never met before, followed her
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on a bus from the airport lounge to the car park. She was wearing a hooded coat, dark glasses and a wig. Afraid, Ms Shipman hurried to her car. She could hear someone running behind her, and as she slammed the door, Mrs Nowak hit the window and tried to pull the door open.
12 Can you help me, please? My boyfriend
she did, and how she looked in court. Her official photograph, taken before the flight, shows her in full astronauts suit, smiling broadly. Yesterday, TV screens showed a picture with a difference: as Mrs Nowak was booked into jail, she looked absolutely terrible.
was supposed to pick me up and he is not here, Mrs Nowak asked. When Ms Shipman said she could not help, the astronaut started to cry. Ms Shipman opened her window a few centimetres, and then Mrs Nowak threw the pepper spray in her face. Ms Shipman drove away, her eyes burning, and called the police. She says the astronaut had been stalking her for about two months.
last night that Mrs Nowak clearly intended to hurt or kill someone. NASA has suspended her for 30 days and removed her from all shuttle mission activities.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 07/02/07
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a b c d e f g h i
money Mrs Nowak had to pay the court total number of NASA astronauts money Mrs Nowak took with her days Mrs Nowak cannot work for NASA Mrs Nowaks age when the US started going into space miles from Houston to Orlando Mr Oefeleins age miles Mrs Nowak flew in space
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5 General understanding
Match the names of the people with the information about them.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Mrs Nowak works Mrs Nowak has Mrs Nowak is Ms Shipman is Mr Oelfelin is Mrs Nowak was afraid Mrs Nowak wanted The judge told NASA said Mrs Nowaks colleagues
a b c d e f g h i j
three children. a captain in the American air force. to hurt Ms Shipman. for NASA as an astronaut. not married now. Mrs Nowak not to go near Ms Shipman. the man Mrs Nowak is in love with. were very surprised at what she did. that Mr Oefelein was in love with Ms Shipman. that Mrs Nowak could not go back to work.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
First scan the text to see if you were right. Then match each word pair with a sentence below.
1. You can leave your car here: ____________________. 2. You can cut things with this and keep it safely in your pocket: ____________________. 3. A place where you can sit and wait for your plane: ____________________. 4. When a rocket arrives on the moon: ____________________. 5. Part of the military that uses planes in fighting: ____________________. 6. When there are three people in a love relationship: ____________________. 7. Very painful liquid that can burn your face or make you blind: ____________________.
infinitive 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 take think choose become drive wear find fly meet throw
past tense (1) (2) chose became (7) (8) (10) flew met (12)
past participle (13) thought (4) (6) driven worn found (10) (11) thrown
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Elementary
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5 General understanding
1. d 2. a 3. e 4. b 5. g 6. i 7. c 8. f 9. j 10. h
3 Key words
1. an astronaut 2. disguise 3. shuttle 4. a rival 5. a colleague 6. alleged 7. bail 8. a nappy 9. a tracking device 10. stalking
5,300,000 i
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Intermediate
Pre-reading 1
Look at the main headline. What do you think the story will be about? 1. A woman from outer space dives to Earth to bomb another woman. 2. A woman astronaut loses her job when she is accused of attempted murder. 3. An actress playing a character like Wonder Woman dies when her rocket crashes.
Pre-reading 2
Key words
Match these key words from the text with the definitions below. a shuttle a colleague alleged a wig an astronaut a disguise a tracking device a nappy stalking
1. ____________ A piece of electronic equipment that lets the police know where you are, wherever you go. 2. ____________ A piece of soft material usually worn by babies, who cant use the toilet. 3. ____________ Annoying or frightening someone by watching and following them all the time. 4. ____________ Said to be true, but not yet proved in court. 5. ____________ Someone who travels and works in space. 6. ____________ Wearing strange clothes, etc. so that people dont recognize you. 7. ____________ A space vehicle that travels to outer space and back to Earth. 8. ____________ Artificial hair that you wear on your head. 9. ____________ Someone who works at the same place as you. Now read the text quickly to see if you were right.
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astronaut had been stalking her for about two months. 12 Sergeant Barb Jones of Orlando police said last night that Mrs Nowak clearly intended to do serious bodily injury or death. Her behaviour and later appearance in court has amazed people in the closed world of space exploration. Tariq Malik, a science reporter who interviewed Mrs Nowak just before she went into space, said astronauts were carefully chosen and trained so that surprises did not happen. 13 They have to fly in very cramped spaces and under intense stress, so they have to be able to cope, he said. 14 Mrs Nowak had an important technical job in the July flight, in charge of a robotic arm for repairing
4 General understanding
Some of these sentences are not true, according to the article. Say which ones, and say why. 1. Mrs Nowak won a competition to join a Space Travellers Club. 2. She is in love with one of her colleagues at NASA. 3. She was afraid that he loved another woman. 4. On Monday she went on a private Space mission. 5. She drove to Orlando in a car that used carbon-dioxide instead of petrol. 6. She met Bill Oefelein when they were both students. 7. Mrs Nowak did not plan to hurt Ms Shipman. 8. Mrs Nowaks colleagues were not surprised when they saw her in court. 9. On the space flight, she worked as a secretary. 10. She has been interested in space travel since she was a child.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
charged with first-degree murder kidnapping bail custody evidence allegedly battery
a b c d e f g h
Being kept in prison until you go to court. Facts or objects that prove you are guilty of a crime. Officially accused (of a crime) in court. When you intend to kill someone. Someone says this is true, but it isnt yet proved. Taking someone away illegally, and keeping them prisoner. Money you leave with the court to make sure you come for your trial. The crime of hitting someone.
1. It was hard to produce any new ideas on such an old subject. 2. If I phone you from the station, can you come and collect me? 3. The policeman looked at his papers, and then went away in his car. 4. When are you going to start your trip round the world? 5. Shes just left her job; she couldnt manage all the work. 6. It was so hot in the car that he opened the window a little. 7. Stand right back out of the way; theyre going to make the fireworks explode.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Intermediate
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7 Understanding reference
What do these words refer to? 1. In paragraph 1, it means: a. last Monday. b. one of the clubs. c. her position in one of the clubs. 2. In paragraph 2, whom means: a. her fellow astronaut. b. the female air force captain. 3. In paragraph 2, him means: a. her fellow astronaut. b. the air force captain. 4. In paragraph 4, the group means: a. the 97 astronauts. b. the 20 women astronauts. c. the 321 astronauts NASA has trained. 5. In paragraph 5, all of which means: a. the fact that it is so hard to become an astronaut. b. the space programme. c. the astronauts. 6. In paragraph 11, at which means: a. at the window. b. as soon as the window was open. c. at Ms Shipman.
8 Discussion
Do you feel sorry for Mrs. Nowak at all? Why / why not? What do you think should happen to her? Would you like to be an astronaut? Why / why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Spacewoman on charge of trying to kill love rival / Intermediate
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Intermediate
3 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. a tracking device a nappy stalking alleged astronaut disguise a shuttle a wig a colleague
4 General understanding
1. False. She had to work hard to get her job as an astronaut. 2. True. 3. True. 4. False. She went to Orlando with a special purpose of her own. 5. False. Carbon-dioxide was used to power her gun. 6. True. 7. False. She took a lot of weapons with her, and actually used the pepper spray. 8. False. They were very surprised when they saw her in court, because astronauts are so carefully chosen and trained. 9. False. She was responsible for repairing the space craft in space. 10. True.
7 Understanding reference
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c b a a a b
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Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. sperm prosaic siblings donor offspring opt conceive counsel spike striking
1. If something is ____________, it is very ordinary and lacks imagination or excitement. 2. If something is ____________, it attracts your interest or attention because of some unusual feature. 3. If you ____________ to do something, you choose to do it. 4. A ____________ is someone who gives blood, eggs or a part of their body to be used in the medical treatment of someone else. 5. A ____________ is a sudden increase in something, especially when shown in statistics. 6. Your ____________ are your brothers and sisters. 7. Your ____________ are your children. 8. ____________ is a cell from a man that fertilizes a womans egg and makes her pregnant. 9. When a woman ____________, she becomes pregnant. 10. If you ____________ someone, you give them advice and help with their problems.
The information given in these sentences is not correct, according to the text. Look in the text, find the correct information and rewrite the sentences accordingly. 1. Jeffrey Harrison donated sperm in the 1990s. 2. He was paid between $500 and $1000 per sample. 3. So far five of Mr Harrisons offspring have managed to find him. 4. Mr Harrison confirmed his identity by emailing a photograph of himself to Wendy Kramer of the Donor Sibling Registry website. 5. There is strict regulation of sperm donations in the United States. 6. There was a sharp increase in sperm donations in the early 1980s.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Holy moly - sperm donor meets his children / Advanced
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Holy moly - sperm donor comes face to face with his children 20 years later
Father comes forward after teenagers conduct search through website. Dan Glaister in Los Angeles February 16, 2007
The likeness is striking. The man and the young 1 woman share the same high forehead, their noses are similar, even their hair and build have more than a little in common. They might pass for father and daughter. But there are things they do not share. Before this week, they had never met. The man, Jeffrey Harrison, lives with his four dogs in a motor home parked on the street in Venice, California. The woman, Ryann M, is a teenager living in a settled family. Now they know a lot more about each other. 2 They know that they are father and daughter, that Ryann was conceived thanks to sperm donated by Mr Harrison in the 1980s. They also know Ryann is one of six half-siblings, and that Mr Harrison may need to get a larger home. Its pretty obvious that hes their father, said Wendy Kramer, whose website put Mr Harrison and his offspring in touch. I looked at the picture and thought, Oh my God. Mr Harrisons response to meeting his offspring 3 for the first time was equally prosaic. The first thing he said was, Holy moly, 17-year-old Danielle Pagano, another of Mr Harrisons children, told the New York Times after meeting him this week. Hes sort of a free spirit, and I dont care what career he has. I got to talk to his dogs. While three of Mr Harrisons offspring have been very active in tracking him down, two of them, in their early teens, still do not know of his existence. Mr Harrison decided to come forward after 4 reading a newspaper article about two teenage girls who had found out that they were conceived using his sperm and were trying to find him. The article made him choke on his coffee. He had visited California Cryobank in the 1980s, being
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regulation of sperm donations. Nobody knows whether a donors sperm is used to conceive a child, or how many children are conceived from each donor. 10 On Wednesday alone this week, two donor fathers were put in touch with their offspring through the Donor Sibling Registry. In a typical month, the website puts 60-80 people in touch with each other, said Ms Kramer. One of the donors listed on the website has 50 offspring; another recently came forward to acknowledge his 22 children. The sperm bank industry estimates that 30,000 children are conceived each year from donated sperm. A spike in sperm donations in the mid-1980s means that many donor-conceived children are now coming of age and are seeking answers about their parentage.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. When Jeffrey Harrisons offspring read his profile they a. would have had a very clear picture of what he was like. b. would have formed a picture of him that was totally different from what he was like. c. would have formed a picture of him that was a little different from what he was like. 2. The families of Mr Harrisons offspring a. listened carefully to Ms Kramers advice. b. didnt want to listen to Ms Kramers advice. c. listened to Ms Kramers advice but didnt follow it. 3. Sperm donation in the United States is a. closely monitored. b. virtually unregulated. c. a new phenomenon. 4. Ms Kramer believes that the sperm bank industry a. has not considered the best interests of the child. b. should counsel parents to keep things secret. c. should be strictly regulated.
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5 Expressions
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these phrases from the text. happy-go-lucky holy moly come of age at odds with self-regulation extended family
1. If something is ____________ something else, it is different from it when it should be the same. 2. ____________ is a mild expression of surprise used in American English. 3. An ____________ is a family group that includes cousins, nephews, nieces etc. 4. A ____________ person is one who doesnt worry too much about the future. 5. ____________ is a process whereby organizations control themselves and make their own rules. 6. When children ____________ they reach the age when they are legally adults.
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7 Discussion
Imagine that at the age of 18 your parents told you that you were conceived using sperm donated by a sperm donor. Would you like to meet your biological father? Why? Why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Holy moly - sperm donor meets his children / Advanced
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Advanced
4 Phrasal verbs
1. c 2. e 3. f 4. a 5. d 6. b
5 Expressions
1. at odds with 2. holy moly 3. extended family 4. happy-go-lucky 5. self-regulation 6. come of age
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. c c b a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Holy moly - sperm donor meets his children / Advanced
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Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences below using these key words from the text. sperm siblings unique donor offspring choke sample client profile happy-go-lucky
1. If something is ____________, it is not the same as anything else. 2. A ____________ is a small amount of something used for medical tests. 3. A ____________ is someone who pays for a service. 4. Your ____________ are your children. 5. Your ____________ are your brothers and sisters. 6. A ____________ is someone who gives blood, eggs or a part of their body for the medical treatment of another person. 7. A ____________ person is someone who doesnt think about the future. 8. ____________ is a cell from a man that makes a woman pregnant. 9. A ____________ is a description of a person. 10. If you ____________ on something, you cannot breathe because there is something in your throat.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. When did Jeffrey Harrison donate his sperm? 2. How old is Mr Harrisons daughter Danielle? 3. How much money did Mr Harrison receive for his sperm? 4. How many members does the Donor Sibling Registry have? 5. How many children are born each year in the USA from donated sperm? 6. How many people does the Donor Sibling Registry put in touch each month?
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Holy moly - sperm donor comes face to face with his children 20 years later
Father comes forward after teenagers conduct search through website. Dan Glaister in Los Angeles February 16, 2007 1 The man and the young woman look like each other. They have the same high forehead, their noses are almost the same, even their hair and build are similar. They could be father and daughter. But there is one important difference. They met for the first time this week. The man, Jeffrey Harrison, lives with his four dogs in a motor home in Venice, California. The woman, Ryann M, is a teenager living in a normal family. 2 Now they know a lot more about each other. They know that they are father and daughter. They know that Ryann was born thanks to sperm given by Mr Harrison in the 1980s. They also know Ryann is one of six half-siblings. Mr Harrison may need to get a bigger home! Its quite clear that hes their father, said Wendy Kramer, whose website put Mr Harrison in touch with his offsping. I looked at the photo and thought, Oh my God. 3 When Mr Harrison met his offspring for the first time he was surprised. The first thing he said was, Holy moly, 17-year-old Danielle Pagano, another of Mr Harrisons children, told the New York Times after meeting him this week. Hes a free spirit, and I dont care what job he has. Three of Mr Harrisons offspring have been very active in finding him, two of them, in their early teens, still do not know about him. 4 Mr Harrison decided to contact the website after reading a newspaper article about two teenage girls who had found out that they were born from his sperm and were trying to find him. The article made him choke on his coffee. He had visited a sperm bank in the 1980s and received between $50 and $100 for each sperm sample. The sperm bank put the label Donor 150 on his sperm. He also gave them a personal profile and many of
10 This week the Donor Sibling Registry put two donor fathers in touch with their offspring. In a normal month, the website puts 60-80 people in touch with each other, said Ms Kramer. One of the donors listed on her website has 50 offspring; another says he has 22 children. The sperm bank industry says that around 30,000 children
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are born each year from donated sperm. A lot of children born in the late 1980s are now looking for their biological fathers. 11 Sperm banks should regulate themselves before the government forces regulations on them, said Ms Kramer. Its just a question of doing the right thing. Nobody in the USA thinks about the children. They think about the interests of the sperm bank, the parents and the industry, but not
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and the endings to make sentences about the text.
1. When Mr Harrison met his daughter for the first time ____ 2. Wendy Kramer started her website because ____ 3. Many children born from donated sperm ____ 4. Sperm banks and doctors tell parents ____ 5. Wendy Kramer believes ____ 6. Mr Harrison donated his sperm because ____
a. ____ not to tell children they were born from donated sperm. b. ____ want to meet their biological parents. c. ____ he was surprised and said Holy moly. d. ____ he needed the money. e. ____ Mr Harrisons offspring will get on well with him. f. ____ she wanted to put children born from donated sperm in touch.
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4 Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column. Then check your answers in the text.
Noun + noun
1. birth 2. newspaper 3. fitness 4. motor a. home b. instructor c. certificate d. article
Adjective + noun
5. free 6. simple 7. personal 8. happy-go-lucky e. life f. profile g. person h. spirit
5 Prepositions
Complete these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. sense _______ humour 2. thanks _______ 3. _______ their early teens 4. different _______ 5. _______ the weekend 6. _______ Saturday night 7. make contact _______ 8. put _______ touch
6 Word stress
Put these words from the text into two groups according to their word stress. unique website sample nervous receive advice profile control guitar humour travel surprised
A 0 o __________________________________________________________________________________ B o 0 __________________________________________________________________________________
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Holy moly - sperm donor meets his children / Elementary
Elementary
4 Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. c d b a h e f g
5 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. of to in from at on with in
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f b a e d
6 Word stress
A. sample; profile; travel; website; nervous; humour B. unique; receive; guitar; advice; control; surprised
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Holy moly - sperm donor meets his children / Elementary
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Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences below using the following key words from the text. sperm choke donor adopt offspring track down siblings willing conceive estimate
1. If you ____________ a person, you manage to find them after a long and difficult search. 2. If you are ____________ to do something, you do it when someone asks you. 3. A ____________ is someone who gives blood, eggs or a body part to help in the medical treatment of another person. 4. ____________ is a cell from a man that fertilizes a womans egg and makes her pregnant. 5. Your ____________ are your children. 6. Your ____________ are your brothers and sisters. 7. If you ____________ a child, you take them into your family and legally make them your own child. 8. If you ____________ an amount or a value, you say what you think it will be. 9. If a woman ____________ a child, she becomes pregnant. 10. If you ____________, you cannot breathe because something is blocking your throat.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. When did Jeffrey Harrison donate his sperm? 2. How much was he paid for each sperm sample? 3. What did he say when he met his offspring for the first time? 4. How many members does the Donor Sibling Registry have? 5. How many children are conceived from donated sperm in the US each year? 6. How many people are put in touch each month by the Donor Sibling Registry?
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Holy moly - sperm donor comes face to face with his children 20 years later
Father comes forward after teenagers conduct search through website. Dan Glaister in Los Angeles February 16, 2007 1 The man and the young woman look quite similar. They have the same high forehead, their noses are almost the same, even their hair and build have quite a lot in common. They could be father and daughter. But there is one important difference. Before this week, they had never met. The man, Jeffrey Harrison, lives with his four dogs in a motor home in Venice, California. The woman, Ryann M, is a teenager living in a settled family. 2 Now they know a lot more about each other. They know that they are father and daughter, that Ryann was conceived thanks to sperm donated by Mr Harrison in the 1980s. They also know Ryann is one of six half-siblings, and that Mr Harrison may need to get a larger home. Its quite obvious that hes their father, said Wendy Kramer, whose website put Mr Harrison and his offspring in touch. I looked at the picture and thought, Oh my God. 3 Mr Harrisons reaction to meeting his offspring for the first time was similar. The first thing he said was, Holy moly, 17-year-old Danielle Pagano, another of Mr Harrisons children, told the New York Times after meeting him this week. Hes a free spirit, and I dont care what career he has. He let me talk to his dogs. While three of Mr Harrisons offspring have been very active in tracking him down, two of them, in their early teens, still do not know that he exists. 4 Mr Harrison decided to come forward after reading a newspaper article about two teenage girls who had found out that they were conceived using his sperm and were trying to find him. The article made him choke on his coffee. He had visited California Cryobank in the 1980s and was paid between $50 and $100 per sperm sample. His sperm was labelled simply Donor 150. He
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10 On a single day this week, two donor fathers were put in touch with their offspring through the Donor Sibling Registry. In a typical month, the website puts 60-80 people in touch with each other, said Ms Kramer. One of the donors listed on her website has 50 offspring; another recently said he had 22 children. The sperm bank industry estimates that 30,000 children are conceived each year from donated sperm. A sharp increase in sperm donations in the mid-1980s means that many donor-conceived children are now coming of age and are trying to find out who their fathers were. 11 If I ran a sperm bank I would surely be talking about self-regulation, before it is forced, said Ms Kramer. Its just a question of doing the right thing. Nobodys asked the question here that has
3 Comprehension check
Decide whether these statements are True or False according to the text.
1. Jeffrey Harrison didnt want to meet his offspring. 2. Mr Harrison is exactly like his profile. 3. All sperm donors want to be found by their offspring. 4. Mr Harrison leads a very simple life. 5. Sperm donations are carefully regulated in the United States. 6. Ms Kramer believes that sperm banks do not think about the interests of the children. 7. Mr Harrisons children are worried because he doesnt have much money. 8. The Donor Sibling Registry tries to put people in contact with their siblings and offspring.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Holy moly - sperm donor meets his children / Intermediate
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5 Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. to have a lot _______ common 2. put people ______ touch 3. reaction ______ 4. he was paid ______ $50 and $100 5. to get on ______ someone 6. a great sense _______ humour 7. a sharp increase _______ 8. its a question _______ doing the right thing
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Holy moly - sperm donor meets his children / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. donate 2. exist 3. conceive 4. describe 5. contact 6. advise 7. regulate 8. confirm
noun
7 Discussion
Imagine that at the age of 18 your parents told you that you were conceived using donated sperm. Would you like to meet your biological father? Why? Why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Holy moly - sperm donor meets his children / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. in in to between with of in of
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. donation existence conception description contact advice regulation confirmation
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F F F T F T F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Holy moly - sperm donor meets his children / Intermediate
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Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences below using the following key words from the text. entrepreneur compile scour magnate inherit founder retail eligible tycoon notable
1. If someone is described as ____________, they are considered to be a suitable marriage partner because they are rich or attractive in some other way. 2. If someone or something is ____________, they are interesting enough to be noticed. 3. If you ____________ a place, you search it thoroughly. 4. When you ____________ something, you make a list by bringing together information from different places. 5. An ____________ is someone who uses money to start businesses and make deals. 6. A ____________ is a rich and powerful person involved in business or industry. 7. A ____________ is a successful, powerful and important businessman, particularly in the fields of oil, shipping and the media. 8. If you ____________ wealth, you receive it from someone who has died. 9. The process of selling goods direct to the public is known as ____________. 10. A person who starts a company or an organization is known as its ____________.
Decide whether these statements are True or False. Then check your answers in the text. 1. The worlds richest man is Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft. 2. Bill Gates personal fortune is worth more than $60 billion. 3. There are over 1,000 dollar billionaires in the world. 4. There are more dollar billionaires in China than in India. 5. Russia has more dollar billionaires than India and China combined. 6. The richest woman in the world is the founder of LOreal.
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Advanced
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an estimated net worth of $13.5bn; or divorced James Packer, sitting on a more modest $5.5bn media fortune. 10 For those after a walk on the wild side, its worth looking down the list to 664th place for the accordion-playing, fire-breathing founder of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberte. The 47-year-old Canadian founded his circus-based, animal-free acrobatic show in 1984 and still retains 95% of the business. His worth is estimated at $1.5bn.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the information in the text. 1. The main reason for the 35% increase in the combined wealth of the worlds dollar billionaires last year was... a. the fact that it was an extraordinary year. b. increased sales. c. rising property and commodity prices.
2. Where is the Harry Potter author, JK Rowling, on the rich list? a. Near the top. b. At the very bottom. c. Near the bottom.
3. Which two economies are said to be driving global economic growth? a. The US and China b. India and China c. India and Russia
4. Which of these sentences is true according to the text? a. More than half the people on the rich list started with nothing. b. Most of the people on the rich list started with nothing. c. A few of the people on the rich list started with nothing.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
Should there be a limit on how much money an individual can have? What can you do with more than $1 billion? Shouldnt this money be redistributed to help the poor?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. c 2. b 3. b 4. a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Advanced
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Elementary
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. d h e b f c a g
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. at of at/on from in of for by
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences below using the following key words from the text. founder tycoon fortune bachelor inherit compile heiress entrepreneur commodities retail
1. If you ____________ money, you get it from someone who has died. 2. The verb to ____________ means to make something such as a list, report or book by bringing together information from many different places. 3. An ____________ is someone who uses money to start businesses and make business deals. 4. A ____________ is a rich and powerful person in business or industry. 5. A ____________ is a very large amount of money. 6. A ____________ is a man who has never been married. 7. A ____________ is someone who starts an organization or business. 8. ____________ is the process of selling goods directly to the public. 9. ____________ are things that can be bought or sold, especially basic food products or fuel. 10. An ____________ is a woman who will receive money or property when another person dies.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. Who is the worlds richest man? 2. Where does the worlds third richest man come from? 3. What is the total wealth of all the people on the rich list? 4. How much is Harry Potter author JK Rowling worth? 5. How many dollar billionaires are there in Russia? 6. Who is the worlds richest woman?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 One of the more interesting rich people on the list is the accordion-playing, fire-breathing founder
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Decide whether these statements are True or False according to the text. 1. China has more dollar billionaires than Russia. 2. The percentage of US billionaires in the list is falling. 3. More than half the people on the list started with nothing. 4. Guy Laliberte has sold most of his Cirque du Soleil business. 5. Sir Philip Green is a publisher. 6. Carlos Slim Helu made his money from telecoms. 7. Rising property prices were the only reason for the 35% increase in the total wealth of the people on the list. 8. The founders of Google are married.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Intermediate
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verb
1. invest 2. grow 3. marry 4. increase 5. inherit 6. own 7. produce 8. found
noun
6 Vocabulary 3: Prefixes
Match the prefixes with their meanings. 1. co2. re3. anti4. neo5. mal6. multi- 7. trans- 8. undera. new b. against c. many d. joint, together e. below, less than f. across g. again h. badly
7 Discussion
How much money does a normal person need? What can you do with more than $1 billion? Should the super-rich pay more tax?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T T F F T F F
6 Vocabulary 3: Prefixes
1. d 2. g 3. b 4. a 5. h 6. c 7. f 8. e
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Super-rich get richer / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. henchman martyr bounty cleric enclave ruthless discount long-winded corruption remote
1. If something is ____________, it uses more words and takes more time than necessary to say something. 2. ____________ is dishonest or illegal behaviour by people in positions of power. 3. A ____________ region is far away from cities, towns or people. 4. A ____________ is money offered as a reward for catching or killing a criminal. 5. A ____________ person is willing to make other people suffer so that they can achieve their aims. 6. An ____________ is an area of a country where a particular group of people live. 7. A ____________ is a supporter of a powerful person, especially one who is willing to behave in a violent or immoral way. 8. A ____________ is someone who suffers or is killed because of their political or religious beliefs. 9. If you ____________ something, you do not consider it to be important, possible or likely. 10. A ____________ is a person who leads religious services.
Decide whether these sentences are True or False. Then check your answers in the text. 1. Osama bin Laden is 60 years old. 2. He is a member of the Wahhabi sect of Islam. 3. There is a $50 million reward offered for the capture of bin Laden. 4. Bin Laden was born in Saudi Arabia. 5. Bin Ladens deputy in al-Qaida is Ayman al-Zawahiri. 6. Most Afghans have a positive view of bin Laden.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Advanced
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Dead or alive, on his 50th birthday ghost of the Hindu Kush haunts US
CIA think they know where Osama bin Laden is. So do local tribesmen - hiding in the White House. Declan Walsh in Islamabad March 10, 2007 1 Osama bin Laden marks his 50th birthday today, probably in a hideout in the tribal lands between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its tempting to imagine the grey-bearded jihadi hunched over a cake with burning candles inside a cave, smiling henchmen gathered behind him. In reality its not likely to be much of a party. Birthday parties are frowned upon by Wahhabi puritans such as the al-Qaida leader, who consider such celebrations a vulgar western import. But as he passes another milestone, he at least has reason to enjoy a quiet smile. 2 Six years after 9/11, bin Laden is maddeningly out of reach. Despite the worlds largest manhunt and a $25m bounty, he remains at large, the Scarlet Pimpernel of jihad. A powerful myth has grown around him - the tall, stern-faced Saudi-born militant has become the ghost of the Hindu Kush, variously reported dead or alive at different points inside the epic mountain range. The Pakistani army thought it had him cornered in a village in the lawless North Waziristan tribal agency in 2003. A year later the Spanish newspaper El Mundo claimed to have located him inside a Muslim enclave of western China. After the mammoth earthquake that devastated northern Pakistan, Senator Harry Reid from Nevada announced that bin Laden had died under the rubble. 3 At about the same time a discreet team of American investigators arrived in Chitral, a quiet mountain retreat to the north, where they believed they had picked up the trail. Shortly afterwards angry local clerics blew their cover and they left.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Intermediate
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This is the same. Because people hate American foreign policy and corrupt Arab dictatorships they sympathize with al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden. It doesnt mean they approve of al-Qaidas actions or September 11, he said. 9 Could bin Laden be dead? Mullah Dadullah, a Taliban commander with a reputation for ruthlessness, claims to be in touch. We exchange messages to share plans, he said in one of two recent interviews. Its very hard for anyone to see bin Laden himself now but we know hes still alive. Hes not yet martyred. The Emir, as bin Laden is known to followers, is becoming increasingly bold. As-Sahab, the al-Qaida video production house, released more than 20 audio and videotapes from bin Laden and his number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in 2006.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text.
1.Where do the Americans think bin Laden is? a. China b. Afghanistan c. Pakistan
2. Where do many Afghans think bin Laden is? a. America b. China c. Afghanistan
3. Why, according to the editor of al-Quds al-Arabi, do many people have sympathy for al-Qaida? a. Because they support al-Qaidas tactics. b. Because they hate American foreign policy and corrupt Arab governments. c. Because they hate Americans.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Advanced
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4. What, according to Michael Scheuer, is bin Ladens most effective tactic? a. Audiotapes. b. Silence. c. Videotapes.
5 Vocabulary 2: Expressions
Match these expressions from the text with their meanings. 1. pick up someones trail 2. blow someones cover 3. to be out of reach 4. to stand up to someone 5. to be at large 6. to the best of our knowledge a. to not allow yourself to be treated badly b. as far as we know c. to find out where someone has recently been d. to be far enough away to evade capture e. to tell people who someone really is f. to be free/not arrested
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
What is your view of al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden? Do you regard them as terrorists or freedom-fighters?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Vocabulary 2: Expressions
1. c 2. e 3. d 4. a 5. f 6. b
3 Comprehension check
1. c 2. a 3. b 4. b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Advanced
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Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. cave manhunt earthquake cleric reward hero remote corrupt huge bold
1. An ____________ is a sudden shaking movement of the ground. 2. A ____________is money that someone receives for giving information to the police or to the authorities. 3. A ____________ is someone who people respect because he has done something brave. 4. A ____________ is a search organized to catch a criminal. 5. A ____________ is a large hole in the side of a hill or mountain. 6. A ____________ is someone who leads religious services. 7. If something is ____________, it is very, very big. 8. A ____________ place is a very long way from any towns or cities. 9. A ____________ person is confident and takes risks. 10. If someone is ____________, they are in an official position and they take money for doing illegal things.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How old is Osama bin Laden? 2. Where is the Hindu Kush? 3. How much is the reward for finding bin Laden? 4. When did NATO attack Afghanistan? 5. How many Afghans say they have a negative opinion of bin Laden? 6. How many audio and videotapes did bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri make in 2006?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Dead or alive, on his 50th birthday ghost of the Hindu Kush haunts US
CIA think they know where Osama bin Laden is. So do local tribesmen - hiding in the White House. Declan Walsh in Islamabad March 10, 2007 1 It is Osama bin Ladens 50th birthday today. He is probably somewhere in the mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan. You can almost imagine the scene: a birthday cake with 50 candles and bin Laden sitting in his cave with his smiling comrades around him. The truth is that it probably wont be much of a party. Bin Laden is from the Wahhabi branch of Islam which believes that birthday parties are an unwelcome western import. But bin Laden is probably enjoying a quiet smile on his birthday. 2 Six years after 9/11, bin Laden is still free. The worlds largest manhunt and a possible reward of $25 million have not managed to find him. He is like the ghost of the Hindu Kush, the remote mountain range in the north of Afghanistan. Some reports say he is dead; others say he is alive. The Pakistani army thought it had found him in a village in North Waziristan in 2003. A year later, the Spanish newspaper El Mundo said he was in a Muslim area of western China. One US senator said that bin Laden had died in the huge earthquake in Pakistan last year. 3 At about the same time a team of American agents arrived in Chitral, a quiet mountain area in the north of Pakistan, where they believed bin Laden was hiding. Soon afterwards, angry clerics told local people who they were and they had to leave. Some reports also say bin Laden is ill and has kidney problems. Last September, a French newspaper reported he had died of typhoid. 4 Americas spies believe OBL, as they call him, is hiding in Pakistans tribal region. As far as we know the senior leadership of al-Qaida, number one and two, are there, the Director of National Intelligence said last week. ABC News
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings of the sentences.
1. Americas spies believe ____ 2. Many Afghans believe ____ 3. A Spanish newspaper said ____ 4. A French newspaper said ____ 5. Most Afghans ____ 6. Some reports say ____ 7. Many Muslims ____ 8. Bin Laden is probably ____
a. ____ hiding in the mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan. b. ____ bin Laden had died of typhoid. c. ____ bin Laden is hiding in Pakistans tribal region. d. ____ have a negative opinion of bin Laden. e. ____ bin Laden was in western China. f. ____ do not believe bin Laden was responsible for 9/11. g. ____ bin Laden has kidney problems. h. ____ the Americans have already caught bin Laden.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Elementary
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5 Vocabulary 2: Chunks
Rearrange the words to make phrases from the text. 1. far we as know as 2. the about same at time 3. mountain a area quiet 4. the over world all 5. mountains the somewhere in 6. the this same is
verb
1. smile 2. hunt 3. report 4. attack 5. prove 6. vote 7. act 8. lead
noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Opposites
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. quiet negative unwelcome senior strong hard complicated clever
5 Vocabulary 2: Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. as far as we know at about the same time a quiet mountain area all over the world somewhere in the mountains this is the same
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. c h e b d g f a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. jihadi vulgar cleric convinced capture corrupt manhunt bold remote sophisticated
1. A ____________ person does dishonest or illegal things in order to gain money or power. 2. A ____________ person is confident and not afraid to take risks. 3. A ____________ is someone who believes in holy war. 4. If something is ____________, it is unpleasant, offensive and in poor taste. 5. If something is ____________, it is complicated and advanced in design. 6. If you are ____________ about something, you are certain that it is true. 7. A ____________ is a search organized to catch a criminal. 8. If a place is ____________, it is far away from the nearest town or city. 9. A ____________ is a person who leads religious services. 10. If you ____________ someone, you catch them and make them your prisoner.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How old is Osama bin Laden? 2. Where was he born? 3. How much money has been offered for information leading to his capture? 4. How many audio and videotapes did bin Laden and his deputy release in 2006? 5. What medical problem is bin Laden said to have? 6. What percentage of Afghans have a negative opinion of bin Laden?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Intermediate
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Dead or alive, on his 50th birthday ghost of the Hindu Kush haunts US
CIA think they know where Osama bin Laden is. So do local tribesmen - hiding in the White House. Declan Walsh in Islamabad March 10, 2007 1 It is Osama bin Ladens 50th birthday today. He is probably hiding somewhere in the tribal lands between Pakistan and Afghanistan. One can almost imagine the grey-bearded jihadi sitting in his cave with a birthday cake, with his smiling comrades around him. In reality it probably wont be much of a party. Muslims from the Wahhabi branch of Islam like bin Laden disapprove of birthday parties, believing such celebrations to be a vulgar western import. But as he reaches the age of 50, he at least has reason to enjoy a quiet smile. 2 Six years after 9/11, bin Laden has still not been captured, despite the worlds largest manhunt and a $25m reward offered for information leading to his capture. A powerful myth has grown around him - the tall Saudi-born militant is now the ghost of the Hindu Kush, sometimes reported dead and sometimes alive at different points inside the remote mountain range. The Pakistani army thought it had trapped him in a village in North Waziristan in 2003. A year later the Spanish newspaper El Mundo said it had located him in a Muslim area of western China. One US senator announced that Bin Laden had died in the huge earthquake that recently struck northern Pakistan. 3 At about the same time, an undercover team of American investigators arrived in Chitral, a quiet mountain area in the north of Pakistan, where they believed bin Laden was hiding. Soon afterwards angry clerics told local people who they were and they had to leave. Bin Laden is also said to be ill with kidney problems. Last September a French newspaper reported he had died of typhoid.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Intermediate
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anyone to see bin Laden himself now but we know hes still alive. The Emir, as bin Laden is known to followers, is becoming increasingly bold. As-Sahab, the al-Qaida video production house, released more than 20 audio and videotapes from bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in 2006. 8 The messages are often long and complicated. Most of the time bin Laden uses silence much more effectively, said Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIAs bin Laden unit. The silence
3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True or False according to the text?
1. The Americans believe bin Laden is hiding in Pakistans tribal region. 2. Most Afghans believe bin Laden is dead. 3. Many Pakistanis do not believe bin Laden was linked to the 9/11 attack. 4. People sympathize with al-Qaida because they hate American foreign policy. 5. Michael Scheuer believes the use of long, complicated messages is a sophisticated tactic. 6. Abdel Bari Atwan believes that support for al-Qaida means that people approve of September 11. 7. The hunt for bin Laden is the worlds largest manhunt. 8. Bin Laden will probably have a birthday party.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Intermediate
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5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Complete the phrases using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. _______ reality 2. disapprove _______ birthday parties 3. died _______ typhoid 4. _______ the border in Afghanistan 5. nine _______ 10 people have a negative opinion of him 6. according _______ a recent opinion poll 7. no proof _______ that 8. sympathize _______
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Intermediate
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verb
1. disapprove 2. capture 3. announce 4. invade 5. admire 6. prove 7. sympathize 8. enjoy
noun
7 Discussion
What is your view of al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden? Do you regard them as terrorists or freedom-fighters?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dead or alive, Bin Laden haunts US / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. in of of over out of to of with
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. T F T T F F T F
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Advanced
Match these keywords from the text with the definitions below. a tug an asteroid a catastrophe to deflect an orbit propulsion a collision an ion to devastate a tractor
1. ____________ The path that a small object follows round a larger object in space. 2. ____________ A terrible disaster. 3. ____________ Usually, a vehicle used on a farm to pull other machines; here, a space vehicle with the power to pull another object towards it.
4. ____________ A mass of rock like a very small planet in space. 5. ____________ An accident when one thing crashes into another. 6. ____________ To make something move in a different direction. 7. ____________ An atom with an electrical force. 8. ____________ A small, powerful boat used for pulling larger boats. 9. ____________ The force that pushes something forward. 10. ____________ To completely destroy something, or cause enormous damage.
Pre-reading 2: Prediction
Look at the main headline, the sub-heading and the key words. 1. Do you think the Earth is in immediate danger? 2. Do you think the scientists have already found a solution? Now read the text quickly to find out.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Advanced
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11 Ion engines would also be essential for another type of probe, the gravity tractor. Instead of landing on an asteroid, though, the gravity tractor would hover near it, using the slight gravitational attraction* between the probe and the NEO to change its path. 12 As well as new technology plans, the Washington meeting will also consider how news of a potential catastrophic collision would affect the public psychologically. Al Harrison, a leading US social psychologist, says an NEO collision would present unique problems for the authorities, as they could know about a near extinction level danger so long in advance. 13 The critical question psychologists will address is whether details of an impending impact should be kept secret, to avoid widespread panic. In December 2004, for example, scientists calculated that if Apophis did hit, it would land somewhere along a line that crossed central Europe, parts of the Middle East, the Ganges River valley (the most populated district on Earth), and on out across the Philippines. At the time, the information was kept secret and many NEO scientists agreed it was the right thing to do. 14 But Clark Chapman, a US planetary scientist, says secrecy goes against the advice of many experts in risk management, as studies of social psychology do not suggest that members of the public would immediately panic about an impending impact. On the other hand, if the news was given clumsily, people might misunderstand, become unduly alarmed, stop believing official statements, and ignore important warnings. Footnotes Near-Earth objects Comets and asteroids pulled into orbits near the Earth by the gravitational attraction of planets. Most NEOs are made of ice and dust, or are bits of rock from the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Advanced
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3 General understanding
Decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F). If they are false, say why. 1. The asteroid is already directly on its way to collide with the earth. 2. Scientists at the conference are going to discuss ways of preventing a disaster. 3. The conference is also concerned with informing the public about possible dangers. 4. In some ways we are in a better position now to handle a possible crisis. 5. Minor asteroids are breaking up the earths atmosphere. 6. Nuclear weapons may be used to destroy Apophis completely. 7. A robotic tugboat would take 10 years to reach the asteroid. 8. Both the tugboat and the gravity tractor would depend on Ion engines. 9. The authorities dont want to know about the risks in advance. 10. There is a very small chance that if the asteroid misses the earth in 2029, it will hit it in 2036.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Advanced
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7 Discussion
1. 2. 3. After reading this article, how worried do you think we should be? Which of the solutions put forward by the scientists do you think sounds the most practical? Do you think the public have the right to know about possible dangers of this sort, or do you think they should be kept in the dark? Why / why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2 Pre-reading 2: Prediction
1. 2. No. The first paragraph is simply describing what could happen. They have found several possible solutions, but not decided on a particular one.
3 General understanding
1. False; this is something that could happen in the future. 2. True 3. True 4. True 5. False; they themselves break up when they enter the atmosphere. 6. False; they would hit the surface of the asteroid and change its path. 7. False; it would be sent into space 10 years in advance, to get into position. 8. True 9. False; but knowing in advance would give them the problem of deciding when and how to tell the public. 10. True
It is only a matter of time. But perhaps not all hope is lost / But perhaps all hope is not lost. If the worst comes to the worst. For the first time in known history. Though no one has actually tried it yet. It was the right thing to do.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Advanced
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Elementary
Match these keywords from the text with the definitions below. a blast a tug to release 1. ____________ A terrible disaster. 2. ____________ An explosion. 3. ____________ A mass of rock in space, like a very small planet. 4. ____________ A small, powerful boat used for pulling larger boats. 5. ____________ Very small pieces of dirt, like powder. 6. ____________ The force that makes things fall down to the earth. 7. ____________ When everything dies. 8. ____________ Usually, a vehicle used on a farm to pull other machines; here, a space vehicle with the power to pull another object towards it. an asteroid dust crops a catastrophe gravity total extinction a tractor
9. ____________ To allow something to escape. 10. ____________ Plants grown for food, like rice, potatoes, tomatoes, etc.
Pre-reading 2: Prediction
Look at the main headline, the sub-heading and the key words. 1. Do you think the Earth is in danger now? 2. Do you think the scientists already have a solution? Now read the text quickly to find out.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Elementary
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12 Some psychologists think this kind of news should be kept secret, to prevent public panic. In December 2004, for example, scientists calculated that if Apophis did hit, it would land somewhere on a line between central Europe, the Middle East, the Ganges River valley (the most populated district on Earth), and the Philippines. At the time, the information was kept secret, and many NEO scientists agreed it was the right thing to do. 13 But Clark Chapman, a US planetary scientist, says many social science experts are against secrecy. They do not think that that the public would immediately panic about a possible danger. But the news must be given carefully, or people might misunderstand. Then they might become unnecessarily frightened, stop believing official statements and ignore important warnings. Footnotes Near-Earth objects Comets and asteroids that start to circle very near the Earth. Most NEOs are made of ice and dust, or are bits of rock from the asteroid area between Jupiter and Mars. Outside chance Astronomers discovered Apophis in June 2004. In December 2004, they started to worry. When they calculated its future path, they thought it was very likely to hit the Earth in 2029. When the asteroid passes the Earth again on April 13 2029, the Earth will probably affect it, and change its orbit. But if that change makes Apophis pass through a particular area in space, called the keyhole, it will crash into the Earth next time it passes, in 2036. But now they think Apophis is very unlikely to pass through the keyhole, a very small area of space just 600 metres wide. The possibility is only 1 in 5,500. Dark skies Scientists have calculated the effects of an enormous asteroid crash by imagining what would happen during a big nuclear war.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. Some asteroids are as big as _________ across. 2. The name of the new asteroid is _________. 3. The conference will be in _________. 4. People first noticed Apophis in _________. 5. Apophis is _________ metres wide. 6. A short name for near-Earth objects is _________. 7. It may hit the earth in _________. 8. The keyhole in space is only _________ metres across. 9. Scientists will know about a possible crash _________ years before it happens. 10. The tugboat could pull an asteroid as big as _________ metres wide.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Elementary
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adjective
1. direct 2. psychological 3. 4. immediate 5. 6. careful 7. unnecessary 8.
adverb
secretly possibly
officially
6 Practice
Now fill the gaps in these sentences with the right form of the word from part 5. They are in the same order as in part 5. 1. The weather has a __________ effect on the way I feel. 2. I enjoy doing __________ tests. 3. Dont tell anyone; this is __________ . 4. Im in a hurry, so please tell me __________ . 5. Could you __________ lend me five pounds? 6. The road is very busy, so be __________ how you cross. 7. You dont need to wear a tie; its quite __________ . 8. I have heard that shes leaving, but the news isnt __________ yet.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Elementary
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adverb
directly psychologically secretly immediately possibly carefully unnecessarily officially
2 Pre-reading 2: Prediction
1. 2. No. The first paragraph is just saying what could happen. They have found several possible solutions, but they havent decided which one to use.
6
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Practice
direct psychological secret immediately possibly careful unnecessary official
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Match these keywords from the text with the definitions below. a blast a tug an asteroid a catastrophe inevitable an orbit to release an ion 1. ____________ A terrible disaster. 2. ____________ An explosion. 3. ____________ A mass of rock like a very small planet in space. 4. ____________ An accident when one thing crashes into another. 5. ____________ A small, powerful boat used for pulling larger boats. 6. ____________ Something that nobody can prevent or avoid. 7. ____________ The path that a small object follows round a larger object in space. 8. ____________ An atom with an electrical force. 9. ____________ Usually, a vehicle used on a farm to pull other machines; here, a space vehicle with the power to pull another object towards it. a collision a tractor
Pre-reading 2: Prediction
Look at the main headline, the sub-heading and the key words. 1. Do you think the Earth is in danger now? 2. Do you think the scientists have already found a solution? Now read the text quickly to find out.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
11 Psychologists will attend the Washington meeting as well as technologists. They will consider how the public would react psychologically to news of a possible collision. Al Harrison, a leading US social psychologist, says an NEO collision would present unique problems for the authorities, as they could know about a near extinction level danger so long in advance. 12 The psychologists will discuss whether this kind of news should be kept secret, to prevent public panic. In December 2004, for example, scientists calculated that if Apophis did hit, it would land somewhere on a line between central Europe, the Middle East, the Ganges River valley (the most populated district on Earth), and the Philippines. At the time, the information was kept secret, and many NEO scientists agreed it was the right thing to do. 13 But Clark Chapman, a US planetary scientist, says many social science experts are against secrecy. Their studies do not suggest that the public would immediately panic about a possible danger. But the news must be given carefully, or people might misunderstand, become unnecessarily frightened, stop believing official statements and ignore important warnings. Footnotes Near-Earth objects Comets and asteroids pulled into orbits near the Earth by gravity from planets. Most NEOs are made of ice and dust, or are bits of rock from the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. Outside chance Apophis was discovered in June 2004. In December that year, astronomers started to worry. When they calculated its future orbit, they thought it was very likely to hit the Earth in 2029. When the asteroid passes the Earth again on April 13 2029, the Earth will probably deflect it, and change its orbit. But if that change makes Apophis pass through a particular point in space, called the keyhole, it will collide with the Earth
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 General understanding
Answer the following questions according to the text. 1. Where is the conference going to be? 2. What is another name for bigger asteroids? 3. What is the newest asteroid called? 4. How big can NEOs be? 5. How often could one of the biggest ones hit the earth? 6. When do scientists think Apophis could hit the earth? 7. They think this could be: a) quite dangerous; b) not very dangerous; c) very dangerous 8. Which of these are possible ways of stopping the asteroid hitting the earth? a) a nuclear weapon; b) a robotic tugboat; c) an ion engine; d) electrically charged particles; e) a gravity tractor 9. All these methods aim to: a) destroy the asteroid; b) make it change direction; c) send it back 10. Which part of the world has more people living there than anywhere else?
Meaning
1. when two things collide 2. impossible to stop 3. connected with planets 4. when things become extinct 5. connected with danger 6. connected with robots 7. people who study psychology 8. people who study technology 9. people who study science 10. keeping something secret
Word
Word class
noun adjective adjective noun adjective adjective noun noun noun noun
Para
0 1 2 4 8 8 11 11 12 13
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
planetary
collision unstoppable
Definite
will consider
Just Possible
would affect
7 Discussion
1. 2. 3. From reading this article, how worried do you think we should be? Which solution do you think is the most practical? Do you think the government should tell people about possible dangers like this, or do you think they should keep them secret? Why / why not?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Intermediate
2 Pre-reading 2: Prediction
1. 2. No. The first paragraph is just saying what could happen. They have found several possible solutions, but they havent decided which one to use.
3 General understanding
1. In Washington, USA 2. NEOs 3. Apophis 4. 6 km across 5. Every 100 million years 6. In 2036 7. c) very dangerous 8. a) a nuclear weapon; b) a robotic tugboat; e) a gravity tractor 9. b) make it change direction 10. The Ganges river valley
Definite
will consider will attend will discuss
Just Possible
would affect would be could cause would warn would land might misunderstand would hover
When you think a future action is definite, use will. When you think something is only just possible, or unlikely, use would, could, or might.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Big blasts or tiny tugs / Intermediate
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a. In the headline, who do you think the model is? b. What do you think a community sentence is?
a community sentence 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. the American word for rubbish attacking and hitting someone
assault
working to help people as a punishment for a crime a place where young criminals are treated very strictly and have to do hard physical work military-style clothes worn by ordinary people American for a four-wheel-drive vehicle a period of work time, e.g. in a hospital or factory shoes with very pointed toes and very high heels
Now read the article and check your answers to the questions in Pre-reading 1.
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Model begins community sentence for assault. Sweeping and cleaning toilets among her duties. Ed Pilkington March 20, 2007 1 Naomi Campbells day began along familiar lines yesterday. The supermodel was chauffeur-driven in a black SUV with tinted windows, surrounded by her minders and bodyguards. Reaching the venue, she strolled elegantly past a long line of press photographers shouting, Naomi, over here!, before entering the building and changing into her costume. 2 And then it all went skewy. Where were the assistants to help her put on her clothes? Where were the makeup artists, the lighting experts and the seamstresses? Where, for heavens sake, was the Vogue editor Anna Wintour? 3 The only people in sight were a few bemusedlooking garbage collectors, real ones that is, not actors dressed up as garbage collectors of the sort used to add spice to fashion shoots. Ms Campbell, 36, had just begun a week-long exercise in seeing how the other half lived, courtesy of the New York penal system. 4 She was the guest of the citys sanitation department and will spend each day this week, from 8am to 4pm, at its warehouse in downtown Manhattan on the edge of the East River. The community service, along with a compulsory payment of $185 and a two-day anger management course, was her punishment for throwing a mobile phone at her housemaid, Ana Scolavino, who needed four stitches to the head. 5 For a celebrity who has endured a lot of bad press over the incident a year ago, Ms Campbell pulled off her entry to the warehouse at Pier 36 with considerable aplomb. She wore six-inch stiletto heels - believed to be Christian Louboutin, with their characteristic red soles - brown leggings, a black coat and hat and sunglasses.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007
10 Let me make this clear, Mr Durrell said. This programme has been in Manhattan for over a year now. Weve had a couple of celebrities, but the bottom line is everyone is treated with respect and dignity and they have a job to do and they perform well at it. So far so good, we havent had any problems. 11 If Ms Campbell, or any of the three other offenders doing community service with her this week, failed to do what they were told, he added, they would be straight back in front of a judge. 12 The setting may at least remind Ms Campbell of her roots in Streatham, an area of south London not dissimilar to this concrete-rich neighbourhood of Manhattan. Pier 36 sits opposite a line of redbrick tower blocks. Running above the warehouse
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3 General understanding
Some of these sentences about the text are incorrect. Say which ones, and say why. 1. Naomi Campbell started her day at a photo shoot. 2. Her usual assistants had not come in to work. 3. Fashion photographers sometimes use people pretending to be workmen to add atmosphere to their pictures. 4. Naomi Cambell was paid to visit the sanitation department. 5. Christian Louboutin designs shoes. 6. Somebody spent a long time making her boots look worn out. 7. The clothes she had to wear were very heavy. 8. She was allowed to work inside so that the press wouldnt be able to photograph her. 9. Albert Durrell runs a TV programme. 10. The writer hopes the experience will make her a more understanding person.
4 Vocabulary development 1
Find words in the text that mean the following; the paragraph numbers are given. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. given a slightly different colour (1) wrong, crazy (2) thanks to (3) short pieces of thread for joining someones skin together after it has been cut (4) suffered, had to live with (5) calm confidence in a difficult situation (5) thrown, hanging (6) to clean with a wet cloth, usually on the end of a long stick (8) a disorganized crowd of people, all trying to get something (9) a feeling of understanding for other people (14)
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Now scan the text quickly to check. Noticing the rule: What do you notice about the collocations using numbers?
6 Vocabulary development 3
Common expressions
Can you complete these common expressions without looking back at the text? (The first letter of the missing word is given to help you). 1. along f 2. for heavens s 3. seeing how the other h 4. the perfect f 5. out of the r 6. the b 7. So far so g 8. out of k 9. remains to be s 10. a h respect for with line touch of lived lines
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7 Recognizing irony
The writer, Ed Pilkington, sometimes uses irony to make his article more amusing. Find examples in the text which suggest that: 1. the place she was going to was quite an important one: 2. the working clothes she had to wear were part of a fashion show: 3. Naomi Campbell might be grateful for her weeks punishment: 4. her punishment was like an invitation to a party: 6. that a very ordinary building material is luxurious: (6) (12) (3) (4) (1) (1)
5. it is crazy to spend even more money on clothes that look old and worn than on new-looking ones:
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity boot camp / Advanced
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3. General understanding
1. No; thats what it looked like, but she was on her way to start her punishment. 2. No; the writer wants us to imagine that she may feel lost without her usual assistants. 3. Yes. 4. No; she had to pay a fine as well as doing this community sentence. 5. Yes. 6. Yes. 7. No; the writer imagines that when she put on the working clothes, she began to feel that her punishment was heavy. 8. Yes. 9. No; the programme he runs is the community sentence scheme. 10. Yes.
Noticing the rule: Note that in compound adjectives with numbers, the noun part stays singular even if the number is plural, e.g. six-inch heels, not six-inches heels.
4. Vocabulary development 1
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. tinted skewy (slang) courtesy of stitches endured aplomb
7. Recognizing irony
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. the venue her costume courtesy of the guest of concrete-rich
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The American word for rubbish. Attacking and hitting someone. A large building where a lot of things are kept. Working to help people as a punishment for a crime. A place where young criminals have to do hard physical work and Military-style clothes worn by ordinary people. Keeping things clean and healthy. Things that you have to do. A period of work time e.g. in a hospital or factory. Shoes with very pointed toes and very high heels.
2 Pre-reading 2: Prediction
Look at the headline and the sub-headings in the story. Can you guess what it is about? 1. A new reality TV show about a fashion camp. 2. A famous model has to do dirty work as a punishment. 3. A shoe company throws old shoes into the rubbish bin. Now read the article, and check your answers to the pre-reading questions.
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O T
Model begins community sentence for assault. Sweeping and cleaning toilets among her duties. Ed Pilkington March 20, 2007 1 Naomi Campbells day began as normal yesterday. The supermodel was chauffeur-driven in a black four-wheel drive car with dark windows, surrounded by her bodyguards. When she arrived, she walked elegantly past a long line of press photographers shouting, Naomi, over here! before entering the building and changing into her costume. And then it all went wrong. Where were the assistants to help her put on her clothes? Where were the makeup artists, the lighting experts and the dressmakers? And finally, where was the Vogue editor Anna Wintour? The only people watching were a few garbage collectors real garbage collectors, not actors dressed like that to make fashion pictures look more interesting. Ms Campbell, 36, had just begun a week-long stay on the poor side of New York. She was the guest of the citys sanitation department and will spend each day this week, from 8am to 4pm, at its warehouse in downtown Manhattan on the edge of the East River. Last year, she threw her mobile phone at her housemaid, Ana Scolavino, who needed four stitches to the head. The community service was her punishment. She also has to pay a fine of $185 and attend a two-day anger management course. Ms Campbell had a lot of bad publicity about the incident a year ago, but she walked into the warehouse at Pier 36 very calmly. She wore sixinch stiletto heels, brown leggings, a black coat and hat, and sunglasses.
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3 General understanding
Match the beginnings and endings of these sentences about the story. 1 Naomi Campbell had to go to work 2 Ana Scolavino 3 Ms Campbell got angry with her maid 4 Ms Scolavinos head was badly cut and 5 Ms Campbell was punished 6 Ms Campbell also had to go and learn 7 Boy George had a lot of trouble 8 Ms Campbell lived in a poor part of London a from newspaper photographers. b how to stop getting so angry. c when she was a child. d for hurting her maid. e in a poor part of Manhattan. f and threw her phone at her. g worked in Naomi Campbells house. h the doctor had to put four stitches in it.
AN
6. She shows clothes for Dior, so she is really rich and famous. Shes a 8. Your face is lovely; you dont need to wear any
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8. makeup
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity boot camp / Elementary
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AN T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI AD L TE E E D
a community sentence
The American word for rubbish. Attacking and hitting someone. A large building where a lot of things are kept. Working to help people as a punishment for a crime. A place where young criminals have to do hard physical work and Military-style clothes worn by ordinary people. Newspaper and TV journalists and reporters. American for a four-wheeled-drive vehicle. A period of work time, e.g. in a hospital or factory. Shoes with very pointed toes and very high heels.
2 Pre-reading 2: Prediction
1. Can you guess which of these topics the story is about? a. There is a new reality TV show about fashion. b. The court sends a famous model to do dirty work as a punishment. c. A shoe company is changing its image, and throws old designs into the rubbish bin. 2. Now look at the sub headings. Who is the model? Now read the article to check your answers.
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10 Let me make this clear, Mr Durrell said. This programme has been in Manhattan for over a year now. Weve had a couple of celebrities, but the basic rule is treat everyone with respect and dignity. They have a job to do and they perform well at it. So far so good, we havent had any problems. 11 If Ms Campbell, or any of the three other offenders doing community service with her this week, failed to do what they were told, he added, they would be straight back in front of a judge. 12 The area may at least remind Ms Campbell of her early life in Streatham, an area of south London quite like this concrete-rich neighbourhood of Manhattan. Pier 36 is opposite a line of red-brick
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3 General understanding
Number these events in the order in which they happened; one example is done to help you.
Naomi Campbell put on her working gloves, dust mask and safety vest. Naomi Campbells chauffeur drove her to work at the sanitation warehouse Naomi Campbell threw her mobile phone at her maid Naomi Campbell lived in Streatham Naomi Campbell put on her stilettos Naomi Campbell went to court and the judge told her to do community service Ms Scolavinos head was cut, and she had to have four stitches Naomi Campbell had to clean the warehouse
12bpt
c 1 d e f g h
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7 Discussion
1. In your country, can people do Community Service instead of going to prison? 2. Do you agree with the idea? Why / why not? 3. Do you think this was a suitable punishment for Naomi Campbell? 4. Some people really enjoy reading about famous people in trouble. Do you? 5. In your country, are there special magazines and TV programmes about the problems of celebrities? 6. What do you think about these?
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2. Re-reading 2
1. b. 2. Naomi Campbell
3. General understanding 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 d c g f e b a h
4. Vocabulary development 1
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. a venue stitches bad press leggings scratches press lenses fluorescent violators
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity boot camp / Intermediate
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Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences below using the following key words from the text. devolved defer watershed loathing pledge accord protracted mar discord mindful
1. If you ____________ something, you postpone it until a later date. 2. ____________ is another word for spoil. 3. An ____________ is a formal agreement between two countries or groups. 4. ____________ is a state of disagreement between people. 5. If you are ____________ of something you are conscious of it and careful about it. 6. If power is ____________ it is transferred from a central authority to a local one. 7. ____________ is a strong hatred of someone or something. 8. If a process is ____________, it continues for a longer time than is normal or necessary. 9. A ____________ is a serious and public promise to do something. 10. A ____________ is an event that causes an important change to take place.
Fill the gaps using these words and phrases from the text. Downing Street Stormont Sinn Fin DUP uprising chancellor
1. The Irish Republican party is called ____________. 2. The Northern Irish political party that wants to remain part of the UK is called the ____________. 3. The Northern Irish parliament building is called ____________. 4. The British prime minister lives at Number 10 ____________. 5. The British finance minister is known as the ____________. 6. The Easter ____________ in Ireland took place in 1916.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
8 In London the prime minister said: In a sense, everything that weve done over the last 10 years has been a preparation for this moment. This wont stop republicans or nationalists being any less republican or nationalist, or making unionists any less fiercely unionist. But what it does mean is that people can come together,
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the information in the text.
1. Why was the agreement to share power such a surprise? a. Because the government had set a deadline. b. Because it will be operating before Tony Blair leaves Downing Street. c. Because the two sides had previously been arch-enemies.
2. What was Gerry Adams view of the agreement? a. That it was the beginning of a new era in Irish politics. b. That it reflected centuries of discord, conflict and tragedy. c. That it was good that the agreement restored the institutions of the Good Friday agreement.
3. What was Ian Paisleys view of the agreement? a. That it was a barrier to a better and more stable future. b. That it would provide enormous opportunities in the future. c. That it was only of use for those who voted for the DUP.
4. What was Tony Blairs view of the agreement? a. That it will stop nationalists being so nationalist. b. That it will enable people to share power and respect each others point of view. c. That it will be another 10 years before everything is ready.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
What are the main reasons for conflicts around the world? What solutions are there?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. c 2. a 3. b 4. b
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. of 2. of 3. to 4. to 5. to 6. for 7. for 8. between
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. era journalist deadline share commitment restart century suffer conflict agreement
1. A ____________ is someone who writes for a newspaper. 2. A ____________ is a period of one hundred years. 3. An ____________ is a decision about what to do, made by two or more people, groups or organizations. 4. A ____________ is a date or time when you must finish something. 5. An ____________ is a long period of time. 6. A ____________ is a promise to do something. 7. A ____________ is an angry disagreement between people or groups. 8. If you ____________ something, you use or have it at the same time as another person. 9. If you ____________, you feel pain in your body or your mind. 10. If you ____________ something, you start it again.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. When will the new Northern Ireland government begin to operate? 2. Who is the leader of Sinn Fin? 3. How long has the peace process been going on? 4. What does DUP stand for? 5. Who is the leader of the DUP? 6. How long did the meeting between the DUP and Sinn Fin last?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Elementary
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Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 27/3/07
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True or False according to the text? 1. The new Northern Ireland government will start work on Thursday May 8. 2. The atmosphere at the meeting was friendly. 3. Ian Paisley was unhappy when he left the meeting. 4. Both sides want to create a better future. 5. The DUP believes Northern Ireland should become part of the Republic of Ireland. 6. The DUP did not agree with the British governments deadline. 7. Mr Paisley and Mr Adams shook hands. 8. Both parties want more money for Northern Ireland from the British government.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. agree 2. govern 3. meet 4. state 5. begin 6. prepare 7. announce 8. commit
noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. T 3. F 4. T 5. F 6. T 7. F 8. T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences below using the following key words from the text. watershed reluctance firebrand deadline militant cordial reconciliation arbitrary transition emerge
1. A ____________ atmosphere is one which is formal but friendly. 2. If you show ____________ to do something, you do not want to do it. 3. A ____________ is someone who has strong feelings of anger and often expresses them. 4. To ____________ means to come out of something. 5. A ____________ person uses extreme and sometimes violent methods to achieve political or social change. 6. A ____________ is an event that causes an important change to take place. 7. If something is done in an ____________ way, it is not based on any particular plan or done for a particular reason. 8. A ____________ is the process of changing from one situation, form or state to another. 9. ____________ is the process of establishing a new and friendly relationship between former enemies. 10. A ____________ is a specific date or time by which something has to be done.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. When will the new Northern Ireland government begin to operate? 2. Who is the leader of Sinn Fin? 3. How long has the peace process been going on? 4. What does DUP stand for? 5. What is the name of the Northern Ireland parliament building? 6. Who is the leader of the DUP?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Intermediate
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
Decide whether these statements are True or False according to the text. 1. Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley have held meetings many times before. 2. The peace process in Northern Ireland has been rather slow. 3. The atmosphere at the meeting was friendly. 4. The British government set the date of May 8. 5. Mr Paisley was angry when he left the meeting. 6. The meeting lasted just under an hour. 7. Mr Adams wore a badge in memory of those who have died since 1916. 8. The British parliament will introduce laws to ensure a smooth transition.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary 3: Prefixes
Match the prefixes with their meanings. 1. arch- 2. neo- 3. auto- 4. counter- 5. ex- 6. inter- 7. multi- 8. post- a. self b. former c. many d. chief; main e. between f. after g. new h. against
7 Discussion
What are the main reasons for conflicts around the world? What solutions are there?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. T 3. T 4. F 5. F 6. F 7. F 8. T
6 Vocabulary 3: Prefixes
1. d 2. g 3. a 4. h 5. b 6. e 7. c 8. f
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Northern Irelands arch-enemies declare peace / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Match these key words from the text with their definitions. backfires to bury a crackdown a gang to mourn a summit turf unprecedented to vow 1. A group of young people who spend time together and often cause trouble. __________ 2. To put someones dead body in the ground (often in the passive). __________ 3. To feel sad because someone has died. __________ 4. An area that a group considers to be their own (informal, uncountable). __________ 5. A strong action taken by the authority to stop a particular activity. __________ 6. A meeting or series of meetings between leaders. __________ 7. Never having happened or existed before. __________ 8. To promise to do something. __________ 9. If a plan __________ then it has the opposite effect you intended.
Read quickly
Skim the text to find the answers to these questions. 1. How many gang members are there in LA? 2. What does the expression a gang war between brown and black mean? 3. What two things did Cheryl Greens death provoke? 4. What is the hit list? 5. What does Father Boyle do to help people leave gangs?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1 Father Greg Boyle keeps a grim count of the young gang members he has buried. Number 151 was Jonathan Hurtado, 18 fresh out of jail. Now the kindly, bearded Jesuit mourns him. The day he got out I found him a job. He never missed a day. He was doing really well, Boyle says. 2 But Hurtado made a mistake: he went back to his old neighbourhood. While sitting in a park, Hurtado was approached by a man on a bike who said to him: Hey, homie, whats up? He then shot Hurtado four times. 3 Boyles Los Angeles is a world away from the glamorous Hollywood hills, Malibu beaches and Sunset Strip the celebrity-drenched city that David Beckham and Posh Spice will soon make their home. 4 Boyles Los Angeles is where an estimated 120,000 gang members across five counties battle over turf, pride and drugs. It is a city of violence as a race war escalates between new Hispanic gangs and older black groups. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has referred to his city as the gang capital of America, has launched a crackdown on the new threat. 5 The latest front is the tiny strip of turf known as Harbor Gateway, a nest of streets between malls and office blocks. It was here, just before Christmas, that Cheryl Green, a 14-year-old black girl, died. As she stood on a corner talking with friends, two Hispanic members of the neighbourhoods notorious 204th Street gang walked up and opened fire, killing Green and wounding three others. Traditionally, the outside view of LA gangs has been of black youths but Hispanic gangs are now in the ascendant, spreading across America.
10 Visuet now works for Father Boyles Homeboy Industries, a project that helps people leave gang life. It provides jobs, an education, pays to have gang tattoos removed and gives counselling. It aims to remove the circumstances that lead to
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Advanced
CA
P H
crime: poverty, abuse and unemployment. It is staffed almost entirely by former gang members and has spun off a bakery, a silk-screen printers and a restaurant. 11 It worked for Visuet. He starts college this autumn and wants to be a probation officer. I was on the edge of doing something that would ruin my life, either by doing violence or having it done to me. Thats over now, he says. 12 Visuet despairs at the conflict. A brown gang member now just sees a black gang member. What they dont see is how that person comes from the same place they do. They might have a mother who is an alcoholic as well or a father
3 Comprehension check
Read again and find the significance of the following names and numbers in the article.
_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
3. Antonio Villaraigosa _______________________________________________________________________ 4. Harbor Gateway 5. Cheryl Green 6. 204th Street 7. 15.7% 8. Khalid Shah 9. 11 10. Alex Alonso _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. Much of the crime is gang-___________. 2. Beverly Hills is a celebrity-___________ part of the city. 3. The police are taking anti-___________ measures to reduce the crime. 4. Many gangs have their own sub-___________. 5. The mayor is organizing a high-___________ summit to address the problem. 6. A fast two-___________ highway crosses the centre of town.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
What could be the causes of gang-related crime in a city like LA? Are there gang problems in your city?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
2 Read quickly
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 120,000 A gang war between blacks and Hispanics. It brought the gang war to public awareness and sparked a police crackdown on gang violence. The list of the citys worst gangs. He helps them find a job, get counselling, remove their tattoos and get education.
3 Comprehension check
1. Jonathan Hurtado is the 151st gang member that Father Boyle has buried. 2. Father Greg Boyle helps gang members get out of a life of crime. 3. Antonio Villaraigosa is the mayor of LA. 4. Harbor Gateway is the latest area of turf war. 5. Cheryl Green was a black girl murdered by gang members. 6. 204th Street is the name of a Hispanic gang in LA. 7. Gang related crime went up by 15.7% last year. 8. Khalid Shah is the director of Stop the Violence and is organizing a summit to try and stop the race war in LA. 9. 11 is the number of gangs on the police hit list. 10. Alex Alonso is a gang historian who disagrees with the idea of a hit list.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Match these key words from the text with the definitions below. mayhem a summit to bury to despair to ruin to grip a crackdown an injunction a gang a probation officer
1. A group of young people who spend time together and often cause trouble. 2. To put a dead body in the ground. 3. To hold tightly. 4. A very confused situation. 5. Strong action taken by the authority to stop a particular activity. 6. A meeting or series of meetings between leaders. 7. To feel a situation is so bad that nothing can change it. 8. An official order from the police that stops someone from doing something. 9. To destroy or seriously damage something. 10. Someone who helps and gives advice to criminals who are not in prison, and checks that they are behaving well.
General understanding
A From the title: Read the title and choose the best explanation (use the answers from exercise 1 to help you understand the words). 1. Gangs in LA are confused about their situation. 2. Gangs are causing problems in LA. 3. LA has eliminated its gang problem. B Skimming the text: Read quickly and find the paragraphs with the following information. 1. A new reality TV show is going to start in LA soon. 2. The gang problem in LA is the worst in the United States. 3. Gang members shot a young black girl. 4. There is a project to help people leave gangs. 5. The police have a list of the worse gangs. 6. Father Boyle buried another gang member.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Elementary
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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10 But there is hope. Alfonso Chino Visuet, 23, started gang life as a teenager. He was attracted by the excitement and riches and had a difficult home life. People who join a gang are always running away from something. They run to the gang, Visuet says. 11 Visuet now works for Father Boyles Homeboy Industries. Its a project that helps people leave gang life. It provides jobs, an education, pays to have gang tattoos removed and gives counselling. It wants to remove the circumstances that lead to crime: poverty, abuse and unemployment. All of its workers are former gang members and it has created a bakery, a printers and a restaurant. 12 It worked for Visuet. He starts college this autumn and wants to be a probation officer. I was on the edge of doing something that would ruin my life, either by doing violence or having it done to me. Thats over now, he says. 13 Visuet despairs at the conflict. A brown gang member now just sees a black gang member. They dont see how that person comes from the same place they do. They might have a mother who is an alcoholic as well or a father who hits them. They have the same story, he says.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Elementary
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
Choose the correct answer. 1. Father Boyle... a) ... helps young people leave gangs. b) ... works for the police. c) ... only buries gang members.
2. There are 120,000... a) ... gangs in Los Angeles. b) ... gang members in Los Angeles. c) ... dead gang members in Los Angeles. 3. Cheryl Green was killed... a) ... by the 204th street gang. b) ... on 204th street. c) ... by accident. 4. The police hit list is... a) ... an idea of the Black and Brown Strategy meeting. b) ... not the first anti-gang initiative in LA. c) ... a very long list. 5. All workers in Father Boyles Homeboy Industries... a) ... are probation officers. b) ... used to be gang members. c) ... are violent men. 6. The show Sons of Hollywood is... a) ... about gang life in Los Angeles. b) ... is on a two-lane highway in Los Angeles. c) ... very different from the real lives of people in Los Angeles.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Elementary
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adjectiveadjective
1. 2. violent 3. 4. exciting 5. 6. poor 7.
nounnoun
glamour race difficulty reality
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Elementary
Elementary
2 General understanding
A 2 B 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
noun
glamour violence race excitement difficulty poverty reality
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. a b a b b c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps using key words from the text. backfires summit bury turf to ruin unprecedented a crackdown impoverished a gang to mourn
1. ____________ is a group of young people who spend time together and often cause trouble. 2. When you ____________ a person, you put his or her dead body in the ground. 3. ____________ is to feel sad because someone has died. 4. ____________ is an area that a group considers to be their own. 5. ____________ is a strong action taken by the authority to stop a particular activity. 6. When leaders hold a ____________, they have a meeting or series of meetings. 7. If something is ____________, then it has never happened or existed before. 8. If a plan ____________ then it has the opposite effect you intended. 9. If you are ____________ then you have little or no money. 10. ____________ something is to destroy or seriously damage it.
Read quickly
Skim the text and choose the correct answer. 1. a) Father Boyle buried Jonathan Hurtado. b) Father Boyle killed Jonathan Hurtado. 2. a) In LA there is a new race war between Hispanic gangs and white gangs. b) In LA there is a new race war between Hispanic gangs and black gangs. 3. a) Cheryl Green was killed by police. b) Cheryl Green was killed by gang members. 4. a) There were less gang-related crimes last year than the year before. b) There were more gang-related crimes last year than the year before. 5. a) The gangs have published a list of the worst gangs. b) The police has published a list of the worst gangs. 6. a) Homeboy Industries helps young people leave gangs. b) Homeboy Industries helps young people join gangs.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Intermediate
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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10 Yet there is hope. Alfonso Chino Visuet, 23, was sucked into the gang life as a teenager. There was the lure of excitement and riches, the push of a difficult home life. People who join a gang are always running away from something. They flee to the gang, Visuet says. 11 Visuet now works for Father Boyles Homeboy Industries, a project that helps people leave gang life. It provides jobs, an education, pays to have gang tattoos removed and gives counselling. It aims to remove the circumstances that lead to crime: poverty, abuse and unemployment. It is staffed almost entirely by former gang members and has created a bakery, a silk-screen printers and a restaurant. 12 It worked for Visuet. He starts college this autumn and wants to be a probation officer. I was on the edge of doing something that would ruin my life, either by doing violence or having it done to me. Thats over now, he says.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
9. v__________ (Paragraph 11) 10. c__________ 11. b__________ (Paragraph 13) (Paragraph 13)
The noun crackdown comes from the phrasal verb to crack down. Complete the sentences with nouns made from the following phrasal verbs. black out blow up stop over hand out clean up lay off
1. On our flight to London we had a two-hour ___________ in Frankfurt. 2. The family had several candles in the house in case of a ___________. 3. The company was losing money and there were many ___________. 4. Hes forty and he still lives on ___________ from his parents. 5. On the wall is a big ___________ of a photo of a football player. 6. After the oil spill, the government launched a large ___________ operation.
7 Discussion
What could be the causes of gang-related crime in a city like LA? Are there gang problems in your city?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Intermediate
Intermediate
4 Vocabulary 1: Expressions
1. to keep a count of something 2. to make your home somewhere 3. all the signs are there 4. have seen it all before 5. on the edge of doing something 6. nothing more than a fantasy
2 Read quickly
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. a b b b b a
3 Comprehension check
1. Returning to his old neighbourhood. 2. Boyles LA is full of violence and gangs, Beckhams is glamorous and full of celebrities. 3. There are now more Hispanic gangs, not only young black gangs. 4. The public is aware of the race war and police have launched a crackdown. 5. Because other gangs will want to be on the list. 6. Because they are running away from something. 7. It provides education, counselling, tattoo-removal and jobs. 8. A reality TV show.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gang mayhem grips LA / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Match the old African state and province names with their current names. Abyssinia Benadir Somalia Mali Mozambique Ethiopia Burkina Faso Namibia Zimbabwe
Key words
Put the following key words into the sentences. bureaucracy confiscate plummet regime delusion conspiracy hyperinflation collapse whim independence
1. When something is in a state of _______________, it is breaking down and has almost stopped functioning. 2. A _______________ is a secret plan to do something bad or illegal, especially in politics. 3. A _______________ is a sudden feeling that you need to do something (usually unimportant). 4. When you get your _______________ you are no longer controlled by another person or country. 5. An idea or belief that is not true can be called a _______________. It is often the belief that you are better than you really are. 6. When there is an incredibly high increase in prices this is called _______________. 7. _______________ is a complicated or annoying system of rules and processes. 8. A system or form of government (often military) that controls the country in a strict or unfair way is called a _______________. 9. When something falls very quickly, we can say that it _______________. 10. When you _______________ something, you take it away for legal reasons or as a punishment.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 The reality is that a man living in a Harare township lucky enough to have a job earns, on average, Z$5m dollars a month, or 2.50 at the hidden-market rate. His transport to work in Harare costs more than that but he has to overspend if he wants to keep his job. 11 Other European airlines abandoned Zimbabwe as its economy collapsed but BA stayed because historic ties with Britain meant there were still a steady number of passengers. 12 But the airline says it has been defeated by escalating costs, particularly the price of having to bring fuel in by road from South Africa, and the unreal maths of the Zimbabwean economy. The Zimbabwe dollar has plummeted from $5,100 to the pound at the beginning of 2006 to nearly $2m to the pound today.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
13 Mr Msipa and the Zimbabwean government are suspicious of the economic claims. He doesnt understand how BA isnt making money. Mr Msipa admits there is a crisis though, and that his dad might be part of the problem. 14 His father is the Zanu-PF governor of Midlands province where he has overseen the confiscation of white-owned farms and the collapse of agriculture. Mr Msipa concedes this may have been a mistake. Being an old nationalist, my father believes that everything is about the land. Whereas our generation says we should get into computers and call centres.
3 Comprehension check
Complete the sentences with the correct endings. 1. British Airways have stopped flights from Zimbabwe for... a. ... the first time in its history. b. ... the rest of the year. c. ... the second time in 75 years. 5. The average worker from a township in Zimbabwe earns... a. ... approximately the cost of a plane ticket to London. b. ... less than the money he needs to spend on transport to get to work. c. ... 225 per year.
2. White Zimbabweans see British Airways as their... a. ... link to the rest of the world. b. ... link to South Africa. c. ... only escape route out of Zimbabwe.
6. Tobacco production has fallen to... a. ... four-fifths of last years production. b. ... two-thirds of last years production. c. ... one-fifth of last years production.
3. The first black man to rule Zimbabwe was... a. ... Ian Smith. b. ... Robert Mugabe. c. ... Cephas Msipa.
7. Zimbabwes main industry is.... a. ... agriculture. b. ... computers. c. ... call centres.
4. Mugabe has been in power for... a. ... more than 10years. b. ... more than 15 years. c. ... more than 25 years.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Discussion
In Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs more than fifty times the price it was at the beginning of the year. Compare this to inflation in your country. In your country: How much do dairy products (milk, butter, cheese) cost now? How much did they cost one year ago / five years ago? Make the same comparisons for other items such as bread, alcohol, cigarettes, petrol, houses etc.
6 Webquest
What is the current rate of exchange between the British pound and the Zimbabwean dollar? Go to www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html to read the latest updated facts and figures about Zimbabwe. Go to www.swradioafrica.com and click on the listen live button to listen to the latest independent news from Zimbabwe. The website also contains short news articles and podcasts.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 c a b c b c a
2 Key words
1. collapse 2. conspiracy 3. whim 4. independence 5. delusion 6. hyperinflation 7. bureaucracy 8. regime 9. plummet 10. confiscate
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Match the old African state and province names on the left with their names now (on the right). Abyssinia Benadir French Sudan German Southwest Africa Rhodesia Upper Volta Portuguese East Africa Somalia Mali Mozambique Ethiopia Burkina Faso Namibia Zimbabwe
Key words
Write in the missing vowels (a/e/i/o/u). Skim-read the article to find the answers. The paragraph numbers will help you. 1. When something is not true or you cant trust it, it is _nr_
2. If a plane is sent on a different route to the one it is supposed to go on we say it has been d_v_ (para 3) 3. When you are separated from something, or if your connection has been broken you are c_t
_ff. (para 4)
4. When you have this you are no longer controlled by another person or country: _nd_p_nd_nc_. (para 5) 5. When somebody else wins instead of you, you have been d_f_
_ t_d. (para 5)
6. When something does this, it breaks down and (almost) stops functioning: c_ll_ps_. (para 6) 7. This is an incredibly high increase in prices: hyp_r_nfl_t_
9. The value of the money of one country against the money of another country:
10. The amount of crop (wheat, corn, rice, etc.) that is collected: h_rv_st. (para 7) 11. When someone believes you have done something wrong or are not telling the truth, they are s_sp_c_ _ _ s. (para 10) 12. To agree that something is not really true or that you have done something wrong: _
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
CA
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
CA
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3 Comprehension check
Match the sentence halves. 1. British Airways no longer... a. ... rule Zimbabwe.
5. The average worker from a township in Zimbabwe doesnt earn enough money... 6. Tobacco and wheat production in Zimbabwe...
f. ... is agriculture.
8. There are two different exchange rates in Zimbabwe, h. ... have fallen dramatically. the governments rate...
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Cephas Msipa is a lifelong member of Mr Mugabes Zanu-PF. difficult toilet wheat tobacco shopping lose shrinking hidden call property paper economy trip times centres production market harvest developer control
5 Discussion
Now, in Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs more than fifty times the price it was a year ago. Compare this to inflation in your country. Now, a litre of milk costs about _____________. A year ago it cost _____________. Now, a loaf of bread costs about _____________. A year ago it cost _____________. Now, a packet of cigarettes costs about _____________. A year ago it cost _____________. Now, an apartment costs about _____________. A year ago it cost _____________. ... continue...
6 Webquest
What is the current rate of exchange between the British pound and the Zimbabwean dollar? Go to www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html to read the latest updated facts and figures about Zimbabwe. Go to www.swradioafrica.com and click on the listen live button to listen to the latest independent news from Zimbabwe. The website also contains short news articles and podcasts.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. c 2. e 3. a 4. g 5. b 6. h 7. f 8. d
2 Key words
1. unreliable 2. diverted 3. cut off 4. independence 5. defeated 6. collapse 7. hyperinflation 8. bureaucracy 9. exchange rate 10. harvest 11. suspicious 12. admit
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Match the old African state and province names with their current names. Abyssinia Benadir Somalia Mali Mozambique Ethiopia Burkina Faso Namibia Zimbabwe
French Sudan
Key words
Match the keywords with their definitions. bureaucracy regime plummet hyperinflation conspiracy collapse confiscate independence
1. When something does this it breaks down and (almost) stops functioning. ___________________ 2. This is a secret plan to do something bad or illegal, especially in politics. ___________________ 3. When you have this you are no longer controlled by another person or country. ___________________ 4. This is an incredibly high increase in prices. ___________________ 5. This is what we call a complicated or annoying system of rules and processes. ___________________ 6. A system or form of government (often military) that controls the country in a strict or unfair way. ___________________ 7. When something falls very quickly, we can say that it does this. ___________________ 8. When you do this, you take something away from someone for legal reasons or as a punishment. ___________________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Last BA flight from a grounded economy Chris McGreal on BA152, HarareLondon October 29, 2007 1 The last flight left the sparkling new Harare
airport, lifted over the city and dipped its wings in farewell. With that, British Airways said goodbye 8 to Zimbabwe.
Zanu-PF, said he thought it was probably part of a British government conspiracy against the Zimbabwean ruler, Robert Mugabe, but he said that he was going to miss British Airways anyway. In these difficult times, Air Zimbabwe has a reputation for being unreliable, he said. the same state as the country; flights are running days late due to lack of fuel or maintenance, or are diverted when Mr Mugabe feels like going on a shopping trip in Kuala Lumpur or attending the Popes funeral.
another reason. Theres toilet paper on this plane. I havent been able get toilet paper in the shops for weeks, she said. I dont know why it matters that this is the last flight, but it does. Its as if were finally being cut off from the rest of the world. Zimbabwe. Flights were stopped in 1965 when Ian Smith declared independence for Rhodesia. BA was back 15 years later when Mr Smith was defeated by economics as much as war; Rhodesia ceased to exist and the only black man to ever rule Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, took power. Mugabe is creating a vast new bureaucracy while the economy shrinks amid hyperinflation and collapsing production. The official exchange rate is so different to that of the hidden market that the central bank governor has to send his staff out to buy dollars on the street.
who travels regularly to London. His job has kept the worst effects of the economic collapse away from him and his five children. We have a relative advantage. I can get things done ... I have contacts, he said. But how Im going to
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3 Comprehension check
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? 1. British Airways now only fly to Zimbabwe once a week. 2. White Zimbabweans saw British Airways as their link to the rest of the world. 3. Robert Mugabe is the first black man to rule Zimbabwe. 4. Mugabe has been in power for over 40 years. 5. The average worker from a township in Zimbabwe earns about the same as the cost of a plane ticket to London. 6. Tobacco and wheat production has fallen dramatically. 7. Zimbabwes main industry is computers. 8. There are two different exchange rates in Zimbabwe, the governments rate and the hidden market rate.
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4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Write in the missing prepositions then check your answers by reading back over the article. 1. British Airways said goodbye ______ Zimbabwe 2. part ______ a British government conspiracy 3. a reputation ______ being unreliable 4. going ______ a shopping trip 5. Mr Smith was defeated ______ economics 6. Rhodesia ceased ______ exist 7. a man living ______ a Harare township 8. historic ties ______ Britain 9. defeated ______ escalating costs 10. part ______ the problem 11. we should get ______ computers 12. No one wants to go ______ Johannesburg
5 Discussion
In Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs more than fifty times the price it was at the beginning of the year. Compare this to inflation in your country. In your country: How much do dairy products (milk, butter, cheese) cost now? How much did they cost one year ago / five years ago? Make the same comparisons for other items such as bread, alcohol, cigarettes, petrol, houses etc.
6 Webquest
What is the current rate of exchange between the British pound and the Zimbabwean dollar? Go to www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html to read the latest updated facts and figures about Zimbabwe. Go to www.swradioafrica.com and click on the listen live button to listen to the latest independent news from Zimbabwe. The website also contains short news articles and podcasts.
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3 Comprehension
1. F (they have stopped flying to Zimbabwe) 2. T 3. T 4. F (he has been in power for over 25 years) 5. F (they earn much, much less) 6. T 7. F (the main industry is still agriculture) 8. T
2 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. collapse conspiracy independence hyperinflation bureaucracy regime plummet confiscate
4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. British Airways said goodbye to Zimbabwe 2. part of a British government conspiracy 3. a reputation for being unreliable 4. going on a shopping trip 5. Mr Smith was defeated by economics 6. Rhodesia ceased to exist 7. a man living in a Harare township 8. historic ties with Britain 9. defeated by escalating costs 10. part of the problem 11. we should get into computers 12. No one wants to go through Johannesburg
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Advanced
Pre-reading 1: Introduction
You are going to read an article about Genetic Modification. In Britain, recently, there has been a lot of discussion about GM crops. These are plants grown for food, which scientists have changed so that they are more productive, or can resist diseases or insects that destroy them. Before you read the article, think about these questions. 1. In your country, is there a debate about GM crops?
2. What are the arguments in favour? 3. What are the arguments against?
5. What reasons could scientists have for genetically modifying them? 6. What could be the dangers of interfering with natural processes in this way? 7. In what other ways can humans interfere with the balance of nature?
Now read the article quickly, to see if it mentions any of your ideas.
1. A system in the body that helps you to resist disease. _____________ 2. The unpleasant additional results of taking a particular medicine. _____________ 3. The animal life of a particular region. _____________ 4. A plant or animal that lives on or in another, usually larger one, and feeds on it. _____________ 5. Grows very well. _____________ 6. A smaller animal that is used as food by a larger one. _____________ 7. A change in the basic structure of a plant or animal. _____________ 8. Very careful about possible dangers. _____________ 9. Larger animals that attack and kill other animals for food. _____________ 10. The basic unit of life that transmits characteristics from parent to child. _____________ Now scan the text quickly to see if your matches make sense.
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grow through walls and concrete, as well as taking over gardens. It causes massive social and economic problems as well as conservation problems. 10 Another problem plant is rhododendron ponticum, which is taking over the so-called Celtic rainforest woodlands of the west coast of Scotland and Wales. These fairytale woodlands are internationally important because of the special plants there, says Long. But to thrive, the plants require precise amounts of light and water, which are provided by the humid atmosphere of the forest. The invading rhododendrons, which were introduced by Victorian gardeners, shade out the native plants. 11 The destructive cane toad of Australia is also the result of a failed attempt at biological control. The toad was brought in to control sugar-cane pests in 1935. But it soon began preying on and out-competing native species. It now occupies much of the north east of Australia. Getting rid of the invasive species, as Australias rabbits and cane toads have shown, often proves much more difficult than introducing it. Despite continuing efforts to control the cane toads, their seemingly unstoppable march continues. 12 Perhaps the worst example of a disastrous introduction is that of the snails of French Polynesia. In 1975, the wolf snail was deliberately introduced to stop the spread of the previously introduced giant African land snail. But the predatory wolf mostly ignored its intended prey and instead developed a taste for the
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3 General understanding
Now read the text again, more carefully. Match the beginnings of these sentences about the text with their endings.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
a Scientists do not know if the new mosquitoes b Perhaps the altered gene could even c When other species have moved to new places d The balance of nature depends on each species e Plants and animals that are brought in to help, f Some native species in danger from new species g Some people think that artificial new species are h
The structure of the mosquitoes will be changed
cross over into other animals it has often led to trouble in the past having its own predators to keep numbers low have been removed to new places of safety so that they cant infect humans with malaria no more dangerous than natural changes will multiply so much that other species die out often cause more problems than they solve
verb
release adapt protect introduce invade effect resist
noun
adjective
adaptive protective accidental extinct -
adverb
disastrously adaptively protectively invasively effectively
resistant
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1. __________ the release of genetically modified insects is not a new idea, it was given fresh importance this week 2. __________, the long list of ecological disasters will make scientists extremely wary. 3. __________ huge efforts to get rid of them, they are still a major pest. 4. Finally, _________, it will probably be what people think is a risk that matters.
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Now scan the text quickly to check. Looking back at the examples, see if you can complete the rules below. 5. __________ is used to join two sentences; it is a conjunction. 6. __________ is used before a noun, pronoun or -ing form; it is a preposition. 7. __________ does not connect two sentences. It can come at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a sentence. It is an adverb. 8. __________ usually comes in the middle or at the end of a sentence. It is separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. It is an adverb, and is less formal than ___________. And now see if you can use the appropriate word in each of these sentences. 9. It was raining. ___________, we played tennis. 10. __________ the rain, we played tennis. 11. __________ it was raining, we played tennis. 12. It was raining. My brother, ________, still played tennis.
7 Discussion
1. Do you think it is a good idea to introduce these genetically modified mosquitoes? Why / why not? 2. Do you think people from more developed countries should pass on their technology to people in less developed countries? 3. Do you see this as a right or an obligation? 4. Are any species of animal or plant in danger of becoming extinct in your country? 5. How far do you think people should be concerned about individual species dying out, when there is so much hunger and poverty in the world?
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Advanced
3 General understanding
1. e 2. g 3. a 4. b 5. c 6. h 7. d 8. f
noun
release disaster adaptation protection accident extinction introduction invasion effect resistance
adjective
disastrous adaptive protective accidental extinct invasive effective resistant
adverb
disastrously adaptively protectively accidentally invasively effectively -
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Elementary
Pre-reading 1: Introduction
You are going to read an article about genetically modified (or GM) mosquitoes. When a living thing is genetically modified, it means that scientists have changed its genes. These are the basic units of life that decide what things are like. They can be passed down from parent to child. Scientist change some species (or types) of plants to make them more productive, or to resist (or fight) diseases or insects that destroy them. In this case, they are changing a species of insect mosquitoes.
To help you to understand the article, here are some of the important words. Match these keywords from the text with the meanings below. release predators malaria prey parasite hemisphere habitat mammals
1. Larger animals that attack and kill other animals for food. ____________ 2. To allow something to be free, to let something go. ____________ 3. A smaller animal that is used as food by a larger one. ____________ 4. The place where a plant or animal usually lives. ____________ 5. Animals that have babies; they dont lay eggs like birds. ____________ 6. Half of the earth; the north or the south. ____________ 7. A plant or animal that lives on or in another, usually larger one, and feeds on it. ____________ 8. A disease with a fever that keeps coming back. It is common in hot countries, and you can catch it if an infected mosquito bites you. ____________
3 Comprehension check
Before you read the article, think about these questions. 1. How do you think the scientists have changed the mosquitoes? 2. Why do you think they have changed them? 3. Why could this be dangerous? The words you have looked at should give you some ideas. Now read the article quickly, to see if it you were right. (Dont worry about the names of special plants and animals you can still understand the general idea).
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10 Another problem plant is rhododendron ponticum, which is taking over the so-called Celtic rainforest woodlands of the west coast of Scotland and Wales. It damages the special plants there, which need exact amounts of light and water. The rhododendrons, which were introduced by Victorian gardeners, take light away from native plants. 11 The destructive cane toad of Australia was brought in to control sugar-cane pests in 1935. But it soon began eating and destroying native species. It now occupies much of the
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north east of Australia. People have tried very hard to control the cane toads, but they continue to multiply. 12 Perhaps the worst example is the snails of French Polynesia. First, the giant African land snail was taken there and they increased too much. Then, in 1975, the wolf snail was taken there to keep their numbers down. But the wolf snail usually ignored the African snails and ate the smaller native partula snails. Since then, 72% of the partula species have gone and only five remain. 13 But there have been successes, especially on the islands where new species can cause most damage. It is expensive, it takes time, but it can be very effective, says Farrar. For example, the kakapo parrot from New Zealand, which nests on the ground. Scientists have moved it to islands without rats, where it can live safely.
15
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Now, read the text again, and use the information to complete the sentences below. 1. ____________ is the university where the scientists are working on GM mosquitoes. 2. ____________ is an animal that doesnt exist any more. 3. There are ____________ people who are ill with malaria. 4. ____________ is the man who wrote this article. 5. ____________ is a scientist who knows a lot about birds. 6. ____________ is an island where brown tree snakes have eaten most of the birds. 7. People tried to protect sugar cane plants from pests by bringing in cane toads in ____________. 8. A water plant was taken to Africa from South America in ____________. Now it has blocked all the rivers. 9. ____________ is a scientist who knows a lot about plants. 10. Wolf snails have eaten ____________ of the native snails in Polynesia.
noun
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 danger science nature care south aggression destruction effect
adjective
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dangerous
mosquitoes
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Intermediate
Pre-reading 1: Introduction
You are going to read an article about genetically modified (or GM) mosquitoes. When a living thing is genetically modified, it means that scientists have changed its genes. These are the basic units of life that decide our characteristics. They can be passed down from parent to child. Scientists do this to some species (or types) of plants to make them more productive, or to resist (or fight) diseases or insects that destroy them. In this case, they are doing it to an insect species mosquitoes.
Match these keywords from the text with the definitions below. release malaria prey parasite devastated ecological predators immune defence
1. Larger animals that attack and kill other animals for food. _____________ 2. To allow something to be free, to let something go. _____________ 3. A smaller animal that is used as food by a larger one. _____________ 4. Very badly damaged or destroyed. _____________ 5. A disease with a fever that keeps coming back. It is common in hot countries, and you can catch it if you are bitten by infected mosquitoes. _____________ 6. A system in the body that helps you to resist (or fight) disease. _____________ 7. Relating to the connection between living things and their environment. _____________ 8. A plant or animal that lives on or in another, usually larger one, and feeds on it. _____________
Pre-reading 3: Predictions
Before you read the article, think about these questions. 1. How and why do you think the scientists have changed the mosquitoes? 2. What could be the dangers of changing natural processes in this way? The vocabulary you have looked at should give you some ideas. Now read the article quickly to see if it your predictions were right. (Dont worry about the names of special plants and animals you can still understand the general idea).
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of Scotland and Wales. It damages the special plants there, which need precise amounts of light and water. The invading rhododendrons, which were introduced by Victorian gardeners, shade out the native plants. 11 The destructive cane toad of Australia is also the result of a failed attempt at biological control. The toad was brought in to control sugar-cane pests in 1935. But it soon began preying on and destroying native species. It now occupies much of the north east of Australia. Getting rid of the invasive species is often much more difficult than introducing it. Despite continuing efforts to control the cane toads, their apparently unstoppable march continues. 12 Perhaps the worst example of a disastrous introduction is that of the snails of French Polynesia. In 1975, the wolf snail was deliberately introduced to stop the spread of the previously introduced giant African land snail. But the predatory wolf mostly ignored its intended prey and instead developed a taste for the smaller native partula snails. Since then, 72% of the partula species have become extinct and only five remain. 13 But there have been successes, especially on the islands where introduced species can cause most damage. It is expensive, it is timeconsuming but is potentially very effective, says
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2. Scientists from Maryland think that GM mosquitoes a) would be killed by ordinary mosquitoes. b) could soon be more common than ordinary ones.
6. The wolf snail in Polynesia a) ate most of the local snails. b) successfully reduced the African snail population.
3. Some birds in southern islands didnt make their nests in trees because a) there were no ground animals to attack them. b) they couldnt fly into the trees.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Shock of the new - GM Mosquitoes / Intermediate
6 Understanding reference
Good writers dont keep repeating the same words in a text unless they have to. They use pronouns. For example, in the two sentences above, the word they is used twice, instead of repeating the words good writers. Sometimes it is not easy to know what a pronoun refers to (or means). For example, in the first sentence, some readers might think that the word they means the same words. The next few questions will give you some practice in identifying the words referred to by certain pronouns. 1. In paragraph 2, does it refer to a. the release of genetically modified insects? b. this week? c. Maryland University? 2. In paragraph 5, does they refer to a. new species? b. other processes? 3. In paragraph 6, does it refer to a. the brown tree snake? b. the western Pacific? 4. In paragraph 7, does they refer to a. the sailors? b. the animals? 5. In paragraph 8, does they refer to a. the rabbits that were introduced? b. the native species? 6. In paragraph 7, does it refer to a. the water hyacinth plant? b. the 19th century? 7. In paragraph 10, does it refer to a. The plant rhododendron ponticum? b. the west coast of Scotland and Wales? 8. In paragraph 15, does it refer to a. the introduction of the GM-mosquito? b. Europe?
7 Discussion
1. Do you think it is a good idea to introduce these GM mosquitoes? Why / why not? 2. Do you think richer countries should pass on their technology to poorer countries? 3. Are any species of animal or plant in danger of becoming extinct in your country? 4. Do you think people should worry about individual species of plants and animals, when so many people are very poor and hungry?
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Intermediate
4 General understanding
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The malaria mosquito (b) passes the disease to humans. Scientists from Maryland think that GM mosquitoes (b) could soon be more common than ordinary ones. Some birds in southern islands didnt make their nests in trees because (a) there were no ground animals to attack them. Bees from Africa (b) replaced bees imported earlier from Europe. In Australia, the cane toad arrived (b) as part of a plan. The wolf snail in Polynesia (a) ate most of the local snails.
6 Understanding reference
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. a a a Here, it could be both! a a a a
You will notice that the pronoun often refers back to the first subject in the sentence. Later ideas are often just adding information about the main subject.
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Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. grieve coup momentous rapport mourner foe lavish condolence compassionate magnanimous
1. ____________ is a relationship in which people like, understand and respect each other. 2. ____________ is another word for enemy; it is often used by journalists. 3. A ____________ is an occasion when a group of people take control of a country by military force. 4. If you are ____________, you are willing to forgive people or willing to be kind and fair. 5. If something is ____________, it is given in a very large amount. 6. A ____________ occasion is one that is very important because of its effect on future events. 7. If you are ____________, you are understanding and caring about someone who is in a bad situation. 8. If you express ____________, you show sympathy when someone has died. 9. A ____________ is someone who attends a funeral to pay their respects to the dead person. 10. When you ____________, you feel extremely sad because someone has died.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Boris Yeltsin was president of Russia before Vladimir Putin. 2. Yeltsin was president when the Soviet Union collapsed. 3. Yeltsin was popular with all Russians. 4. Yeltsin was president for 10 years. 5. Yeltsin was buried in St Petersburg. 6. George W. Bush attended the funeral.
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parliament yesterday. We will never give honour to the destroyer of the fatherland, communist MP Viktor Ilyukhin said. 9 Other old foes were more magnanimous. In a moment of reconciliation, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev a longstanding rival left without a job when Yeltsin dismantled the Soviet Union kissed his widow and whispered words of condolence. Sir John Major and Mr Clinton gave her a hug. Mr Putin and his wife, Ludmilla, stood solemnly nearby. Every member of Russias cabinet was there, including Sergei Ivanov and Dmitry Medvedev, the two men likely to contest next years presidential election. Also there was Roman Abramovich, an oligarch whose billion-dollar fortune was accumulated during Yeltsins rule.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. How do many ordinary Russians feel about Yeltsins presidency? a. They regard it as extremely successful. b. They regard it as a disaster. c. They have no opinion about it. 2. Why was Yeltsins funeral historically significant? a. Because it was the first time in 100 years that a Russian head of state had been buried in a church. b. Because all Russian leaders were buried near the Kremlin Wall. c. Because the church was rebuilt during Yeltsins presidency. 3. Why do some Russians praise Yeltsin? a. Because he brought freedom and helped to defeat the hardliners coup attempt. b. Because he was devoted to his children and grandchildren. c. Because he had a friendly rapport with ordinary Russians. 4. Why did Communist MPs refuse to stand in his memory? a. Because Yeltsin wasnt a communist. b. Because his decision to go to war in Chechnya was a disaster. c. Because they believe he destroyed Russia.
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OCPIABLEHT
1. ____________ failure 2. ____________ ceremony 3. ____________ question 4. ____________ surroundings 5. ____________ anthem 6. ____________ miracle 7. ____________ traditions 8. ____________ qualities
7 Discussion
What problems do countries like Russia experience when they move suddenly from a state-controlled economy to a free-market economy? Do you think Yeltsin will be remembered as someone who was good for Russia or someone who was bad for Russia?
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Advanced
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. g a h f b d c e
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b a a c
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Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these words from the text. funeral cemetery widow farewell bury chaos mourner generous coffin sympathy
1. A ____________ is a woman whose husband is dead. 2. ____________ is a situation in which everything is confused and in a mess. 3. When you ____________ a dead person, you put their body in the ground. 4. A ____________ is a ceremony that takes place after someone dies. 5. A ____________ is a long box in which a dead person is buried. 6. A ____________ is an area of ground where dead people are buried. 7. If you say ____________ to someone, you say goodbye because you will not see them again for a long time and perhaps you will never see them again. 8. ____________ is a feeling of kindness and understanding you have for a person who is having an unpleasant experience. 9. A ____________ is someone who goes to a funeral. 10. If you are ____________, you are kind, friendly and helpful.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How old was Boris Yeltsin when he died? 2. When was the last time a Russian head of state was buried in a church? 3. For how long was Boris Yeltsin president of Russia? 4. When did the war in Chechnya start? 5. Where were Russian leaders buried in the time of the Soviet Union? 6. How many former American presidents attended Yeltsins funeral?
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text.
1. Communist MPs in Russia believe 2. Some Russians think Yeltsin was good because 3. Some Russians think Yeltsin was bad because 4. Yeltsins former bodyguard thinks 5. The senior Orthodox cleric believes Yeltsin 6. Many ordinary Russians think Yeltsin
a. was a disaster for Russia. b. he gave state companies to rich private owners. c. gave the people the freedom they wanted. d. Yeltsin destroyed their country. e. he was the only person who could defeat the communist leadership. f. he brought freedom to Russia.
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5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions. 1. a lot of people were _______ the funeral. 2. he died _______ heart problems 3. a sign _______ changing times 4. not far _______ the Kremlin 5. stand _______ line 6. one _______ one 7. drunk _______ public 8. concentrate _______ the good things
6 Vocabulary 3: Opposites
Complete the table using adjectives from the text.
poor
sober
junior
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Elementary
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. at from of from in by in on
6 Vocabulary 3: Opposites
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. rich negative enormous complicated drunk strong kind senior
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f b e c a
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Fill the gaps using these words from the text. cemetery mourner coffin regime funeral coup collapse assets revival condolences
1. A ____________ is a ceremony that takes place after someone dies, after which the body of the dead person is buried or cremated. 2. A ____________ is a situation in which a group of people takes control of a country by force. 3. ____________ are money, property or resources that a person, company or country owns. 4. If you offer ____________ to someone, you express sympathy because a friend or relative has died. 5. A ____________ is a person who attends a funeral to pay respect to the dead person. 6. A ____________ is an area of ground where dead people are buried. 7. A ____________ is a situation in which something fails or stops existing. 8. ____________ is the process of becoming active and successful again. 9. A ____________ is a long box in which a dead person is buried. 10. A ____________ is a government that controls a country, especially in a strict or unfair way.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Russia turns to tradition for Yeltzin farewell / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Russia turns to tradition for Yeltzin farewell / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
1. George W. Bush attended Boris Yeltsins funeral. 2. The Cold War ended while Yeltsin was president of Russia. 3. Yeltsin was buried near the Kremlin Wall. 4. There were thousands of mourners along the funeral route. 5. Many ordinary Russians do not think Yeltsins presidency was a success. 6. Some people think Yeltsin damaged the name of Russia. 7. President Putin did not attend Yeltsins funeral. 8. Communist MPs stood during the moment of silence for Boris Yeltsin.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Russia turns to tradition for Yeltzin farewell / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Russia turns to tradition for Yeltzin farewell / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
What problems do countries like Russia experience when they move suddenly from a state-controlled economy to a free-market economy?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Russia turns to tradition for Yeltzin farewell / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T F F T T F F
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. on with for to to over of to
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Russia turns to tradition for Yeltzin farewell / Intermediate
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Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. idyllic meltdown catch well-heeled posh shanty vagrant surge
exodus
lax
1. If someone is ____________, they are rich. 2. A ____________ area is one that is expensive and attractive. 3. An ____________ place is one that is extremely beautiful and peaceful. 4. A ____________ town is an area where very poor people live in badly built houses made of wood, metal and other thin material. 5. An ____________ is a situation in which a lot of people leave a place at the same time. 6. ____________ is the opposite of strict. 7. A ____________ is someone with no home who begs for money. 8. If there is a ____________ in something, there is a hidden problem or difficulty in something that seems extremely good. 9. A ____________ is a rapid and large-scale increase. 10. Economic ____________ is the sudden and complete failure of an economy.
Do you think these statements are True (T) or False (F)? Check your answers in the text. 1. Just over 5 years ago Argentina experienced economic meltdown. 2. Hugo Chavez is president of Argentina. 3. It is more expensive to live in an exclusive suburb than to live in the centre of Buenos Aires. 4. Europeans and North Americans are not interested in buying property in central Buenos Aires. 5. The economy of Argentina has made a strong recovery. 6. Argentina owes a lot of money to the International Monetary Fund.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Advanced
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of kidnapping, says Peter Haller, a property consultant. An incentive to move to gated areas is the prestige, since they are seen as a symbol of success, he said. It takes you to another social level. The original countries were founded 70 years ago as weekend retreats for the polo set and the sense of exclusiveness endures. 7 Ironically, foreigners are now snapping up apartments in central Buenos Aires, believing the city to be a good investment and good place to live, says Mr Haller. About a third of city centre properties are bought by Europeans and North Americans. The middle-class exodus shows no sign of slowing and lax planning laws mean it is easy to develop new sites. Newspapers publish weekly supplements for gated community residents and businesses are following their workers and customers. 8 The surge in spending reflects a dramatic turnaround from the dark days of 2002 when Argentina plunged into an economic abyss. A devaluation of the peso and renegotiation of the countrys international debt payments caused widespread hardship but did help stop the freefall. A surge in commodity prices, especially of soya, prompted an export-led recovery. 9 Argentinas president, Nstor Kirchner, with financial help from Venezuelas president, Hugo Chvez, has paid off the International Monetary Fund, boosting the governments popularity and the sense that the nation has recovered its independence. Yet the mood of confidence has not stopped banks, supermarkets and restaurants leaving the city in the same way that South African firms quit central Johannesburg for Sandton in the northern suburbs 10 years ago. 10 Many residents deny that they are cut off. Fear of crime and traffic in central Buenos Aires had obliged parents to accompany children whenever they left their apartments, so they were the ones inhabiting bubbles, not those in the gated areas, says Connie Burgwardt, a 40-year-old lawyer. She moved two years ago to Santa Barbara,
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2. What has been the effect of the government paying off the countrys debts? a. People are happier because they feel the country has recovered its independence. b. The government has become less popular. c. More people have moved to the countryside.
3. What is the catch referred to in the text? a. The posh areas are called countries. b. The posh areas have to be protected by walls, razor wire and guards. c. Bicycles are often stolen.
4. What is the main problem for children growing up in the gated communities? a. They have no idea what traffic lights are for. b. They think golf carts are mankinds main method of transport. c. They dont know how to behave in the real world.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Advanced
7 Discussion
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in closed, guarded communities like those described in the article? Would you like to live in such a place? Why? Why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b a b c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Advanced
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Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these words from the text. suburb polarized estate shanty town savings beggar recovers kidnap secure investment
1. If a society is ____________, people are divided into two opposite groups. 2. A ____________ is someone who is very poor and lives by asking people for money or food. 3. A ____________ is a place where poor people live in very small houses made of metal and wood. 4. A ____________ is an area near a big city but away from its centre. 5. Money you have saved in a bank is called your ____________. 6. An ____________ is money used in a way that may earn more money. 7. An ____________ is an area where there are many houses, built at the same time by the same company. 8. ____________ means safe from attack, harm or damage. 9. If a country ____________ after a difficult period, it becomes stronger again. 10. If you ____________ someone, you make them a prisoner and ask their family for money.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many new estates have been built around Buenos Aires? 2. What percentage of the people of Argentina are still poor? 3. When did the economic crisis in Argentina begin? 4. When did the economy begin to recover? 5. How many square metres could 40,000 buy in the centre of Buenos Aires? 6. How many square metres could 40,000 buy in the suburbs?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. Rich people move to the suburbs because 2. People feel secure in the closed estates because 3. Argentina might become a polarized society because 4. Foreigners are buying apartments in Buenos Aires because 5. In 2001 people were angry with the government because 6. One reason that people like the closed estates is because
a. they dont see any poor people there. b. they believe it is a good investment. c. they have high walls and armed guards. d. they lost their jobs and their savings. e. 40% of the people are still poor. f. they are worried about crime in the city centre.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Elementary
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5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Complete these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
1. ...in the middle _____ an economic crisis. 2. an increase _____ violent crime. 3. an hour _____ car from the centre 4. I leave my windows open _____ night. 5. escape _____ ... 6. stopping _____ traffic lights. 7. angry _____ the government 8. crime was _____ control.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. of in by at from at with out of
3 Comprehension check
1. f 2. c 3. e 4. b 5. d 6. a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Fill the gaps using these adjectives from the text. plush ragged jobless lax remarkable anguished secure polarized egalitarian isolated
1. If something is ____________ , it is unusual in a way that surprises or impresses you. 2. ____________ is the opposite of strict. 3. If a place is ____________ , it is a long way from other places and may be difficult to get to. 4. A ____________ place is one that is safe from harm, attack or damage. 5. An ____________ debate is one that causes emotional pain. 6. If you are ____________, you dont have work. 7. If a society is ____________, its people are split into opposing groups. 8. ____________ clothes are torn and dirty. 9. In an ____________ society, people have equal status and the same money and opportunities. 10. ____________ means expensive, comfortable and attractive.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many new neighbourhoods have been built around Buenos Aires? 2. What percentage of the people of Argentina still live in poverty? 3. When was the economic crisis in Argentina? 4. When did the economy begin to recover? 5. How many square metres could 40,000 buy in the centre of Buenos Aires? 6. How many square metres could 40,000 buy in the suburbs?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Intermediate
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Fearful rich keep poor at bay with gated homes and razor wire
Uneven economic recovery is polarizing society, and Buenos Aires well-off are seeking peace outside the city. Rory Carroll in Buenos Aires April 25, 2007 1 The landscaped neighbourhoods outside the Argentine capital Buenos Aires have plush houses with gardens and swimming pools. When you look at these estates, it is difficult to imagine that just five years ago Argentina was in the middle of an economic crisis that made millions jobless, destroyed the middle class and turned one of South Americas safest capitals into a hunting ground for muggers and kidnappers. But today, if you visit these neighbourhoods, you find new cars parked in driveways and architects designing home extensions. The economic recovery of Argentina has been remarkable. 2 But there is a catch. These neighbourhoods are gated communities surrounded by walls, razor wire and uniformed guards carrying guns and two-way radios. The country has recovered but it is different. More than 400 mostly new neighbourhoods have been built on what were swamps and cornfields outside Buenos Aires, providing homes for about 300,000 people and covering more land than the city they left behind. Outsiders need ID to enter these communities. 3 You cant see the poor here, thats one reason why people like it, says Ramiro Figueroa, 30, a polo player and estate agent who lives in Tortugas about an hours drive from the capital. I love it here. Everything is secure. I leave my windows open at night. The worst thing that can happen is a stolen bicycle. Gated communities have also been a feature of post-apartheid South Africa, as the middle classes try to escape from crime in the city centres. The fact that this is now happening in Argentina is causing an anguished debate about whether the countrys society, 5
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Intermediate
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original communities were founded 70 years ago as weekend retreats for the super rich, and the feeling that they are exclusive is still there. 7 Foreigners are now buying apartments in central Buenos Aires, believing that it is a good investment and a good place to live, says Mr Haller. About a third of city centre properties are bought by Europeans and North Americans. The middle-class exodus shows no sign of slowing down and lax planning regulations mean it is easy to develop new sites. 8 The economic recovery is a dramatic change from the dark days of 2002. Now the government is more popular and many people feel the country has recovered its independence. But this mood of confidence has not stopped banks, supermarkets and restaurants leaving the city in the same way that South African companies left central Johannesburg for the northern suburbs 10 years ago.
3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
1. Argentina has changed since the economic crisis. 2. Rich people prefer to live in the city centre rather than in the gated communities. 3. The attraction of the gated communities is that they are secure. 4. The government has become more popular since the economic crisis. 5. Most of the population still lives in poverty. 6. The new neighbourhoods cover more land than the city of Buenos Aires itself. 7. Housing is more expensive in the suburbs than in the city centre. 8. Foreigners own most of the properties in the city centre
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Criminal
Noun
mugger
8. high
7 Discussion
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in closed, guarded communities like those described in the article? Would you like to live in such a place?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. F 6. T 7. F 8. F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Fearful rich keep poor at bay in Buenos Aires / Intermediate
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Online fraudster
Level 3 Advanced
15 How to avoid scams Never give personal details over the phone. Banks should never ask for pin numbers or codes. Only shop on secure websites that display a padlock or key symbol in your browser. The address should start https instead of http. Only open email attachments if you are entirely sure it is necessary. Be wary of suspicious-looking email. Some viruses use the name of somebody you trust as a disguise.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 3/5/07
director of 192.com, which sponsors Prove-ID, a private industrial forum on dealing with fraud. Its a hard process to go through. 13 Instead, companies are opting for tougher security procedures and programmes to educate the public about safe Internet use. 14 But experienced fraudsters like Tee say that it is still too easy. Even chip and pin, which has drastically cut physical fraud levels, can prove beneficial to the seasoned criminal. I thought chip and pin was brilliant - now cashiers think theyve got no right to look at your card. If I wanted to, I could pretend to be anyone, because nobody will ever check. Its a new opportunity for them.
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Online fraudster
Level 3 Advanced
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why did Tee become a criminal? 2. Was Tee ever caught? 3. What three methods did Tee use to get peoples personal information, according to the article? 4. According to criminologists, why do people commit online crime? 5. How are companies fighting online fraud? 6. Why does Tee think chip and pin is good for criminals?
a) catch it.
b) lose it.
a) many details.
b) few details.
a) kind.
b) cruel
a) choose it.
b) reject it
a) trust it.
b) dont trust it
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Online fraudster
Level 3 Advanced
2. CONSPIRE Tee went to prison for ____________ to defraud. 3. SECURITY Tee could find peoples details on ____________ websites.
4. INTERVIEW Martin Gill studied online crime and Tee was one of his ____________ . 5. BELIEVE 6. BENEFIT Criminals hold the ____________ that they will not be caught. Tee says that chip and pin methods are ____________ to criminals.
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
Make collocations with the words from A and the words from B.
A
to rack up a fast-growing a spending to commit seasoned to serve a security bank
B
crimes criminals debts details field prison sentence procedures spree
7 Discussion
Do you feel secure when shopping or giving out your personal details online? What security precautions do you take when using the Internet?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Online fraudster
Level 3 KEY
1 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. b e c d f a
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. Because living away from home was expensive and he was in debt. He saw it as an easy way of making money. 2. Yes. He served a long prison sentence. 3. Insecure websites, other criminals, phoning people and asking. 4. Because they see it as easy, and many cases go unreported. It is hard to prosecute online criminals. 5. Through tougher security procedures and programmes to educate the public. 6. Because cashiers now dont look at peoples cards. Criminals could be pretend to be anyone.
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
to rack up debts a fast-growing field a spending spree to commit crimes seasoned criminals to serve a prison sentence security procedures bank details
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Online fraudster
Level 1
1
Elementary
Key words
Complete the sentences with these key words from the article. conviction prosecute mortgage victim bouquet scam fraudster spending spree
1. A ________ is a kind of criminal who gets money from people by tricking them. 2. If you go on a ________, you spend a lot of money in a short time. 3. A ________ is a loan the bank gives you to buy a house. 4. A ________ is a collection of flowers. 5. To ________ someone is to officially accuse them of a crime. 6. A ________ is a decision by a court of law that someone is guilty of a crime. 7. A ________ is someone who is hurt or killed as a result of a crime. 8. A ________ is a dishonest way to make money.
Read the article quickly and decide which is the best summary of the main idea. 1. A bank tries to protect itself and its clients against online crime. 2. An interview shows that many people think its easy to steal money online. 3. Criminologists interview criminals and discover secrets about online crime. 4. A report on how to avoid common online scams.
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Online fraudster
Level 1 Elementary
24 hours, you call the bank up and convince them that youre the genuine person and that you havent made those transactions - and they refund it. Then you just go to the cash machine and take it all out again. He even sent flowers to one victim, using their stolen bank details to pay for the bouquet. 6 Statistics from Cifas, the UKs fraud prevention service, show that identity theft was up almost 20% last year, while Internet and card fraud rose to an all-time high of 414m in 2006. Martin Gill is a criminologist at the University of Leicester. He has studied the actions and motivations of fraudsters and Tee was one of the people he interviewed. Gill believes that fraudsters think that online crime is easy. One of the things that comes through is the belief that theyre not going to get caught, he said. The common reaction among companies selling goods is a real frustration at how hard it is to prosecute and get convictions for people who commit fraud, said Keith Marsden, managing director of 192.com, which sponsors ProveID, a private industrial forum on dealing with fraud. Instead, companies are choosing tougher security procedures and programmes to educate the public about safe Internet use. How to avoid scams Never give personal details over the phone. Banks should never ask for pin numbers or codes. Only shop on secure websites that display a padlock or key symbol in your browser. The address should start https instead of http. Only open email attachments if you are entirely sure it is necessary. Be careful of suspicious-looking emails. Some viruses use the name of somebody you trust as a disguise.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 3/5/07
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
CA
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Online fraudster
Level 1 Elementary
3 Comprehension check
Read the article again and decide if the sentences below are True (T) or False (F). 1. Tee was never caught for stealing money. 2. It is difficult for police to catch many online criminals. 3. It was easy for Tee to steal peoples identities and money. 4. Tee bought flowers for someone using their own money. 5. There is less online crime now than before. 6. Companies are not doing anything to protect customers against online crime. 7. It is possible to recognize safe places to shop online. 8. People should never open their email attachments to be safe.
1. _ x p _ n s _ v _ 2. b _ n k 3. c _ s h
4. l _ _ n 5. r _ f _ n d 6. _ c c _ _ n t
a) A place where you can take out money. b) The opposite of cheap. c) To give money back to someone because they have paid too much. d) Money in the form of notes and coins. e) An amount of money that a person borrows from a bank. f) An arrangement for the bank to look after your money.
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Online fraudster
Level 1 Elementary
R F I E R Z H L Z N O I E W W G F E R K
V S S L V E X T G T
J I I W B K U Z L A
K N R S O P S I H R
E X I U M R A M C F
W T P O S M B S O B
E U C J E S G U L H
F O Y S O O Z M F Q
M T S P A O B Z C B
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Online fraudster
Level 1 KEY
1 Key words
1. fraudster 2. spending spree 3. mortgage 4. bouquet 5. prosecute 6. conviction 7. victim 8. scam
Elementary
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. T 3. T 4. T 5. F 6. F 7. T 8. F
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Online fraudster
Level 2
1
Intermediate
Key words
Read the definitions of these key words and answer the questions. 1. Fraud is a crime of obtaining money from someone or tricking them. What is a fraudster? 2. If you go on a drinking spree you drink a lot in a short amount of time. What is a spending spree? 3. Many payment systems use microchips and personal identification numbers (PINs). What is a chip and pin security system? 4. The majority of British people have a mortgage on their house, which can take them over twenty years to pay back to the bank. What is a mortgage? 5. An employee is a person who is employed. A divorcee is a person who is divorced. What is an interviewee? 6. Credit card companies and online shops are trying to protect customers against scams. Is a scam an honest or dishonest way of making money? What do you think the article will be about?
Read the headline. Tick the words you think will appear in the article. computer prison sentence athletics internet fun criminal climate change phone conviction bottle
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Online fraudster
Level 2 Intermediate
5 Now 26, Tee admits that by the time he was caught he was looking into the possibility of getting bank loans and even mortgages using stolen identities. It was just a game to see how far you could go, he said. My favourite trick was that you get a card in someones name and use it. Then, within 24 hours, you call the bank up and convince them that youre the genuine person and that you havent made those transactions - and they refund it. Then you just go to the cash machine and take it all out again. He even sent flowers to one victim, using their stolen bank details to pay for the bouquet as a cruel gesture of thanks. People like Tee represent the smallest end of what is now a multibillion pound criminal industry. Statistics from Cifas, the UKs fraud prevention service, show that identity theft was up almost 20% last year, while Internet and card fraud rose to an all-time high of 414m in 2006. Martin Gill, a criminologist at the University of Leicester, who has studied the actions and motivations of fraudsters - Tee was one of his interviewees - said the perceived ease of fraud, particularly when using the Internet, was encouraging to those who commit crime. One of the things that comes through is the belief that theyre not going to get caught, he said. Industry insiders say a large number of cases still go unreported because conviction has proved so difficult. The common reaction among companies selling goods is a real frustration at how hard it is to prosecute and get convictions for people who commit fraud, said Keith Marsden, managing director of 192.com, which sponsors Prove-ID, a private industrial forum on dealing with fraud. Its a hard process to go through. Instead, companies are choosing tougher security procedures and programmes to educate the public about safe Internet use. But experienced fraudsters like Tee say that it is still too easy: even chip and pin, which has drastically cut physical fraud levels, can prove beneficial to the seasoned criminal. I thought
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
CA
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Online fraudster
Level 2 Intermediate
Only open email attachments if you are entirely sure it is necessary. Be wary of suspicious-looking emails. Some viruses use the name of somebody you trust as a disguise.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 3/5/07
chip and pin was brilliant - now cashiers think theyve got no right to look at your card. If I wanted to, I could pretend to be anyone, because nobody will ever check. Its a new opportunity for them. 10 How to avoid scams Never give personal details over the phone. Banks should never ask for pin numbers or codes. Only shop on secure websites that display a padlock or key symbol in your browser. The address should start https instead of http.
3 Comprehension check
Match the sentence halves. 1. Tee started online fraud when... 2. He stole as much as 250,000... 3. Tee viewed stealing as... 4. Statistics show that online crime... 5. Criminologists say that people commit online crime because... 6. Tougher security and public awareness are... 7. People should not give their personal... 8. People should be careful of suspicious...
a. details over the phone. b. emails and attachments. c. fun and easy. d. has risen in the past year. e. he was a student at university. f. they think they wont get caught. g. through stolen credit card details, identities and bank accounts. h. two methods to stop crime.
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Online fraudster
Level 2 Intermediate
4 Vocabulary 1: Find the word
Find the word for the following definitions. 1. A phrasal verb meaning to accumulate. (para 1) 2. An adverb meaning unknown, that nobody knows your name. (para 2) 3. An adjective meaning not serious. (para 3) 4. An adjective meaning few, little. (para 4) 5. A verb meaning to return money. (para 5) 6. An adjective meaning having a good effect or influence. (para 9) 7. An adjective meaning safe. (para 10) 8. A noun meaning something that hides a persons real identity. (para 10)
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
Complete the sentence with an appropriate preposition. 1. Shes been living ____ from home for the past three years. 2. Its possible to use a laptop computer ____ many ways. 3. Climate change has developed ____ a major problem around the world. 4. It all depends ____ how you feel. 5. The government wants to educate young people ____ the dangers of smoking. 6. He gave his credit card details ____ the phone. 7. Be wary ____ suspicious-looking emails.
7 Discussion
Do you feel secure when shopping or giving out your personal details online? What security precautions do you take when using the Internet?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Online fraudster
Level 2 KEY
1 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Intermediate
A person who commits fraud. 1. rack up A short period of time in which you spend a lot 2. anonymously of money. 3. flippant A system for paying for something using a credit/ 4. scant debit card that has information stored on it using a 5. refund microchip. 6. beneficial A loan from the bank to buy a house. 7. insecure A person who is interviewed. 8. disguise A dishonest way of making money.
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. e. Tee started online fraud when he was a student at university. g. He stole as much as 250,000 through stolen credit card details, identities and bank accounts. c. Tee viewed stealing as fun and easy. d. Statistics show that online crime has risen in the past year. f. Criminologists say that people commit online crime because they think they wont get caught. h. Tougher security and public awareness are two methods to stop crime. a. People should not give their personal details over the phone. b. People should be careful of suspicious email and attachments.
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. away in into on about over of
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Level 3
1
Advanced
Key words
Match these key words from the text with the definitions below. aggravate exacerbate exhaust fumes pollutant apparent buggy smug kerb
1. A substance that is harmful to the environment. 2. Easy to see or understand. 3. The edge of the pavement. 4. The gas or steam produced by an engine. 5. To make something bad become worse (2 words). 6. Someone who is too satisfied with their own abilities or achievements. 7. A light chair with wheels for pushing children in.
What is good advice to avoid breathing pollution in a big city? Put a tick next to the sentences below if you think the advice is good. 1. Walk on side streets and avoid main roads. 2. Stand close to the kerb when waiting for traffic lights to change. 3. Cross the road as quickly as possible. 4. Dont go outside in the middle of the day in summer. 5. Wear a mask and clean it regularly. 6. Dont push a child in a buggy close to traffic. 7. Dont go jogging early in the morning. 8. Sit on the drivers side of a bus. 9. Dont allow lots of air into your home. 10. Dont drive a car.
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Breathing lessons
Level 3 Advanced
streets and thoroughfares, instead choosing side streets and parks. Carefully choosing your route has a dramatic effect, he says, because pollution levels can fall by a factor of 10 just by moving a few metres away from the main source of the pollution - exhaust fumes. Just being one block away makes a massive difference as the high pollution levels are generally restricted to fairly small areas within a city, he says. Also, try to avoid walking down street canyons (where tall buildings hug tightly to the sides of streets, creating valleys in which pollutants build up) _______(2)______. 5 Pavement sense When youre crossing a road, stand well back from the kerb while you wait for the lights to change or for a gap in the traffic. ____(3)____. As the traffic moves off from a standstill, the fumes can dissipate in just a few seconds, particularly if the wind is up, which means holding your breath during this momentary period can make a difference, silly as that might sound. Also, cross the road as quickly as possible. And once youre over, continue along the pavement as far away from the kerb as possible. 6 Avoid pollution spikes Predictably, there are large spikes in pollution during times of high traffic congestion i.e., the morning and late-afternoon rush hours. Pollution levels generally fall during the night-time. ____ (4)_____. Pollution levels tend to be at their lowest during the spring and autumn when winds are at their freshest; the trapping effect of extreme cold and hot spells tend to exacerbate the build-up of pollutants. 7 Venturing outside when there is less pollution obviously makes sense, but of course thats not always realistic. In fact, the hottest part of a summers day - the time when most office workers go outside during their lunchbreak - is a particularly bad time to head out, according to Noel Nelson, one of the authors of the Royal Commission report. Walking in the rain,
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Leo Hickman April 4, 2007 1 Take a deep breath. If you live in an urban environment - which four out of five of us now do - then you are exposing yourself to a cocktail of airborne pollutants that could be seriously damaging your health. According to a study published this week, if you live in a major city then the air pollution you suck into your lungs each day could be shortening your life expectancy even more than the radiation exposure suffered by survivors of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. 2 The idea that city air is bad for you is hardly new, but it is an area scientists are only just beginning to get a real grip on. Last month the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, an independent body set up in 1970 to advise the government, confirmed what many of us instinctively knew: that urban living should carry a large health warning. In a major report entitled The Urban Environment, it detailed what impact urban air pollution is having on our health. The headline conclusion was that air pollution reduces life expectancy in the UK by an average of eight months. 3 Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation reports that transport-related air pollution - which now causes the vast majority of urban air pollution - causes a wide range of health problems including cancer, adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, and lowering of male fertility. But other than moving to the countryside, what practical steps can city dwellers take to reduce their exposure to urban air pollution? ________(1)_________. 4 Watch where you walk One of the best ways to reduce your exposure to air pollution, says Dr Roy Colvile, a senior lecturer in air-quality management at Imperial College London, is to avoid walking along busy
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P H
Breathing lessons
Level 3 Advanced
with sitting on the side nearest to the pavement. He says its difficult to say whether travelling on an undergound train, if you have that option, is better or worse than taking the bus, but he does say that the air pollution on underground trains tends to be less toxic by weight than that found at street level. 12 Protect yourself indoors too We spend about 90% of our time indoors, on average, and two-thirds of that time is spent at home. And indoor pollution can actually be more of an issue than that found outdoors, it seems. Studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that pollution levels can be two to five times higher indoors than out - and this can rapidly rise depending on what activity you are doing at home. Centrally-heated, carpeted, airtight homes only act to aggravate the situation. 13 Ventilating your home is therefore an important step to take in reducing risk - hopefully with air thats not full of air pollutants from the outside - as is using a good doormat to help prevent outdoor pollutants from the pavement being walked into your home. 14 Feeling smug about the fact that you live high up in a flat away from outside air pollution? ____ (7) ____ A study by Hong Kongs City University used laser measurements to show that pollution levels in the city remain constant up to heights of 700m. Living in the suburbs, away from major roads, seems the best way to avoid the worse excesses of urban air pollution. But that then means you are statistically far more likely to be a car owner and are therefore only exacerbating the situation. 15 Dont drive The best thing you can do, both for yourself and for your fellow citizens, is to get out of the car. ____ (8) ____: diesel may produce less carbon dioxide compared with petrol, which
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
conversely, is a good way of avoiding the worse excesses of air pollution, he adds, as the rain cleans the air both by washing out the pollutants and bringing with it fresher air. 8 Wear a mask Masks can be a good thing, but they only make a difference if they fit tightly and are cleaned regularly. ____ (5) ____ Worse, if you fail to clean or change the mask regularly, there is a danger of allowing oily organic compounds to build up on the filter. Build-up can make the air you breathe dirtier rather than cleaner. 9 Pushchairs According to the Royal Commission report, several recent studies indicate that children living close to busy roads have an approximate 50% increased risk of experiencing respiratory illness, including asthma. Children are smaller than adults and therefore much closer to the source of pollution when walking beside roads. They also have a faster metabolic rate and breathe more rapidly, and tend to inhale more pollution, proportionate to their size, than adults. One small step that can be taken is not to push them along in a buggy too close to traffic. 10 Beware of exercising in traffic Cycling or jogging disproportionately expose you to air pollution - you inhale three times as much as if you were walking, according to Colvile - for the simple reason that your lungs are gasping for more air than the people youre speeding past on the pavement. The best times of day to exercise, thus avoiding the worst excesses of air pollution, are early morning or in the evening. Alternatively, exercise indoors or in a park. ____ (6) ____. 11 Where to sit on the bus Intriguingly, Colvile says that his own research shows that sitting on the drivers side of a bus can increase your exposure by 10% compared
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Breathing lessons
Level 3 Advanced
16 Get out of town As long as you go by public transport so as not to create yet more pollution, lifting yourself up and out of the urban jungle offers at least a temporary escape.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 4/4/07
is good news in terms of climate change, but it produces more ground-level pollutants. A particle of pollution today tends to be 100 times smaller than a particle of coal soot and therefore it can pass into the blood stream via the lungs as opposed to being caught in the bronchial passage. The full health implications of this shift in pollution type have yet to become fully apparent.
3 Comprehension check
Read the article again. There are some sentences missing. Put the sentences below back in the correct places in the text. Write the number of where they should appear. ___ and dont walk behind smokers. ___ Cyclists should stick to side-roads where possible. ___ Even the slightest gap to allow you to breathe more easily will cancel out any benefits. ___ Every metre really does count when you are in close proximity to traffic, according to Colvile. ___ Fuel choice is also important. ___ Quite a lot, it turns out. ___ The time of year can also make a big difference. ___ Well, unless you live in a penthouse at the top of a very tall skyscraper, then height doesnt seem to offer significant sanctuary.
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Breathing lessons
Level 3 Advanced
5 Vocabulary 2: Adverbs - adverbs that modify a sentence
Look at this example from the text: Predictably, there are large spikes in pollution during times of high traffic congestion. The word in bold modifies the whole sentence and means it is predictable. Rewrite the following sentences, beginning with an adverb that replaces the expression in bold.
1. Its intriguing that research shows that sitting on the drivers side of a bus exposes you to more pollution. 2. Some fires are good for the forest, which is odd. 3. In my personal opinion, I think that these forms are a waste of time. 4. The email was sent by a person she went to school with more than twenty years ago, which was curious. 5. The director and actors hope the movie will be a huge success, its obvious. 6. Some of the worst traffic accidents, we hope, will be avoided with the introduction of the new system.
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
Complete the sentences with a suitable word. All the collocations are in the text. 1. Sit down and _______ a deep breath. The ambulance will be here soon. 2. Women have a longer life _______ than men in many countries. 3. To alert the population of the dangers of smoking, the government issued a new health _______ on packets of cigarettes. 4. The doctor informed the patient of a high level of vitamin C in her blood _______. 5. The vast _______ of people in this part of the country live in cities. 6. Cyclists can get very sick from breathing the exhaust _______ from traffic.
7 Discussion
Do you live in a polluted urban environment? What do you do to avoid becoming ill?
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O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Level 3 KEY
1 Key words
1. pollutant 2. apparent 3. kerb 4. exhaust fumes 5. exacerbate; aggravate 6. smug 4. Very high pollution levels are found in fairly small areas within a city. 5. Pollution levels generally fall during the night-time. 6. Lunchtime is a particularly bad time to go out into the streets. 7. Masks are best if they fit tightly and are cleaned regularly. 8. Children have a faster metabolic rate and breathe more rapidly than adults do.
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. Quite a lot, it turns out. 2. and dont walk behind smokers. 3. Every metre really does count when you are in close proximity to traffic, according to Colvile. 4. The time of year can also make a big difference. 5. Even the slightest gap to allow you to breathe more easily will cancel out any benefits. 6. Cyclists should stick to side-roads where possible. 7. Well, unless you live in a penthouse at the top of a very tall skyscraper, then height doesnt seem to offer significant sanctuary. 8. Fuel choice is also important.
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
1. take 2. expectancy 3. warning 4. stream 5. majority 6. fumes
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Level 1
1
Elementary
Key words
Answer the questions about the key words in the text. 1. Pollution is the chemicals or substances that have a negative effect on the environment. What is a pollutant? 2. If you warn someone, you tell them there is danger near. What is a warning? 3. To expose something is to put it in danger. What is exposure? 4. Im afraid of spiders, so I avoid them. Does avoid mean to go close to something or stay away from it? 5. On a chart, a spike shows the high point of something. What is a pollution spike? 6. If you exhale something, you breathe it out. What does inhale mean? 7. If you park your car next to the pavement, the wheels will be close to the kerb. What part of the pavement is the kerb? 8. Ventilation is the movement of fresh air around a room. What does to ventilate mean?
You are going to read an article called Breathing lessons, about tips on how to avoid breathing in pollution in big cities. Which of the following things do you think will be mentioned? 1. Where to walk. 2. How to cross the road. 3. Which are the most polluted cities in the world. 4. Wearing a mask. 5. Taking children out into the city. 6. Doing exercise in the city. 7. Where to sit on a bus. 8. What to eat and drink. 9. Going to a swimming pool. 10. Driving a car. Read the article and check your answers.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Breathing lessons
Level 1 Elementary
during times of high traffic congestion i.e., the morning and late-afternoon rush hours. Pollution levels generally fall during the night-time. The time of year can also make a big difference. Pollution levels tend to be at their lowest during the spring and autumn. 7 Going outside when there is less pollution is a good idea, but of course thats not always realistic. In fact, the hottest part of a summers day - the time when most office workers go outside during their lunchbreak - is a particularly bad time to go out. Walking in the rain, on the other hand, is a good way of avoiding the worst air pollution, as the rain cleans the air both by washing out the pollutants and bringing with it fresher air. Wear a mask Masks can be a good thing, but they only make a difference if they fit tightly and are cleaned regularly. If you dont clean or change the mask regularly there is a danger of allowing oily organic compounds to build up on the filter. This can make the air you breathe dirtier rather than cleaner. Pushchairs According to the Royal Commission report, several recent studies indicate that children living close to busy roads have an approximate 50% increased risk of experiencing respiratory illness, including asthma. Children are smaller than adults and therefore much closer to the source of pollution when walking beside roads. They also breathe more rapidly, and tend to inhale more pollution, than adults. One small step you can take is not to push them along in a buggy too close to traffic.
Breathing lessons
Leo Hickman April 4, 2007 1 Take a deep breath. If you live in an urban environment - which four out of five of us now do - then you are exposing yourself to pollutants that could be seriously damaging your health. 2 The idea that city air is bad for you is not new, but it is an area scientists are only just beginning to really understand. Last month the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, an independent body set up in 1970 to advise the government, confirmed what many of us knew: that urban living should carry a large health warning. In a major report entitled The Urban Environment, it explained what impact urban air pollution is having on our health. The headline conclusion was that air pollution reduces life expectancy in the UK by an average of eight months. 3 Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation reports that transport-related air pollution - which now causes the majority of urban air pollution - causes many health problems. But other than moving to the countryside, what practical steps can people take to reduce their exposure to urban air pollution? Quite a lot, it turns out. 4 Watch where you walk One of the best ways to reduce your exposure to air pollution, says Dr Roy Colvile, an expert in airquality management at Imperial College London, is to avoid walking along busy streets, instead choosing side streets and parks. 5 Pavement sense When youre crossing a road, stand well back from the kerb while you wait for the lights to change. Every metre really does count when you are in close proximity to traffic, according to Colvile. Also, cross the road as quickly as possible. 6 Avoid pollution spikes Predictably, there are large spikes in pollution
10 Beware of exercising in traffic Cycling or jogging can expose you more to air pollution - you inhale three times as much as if you were walking. The best times of day to exercise are early morning or in the evening. Alternatively, exercise indoors or in a park. Cyclists should stay on side-roads where possible.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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P H
Breathing lessons
Level 1 Elementary
prevent outdoor pollutants from the pavement entering your home. 15 Living in the suburbs, away from major roads, seems the best way to avoid the worse urban air pollution. But that then means you are probably a car owner and are therefore only making the situation worse. 16 Dont drive The best thing you can do, both for yourself and for other people, is to get out of the car. Fuel choice is also important: diesel may produce less carbon dioxide compared with petrol, which is good news in terms of climate change, but it produces more ground-level pollutants. 17 Get out of town As long as you go by public transport so as not to create yet more pollution, leaving of the city offers at least a temporary escape.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 4/4/07
11 Where to sit on the bus Interestingly, Colvile says that his own research shows that sitting on the drivers side of a bus can increase your exposure by 10% compared with sitting on the side nearest to the pavement. 12 Protect yourself indoors too On average, we spend about 90% of our time indoors and two-thirds of that time is spent at home. And indoor pollution can actually be more serious than outdoor pollution, it seems. Studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that pollution levels can be two to five times higher indoors than out - and this can rapidly rise depending on what activity you are doing at home. Centrally-heated, carpeted, airtight homes only act to make the situation worse. 13 If you want to reduce the risk, ventilating your home is therefore an important step - hopefully with air thats not full of air pollutants from the outside. Also, use a good doormat to help
3 Comprehension check
Read the article again and choose the best answer. 1. A new report says that air pollution in cities is a) very dangerous to your health. b) nothing new. c) safer than in 1970. 2. The best place to walk in a city is a) on busy streets. b) on the kerb. c) on side streets and parks. 3. Pollution levels in cities are usually a) lower in the morning. b) lower at night. c) higher at night.
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Level 1 Elementary
4. Masks work only if a) you clean them regularly. b) they fit tightly. c) a) and b) 5. Children breathe a) more quickly than adults. b) more slowly than adults. c) 50% more than adults. 6. You are exposed to on the drivers side of the bus. a) less pollution b) more pollution c) no pollution 7. According to the article we spend more time a) at home than outside. b) outdoors than indoors. c) at work than at home. 8. According to the article, if you live in the suburbs, you probably... a) work in the city. b) have a car. c) have children.
4 Vocabulary 1: Opposites
Match the opposites from the text.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Level 1 Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. a c b c a b a b
4 Vocabulary 1: Opposites
less / more urban / rural clean / dirty indoors / outdoors reduce / increase near / far high / low
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
P H
Breathing lessons
Level 2
1
Intermediate
Key words
Complete the sentences below with these key words from the text. aggravate exacerbate exhaust fumes pollutant apparent buggy smug kerb significant
1. A _______ is a substance that is harmful to the environment. 2. If something is _______, then its easy to see or understand. 3. If you are standing on the _______, then you are on the edge of the pavement. 4. Motor vehicles (like cars) release lots of _______ into the air. 5. If you _______ or _______ something, you make it go from bad to worse 6. Someone who is _______ is too satisfied with their own abilities or achievements. 7. A _______ is a light chair with wheels for pushing children in. 8. If something is _______, then it is meaningful or important.
You are going to read an article called Breathing lessons about tips on how to avoid breathing in pollution in big cities. Which of the following things do you think will be mentioned? 1. Where to walk. 2. How to cross the road. 3. Which are the most polluted cities in the world. 4. Wearing a mask. 5. Taking children out into the city. 6. Doing exercise in the city. 7. Where to sit on a bus. 8. What to eat and drink. 9. Going to a swimming pool. 10. Driving a car. Now read the article and check.
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P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Level 2 Intermediate
5 Pavement sense When youre crossing a road, stand well back from the kerb while you wait for the lights to change or for a gap in the traffic. Every metre really does count when you are in close proximity to traffic, according to Colvile. As the traffic moves off from a standstill, the fumes can dissipate in just a few seconds, particularly if the wind is up, which means holding your breath during this momentary period can make a difference, silly as that might sound. Also, cross the road as quickly as possible. Avoid pollution spikes Predictably, there are large spikes in pollution during times of high traffic congestion i.e., the morning and late-afternoon rush hours. Pollution levels generally fall during the night-time. The time of year can also make a big difference. Pollution levels tend to be at their lowest during the spring and autumn. Going outside when there is less pollution obviously makes sense, but of course thats not always realistic. In fact, the hottest part of a summers day - the time when most office workers go outside during their lunchbreak - is a particularly bad time to go out, according to Noel Nelson, one of the authors of the Royal Commission report. Walking in the rain, conversely, is a good way of avoiding the worse excesses of air pollution, he adds, as the rain cleans the air both by washing out the pollutants and bringing with it fresher air. Wear a mask Masks can be a good thing, but they only make a difference if they fit tightly and are cleaned regularly. Even the slightest gap to allow you to breathe more easily will cancel out any benefits. Worse, if you fail to clean or change the mask regularly, there is a danger of allowing oily organic compounds to build up on the filter. Build-up can make the air you breathe dirtier rather than cleaner. Pushchairs According to the Royal Commission report,
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Leo Hickman April 4, 2007 1 Take a deep breath. If you live in an urban environment - which four out of five of us now do - then you are exposing yourself to a cocktail of airborne pollutants that could be seriously damaging your health. 2 The idea that city air is bad for you is hardly new, but it is an area scientists are only just beginning to get a real grip on. Last month the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, an independent body set up in 1970 to advise the government, confirmed what many of us instinctively knew: that urban living should carry a large health warning. In a major report entitled The Urban Environment, it detailed what impact urban air pollution is having on our health. The headline conclusion was that air pollution reduces life expectancy in the UK by an average of eight months. 3 Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation reports that transport-related air pollution - which now causes the vast majority of urban air pollution - causes a wide range of health problems including cancer, adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, and lowering of male fertility. But other than moving to the countryside, what practical steps can city dwellers take to reduce their exposure to urban air pollution? Quite a lot, it turns out. 4 Watch where you walk One of the best ways to reduce your exposure to air pollution, says Dr Roy Colvile, a senior lecturer in air-quality management at Imperial College London, is to avoid walking along busy streets and thoroughfares, instead choosing side streets and parks. Carefully choosing your route has a dramatic effect, he says, because pollution levels can fall by a factor of 10 just by moving a few metres away from the main source of the pollution - exhaust fumes.
CA
P H
Breathing lessons
Level 2 Intermediate
carpeted, airtight homes only act to aggravate the situation. 14 Ventilating your home is therefore an important step to take in reducing risk - hopefully with air thats not full of air pollutants from the outside - as is using a good doormat to help prevent outdoor pollutants from the pavement being walked into your home. 15 Feeling smug about the fact that you live high up in a flat away from outside air pollution? Well, unless you live in a penthouse at the top of a very tall skyscraper, then height doesnt seem to offer significant sanctuary. A study by Hong Kongs City University showed that pollution levels in the city remain constant up to heights of 700m. Living in the suburbs, away from major roads, seems the best way to avoid the worse excesses of urban air pollution. But that then means you are probably a car owner and are therefore only exacerbating the situation. 16 Dont drive The best thing you can do, both for yourself and for your fellow citizens, is to get out of the car. Fuel choice is also important: diesel may produce less carbon dioxide compared with petrol, which is good news in terms of climate change, but it produces more ground-level pollutants. 17 Get out of town As long as you go by public transport so as not to create yet more pollution, leaving of the urban jungle offers at least a temporary escape.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 4/4/07
10 several recent studies indicate that children living close to busy roads have an approximate 50% increased risk of experiencing respiratory illness, including asthma. Children are smaller than adults and therefore that much closer to the source of pollution when walking beside roads. They also breathe more rapidly, and tend to inhale more pollution, than adults. One small step you can take is not to push them along in a buggy too close to traffic. 11 Beware of exercising in traffic Cycling or jogging disproportionately expose you to air pollution - you inhale three times as much as if you were walking, according to Colvile - for the simple reason that your lungs are gasping for more air than the people youre speeding past on the pavement. The best times of day to exercise are early morning or in the evening. Alternatively, exercise indoors or in a park. Cyclists should stay on side-roads where possible. 12 Where to sit on the bus Intriguingly, Colvile says that his own research shows that sitting on the drivers side of a bus can increase your exposure by 10% compared with sitting on the side nearest to the pavement. He says its difficult to say whether travelling on an undergound train, if you have that option, is better or worse than taking the buses, but he does say that the air pollution on underground trains tends to be less toxic by weight than that found at street level. 13 Protect yourself indoors too On average, we spend about 90% of our time indoors and two-thirds of that time is spent at home. And indoor pollution can actually be more of an issue than that found outdoors, it seems. Studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that pollution levels can be two to five times higher indoors than out - and this can rapidly rise depending on what activity you are doing at home. Centrally-heated,
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Level 2 Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
Read the article and choose DO or DONT for the advice below. 1. Walk on busy streets. 2. Stand away from the kerb. 3. Go out in the middle of the day in summer. 4. If you wear a mask, clean it regularly. 5. Push a buggy far away from traffic. 6. Go cycling in the afternoon. 7. Sit on the drivers side of the bus. 8. Use a doormat. 9. Drive to work. 10. Leave the city. DO / DONT DO / DONT DO / DONT DO / DONT DO / DONT DO / DONT DO / DONT DO / DONT DO / DONT DO / DONT
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
Correct the wrong choice of collocation in the sentences below. All the (correct) collocations are in the text. 1. Get a deep breath, I have some news for you. 2. Peoples life expectation is growing. 3. This product comes with a health advertisement. 4. The police found high levels of alcohol in his blood flow. 5. The big majority of the population were against the war. 6. Do not breathe the exhaust smoke of the cars. 7. The flats were in near proximity to the nuclear power station. 8. The public travel in my town is very cheap.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Breathing lessons
Level 2 Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: City
Put the words below into the different categories. bus penthouse traffic pedestrian citizen road side street underground train Streets People cyclist skyscraper flat thoroughfare
Transportation
Buildings
6 Vocabulary: Body
Decide if the following body words are internal (inside the body) or external (outside the body). back blood bone brain hair heart ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ liver lungs nose palm thigh toes ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
muscle ________
elbow ________
7 Discussion
Do you live in a polluted urban environment? What do you do to avoid becoming ill?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Take a deep breath, I have some news for you. Peoples life expectancy is growing. This product comes with a health warning. The police found high levels of alcohol in his blood stream. The vast majority of the population were against the war. Do not breathe the exhaust fumes of the cars. The flats were in close proximity to the nuclear power station. The public transport in my town is very cheap.
5 Vocabulary 2: City
Streets road side street throughfare People Transportation Buildings skyscraper penthouse flat
3 Comprehension check
1. Dont 2. Do 3. Dont 4. Do 5. Do 6. Dont 7. Dont 8. Do 9. Dont 10. Do
6 Vocabulary 3: Body
Internal: blood; lungs; heart; muscle; liver; brain; bone External: elbow; nose; toes; thigh; palm; back; hair
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
P H
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text tribute thump failings steadfast legacy motion unrelenting putsch zeal saga
1. A ____________ person is one who doesnt change their opinions or actions because they have a strong belief in something. 2. ____________ pressure or criticism continues without stopping and is difficult to deal with. 3. If a person has ____________, they have weak points that make them less effective. 4. A ____________ is a formal proposal that people discuss and then vote on in a meeting or debate. 5. If you pay ____________ to someone, you praise them publicly. 6. A ____________ is an attempt made by a group of people to get rid of a government or a leader. 7. ____________ is great energy, effort and enthusiasm. 8. If you ____________ something you hit it very hard with your fist. 9. A ____________ is a long series of events, or a description of them. 10. A persons ____________ is something that they have achieved that will continue to exist after they stop working or die.
Do you think these statements are True (T) or False (F)? Check your answers in the text. 1. Tony Blair has been prime minister of the UK for 10 years. 2. Blair became UK prime minister in 1996. 3. Blairs likely successor is Gordon Brown. 4. Blair is 64 years old. 5. Blair was the first Labour leader to win three successive elections. 6. Blair will hand over to the next prime minister in 2 years time.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Advanced
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10 Mr Blair was unique among Labour leaders in winning three successive elections. Although announcing before the 2005 contest he would serve a full third term, a mini-putsch by Labour MPs last autumn forced him to confirm he would stand down within a year. The final act of that saga was enacted today.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 10/5/07
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2. How did former US secretary of state Colin Powell describe Blair? a. As a defender of the special relationship between the US and Britain. b. As a loyal friend of the US. c. As a negative factor in public opinion.
3. Why have the Liberal Democrats demanded an immediate general election? a. Because they think they can win an election at this time. b. Because Blair promised to serve a full third term. c. Because they want the Queen to dissolve Parliament.
4. People have accused Blair of messianic zeal. What does this mean? a. He was over-enthusiastic in his attempts to change society. b. He made a lot of serious errors. c. He worked so hard that he rarely had enough sleep and sometimes lacked energy.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Advanced
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6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with the words they go with in the right-hand column. 1. grant 2. tender 3. table 4. high 5. fierce 6. climate 7. public 8. dissolve a. ones resignation b. parliament c. criticism d. change e. opinion f. a request g. expectations h. a motion
7 Discussion
What do you think of politicians? Can they really change society for the better or are they in politics for selfish reasons?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
1. 2, 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. f a h g c d e b
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. c b b a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these words from the text. announce MP criticism unique give up vacancy remind praise globalization enormous
1. If someone is ____________ , they are not the same as anyone else. 2. ____________ is short for member of parliament. 3. If something is ____________, it is very, very big. 4. If you ____________ someone about something, you tell them again so they dont forget. 5. If you have a ____________ you need someone to do a job for you. 6. If you ____________ someone, you say very positive things about them. 7. ____________ is the process of the world becoming a single economy. 8. If you ____________ something, you make a public or official statement about it. 9. If you ____________ , you accept that you cannot win. 10. ____________ means negative comments.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How long has Tony Blair been British prime minister? 2. How long has he been leader of the British Labour Party? 3. When did he become prime minister? 4. How old is he? 5. How many general elections has he won? 6. Who will be the next UK prime minister?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make statements from the text. 1. Many people did not agree with 2. Mr Blair says he 3. Mr Blair says his wife and children 4. Mr Blair is 5. Mr Blair believes 6. Colin Powell thinks
a. Britain changed during his 10 years as prime minister. b. Mr Blair had an enormous influence on world politics. c. Mr Blairs decision to go to war with Iraq. d. the only Labour leader to win three general elections one after the other. e. never let him forget his mistakes. f. did what he thought was right for the country.
4 Vocabulary 1: Opposites
Find the opposites of these words in the text.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column. Check your answers in the text.
senior
normal
unique
A 0o
Bo0
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Elementary
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Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Opposites
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. optimist strong success forget right senior negative enormous
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Elementary
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Intermediate
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. step down appreciation tribute vacancy failing impact fierce motion MP opinion poll
1. A ____________ is a job that is available for someone to do. 2. If you show ____________, you express your gratitude to someone for something they have done. 3. A ____________ is a fault or a weak point that makes someone less effective than they could be. 4. If you ____________ , you leave an official position or job. 5. A ____________ is a formal proposal that people discuss and then vote on in a meeting or debate. 6. If criticism is ____________, it involves very strong feelings such as anger or hate. 7. A ____________ is something you do or say to show that you respect and admire someone. 8. An ____________ is an attempt to find out what people in general think about a subject by asking some people questions about it. 9. ____________ is short for Member of Parliament. 10. ____________ means effect or influence.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How long has Tony Blair been British prime minister? 2. How long has he been leader of the British Labour Party? 3. When did he become prime minister? 4. How old is he? 5. How many general elections has he won? 6. How many other Labour leaders have won three successive general elections?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Intermediate
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1. Blair believes the terrorists will not give up until we give up. 2. Blair is a pessimistic person. 3. Blair intends to remain as an MP after he steps down as prime minister. 4. Gordon Brown is likely to be the next British prime minister. 5. Colin Powell praised Blair as a friend of the United States. 6. The Labour Party is very popular at the moment. 7. Many people have criticised Blair for his decision to invade Iraq. 8. The Conservatives were in power for 10 years before Blair became prime minister.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary 6: Word-building
Complete the table. Verb 1. announce 2. support 3. speak 4. conclude 5. admit 6. appreciate 7. laugh 8. decide Noun
7 Discussion
Are politicians popular in your country? Make a list of some of the good things about politicians and some of the bad things.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. e h f a c b d g
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F F F T T F T F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Blair to stand down on June 27 / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. flannel rinse kettle stuck on cuppa mistaken detergent mug biodegradable
foil
1. If you are ____________ something, you are attracted by it. 2. A ____________ is a cup with straight sides and no saucer. 3. ____________ is a liquid or powder used for washing clothes or dishes. 4. A ____________ is a container used for boiling water. 5. If something is ____________, it can be broken into very small parts by bacteria and will not damage the environment. 6. If you are ____________, you are wrong about something. 7. A ____________ is a small piece of cloth used for washing yourself. 8. A ____________ is an informal way of talking about a cup of tea or coffee. 9. If you ____________ something, you remove soap or dirt from it with water. 10. ____________ is a very thin and light sheet of metal used for wrapping things, especially food.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Using a dishwasher uses more water than washing dishes by hand. 2. If you go out for the evening you use more electricity than if you stay at home. 3. Cleaning your teeth in running water uses up to five litres of water per minute. 4. Half the street lighting in the UK could be powered by the electricity saved if people did not overfill kettles. 5. Power showers use 50 litres of water per minute. 6. Switching computer equipment off at night saves energy.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Advanced
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Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 5/6/07
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Which of these uses the least water? a. Having a bath. b. Having a regular shower. c. Having a power shower. 2. What is the problem with boiling water in a kettle? a. People put more water in the kettle than they need. b. Kettles use a large amount of electrical power. c. They have a chrome finish. 3. What advice is given regarding travelling to work? a. Dont take your car. b. Take your car once a week. c. If you drive, take a passenger. 4. Why take a mug to work? a. Because it is easier than washing plastic cups. b. Because you can use it instead of plastic cups. c. Because you dont have to wash it after each use.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Advanced
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1. A 3-word expression meaning Do it quickly! (Para 2) 2. A noun meaning a hole at the bottom of a sink or bath where water flows out. (Para 4) 3. A noun meaning a plastic cup with straight sides. (Para 4) 4. A noun meaning a plan for achieving something. (Para 6) 5. A conjunction meaning if. (Para 7) 6. A 4-word expression meaning during. (Para 7) 7. A noun meaning a group of products of the same type. (Para 8) 8. A 2-word expression meaning designed not to harm the natural environment. (Para 11)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Advanced
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7 Discussion
How green are you? Which of the pieces of advice given in the article would you follow? Can you think of any other simple energy-saving activities?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
6 Vocabulary 3: able
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. refillable recyclable reusable non-returnable retrievable rewashable
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b a c b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. environment pollution waste colleague mug packaging 1. A ____________ is a small piece of cloth you use to wash yourself. 2. A ____________ is a large cup with straight sides and no saucer. 3. ____________ is a very light, thin sheet of metal you wrap food in to keep it fresh. 4. Your bath has a cold and a hot ____________. 5. The ____________ is the natural world, including the land, water, air, plants and animals. 6. ____________ is activity which makes the air, water or land dirty. 7. A ____________ is a powder or liquid you use to wash clothes or dishes. 8. A ____________ is someone you work with. 9. ____________ is what is left after you use something. 10. ____________ is the boxes, bottles and plastic that products are sold in. flannel foil tap detergent
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. When was World Environment Day? 2. How much water can a power shower use? 3. How much water do you use if you clean your teeth with the tap running? 4. How many plastic cups could you save if you take your own glass to work? 5. How much water does a dishwasher use? 6. How much water does washing the dishes by hand use?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Elementary
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10 If you wash your dishes by hand or use a dishwasher, try to use an environmentally friendly detergent. A number of companies now produce natural washing up liquids. These products dont pollute rivers and the sea. You can also use the detergent bottles again so theres less waste. 11 When you finish the washing up, go out. Pubs, theatres and cinemas will all have their lights and air conditioning on whether you visit them or not. Your house will only have its lights on if youre at home. This is a good reason to stay out until bedtime!
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 5/6/07
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3 Comprehension check
Which of these pieces of advice does the text give? Choose a) or b) in each case. 1. a. Have a bath. b. Have a shower. 5. a. Log off. b. Switch off.
3. a. Turn the tap on and off as you need it when you clean your teeth. b. Leave the tap running when you clean your teeth.
8. a. Stay at home in the evening. 4. a. Take the train to work. b. Drive to work. b. Go out.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in the sentences using prepositions. 1. I brush my teeth _______ breakfast. 2. I get _______ work at 8.30. 3. I log off _______ the end of the working day. 4. I wash the dishes _______ my evening meal. 5. I havent got a dishwasher so I wash the dishes _______ hand. 6. I take a cup _______ me to work. 7. I usually eat a sandwich _______ lunchtime. 8. I always leave my car _______ home.
6 Vocabulary 3: Opposites
Complete the table. switch off turn on on log on go out stay
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. after to at after by with at at
6 Vocabulary 3: Opposites
switch off switch on turn on off log on stay
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. b b a a b a a b turn off on log off go out
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. flannel dishwasher tap mistaken destination detergent mug loaded foil biodegradable
1. When you are travelling, your ____________ is the place you are travelling to. 2. A ____________ is a machine for washing dirty dishes and pans. 3. ____________ is a powder or liquid used for washing clothes or dishes. 4. If a machine like a washing-machine is ____________, it is full. 5. A ____________ material is one that can be destroyed by bacteria and will not damage the environment. 6. Baths and basins usually have a hot and a cold ____________. 7. A ____________ is a small cloth you use for washing yourself. 8. A ____________ is a large cup with straight sides and no saucer. 9. ____________ is a very thin and very light sheet of metal used to wrap foods. 10. If you are ____________, you are wrong about something.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How much water can a power shower use each minute? 2. How much water is wasted each minute when people clean their teeth with running water? 3. How far could a small car travel with the energy saved from switching off the equipment in an office at night? 4. How much water do people use each day if they wash dishes by hand? 5. How much water does a dishwasher cycle use? 6. What is Liftshare?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Intermediate
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10 You probably think that using a dishwasher to clean the plates from your evening meal uses more water than washing them by hand. According to Waterwise, you are mistaken. It says that washing and rinsing dishes by hand can use as much as 150 litres of water a day, while a dishwasher cycle can use as little as 10 litres. A dishwasher will, of course, use more electricity though, so only use it if it is full. 11 However you clean your dishes, try to use an environmentally friendly detergent for the job. A number of companies now produce washing up liquids from natural ingredients that break down in water and dont pollute rivers and the sea. Most of these come in bottles that can be reused so theres less waste.
3 Comprehension check
Are these pieces of advice True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
1. Take a regular shower rather than a bath. 2. Always fill your kettle before boiling it. 3. You should always brush your teeth in running water. 4. Dont drive to work. 5. Wash dishes by hand rather than using a dishwasher. 6. Always throw foil away after use.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
How green are you? Do you agree with the advice given in the article? Can you think of any other ways to save energy?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension Check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. T F F T F F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Seize the day / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Write the words below next to the definitions. citizenship asylum immigration indigenous integration migrant immigrant diversity
1. _______________ The process in which people enter a country in order to live there permanently. 2. _______________ Someone who comes to live in a country from another country. 3. _______________ Someone who travels to another place or country in order to find work. 4. _______________ People who lived in a place for a very long time before others came to live there. 5. _______________ The legal right to be a citizen of a particular country. 6. _______________ The right to stay in a country, given by a government to protect someone who has escaped from war or political trouble in their own country. 7. _______________ The process of becoming a full member of a group or society, and becoming involved completely in its activities. 8. _______________ The fact that very different people or things exist within a group or place.
Which of these subjects would you expect to read about in a text on integration, citizenship and national pride? Tick ( ) the subjects you think will appear in the text. Add a further suggestion of your own.
Anti-social behaviour Personal savings Civic duty Extremism Council housing English language skills A contract
Pets Voting Bank holidays Asylum claims Prisoners Bi-lingual schooling Extended family
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 The ministers warn there is a critical risk that after 40 years in which diversity has grown, Britains communities are no longer looking outwards and celebrating what they have in common. Instead, they are beginning to look inwards, stressing their differences and divisions. 11 The threat to a united sense of feeling British comes both from Islamist extremism and also groups like the British Nationalist Party. Ministers argue that government has to acknowledge and respond to the growing mood of English nationalism. 12 We risk seeing a more divided society, more suspicious of each other and a society less capable of coming together around shared goals. We need a stronger sense of why we live in a
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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common place and have a shared future. Mr Byrne admitted that recent eastern European migration had proved a shock to the system. 13 He said new migrants needed to do more to help them understand British values and its way of life. He added: We need to make it clearer that citizenship isnt simply handed out, but is something which is earned. 14 The ministers say a host of trends are pushing Britons apart in the workplace, the family, the media and new technology. They insist migration has brought benefits, but say sometimes the pace of change is rapid and destabilizing, pointing out that by 2011, only 20% of Britains workforce will be white, able-bodied men under 45. 15 In a speech to business leaders, Mr Byrne said the new measures were needed because the spike in asylum claims in 2000, the unpredicted
3 Comprehension check
According to the text, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)?
1. Britain has a national day, like Australia. 2. Migrants need to demonstrate good behaviour in order to vote in the UK. 3. The ministers want to encourage cooperation and understanding between the young and the old. 4. Law-abiding immigrants could gain points while anti-social and criminal immigrants could lose them. 5. There should be more English language lessons available for migrants, say the ministers. 6. Ministers think immigrants should learn to be more autonomous so that they dont have to depend on translators and interpreters. 7. Immigrant groups are integrating into society better than they used to. 8. A feeling of British nationalism is increasing amongst indigenous people. 9. The recent number of immigrants arriving from eastern European countries has been higher than anyone expected.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Write example sentences for any of the collocations that are new to you. Use a dictionary or the Internet to help you.
5 Vocabulary 2: Phrases
1. Match the halves of the phrases. a shock eligible float ignite a way a row of life to the system ideas to vote
2. Now complete the sentences using the phrases. a. Are we trying to protect ________________ that no longer exists? b. The committee are meeting again tomorrow to ________________. c. His comments are going to ________________. d. In the UK, people are ________________ from the age of eighteen. e. Arriving there in mid-winter will be a bit of ________________.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Advanced
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7 Webquest
Choose a country you would like to move to. Check out the immigration requirements for that country on the Internet. Would you be able to move to the country of your choice without too many problems? In your opinion, which would be the most difficult requirement to fulfil?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
instil pride improve links accrue credits critical risk growing mood divided society demonstrate knowledge shared future
5 Vocabulary 2: Phrases
1. a shock to the system eligible to vote float ideas ignite a row a way of life 2. a. a way of life b. float ideas c. ignite a row d. eligible to vote e. a shock to the system
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. F F T T T T F T T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Skim the text to find words with these definitions. 1. Someone who travels to another country in order to find work. ________________ (Para 1) 2. Someone who has the right to live permanently in a particular country and has the right to the legal and social benefits of that country. ________________ (Para 2) 3. A plan or suggestion, especially a formal one, that a group has to consider. ________________ (Para 3) 4. To be an important part of something. ________________ (Verb, para 4) 5. To do some work without getting paid. ________________ (Verb, para 5) 6. Happening or existing now. ________________ (Para 6) 7. Someone who has recently started to live or work somewhere, or who has just arrived in a place. ________________ (Para 8) 8. The fact that very different people or things exist within a group or place. ________________ (Para 10) 9. Feeling that someone or something cannot be trusted. ________________ (Para 11) 10. A gradual change or development that produces a particular result. ________________ (Para 13)
2
Tick (
Which of these words would you expect to be in a text about citizenship and immigration?
) your choices. violence judge democracy passport vote plane neighbour workplace pay community extremism integration
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 The ministers warn that after 40 years of diversity, Britains communities are no longer looking outwards and celebrating what they have in common. Instead, they are beginning to look inwards, stressing their differences and divisions. 11 The threat to integration comes both from Islamist extremism and also groups like the British National Party. Mr Byrne said that, We risk seeing a more divided society, more suspicious of each other and no longer coming together around shared goals. We need a stronger sense of why we live in a common place and have a shared future. Mr Byrne admitted that the large number of eastern European migrants had proved a shock to the system. 12 He said new migrants needed to do more to help them understand British values and its way of life. He added: We need to make it clearer that citizenship isnt simply handed out, but is something which is earned.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Elementary
CA
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3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
1. Britain already has a national day. 2. British people can vote from the age of sixteen. 3. Government ministers want to introduce citizenship ceremonies. 4. The ministers would like more people to do volunteer work. 5. The current settlement policy for new immigrants is easy to understand. 6. Minority groups in Britain are becoming more integrated into society. 7. British society is becoming divided. 8. Ministers say citizenship shouldnt be easy to obtain. 9. A lot of migrants from eastern European countries have recently arrived in Britain.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Words to describe people and their status teenager student media veteran 18-year-old
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
Match the words on the left with those on the right to make collocations from the text. a. civic jury settlement points system policy duty service
b.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Elementary
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6 Discussion
Does your country have a national day? If yes, How would you explain it to a visitor? If no, choose a date for a new national holiday. Give reasons why you would choose this date.
7 Webquest
When do different countries around the world celebrate their national holidays? Use the Internet to find some examples and fill in the table.
Australia
Country
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
a. civic duty jury service settlement policy points system 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. settlement policy civic duty jury service points system provide information student loan criminal behaviour pass tests b. student loan provide information pass tests criminal behaviour
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. F F T T F F T T T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Choose the correct word to complete the sentences. 1. A ______________ has the legal right to live in a country. (citizen / citizenship) 2. Someone who comes to live in a country from another country is called an ______________. (migrant / immigrant) 3. A ______________ is a legal (written) agreement between two or more parties. (policy / contract) 4. In Britain a ______________ can vote at the age of 18. (teenager / veteran) 5. A ______________ is an official group of people who make decisions about a local area. (council / government) Use your dictionary to look up the definitions of the words you didnt use. Compare and contrast the meanings of each of the words.
Subtitles
Write down keywords you would expect to read in the part of the text that follows each of these subtitles. Divisions in British society ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
Reasons why the changes are needed ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
Plans for a Britain Day ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
Ministers set out plans in a new report ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
Then skim-read the text and decide where each subtitle should go. Write them into the spaces (a-f) provided.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Intermediate
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12 We risk seeing a more divided society, more suspicious of each other and no longer coming together around shared goals. We need a stronger sense of why we live in a common place and have a shared future. Mr Byrne admitted that recent eastern European migration had proved a shock to the system. 13 He said new migrants needed to do more to help them understand British values and its way of life. He added: We need to make it clearer that citizenship isnt simply handed out, but is something which is earned. 14 The ministers say new trends are pushing Britons apart in the workplace, the family, the media and new technology. They insist migration has brought benefits, but say sometimes the pace of change is rapid and destabilizing, pointing out
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. 2. 3. Government ministers want to introduce a new bank holiday to... a. improve the relationship with Australia. b. hand out good citizen awards. c. toughen immigration rules. d. promote community relationships. The Prime Minister-in-waiting, Gordon Brown, thinks the plans are... a. a bad idea. b. ok, but not for Britain. c. a great idea. d. not modern enough. Ministers say the current settlement policy is... a. too easy. b. too complicated. c. too long. d. too expensive. 4. 5. Under a new policy, points would be awarded for... a. criminal behaviour. b. volunteering. c. fly-tipping. d. old age. Mr Byrne says citizenship needs to be... a. bought. b. fought for. c. earned. d. handed out.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Intermediate
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British
1. 3.
points
citizenship
Can you think of any more words to add to the word wheels?
year
18
law
old
_____________ - _____________ - _____________ _____________ - _____________ - _____________ Try to work out what they mean by reading the text again.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Webquest
Choose a country you would like to move to. Search for the immigration requirements for that country on the Internet. You can do this by writing key words such as citizenship requirements into a search engine. Is it easy or difficult to move to that country?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
1. deduct / gain / earn points system 2. feeling British nationality / day / values 3. citizenship ceremony / pack / deal
2 Subtitles
a. Plans for a Britain Day b. Ministers set out plans in a new report c. A new points system d. Citizenship contract e. Divisions in British society f. Reasons why the changes are needed
3 Comprehension check
1. d 2. c 3. b 4. b 5. c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / New citizens, good citizens / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. reject cope chaotic travail retail pale expat scramble challenge crucial
1. An ____________ is someone who lives and works in a foreign country. 2. If something ____________, it becomes less important when compared with something else. 3. A ____________ is something that needs a lot of skill, energy and determination to deal with. 4. If you ____________, you deal successfully with a difficult situation. 5. ____________ is the process of selling goods direct to the public for their own use. 6. A ____________ is a situation where people are in a hurry to compete for the same thing. 7. If a situation is ____________, it is confused and disorganized. 8. If you ____________ an offer or a proposal, you say no to it. 9. If something is ____________, it is extremely important. 10. A ____________ is a very difficult situation.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Half the airline pilots in India are foreign. 2. More than half the managers in Indian companies now come from abroad. 3. Delhi has an excellent public transport system. 4. 3 million university students graduate in India each year. 5. Salaries are increasing faster in China than in India. 6. India is becoming an attractive destination for senior managers.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Advanced
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10 But many companies say that in the scramble to scale up, they need foreign help. Reliance Industries, Indias biggest private company, is spending 2.5bn to create a chain of superstores across India. Its retail division now employs 100 expatriates in senior management who bring invaluable global experience. These skills, said chairman Mukesh Ambani,
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why do Indian companies need foreign managers? a. Because there are not enough local managers to do these jobs. b. Because they are more talented than local managers. c. Because they do not ask for high salaries. 2. What is the biggest challenge for some expats? a. The size of the job. b. Walking outside the office. c. Finding Marks and Spencer food. 3. Why do some expats go to India despite the problems of living there? a. Because they dont think they are important. b. Because they enjoy the lifestyle. c. Because they can make a lot of money there. 4. Why did Andrew Levermore reject a chance to work in India three years ago? a. Because he didnt like the lifestyle. b. Because he thought the country was poor and disorganized. c. Because the salary was too low.
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6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
Match the verbs and the nouns. 1. make 2. fill 3. recruit 4. bring 5. miss 6. deal with a. experience b. workers c. clients d. an opportunity e. adjustments f. a position
7 Discussion
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living and working in another country? Would you like to work overseas? Why? Why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. e f b a d c
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. a b c b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. retail lifestyle expat average booming chain salary experience
rare
skill
1. If you have a ____________, you can do something really well. 2. If you have ____________, you have a lot of knowledge about a job or activity because you have done it for a long time. 3. Your ____________ is the way you live your life. 4. Your ____________ is the money you earn for your work. 5. ____________ is the process of selling goods direct to the public. 6. An ____________ is someone who lives and works in another country. 7. If a country is ____________, its economy is very successful. 8. A ____________ of businesses is a group of businesses which belong to the same person or company. 9. If something is ____________, it doesnt happen very often. 10. If one person earns $10,000, another $20,000 and a third $30,000, their ____________ salary is $20,000.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many stores will Mr Levermores company open? 2. What percentage of managers in India are expats? 3. What percentage of pilots in India are foreign? 4. How much can senior managers expect to earn in India? 5. How many students graduate from university each year in India? 6. What is the average salary increase in India each year?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Elementary
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Foreign executives pour in as salaries soar Shortage of local talent for booming economy Randeep Ramesh in New Delhi June 13, 2007 1 Andrew Levermore is a business manager who specializes in retail. Mr Levermore has worked in both South Africa and Britain. Three years ago someone offered him a job in India. He said no. He thought the country was too poor and disorganized. Now a powerful Mumbai business family has asked him to manage Indias first western-style hypermarket. This time he said yes. 2 I changed my mind when I saw their plans. They are very serious people. Yes, I had to change my lifestyle a bit but this was a really good opportunity for me. Of course the pay is good compared with the UK. His company will soon be opening another 28 stores and Mr Levermore, 44, is inviting two more expats to leave their jobs in the west and work with him in India. 3 Mr Levermore is part of a new movement of business people to India. The Indian economy is booming but there are not enough qualified and experienced middle managers so more and more western expatriates are taking senior positions. Some Indian experts say Indian workers are asking for so much money that it is often cheaper to give jobs to foreigners. 4 Its happening very quickly now, says Kris Lakshmikanth, chief executive of Headhunters India. Expats are filling more than 15% of management and skilled positions. Hotel management requires a rapid improvement in quality and we can only get that from abroad. In the airline industry, 50% of pilots are foreign. A few years ago only 5% of pilots were foreigners. Salaries for chief executives have doubled in the past few years and now chief executives can earn from 125,000 to 600,000. Senior managers can expect 100,000 a year. The head of public relations at an Indian corporation earns 40,000.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Elementary
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10 But many companies say that they need foreign help because they want their businesses to grow. Reliance Industries, Indias biggest private company, is spending 2.5bn to create a chain of superstores across India. 100 expatriates work in the senior management of Reliance. These people have global experience. These skills, said chairman Mukesh Ambani, were
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Salaries for managers are much lower in India than in the UK. 2. Average salary increases are higher in China than in India. 3. Most pilots in India are foreign. 4. Delhi does not have a public transport system. 5. Indian managers sometimes cost more than foreign managers. 6. Andrea Stone buys her lunch at Marks and Spencer.
a. a large shop that mainly sells food b. a large shop that sells clothes and household goods c. a very large supermarket that sells lots of different things d. a local shop that sells food and is open for long hours
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Elementary
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5 Vocabulary 2: Opposites
Find 6 pairs of opposites in the box.
senior rapid
best private
cheap unskilled
slow public
skilled difficult
easy junior
expensive worst
Adjective
Noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
5 Vocabulary 2: Opposites
senior/junior best/worst cheap/expensive slow/rapid skilled/unskilled easy/difficult private/public
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. b b a a b a a b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. reject expand vision cope retail benefit expat invaluable boom crucial
1. If something ____________, it becomes larger in size. 2. ____________ is the process of selling goods direct to the public for their own use. 3. If something is ____________, it is extremely important. 4. If a country or an industry ____________, it is extremely successful economically. 5. If something is ____________, it is extremely useful. 6. If you ____________, you deal successfully with a difficult situation. 7. If you ____________ an offer or a proposal, you say no to it. 8. ____________ is the ability to think about and plan for the future. 9. An ____________ is someone who lives and works in a foreign country. 10. If you ____________ from something, you get help or advantage from it.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. What percentage of management and skilled positions in India are filled by expats? 2. What percentage of pilots in India are foreign? 3. What is the highest salary a chief executive can earn? 4. What can the head of public relations at an Indian corporation earn? 5. How many students graduate from Indian universities each year? 6. What is the annual rate of increase in salaries in India?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Intermediate
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increases in India are running at more than 14% a year, compared with about 8% in China and slightly less in South Korea and the Philippines. 10 But many companies say that they need foreign help as they try to expand their businesses. Reliance Industries, Indias biggest private company, is spending 2.5bn to create a chain of superstores across India. Its retail division now employs 100 expatriates in senior management who bring invaluable global experience.
3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
1. More and more western expats are taking management jobs in India. 2. Local managers earn much less money. 3. Delhi has a good public transport system. 4. Big multinational companies operate in India. 5. Most Indian graduates find work in multinational companies. 6. Senior managers from abroad bring global experience to Indian companies.
4 Grammar: Verbs
Fill the gaps using the correct form of these verbs from the text. double range transfer hire require persuade
1. Cisco Systems ____________ several senior managers from the USA to India. 2. More and more Indian companies ____________ foreign staff. 3. Salaries for chief executives ____________ in the past few years. 4. Salaries for chief executives ____________ from 125,000 to 600,000. 5. A Mumbai business family ____________ Andrew Levermore to move to India. 6. Hotel management ____________ a rapid improvement in quality.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Intermediate
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5 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
Match the verbs with the nouns. 1. miss 2. reject 3. fill 4. motivate 5. expand 6. open a. people b. a new store c. an opportunity d. a business e. an offer f. a position
7 Discussion
Would you move to another country to find work? What factors would attract you to another country? Where would you like to go?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
4 Grammar: Verbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. transferred are hiring have doubled range persuaded requires
5 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c e f a d b
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. T F F T F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The new passage to India, business class / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Networking
Who do people normally network with? Where do people network? Is networking important? What is a social networking website? Pool your ideas in class and write them on the board.
Top 20 websites
Which do you think are the most popular websites in the UK? List at least 5 that you would expect to see in the top 20 list of most visited websites. At which position would you expect to find facebook.com? Do a class survey. Which are the most popular websites in your class?
Top 20 websites
What types of companies are these? Who are these people? 1. Google and Yahoo! 2. News Corp 3. Facebook and MySpace 4. Rupert Murdoch 5. Mark Zuckerberg 6. Jerry Yang ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Write down your ideas and then skim-read the article for the answers.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Advanced
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Facebook challenges MySpace as place for the cool set to hang out
Helping people stay in touch with friends online has become the latest battleground for moguls. Richard Wray, communications editor June 21, 2007 Face to face 1 Take everyone youve ever known work colleagues, former school friends, close family members, your boss, your ex-partner and put them in a single room. Then give them intimate access to every corner of your life, from your trivial thoughts to your most recent holiday snaps and your plans for the weekend. Then sit back and watch the social experiment unfold. 2 Financiers have been betting on which social networking site would make the leap to the adult world. Its viral power, elegance of its design and the flexibility and openness of its features have made Facebook the hot favourite to do so. 3 Facebook, like most Internet successes, appeals to our sense of curiosity, sociability and sharing. If MySpace is as messy and chaotic as a teenagers bedroom, Facebook is the frenzied networking of a cocktail party. The rise to success 4 Ive added you as a friend on Facebook... This introduction to the webs fastest growing social phenomenon has been appearing with growing frequency in email inboxes across the world. What started as a way for American college friends to stay in touch has become one of the Internets hottest properties. 5 The rise of Facebook, created by Harvard drop-out Mark Zuckerberg three years ago, is challenging the dominance of MySpace in the social networking market. This may explain why MySpaces owner, Rupert Murdochs News Corp, has considered exchanging it for a 25% stake in online portal and search giant Yahoo! 6 Yahoo! saw the potential for Facebook when it tried to buy the business last year. After an
10 It is adding more than 100,000 users a day and already has 27 million active users, with more than half of those returning daily. MySpace is still considerably larger, with 60 million users in the US alone, but Facebook is catching up. The growth has gathered pace due to the fact that new users are given the option of allowing Facebook to access their email account to look for friends who are already using the service,
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Advanced
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then email contacts who are not part of the network to invite them inside. 11 The success of Facebook has not gone unnoticed at News Corp. Asked earlier this month by the Wall Street Journal why he had not made an offer for another North American newspaper group, Tribune, Mr Murdoch said it was because readership of its newspapers was declining. Thats because everyones going to MySpace, quipped the reporter. I wish they were. Theyre all going to Facebook, the media mogul retorted. 12 That was taken by some media watchers as evidence of a growing dissatisfaction with MySpace. When Mr Murdoch bought the company in 2005 for $580m (290m), the deal raised eyebrows among investors. But in August the following year, Mr Murdoch tied up a $900m deal with Google to provide adverts for MySpace. That deal has been a double-edged sword. The MySpace site has become cluttered with advertising. Online ad boom 13 Mr Murdochs tie-up between MySpace and Google gave him a way into the world of online search advertising, by far the largest part of the booming online ad market. But it was only a foot in the door. There is a feeling among analysts, especially in the US, that News Corp needs to get further into the search market. Which is where a potential deal with Yahoo! becomes attractive.
4 Summary
Which of the sentences below best summarizes the article? 1. News Corp, MySpace and Facebook are bidding against each other to buy stakes in Yahoo! 2. Providing social networking sites is a boom business as is advertising on the Internet. 3. People are buying fewer newspapers and using the Internet more. Write one sentence to summarise each paragraph of the article. Compare your sentences with a partner.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Advanced
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oOoo
ooOo
ooOoo
2. Write one sentence that contains at least 3 of these words. Who can come up with the most interesting sentence? Note: It must make sense.
6 Similies
Use your own ideas to complete these similes. 1. As messy as ___________________________. 2. As chaotic as ___________________________. 3. As successful as ___________________________. 4. As complicated as ___________________________. 5. As wealthy as ___________________________.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2. Who threw open their doors to whom? _____________________________________________ Is this a welcoming or unwelcoming gesture? _____________________________________________
3. What made investors raise their eyebrows? _____________________________________________ Think of something that would make you raise your eyebrows. _______________________________________ 4. What is described as being a double-edged sword? _______________________________________ Give another example of something that is a double-edged sword. ___________________________________
8 Discussion
Would you consider joining a social networking community such as Facebook, MySpace or Friends Reunited? Why? Why not? Make a list of pros and cons before starting your discussion.
8 Web quest
Go to www.facebook.com and click on the virtual tour (you do not need to register). Then answer these questions. Who can sign up to Facebook? Whose profiles can you see when you sign up? What does Facebook recommend you add when writing your profile? Can you upload photos? What will Facebook notify you of? What can you do if you dont want someone to access your profile?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
4 Summary
2. Providing social networking sites is a boom business as is advertising on the Internet.
Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
Website www.google.co.uk www.ebay.co.uk www.hotmail.com www.google.com uk.msn.com www.bebo.com www.orange.co.uk www.myspace.com uk.mail.yahoo.com uk.yahoo.com news.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk www.youtube.com uk.search.yahoo.com www.amazon.co.uk www.msn.com images.google.co.uk www.facebook.com www.microsoft.com mail.myspace.com
Market Share 8.2% 2.7% 2.64% 2.44% 1.54% 1.52% 1.47% 1.36% 1.24% 0.91% 0.82% 0.81% 0.75% 0.69% 0.64% 0.61% 0.60% 0.57% 0.54% 0.53%
5 Pronunciation
oOoo financiers experiment phenomenon ooOo Massachusetts introduction ooOoo sociability sociologists
7 Idioms
1. Mark Zuckerberg didnt cash in his chips. 2. Facebook threw open its doors to everyone/all users. 3. The sum Murdoch paid for MySpace made investors raise their eyebrows. 4. MySpaces advertising deal with Google is described as being a double-edged sword.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
1. Match the terms on the left with the explanations on the right. A social networking website An auction house The person who promises to pay the highest amount of money can win/buy an item. Helps you find whatever you need on the Internet.
You can buy goods electronically and have them delivered to your home or office. You can watch and listen to short films.
An online shop
A virtual place where you can meet friends, chat, exchange information, see photos and read diaries.
2. Match the websites to the type of service they provide. Yahoo! and Google BBC & CNN eBay Amazon YouTube Facebook and MySpace online shop search engine news video clips social networking auction house
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Elementary
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Elementary
Keyword crossword
You can find the answers in the article. The paragraph number after each clue will help you.
1 2 3 4 5
Across 6. A 7. A is someone who has a degree in sociology. (para 6) is someone who starts up a business with someone else. (para 12)
8. A is someone who leaves something such as a school, activity or competition before he has finished what he intended to do. (para 4) 9. An Down 1. A 2. An is someone who writes articles for a newspaper. (para 9) is a person or organization that invests money. (para 10) is someone who knows a lot about a particular subject. (para 2)
3. An is someone whose job is to carefully examine a situation and provide others with information about it. (para 11) 4. A 5. A is a senior manager or leader the second in charge. (para 7) is an important and powerful person in a particular activity or industry. (subtitle)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Elementary
CA
Facebook challenges MySpace as place for the cool set to hang out
Helping people stay in touch with friends online has become the latest battleground for moguls. Richard Wray, communications editor June 21, 2007 1 Give everyone you know your work colleagues, former school friends, close family members, your boss, your ex-partner access to every part of your life, from your diary to your holiday photos and your plans for the weekend. Then sit back and watch what happens. 2 Experts are betting on which social networking site will become popular with adults as well as teenagers. Facebook is currently the hot favourite. 3 The rise to success Ive added you as a friend on Facebook... This introduction to the webs fastest growing social phenomenon is appearing in email inboxes across the world. Facebook started as a way for American college friends to stay in touch and has now become one of the Internets hottest websites. 4 Facebook, which was created by Harvard dropout Mark Zuckerberg three years ago, is currently challenging MySpace, the worlds most popular social networking site. This may explain why MySpaces owner, Rupert Murdochs News Corp, is thinking about exchanging MySpace for a 25% stake in the search engine, Yahoo! 5 Last year, Yahoo! tried to buy Facebook. Mr Zuckerberg rejected Yahoo!s first offer of $1bn and so Yahoo! raised it to $1.6bn but Zuckerberg still didnt want to sell. At the time, many Internet watchers laughed at Zuckerberg for not accepting Yahoo!s offer, but today analysts think that Facebook could be worth several times what Yahoo! initially offered. 6 In the UK, in May last year, Facebook was the 469th most popular website a year later, it is the 18th. According to an Internet statistics company, Hitwise, half the people who visit the
10 Investors were surprised when Mr Murdoch bought MySpace in 2005 for $580m (290m). But in August 2006, Mr Murdoch made a $900m deal with Google to provide adverts for MySpace. That deal has had positive and negative effects. The MySpace site is now cluttered with advertising. 11 Online ad boom Mr Murdochs deal with MySpace and Google gave him a way into the world of online search advertising, which is by far the largest part of the booming online ad market. But it was only a foot
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
in the door. Analysts in the US think that News Corp needs to do more, and so this is why Mr Murdochs offer to Yahoo! becomes attractive. 12 Talks between Mr Murdoch, who wants to swap MySpace for a 25% stake in Yahoo!, and Yahoo!, have hit a snag. Earlier this week, Yahoo! chief executive Terry Semel stepped down. His replacement, co-founder Jerry Yang, will want time to deal with the problems in the business before re-opening negotiations with anyone. 13 But, for Mr Murdoch, the allure of the Internet advertising market is not going to go away. A recent report published by
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. You can meet old friends through social networking websites such as Facebook and MySpace. 2. You have to be a university student to be a member of Facebook. 3. Facebook is more successful than MySpace. 4. Mark Zuckerberg is a co-founder of Yahoo! 5. Rupert Murdoch is a media mogul. 6. MySpace made an offer to buy Facebook. 7. Murdoch wants to swap MySpace for Yahoo! 8. People say there is too much advertising on MySpace. 9. Yahoo! has a new CEO. 10. Online advertising is a booming business.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Elementary
CA P O H N T O TO O E -C FR B D O O C O M O W P W PN IA EB IL A SIT-OAD BL BLE ED E
2. Complete these sentences with numbers from the article. a. Murdoch made a b. Murdoch paid c. Facebook has d. Facebook has e. MySpace has f. Yahoo! first offered g. Online advertising could be worth deal with Google to provide adverts for MySpace. for MySpace. daily users. active users. users. for Facebook in 2006. in 2011.
2. Where do you use the Internet? (e.g. at home / at work / in an Internet caf)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace/ Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4. What kind of websites do you mostly visit? (e.g. news / company websites / shopping / banking)
Discussion
Make a list of the positive and negative aspects of a social networking website? Would you like to join a social networking community such as Facebook, MySpace or Friends Reunited? Why/why not?
Web quest
Go to www.facebook.com and click on the virtual tour (you do not need to register). Then answer the questions below. Who can register with Facebook? What information do you need to give Facebook when you register? What can you see and do when you register? Can you upload photos? Can you find old friends? Can you add a blog? What can you write in your profile? What can you do if you dont want someone to access your profile?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace/ Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
3 Comprehension check
1. True 2. False anyone can join Facebok 3. False MySpace is still the top social networking website 4. False - Mark Zuckerberg the founder of Facebook 5. True 6. False Yahoo! made an offer to buy Facebook. 7. False - Murdoch wants to swap MySpace for a 25% stake in Yahoo! 8. True 9. True 10 True
2. Yahoo! and Google - search engine BBC & CNN - news eBay - auction house Amazon - online shop YouTube - video clips Facebook and MySpace - social networking
2 Keyword crossword
Across 6. sociologist 7. co-founder 8. drop-out 9. expert
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Elementary
Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
Website www.google.co.uk www.ebay.co.uk www.hotmail.com www.google.com uk.msn.com www.bebo.com www.orange.co.uk www.myspace.com uk.mail.yahoo.com uk.yahoo.com news.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk www.youtube.com uk.search.yahoo.com www.amazon.co.uk www.msn.com images.google.co.uk www.facebook.com www.microsoft.com mail.myspace.com
Market Share 8.2% 2.7% 2.64% 2.44% 1.54% 1.52% 1.47% 1.36% 1.24% 0.91% 0.82% 0.81% 0.75% 0.69% 0.64% 0.61% 0.60% 0.57% 0.54% 0.53%
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace/ Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Put these words, which are all used to describe people and jobs, into the sentences below. Mogul investor CEO financier drop-out sociologist vice president analyst co-founder
1. An ___________ is someone whose job is to carefully examine a situation and provide others with information about it. 2. A ___________ is the most senior manager in a company. 3. An ___________ is a person or organisation that invests money. 4. A ___________ is a person or organisation that manages or lends large amounts of money. 5. A ___________ is someone who starts up something with someone else. 6. A ___________ is someone who has a degree in sociology. 7. A ___________ is an important and powerful person in a particular activity or industry. 8. A ___________ is a senior manager or leader second in charge. 9. A ___________ is someone who leaves something such as a school, activity or competition before he has finished what he intended to do.
Subtitles
1. Which of these websites do you think are most popular in the UK? Put these websites in order of popularity (a-j). Yahoo! Amazon a. _______________ b. _______________ c. _______________ d. _______________ Google youtube Barclays Bank Facebook BBC MySpace eBay bebo
i. _______________ j. _______________
2. What do you use the Internet for? Which websites do you use regularly? Do a class survey. Which are the most popular websites in your class?
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Intermediate
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Facebook challenges MySpace as place for the cool set to hang out
Helping people stay in touch with friends online has become the latest battleground for moguls. Richard Wray, communications editor June 21, 2007 Face to face 1 Take everyone youve ever known work colleagues, former school friends, close family members, your boss, your ex-partner and put them in a single room. Then give them intimate access to every corner of your life, from your trivial thoughts to your most recent holiday photos and your plans for the weekend. Then sit back and watch the social experiment unfold. 2 Financiers have been betting on which social networking site would make the leap to the adult world. Its power, the elegance of its design and the flexibility and openness of its features have made Facebook the hot favourite to do so. The rise to success 3 Ive added you as a friend on Facebook... This introduction to the webs fastest growing social phenomenon has been appearing with growing frequency in email inboxes across the world. What started as a way for American college friends to stay in touch has become one of the Internets hottest properties. 4 The rise of Facebook, created by Harvard drop-out Mark Zuckerberg three years ago, is challenging MySpace, which is currently the worlds most popular social networking site. This may explain why MySpaces owner, Rupert Murdochs News Corp, has considered exchanging it for a 25% stake in online portal and search engine, Yahoo! 5 Yahoo! saw the potential for Facebook when it tried to buy the business last year. After an initial $1bn offer was rejected by Mr Zuckerberg, Yahoo! said it could raise that to $1.6bn but he made it plain that he didnt intend to sell just yet. At the time, many Internet watchers laughed at Zuckerberg for not cashing in his chips, but today
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Intermediate
10 When Mr Murdoch bought MySpace in 2005 for $580m (290m), the deal raised eyebrows among investors. But in August the following year, Mr Murdoch tied up a $900m deal with Google to provide adverts for MySpace. That deal has been a double-edged sword. The
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MySpace site has become cluttered with advertising. Online ad boom 11 Mr Murdochs tie-up between MySpace and Google gave him a way into the world of online search advertising, which is by far the largest part of the booming online ad market. But it was only a foot in the door. There is a feeling among analysts, especially in the US, that News Corp needs to do more, which is where a potential deal with Yahoo! becomes attractive. 12 Talks between Mr Murdoch who wants to swap MySpace for a 25% stake in Yahoo!, and Yahoo!, have hit a snag. Earlier this week, Yahoo! chief executive Terry Semel stepped down after intense pressure from investors. His replacement, co-founder Jerry Yang, will want
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2. Find the numbers in the article that correspond to these statements. a. How much an advertising deal was worth between a social networking site and a search engine. ____________ b. The price Murdoch paid for MySpace. ____________ c. Facebook has this many daily users. ____________ d. Facebook has this many active users. ____________ e. MySpace has this many users. ____________ f. Yahoo!s first offer for Facebook. ____________ g. The amount online advertising could be worth in 4 years time. ____________
6 Idioms
1. Match the idioms with their meanings. a. To get your foot in the door. b. To raise your eyebrows at something or somebody. c. To cash in your chips. d. To throw open your doors to something or somebody. e. To hit a snag. You do this when someone or something shocks or surprises you. To experience a difficulty. To make something available. To start working in or with a company or organisation at a low level in the hope that you will be able to progress from there. Selling something to get what profit you can because you think its value is going to fall.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Intermediate
7 Discussion
Would you join a social networking community such as Facebook, MySpace or Friends Reunited? Why? Why not? Make a list of pros and cons before starting your discussion.
8 Webquest
Go to www.facebook.com and click on the virtual tour (you do not need to register). Then answer these questions: Who can sign up to Facebook? Whose profiles can you see when you sign up? What does Facebook recommend you add when writing your profile? Can you upload photos? What will Facebook notify you of? What can you do if you dont want someone to access your profile?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Intermediate
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Intermediate
1. Rupert Murdoch is the CEO of News Corp. 2. Mark Zuckerberg is the CEO of Facebook. 3. Jerry Yang is the co-founder and CEO of Yahoo!
Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
Website www.google.co.uk www.ebay.co.uk www.hotmail.com www.google.com uk.msn.com www.bebo.com www.orange.co.uk www.myspace.com uk.mail.yahoo.com uk.yahoo.com news.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk www.youtube.com uk.search.yahoo.com www.amazon.co.uk www.msn.com images.google.co.uk www.facebook.com www.microsoft.com mail.myspace.com
Market Share 8.2% 2.7% 2.64% 2.44% 1.54% 1.52% 1.47% 1.36% 1.24% 0.91% 0.82% 0.81% 0.75% 0.69% 0.64% 0.61% 0.60% 0.57% 0.54% 0.53%
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Intermediate
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6 Idioms
a. To start working in or with a company or organisation at a low level in the hope that you will be able to progress from there. b. You do this when someone or something shocks or surprises you. c. Selling something to get what profit you can because you think its value is going to fall. d. To make something available. e. To experience a difficulty.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Facebook challenges MySpace / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. probation superficial pundit compassion mainstay scenario cynic downfall sincere misconception
1. A ____________ is a person who believes that people care only about themselves and are not sincere or honest. 2. A ____________ is a situation that could possibly happen. 3. A ____________ is someone who is an expert in a subject and often talks to the public about it. 4. A ____________ is a wrong belief or opinion as a result of not understanding something. 5. ____________ is a feeling of sympathy and caring for someone who is in a bad situation.
6. ____________ is a punishment where an offender is not sent to prison but has to agree not to break the law for a specific period of time. 7. The ____________ of someones life is the element in it that they really depend on. 8. If something is ____________, it is not important and does not have a serious effect. 9. A ____________ person talks and acts in a way that shows they really mean what they say. 10. A ____________ is the sudden loss of power, status or success.
Are these statements True (T) or False (F)? Check your answers in the text. 1. Paris Hilton was sent to prison for speeding. 2. She spent 30 days in prison. 3. She was released from prison after three days. 4. A judge ordered her to be sent back to jail. 5. She served her sentence in a jail in New York. 6. One of Hiltons friends is Britney Spears.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Advanced
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for violating a traffic offence probation, Paris Hilton has said she will be partying less and using her fame for the forces of good. The hotel heiress told CNNs Larry King last night that she wants to work for various social causes, including raising funds for children and cancer sufferers and setting up a centre to help released female prisoners to get their lives back on track. partying], said Hilton, who was released on Tuesday, during an hour-long, pre-recorded interview, after which pundits described her as looking demure and contrite. Im frankly sick of it. Ive been going out for a long time now. Yeah, its fun, but its not going to be the mainstay of my life any more, she said. She said she would never drink and drive again and insisted she did not have an alcohol problem. The world will see a new Paris Hilton, she told King. is going to be, given that talking to King, veteran of the celebrity confessional, was one of her first acts after being freed. But Hilton - who apparently did the interview without payment - insisted she was sincere and wanted to be a better role model. Alone in her cell for 23 hours a day, Hilton devoted herself to reading, writing a prison diary and thinking, she said. she said: I feel like being in the spotlight. I have a platform where I can raise awareness for so many great causes and just do so much with this instead of superficial things like going out. I want to help raise money for kids and for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. left behind at the prison and said she wanted to help set up a place where these women can get themselves back on their feet. She read: I know
Hilton said she suffered from claustrophobia and attention deficit disorder, for which she took medication. She said the sheriffs officials had released her to home confinement after just three days because of claustrophobia, anxiety and panic attacks. After a judge ordered her back to the California jail, Hilton said she coped by meditating and reading letters from fans. But she still had nightmares of someone trying to break into my cell and hurt me. Just the whole idea of being in jail is really scary, she said. I hate to be alone so that was really just hard for me in the beginning. Her life was now at a crossroads, she said, insisting the scenario was neither a downfall nor a failure, but a new beginning. She said: Im glad it happened in a way because its changed my life for ever. I feel stronger than ever and I feel like this is a lesson in disguise. Asked by King about the crowd she hangs out with, which includes the singer Britney Spears and the actress Lindsay Lohan, Hilton replied: Everybody makes mistakes. She said a big misconception about her is that she lives off her familys money. I work very hard. I run a business. Ive had a book on the New York Times best-sellers list. Im on the fifth season of my TV show. I did an album. I do movies, she said. schools, told TV journalist Barbara Walters, in a telephone interview from her prison cell, that she had become more religious and wanted to work with children. She told King she had always been religious and always had a sense of spirituality but even more so after being in jail. She bought a Bible from the jail commissary and read it daily, she said. Asked to name her favourite passage, she smiled and looked away. I dont have a favourite, she said.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 28/6/07
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. 2. 3. 4. What does Paris Hilton want to do now she has left prison? a. She now wants to spend more time partying. b. She now wants to do charity work. c. She now wants to be in the spotlight again. How does she feel about her fellow prisoners? a. She feels angry that they are in prison. b. She feels sure they will be released soon. c. She understands how they feel. Which of these things helped Hilton to survive her spell in prison? a. being alone b. meditating and reading fan mail c. writing a diary Which of these best describes her attitude to religion? a. She has always been religious but is now more religious than before. b. She became religious during her spell in prison. c. She wants to teach religion to children.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Advanced
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5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
Match the verbs with the nouns. 1. raise 2. make 3. suffer from 4. take 5. run 6. violate a. medication b. claustrophobia c. awareness d. a business e. probation f. a difference
6 Vocabulary 3: Phobias
Match the phobias with the definitions. 1. arachnophobia 2. technophobia 3. agoraphobia 4. claustrophobia 5. xenophobia 6. acrophobia a. fear of open spaces/public places b. fear of enclosed spaces c. fear of spiders d. fear of foreigners e. fear of heights f. fear of gadgets
7 Discussion
An American TV newsreader refused to read a headline about Paris Hilton, saying it wasnt news and shouldnt be a news headline. Do you agree? Do you think that people like Hilton survive on the oxygen of publicity?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f b a d e
6 Vocabulary 3: Phobias
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f a b d e
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c b a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. heiress role model celebrity diary meditate spotlight cause nightmare raise claustrophobia
1. A _____________ is a book in which you write what happens to you each day. 2. If you are in the _____________, you are the centre of attention and everybody is talking about you. 3. A _____________ is a famous person, especially in the world of entertainment. 4. A _____________ is a person who is a good example for other people to copy. 5. If you have _____________, you are afraid of being in small, closed spaces. 6. An _____________ is a woman who will receive a lot of money when someone dies. 7. If you _____________ money, you collect it for a particular purpose. 8. A good _____________ is an organization, plan or activity that provides help to people who need it. 9. When you _____________, you relax by making your mind empty of things. 10. A _____________ is a very frightening and unpleasant dream.
1. How long did Paris Hilton spend in prison? 2. In which American state did she go to prison? 3. How long was she alone in her cell each day? 4. How long was her interview on the Larry King Show? 5. How much was she paid for the interview? 6. What did she buy in jail?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. In prison Paris Hilton spent most of her time 2. She says she is pleased she went to prison because 3. She says she wants 4. Hilton suffered from 5. She says she doesnt want 6. She says she doesnt like a. to go to parties all the time. b. being alone. c. to raise money for good causes. d. reading, writing and meditating. e. claustrophobia while she was in prison. f. it has changed her life for ever.
comparative longer
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Elementary
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5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
Match the verbs and the nouns.
6 Word stress
Put these words from the text into two groups according to their word stress. prison alone programme before disease include model mistake survive failure nightmare business
0 o
o 0
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c d e f a b
6 Word stress
A 0 o B o 0 disease survive alone before include mistake
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f c e a b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. heiress released celebrity insist nightmare cynic anxiety sincere meditate superficial
1. A ____________ person talks and acts in a way that shows they really mean what they say. 2. If something is ____________, it is not important and does not have a serious effect. 3. A ____________ is a very frightening and unpleasant dream. 4. If you suffer from ____________, you feel very worried because you think something bad might happen. 5. A ____________ is a famous person, particularly in the world of entertainment. 6. A ____________ is a person who believes that people care only about themselves and are not sincere or honest. 7. If you ____________ , you make your mind empty of thoughts in order to relax. 8. If you are ____________ from prison, you are allowed to leave and go home. 9. An ____________ is a woman who will receive a large amount of money or property when someone dies. 10. If you ____________ that something is true, you keep saying it very firmly.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How long did Paris Hilton spend in prison? 2. In which American state did she go to prison? 3. How long was she alone in her cell each day? 4. How long was her interview on the Larry King Show? 5. How much was she paid for the interview? 6. What did she buy in jail?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Intermediate
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10 Last week, Hilton, who was educated at Catholic schools, told TV journalist Barbara Walters, in a telephone interview from her prison cell, that she had become more religious and wanted to work with children. She told King she had always been religious and always had a sense of spirituality
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. After her release from prison, Paris Hilton says she wants to spend more time going to parties. 2. While she was in prison she spent most of her time reading letters from fans. 3. She now wants to work for good causes and charities. 4. She would also like to help women prisoners. 5. She was released after three days because she suffered from attention deficit disorder. 6. She feels that she is a stronger person after spending time in prison.
5. A two-word expression meaning a process in which the existence of a problem causes other problems and this makes the original problem worse. (Para 5) 6. A noun meaning fear of being in enclosed spaces. (Para 6) 7. A three-word expression meaning a psychological condition which means you cannot concentrate on anything for very long. (Para 6) 8. A two-word expression meaning a sudden very strong feeling of being afraid that makes you unable to breathe. (Para 6)
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Intermediate
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5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
Match the verbs with the nouns. 1. raise 2. serve 3. spend 4. make 5. take 6. run a. medication b. time c. a business d. a prison sentence e. mistakes / a difference f. money / awareness
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in the phrases using prepositions. 1. to suffer _______ a medical condition 2. to release someone _______ prison 3. to take medication _______ a medical condition 4. to spend time _______ people 5. to live _______ someones money 6. to be sick _______ something 7. to be _______ the spotlight 8. to be _______ a crossroads
7 Discussion
Should celebrities be sent to prison? Do you feel sorry for Paris Hilton?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. f d b e a c
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. from from for with off of in at
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F F T T F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Hilton puts her fame to good use / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Brainstorming
In your class, brainstorm as many positive and negative aspects as you can about living in a city. Which of your suggestions would you expect to come up in an article about a UN report into urbanization and growing cities?
Keywords synonyms
Skim-read the article and find synonyms for the following words or expressions. The paragraph numbers have been given to help you. 1. A disaster (title) ____________ 2. An inhabitant (subtitle) ____________ 3. A change, a passage, or a transformation (para 1) ____________ 4. Inescapable, unavoidable (para 2) ____________ 5. Never having happened or existed before (para 2) ____________ 6. Move (para 3) ____________ 7. Multiple periods of 1,000 years (para 3) ____________ 8. Growing untidily, expanding in all directions (para 4) ____________ 9. Shanty town, poor housing area (para 4) ____________ 10. Hygiene, cleanliness (para 4) ____________ 11. Hands-on, take the initiative (para 7) ____________ 12. Produce, production, harvest (para 8) ____________
3 Pronunciation
Write the words below into the chart according to their pronunciation pattern. population generation unprecedented executive catastrophe agricultural inevitable millennia Caribbean (BE) sanitation Caribbean (AE) comparison
oOoo
ooOo
oOooo
ooOoo
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Advanced
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Growing cities face catastrophe, says UN Urban dwellers to outgrow rural population
John Vidal, environment editor Thursday June 28, 2007
1 Humanity will make the historic transition from a rural to an urban species sometime in the next year, according to the latest UN population figures. The move will be led by Africa and Asia, which are expected to add 1.6 billion people to their cities over the next 25 years. 2 The speed and scale of inevitable global urbanization is so great most countries will not be prepared for the affect it will have, Thoraya Obaid, executive director of the UN Population Fund, says. In human history we have never seen urban growth like this. It is unprecedented. 3 Ms Obaid added: In 2008, half of the worlds population will live in urban areas. The shift from rural to urban areas changes a balance that has lasted for millennia. Within one generation, five billion people, or 60% of humanity, will live in cities. The urban population of Africa and Asia is set to double in this time. She said that each week the numbers living in cities grows by nearly a million. 4 Most cities [in developing countries] already have pressing concerns, including crime, lack of clean water and sanitation, and sprawling slums. But these problems are not as serious as those that could be raised by future growth. If we do not plan ahead it will be a catastrophe. The changes are too fast to allow planners to react. If governments wait, it will be too late. 5 According to the State of the World Population Report, which Ms Obaid launched in London, large-scale population growth will take place in the cities of Asia, Africa and Latin America. It suggests the largest transition to cities will occur in Asia, where the number of urbanites will almost double to 2.6 billion in 2030. Africa
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Advanced
10 The report also talks about the end for growth of existing mega-cities. Only Dhaka in Bangladesh,
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and Lagos in Nigeria, of the worlds 20 megacities, are expected to grow more than 3% a year in the next decade ... most growth will be in smaller cities, of under 500,000 people. The good news is these cities are more flexible [in expansion]; the bad news is they dont have enough housing, water, and waste disposal.
4 Comprehension
Are the sentences True (T) or False (F)? If they are false, say why. 1. Governments around the world are prepared for the problems that come with growing cities. 2. The biggest growth regions are Asia, Africa and South America. 3. According to the report, some of the biggest problems faced are in sanitation, transport, health issues, schooling and animal welfare. 4. The UN suggests installing air-conditioning units to combat the rising temperatures. 5. Most of the growth will take place in the worlds existing mega-cities.
5 Collocations
1. Match the words to make collocations from the article. climate developing pressing greenhouse gas countries emissions change concerns
Growth
Urban
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Advanced
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3. Write at least 4 sentences using some of the collocations in 1 and 2. ...... ...... ...... ......
6 A vicious circle
Draw a diagram of the vicious circle described in paragraph 8 relating to climate changes and cities. Include at least 4 steps. change Step 1 Climate ........................ Step 4 . Step 2
Step 3
Webquest Mega-cities
Check the Internet to find out which are the largest cities in the world, by population and by area (city limits and metropolitan). Do different websites give different answers? What factors affect the answers?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Advanced
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Advanced
4 Comprehension
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. False Governments around the world are not prepared for the problems that come with growing cities. True False According to the report, some of the biggest problems faced are in sanitation, transport, jobs, health issues, schooling, and housing animal welfare. False The report suggests that governments will have to quickly build and work on houses, power, water, sanitation and roads. False Most of the growth will take place in cities with a current population of 500,000 or less.
3 Pronunciation
oOoo executive comparison catastrophe millennia Caribbean (AE) ooOo population sanitation Caribbean (BE) generation oOooo unprecedented inevitable ooOoo agricultural
5 Collocations
1. climate change developing countries pressing concerns greenhouse gas emissions
6 A vicious circle
Step 1 Climate change Step 2 Increased energy demands (e.g. for air-conditioning) Step 3 Increased greenhouse gas emissions Step 4 Raise the temperature 2 6 C Step 5 or 1 Climate change
(Other possible factors include: heat, pollution, smog, ozone, reducing agricultural yields, health risks, tornadoes, thunderstorms.)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
What are the advantages of a) living in a city and b) living in the country? Complete the word wheels and then compare your answers with a partners. Are your answers similar?
city
country
Now complete two more word wheels for the disadvantages of c) living in a city and d) living in the country.
city
country
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Keyword wordsearch
Read the definitions to find words from the article. Write them next to the definitions. The paragraph number is given to help you. 1. An adjective relating to towns or cities. _____________ (subtitle) 2. An adjective relating to the countryside. _____________ (subtitle) 3. A poor area of town where the houses are in a very bad condition. _____________ (subtitle) 4. The process of damaging the air, water or land with chemicals or other substances. _____________ (subtitle) 5. _____________ is a situation in which someone does not have enough money for their basic needs. (subtitle) 6. When something is _____________ it is very important, large or noticeable. (para 6) 7. To win against someone or something. _____________ (para 7) 8. Another verb for the need for something. _____________ (para 8) 9. A supply of power. _____________ (para 8) 10. Polluted air. A mixture of smoke and fog. _____________ (para 8) 11. Causing severe damage or harm. _____________ (para 9) Now find the words in the word search.
D M D X K R E U D Y J O
S E N N T E R Z T R C J
I G N I F I C Z M B Q N B B S T A E F E D N T N S P C E A A R O L K R B M V U Y U H R E E F C Y M R Z A D X T M R U R A L S I R J V L J M L X Z W Y P O L J V I Q T G K
A Y G R E N E S C V B V
N P O L L U T I O N E R
T S Q V N C R X P G X N
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Elementary
great that most countries are not prepared for the effect it will have, Thoraya Obaid, executive director of the UN Population Fund, says: In human history we have never seen urban growth like this. rural areas than in urban areas, but as Ms Obaid said: In 2008, half of the worlds population will live in urban areas. Within one generation, five billion people, or 60% of humanity, will live in cities. The urban population of Africa and Asia will double in this time. She added that each week the number of people living in cities grows by nearly a million. many problems; these include crime, not enough clean water and sanitation, and slums. But the problems could get worse. If we do not plan ahead it will be a catastrophe, said Ms Obaid. The changes are too fast to allow cities to react. If governments wait, it will be too late. Report, large-scale population growth will take place in the cities of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The report says that the largest move to cities will be in Asia, where the number of people living in cities will almost double to 2.6 billion in 2030. The population of cities in Africa is expected to grow by 440 million in the same period, and in Latin America and the Caribbean by nearly 200 million. Rural populations are expected to decrease worldwide by 28 million people.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Elementary
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upward trend h
downward trend i
4 Comprehension
Choose the correct word from 3 to complete the sentences. Try to do it without looking at the article. Then go back and check your answers in the article.
1. The urban population of Africa and Asia will _____________ in one generation. 2. Each week the number of people living in cities _____________ by nearly a million. 3. Large-scale population _____________ will take place in the cities of Asia, Africa and Latin America. 4. In Asia the number of people living in cities will almost _____________ to 2.6 billion in 2030. 5. Rural populations are expected to _____________ worldwide. 6. There could be a _____________ in migration away from poor regions. 7. Extra greenhouse gas emissions could _____________ temperatures in urban areas by 2-6C. 8. The climate changes will _____________ agricultural production and _____________ health risks.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Elementary
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Comprehension
1. The urban population of Africa and Asia will double in one generation. 2. Each week the number of people living in cities grows by nearly a million. 3. Large-scale population growth will take place in the cities of Asia, Africa and Latin America. 4. In Asia the number of people living in cities will almost double to 2.6 billion in 2030. 5. Rural populations are expected to decrease worldwide. 6. There could be a rise in migration away from poor regions.
7. Extra greenhouse gas emissions could raise temperatures in urban areas by 2-6C. 8. The climate changes will reduce agricultural production and increase health risks.
downward trend i
fall decrease less fewer halve sink reduce
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Is your city or town getting bigger or smaller? Is it changing in any other ways? Is this a positive or negative thing? Read the title of the article. Brainstorm reasons why you think growing cities might face major problems.
Keywords
1. Find words from the article and write them next to the definitions. The paragraph number is given to help you. a. A poor area of town where the houses are in a very bad condition. ____________ (subtitle) b. The process of damaging the air, water or land with chemicals or other substances. ____________ (subtitle) c. All the people who are living on the world. ____________ (para 1) d. A plant or animal group whose members all have similar general features and are able to produce young. ____________ (para 1) e. A change in something. ____________ (para 3) f. An adjective to describe countries which are poor and which dont have many industries. ____________ (para 4)
g. Conditions relating to peoples health and especially the systems that supply water and deal with human waste. ____________ (para 4) h. The process of going to another place in order to find work. ____________ (para 7) i. A process in which a problem causes other problems, making the first problem worse. ____________ (para 8) j. Causing severe damage or harm. ____________ (para 10)
2. Find words that are based on urban and poor and write them next to the definitions. urban (noun) ____________ is the process by which towns and cities grow bigger. (verb) To ____________ means to make more like a city.
(noun) An ____________ is someone who lives in a city. poor (noun) ____________ is a situation in which someone does not have enough money for their basic needs.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Intermediate
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Growing cities face catastrophe, says UN Urban dwellers to outgrow rural population
John Vidal, environment editor Thursday June 28, 2007
1 Humanity will make the historic move from a rural to an urban species sometime in the next year, according to the latest UN population figures. The move will be led by Africa and Asia, which are expected to add 1.6 billion people to their cities over the next 25 years. 2 The speed and scale of global urbanization is so great most countries will not be prepared for the effect it will have, Thoraya Obaid, executive director of the UN Population Fund, says. In human history we have never seen urban growth like this. 3 Ms Obaid added: In 2008, half of the worlds population will live in urban areas. The shift from rural to urban areas changes a balance that has lasted for millennia. Within one generation, five billion people, or 60% of humanity, will live in cities. The urban population of Africa and Asia will double in this time. She said that each week the number of people living in cities grows by nearly a million. 4 Most cities [in developing countries] already have worrying problems, including crime, lack of clean water and sanitation, and slums. But these problems are not as serious as those that could be raised by future growth. If we do not plan ahead, it will be a catastrophe. The changes are too fast to allow planners to react, and so if governments wait, it will be too late. 5 According to the State of the World Population Report, which Ms Obaid launched in London, large-scale population growth will take place in the cities of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The report suggests that the largest move to cities will occur in Asia, where the number of urbanites will almost double to 2.6 billion in 2030. The
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Intermediate
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10 Ms Obaid said: This problem concerns everyone, not just developing countries. If we plan ahead, we will create conditions for a stable world. If we do not, and do not find education, jobs, and houses for people in cities, then these populations will become destructive, to themselves and others.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 28/06/07
3 Comprehension check
Complete the table using information from the article.
The situation now and the situation in the very near future
Expected problems
Possible solutions
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2. Now write the verbs + prepositions into the sentences. a. ____________ the report, the urban population is growing.
b. Governments need to be ____________ the problems this will bring. c. The shift will change the balance that has ____________ thousands of years. d. A lot of problems could be ____________ this growth. e. The amount of people living in rural areas is expected to ____________ about 28 million. f. The changes in climate will be ____________ this urbanization.
5 Summary
Using the information from exercises 3 and 4, summarize the article to your partner. Be as clear and precise as possible.
Get into groups with other townies or country-folk, and discuss what you like best about living in the countryside or in urban areas. Note down the strongest arguments for your side and then, in a whole class discussion, try to convince the other group to move to your side.
Webquest Mega-cities
Check the internet to find out which are the largest cities in the world, by population and by area. Do different websites give different answers? Why do you think this is?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
P H
Intermediate
3 Comprehension
The situation now and the situation in the very near future At the moment the majority of people live in urban areas. Within the next year, humanity will become an urban species. More people will live in urban than rural areas. Expected problems Possible solutions
Lack of housing leading to slums. Lack of power, water, sanitation and roads. There will be a climate change. The average temperature will increase by 2 6C. This will lead to new energy demands such as more air-conditioning. This will then add to the greenhouse gas emissions. Increases in heat, pollution, smog and ground-level ozone will affect the surrounding areas. Farmers will produce fewer crops. There will be less to eat. Weather changes could mean more tornadoes and hurricanes. All of the above will lead to greater health risks.
We need to plan ahead now. Governments should be proactive. They should create conditions for a stable world. We need to make sure there are enough jobs and houses, especially in cities, and that there is an adequate school system so that every child can get a proper education.
2. urban urbanization a noun urbanize a verb urbanite a noun poor poverty a noun
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Growing cities face catastrophe / Intermediate
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. fluctuation impoverished mortality distiller plausible demise prone abuse binge rogue
1. If someone is ____________ to something, they are likely to suffer from it or be affected by it. 2. A ____________ is a person who produces strong alcohol. 3. ____________ are frequent changes in something, particularly in numbers. 4. ____________ is the use of something in a bad, dishonest or harmful way. 5. If something is ____________, it is likely to be true. 6. A ____________ trader or group member is one who does not behave in the same way as others and is considered dangerous. 7. ____________ means very poor. 8. ____________ is the number of deaths in a particular area or group of people. 9. ____________ is the time when someone or something stops existing. 10. A ____________ is an occasion when someone does too much of something they enjoy doing, e.g. drinking alcohol.
Read these statements and decide whether they are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. The population of Russia is rising. 2. Russians drink more alcohol than any other nation in the world. 3. The Russian economy has grown spectacularly since 2000. 4. More than half the men of working age who die in Russia are killed by alcohol. 5. Illegally produced alcohol is rare in Russia. 6. The World Health Organisation regards Russia as one of the most alcoholic countries in the world.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Advanced
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P H
early demise. It adds that illegally produced alcoholic beverages are also widely consumed. 10 The Kremlin is acutely aware of the epic scale of alcoholism. Ministers call it a national tragedy. Although President Vladimir Putin has presided over a period of spectacular economic growth since 2000, he has so far not persuaded Russians to drink less. The government has recently cracked down on rogue distillers. Yesterday the federal tax service suspended the licence of several factories producing alcohol and ethyl alcohol products, saying they had not complied with a law requiring data on how much alcohol each bottle holds.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. The city of Izhevsk was chosen for the medical study because a. There are more alcoholics there than anywhere else in Russia. b. Life there is much the same as in other industrial cities in Russia. c. People there consume products such as eau-de-cologne and antiseptics containing alcohol. 2. Life expectancy in Russia decreased during the 1990s because a. Alcohol became cheaper after the communist regime fell. b. President Gorbachevs anti-alcohol campaign was abandoned during the transition from communism. c. People became richer so they could afford to buy more alcohol.
3. What class of people did the study classify as problem drinkers? a. People who were prone to binge drinking. b. People who lost their jobs through drinking. c. People who drank alcohol not intended for consumption. 4. What is the connection between alcohol poisoning and social conditions? a. People who drink alcohol not intended for consumption often live in poor housing and have bad diets. b. Household products are widely available in impoverished cities. c. People die after falling through icy ponds or collapsing in the snow.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
Should alcohol be classified as a dangerous drug? Should its consumption be limited?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b b c a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. life expectancy household products birth rate diet death rate suicide lifestyle aftershave compare tragedy
1. ____________ are things you use at home, such as perfumes, cleaning liquids and shampoos. 2. A persons ____________ is the food that he or she normally eats. 3. A ____________ is a very sad situation. 4. The ____________ is the official number of births each year in a particular country. 5. Your ____________ is the way you live your life. 6. A persons ____________ is the number of years they will probably live. 7. The ____________ is the official number of deaths each year in a particular country. 8. ____________ is a liquid with a nice smell that a man puts on his face after shaving. 9. If you ____________ two things, you think about the ways in which they are the same or different. 10. ____________ means killing yourself.
1. What percentage of murders in Russia are linked to alcohol? 2. What percentage of suicides in Russia are linked to alcohol? 3. How much pure alcohol does the average Russian drink each year? 4. How much alcohol do some household products contain? 5. What is the life expectancy for men in Russia? 6. What is the life expectancy for women in Russia?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. Many men in Russia die young because 2. Many people drink household products containing alcohol because 3. Household products containing alcohol are dangerous because 4. The population of Russia is falling because 5. Winter is a dangerous time for alcoholics in Russia because 6. Life expectancy increased during the mid-1980s because a. President Gorbachev tried to stop people drinking alcohol. b. life expectancy is very low and the birth rate is low. c. they drink household products containing alcohol. d. they contain a very high percentage of alcohol. e. they may fall through ice or freeze to death in the snow. f. they are poor.
4 Vocabulary 1: Chunks
Rearrange these words to make short phrases from the text. Check your answers in the text.
1. age working of men 2. a alcohol result as of 3. anybody more in than the else world 4. of work out 5. national a tragedy 6. the death in freeze snow to 7. of a number men large
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
6 Vocabulary 3
past simple 1. grow 2. find 3. choose 4. fall 5. lose 6. drink 7. try 8. lead grew found chose fell lost drank tried led
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f d b e a
4 Vocabulary 1: Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. men of working age as a result of alcohol more than anybody else in the world out of work a national tragedy freeze to death in the snow a large number of men an important factor
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. fluctuation antiseptic campaign abuse consumption unorthodox acute crack down binge trend
1. If the authorities ____________ on a particular activity, they take strong action to stop it happening. 2. If something is ____________, it does not follow the usual rules. 3. A ____________ is an occasion when someone does too much of something they enjoy doing, e.g. drinking alcohol. 4. A ____________ is a series of actions intended to achieve social or political change. 5. A ____________ is a gradual change or development that produces a particular result. 6. ____________ are frequent changes in something, particularly in numbers. 7. An ____________ is a substance used to clean injured skin and prevent infections. 8. ____________ is the use of food, fuel or drink. 9. If a medical condition is ____________, it is extremely serious or severe. 10. ____________ is the use of something in a bad, dishonest or harmful way.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. What percentage of murders in Russia are linked to alcohol? 2. When did President Gorbachev launch his anti-alcohol campaign? 3. How much pure alcohol does the average Russian drink each year? 4. What percentage of suicides in Russia are linked to alcohol? 5. According to the figures from 2004, how long does the average Russian man live? 6. How many men did the scientists study in the city of Izhevsk?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
dangers. In winter, newspapers are always full of stories of drunks who have died after falling through ice or collapsing in the snow. According to 2005 figures, Russia has about 2,348,567 registered alcoholics, and alcohol is linked to 72% of murders and 42% of suicides. The World Health Organisation says Russia is one of the most alcoholic countries in the world.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 15/6/07
The Russian government admits that alcoholism is a huge problem. Ministers call it a national tragedy. Although President Vladimir Putins government has seen a period of spectacular economic growth since 2000, he has not been able to persuade Russians to drink less. The government has recently cracked down on people producing alcohol illegally.
10 Russian alcoholics - drinking perfume, aftershave and cheap local alcohol - face great
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Russians drink more alcohol than anyone else in the world. 2. People drinking alcohol from household products are more likely to die young than other users of alcohol. 3. Poor housing and bad diets force people to drink household products like perfume and aftershave. 4. The city of Izhevsk was chosen for the study because it has a very high rate of alcoholism. 5. The Russian government does not regard alcoholism as a problem. 6. Newspapers rarely report stories about drunks dying in cold weather.
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5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to form collocations. 1. birth 2. life 3. liver 4. high 5. bad 6. important 7. pure 8. great a. disease b. level c. factor d. alcohol e. rate f. diet g. danger h. expectancy
7 Discussion
Excessive alcohol consumption is a problem in many parts of the world. What are the possible solutions?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. e h a b f c d g
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5, 6. 7. 8. T T F F F F T F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Cologne and antiseptic: Russias killer drinks / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the article. carbon footprint climate change global warming greenhouse gases renewable energy carbon dioxide
1. The chemical equation for _______________________ is CO2. 2. A _______________________ is a measure of the amount of CO2 emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels.
3. Some _______________________ occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others result from human activities, for example, by burning fossil fuels such as coal. 4. _______________________ refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earths near-surface air and oceans. 5. _______________________ is one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing the planet. 6. Solar, wind and water power are all forms of _______________________.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the article. 1. Bob Geldof recently organized the Live Earth concert in London. 2. Al Gore spearheaded the organization worldwide. 3. The concert was broadcast on TV, radio and the Internet to two billion people. 4. Paul McCartney made a guest appearance at Wembley Stadium in London. 5. Some well-known bands found the event hypocritical. 6. The Internet coverage was sponsored by an automotive company. 7. The concert took place in all seven continents of the world. 8. The event sparked criticism about the amount of greenhouse gases it produced. 9. Environmentalists all agree that offsetting is the best way to deal with carbon footprints. 10. Al Gore is the Democrats candidate for the next US presidential election.
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Advanced
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10 Acutely aware of the need to minimize the events own footprint, Live Earth organizers
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promised to power all shows with renewable energy, and to offset flights taken by the 150 acts performing in London, New Jersey, Shanghai, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Hamburg, Sydney, and after a last-minute threat of cancellation Rio de Janeiro. (Scientists at a base in Antarctica also performed by satellite, so the event covered all continents.) And Gayle Fine, a New York-based spokeswoman for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, said the band offsets all tour travel, while ground crews use biodiesel fuel where possible. 11 Offsetting is controversial among some environmentalists, who argue it simply eliminates guilt. But Madonna, organizers noted, lives in London, and generally, bands had been assigned to perform in cities where they lived, or in the continents where they were touring.
13
3 Comprehension check
1. What does the event hope to achieve? Give two examples. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Name three reasons why the event is being criticized. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What reasons does a spokesperson give to suggest that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are a green band? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Why was Bob Geldof cynical about the event? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Why didnt the Arctic Monkeys play at the concert? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What hidden agenda do some critics suggest accompanies the Live Earth concerts? ___________________________________________________________________________________________
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Advanced
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5 Discussion
Would you attend a benefit concert such as Live Earth? Why/Why not? What other ways can you think of to raise awareness of environmental issues? In groups, list the major steps involved in planning an awareness raising event. Compare your lists with the others. Could you imagine organizing an awareness raising event?
6 Webquest
1. Go to www.carbonfootprint.com and find ways to reduce your carbon footprint. List at least 3 things you can do that will make an immediate difference as well as 3 things you can do that will make a difference within 1-4 years, and do them! 2. How can you offset your carbon footprint? Do you think this actually makes a difference?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Life Earth an inconvenient truth? / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Collocations
nebulous concept worst-case scenario moral complexities energy-efficient light bulbs greenhouse-gas offenders biodiesel fuel eliminate guilt presidential bid
3 Comprehension check
1. The event hopes to pressure politicians to sign an international treaty pledging massively reduced emissions within two years and persuade individuals to make lifestyle changes, such as installing four energy-efficient light bulbs, or taking public transport to work once a week.
2. Bands are using private jets to fly to and from the concerts. Spectators travelling to the London and New Jersey concerts generated approximately 5,600 tonnes of greenhouse gases between them the equivalent of 7,270 people crossing the Atlantic by plane. Live Earths website is sponsored by the Chevrolet company, which manufactures SUVs. 3. The band offsets all tour travel, and their ground crews use biodiesel fuel where possible.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Advanced
Elementary
Unscramble the letters to find the names of musicians, pop starts and bands mentioned in the article. Put a tick ( ) next to them if they played at the Live Earth concerts and a cross ( X ) if they didnt play.
naMdoan uaPl cnCMatrye crctiA oneMksy teBsiae yoBs unDar uDarn aJesm tBnul oBb felGod nowS ratlPo seneiGs
______________________________
Match the numbers with the facts you think they correspond with. Check your answers in the article. a. two billion b. eighty thousand c. seven d. one hundred and twenty e. twenty-four f. five thousand six hundred g. 440 h. four i. one hundred and fifty spectators at Wembley Stadium in London tonnes of greenhouse gasses generated by the spectators in London and New Jersey months - the amount of time it took one artist to produce 440 tonnes of CO2 tonnes of carbon dioxide television networks viewers worldwide hour concert acts continents
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Elementary
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10 Offsetting is controversial among some environmentalists; they say it simply eliminates guilt. But Madonna lives in London, organizers said and, generally, bands performed in cities where they lived or in the continents where they were touring. 11 There is another possible interpretation of July 7s global events as well as the hope that they
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Elementary
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will make a lot of difference in the world. Some people think that Mr Gore will soon announce his presidential bid. 12 You might see that interpretation as the worst kind of cynicism. Then again, Live Earths message is that we each should do whatever we can for the climate. And polls suggest that
3 Comprehension check
Match the sentence halves to read a summary of the article. The aim of the recent Live Earth concerts... The concerts were held over a 24-hour period... It was watched by over two billion viewers worldwide,... It was the biggest... The campaign was led by... Cynicism came from... Many famous international artists... Others refused to perform as they... Touring pop stars are... Some environmentalists say that... An increasing amount of US voters think... ... media event in history. ... Al Gore. ... some of the biggest producers of greenhouse gasses. ... in all seven continents of the world. ... was to raise awareness about global warming. ... offsetting your carbon footprint only stops you feeling guilty. ... either at the concerts, on the Internet, or on TV. ... performed for free. ... Bob Geldof who said we already know about global warming. ... Al Gore should be their next president. ... thought it would be hypocritical.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Elementary
CA
P H
5 Discussion
In small groups, think of 5 reasons for and 5 reasons against attending a concert such as Live Earth. If you were the organizers, how much would you charge for a ticket? Give reasons why you would charge this amount. Compare your suggestion to that of other groups. Would you like to attend an awareness raising concert such as Live Earth? Why/Why not?
6 Webquest
1. Go to www.carbonfootprint.com and use the flight calculator to calculate a trip from London to your nearest major airport. What is the flight distance? How many tonnes of CO2 would this flight contribute?
2. Find ways to reduce your carbon footprint. List at least 3 things you can do that will make an immediate difference as well as 3 things you can do that will make a difference within 1-4 years, and do them!
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Madonna Red Hot Chili Peppers Beastie Boys Duran Duran James Blunt Snow Patrol Genesis
4 Vocabulary: Synonyms
a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. performers = acts audience = viewers and spectators size / strength = intensity series / row = sequence concert = gig makes / produces = manufactures promising = pledging convincing = persuading initiator / founder = instigator gets rid of = eliminate reason / way to understand = interpretation
3 Comprehension check
The aim of the recent Live Earth concerts was to raise awareness about global warming. The concerts were held over a 24-hour period in all seven continents of the world. It was watched by over two billion viewers worldwide, either at the concerts, on the Internet, or on TV. It was the biggest media event in history. The campaign was led by Al Gore. Cynicism came from Bob Geldof who said we already know about global warming. Many famous international artists performed for free.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Which of these topics would you expect to read about in an article about the recent Live Earth concerts? stage lighting famous artists food ticket prices rubbish scientists advertising
Now add three further ideas of your own. ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
Key words
Skim the article to find words to complete the sentences. The paragraph number is given to help you. 1. Other words that are similar to _______________ are strength or power. (para 1) 2. When we talk about the _______________ of something, we mean its size. (para 1) 3. This word is used to talk about the doubts someone has about something: His _______________ was unfounded. (para 1) 4. Unofficial information that may or may not be true is often called a _______________. (para 2) 5. The _______________ of something is a feature that makes it difficult to understand or confusing. (para 3) 6. When you make or produce things such as energy or pollution, you _______________ it. (para 4) 7. This is the same as a promise and is often made in public: a _______________ (para 5) 8. You can use this word to describe someone who commits a crime or causes a problem: an _______________. (para 6) 9. When you publically say one thing, but secretly do the opposite, people might say you are being _______________. (para 7) 10. An _______________ is a person who starts something up. (para 8) 11. A _______________ subject, opinion or decision is one that people disagree with or dont approve of. (para 10) 12. ______________ is the belief that people only care about themselves and are insincere or dishonest. (para 12)
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Intermediate
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P H
10 Offsetting is controversial among some environmentalists, who argue it simply eliminates guilt. But Madonna, organizers noted, lives
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Intermediate
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P H
in London, and generally, bands had been assigned to perform in cities where they lived, or in the continents where they were touring. 11 There is another possible interpretation of July 7s global events aside from the hope that they will make all the difference in the world. Some people think that Mr Gore will soon announce his presidential bid, an idea he has been denying with less force recently.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the correct answer (a-d) 1. Live Earth concerts took place: a. on the Internet. b. on every continent. c. last weekend. d. at Wembley in London and were broadcast around the world. 2. Bob Geldof: a. was sceptical of the usefulness of the concerts. b. was the instigator of the concerts. c. kept quiet. d. opened the concerts in Sydney. 3. The Arctic Monkeys didnt play because: a. they were on tour. b. they wouldnt get paid. c. they needed their own stage lighting. d. they thought it would be hypocritical. 4. A spokesperson said the Red Hot Chili Peppers are green because: a. they are all vegetarians. b. they played in New York, not London. c. they offset their carbon footprint when on tour. d. their crew ride bicycles. 5. In 2006, Madonnas what produced 440 tonnes of carbon dioxide in four months? a. Her houses. b. Her world tour. c. Her CD sales. d. Her employees. 6. An increasing number of US citizens would like to see Al Gore: a. in the greenhouse. b. in the doghouse. c. playing Dr House. d. in the White House. 6a. Bonus question Give further information about your answer to 6: why is this?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
Match the words on the left with those on the right to make collocations. Then find them again in the article to see in which context they are used. lifestyle media raise public transport awareness warming footprint efficient changes event
5 Discussion
In groups, think of 5 reasons for and 5 reasons against attending a concert such as Live Earth. Do you think that by playing at such events pop stars are helping the environment or easing their guilty consciences? Does this matter? / Is it important? Would you like to attend an awareness raising concert such as Live Earth? Why/Why not?
6 Webquest
1. Go to www.carbonfootprint.com and find ways to reduce your carbon footprint. List at least 3 things you can do that will make an immediate difference as well as 3 things you can do that will make a difference within 1-4 years, and do them! 2. How can you offset your carbon footprint? Find examples of how to do this.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
lifestyle changes media event raise awareness public transport global warming energy efficient carbon footprint
2 Key words
1. intensity 2. scale 3. scepticism 4. rumour 5. complexity 6. generate 7. pledge 8. offender 9. hypocritical 10. instigator 11. controversial 12. cynicism
3 Comprehension check
1. b 2. a 3. c 4. c 5. b 6. d
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Live Earth an inconvenient truth? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Match these verbs from the text with their meanings. expel summon unveil pursue escalate condemn overcome extradite refrain flee
1. ____________ to become or make much worse or more serious. 2. ____________ to say publicly that you think something is bad or wrong. 3. ____________ to send a criminal back for a trial in a country where a crime was committed. 4. ____________ to escape from a dangerous situation or place very quickly. 5. ____________ to announce officially something that was previously a secret. 6. ____________ to follow a course of activity. 7. ____________ to succeed in dealing with or controlling a problem. 8. ____________ to officially order someone to come to a particular place. 9. ____________ to stop yourself from doing something. 10. ____________ to officially force someone to leave a place.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Condoleeza Rice is the vice-president of the United States. 2. Alexander Litvinenko was killed by radiation poisoning. 3. Vladimir Putin is the Russian prime minister. 4. MI6 is a Russian intelligence agency. 5. The Foreign Office is name of the UKs Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 6. British businessmen do not need visas to enter Russia.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Advanced
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of Mr Andrei Lugovoi for the alleged murder of Alexander Litvinenko. 8 He continued: We are, however, much heartened that over the last 36 hours across the international community, European countries, the EU as a whole and the United States should have put out such positive statements about the need to defend the integrity of the British judicial system, and that is something that we shall be taking forward with the international community over the next few days and weeks. 9 Yesterdays tit-for-tat expulsions are likely to be welcomed by British businesses, which had feared more stringent measures affecting visas. There is some hope that both sides will stop
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. What led directly to the expulsion of the four Russian diplomats from Britain? a. The murder of Alexander Litvinenko in London last November. b. The alleged failure of the Russians to co-operate with the investigation into Mr Litvinenkos death. c. The expulsion of four British diplomats from Russia. 2. How does the text describe the Russian response to the British action? a. As an over-reaction b. As a kind of copy of what the British did c. As an unexpectedly mild response 3. What is President Putins assessment of relations between Britain and Russia? a. He thinks they are very bad. b. He thinks they are very good. c. He thinks they will improve in the future. 4. What has been the reaction of British business people to the Russian action? a. They are afraid that a stricter visa regime will be imposed. b. They are probably relieved because the measures taken could have been much worse. c. They are pessimistic about future relations between the two countries.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary 2: Synonyms
Look at the following words from the text. Match the synonyms to make five pairs of words. charge order out draconian accuse denounce emphasize stringent expel condemn underline
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
Which prepositions follow these words from the text? Check your answers in the text. 1. refrain _______ 2. investigation _______ 3. charge _______ 4. apply _______ 5. reaction _______ 6. expel _______ 7. ban _______ 8. conflict _______
7 Discussion
Should a citizen of your country who has committed a crime in another country be extradited to that country to face trial? What are the arguments for and against extradition?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Advanced
Advanced
5 Vocabulary 2: Synonyms
charge / accuse draconian / stringent denounce / condemn order out / expel emphasize / underline
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. from into with to to from on with
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c c b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. trial ban expel spokesman unjustified co-operate reduce agent analyst poison
1. If you ____________ someone from doing something, you say officially that they must not do it. 2. If you ____________ with someone, you work together with them to get a result that is good for everyone. 3. If you ____________ someone, you kill them or make them very ill by giving them a dangerous substance. 4. If you ____________ someone from a place, you tell them officially that they must leave. 5. When you ____________ something, you make it smaller in size or importance. 6. A ____________ is someone whose job is to represent an organization officially, especially when speaking to journalists. 7. An ____________ is someone who works for a countrys secret service. 8. An ____________ is someone whose job is to examine a situation carefully and give information about it to other people. 9. A ____________ is the process of examining a criminal case in a court of law. 10. If something is ____________, it is not fair and is not based on any good reason.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many Russian diplomats did Britain expel? 2. How many British diplomats did Russia expel? 3. What is the name of the former Russian security agent murdered in London? 4. What is the name of the former KGB agent charged with the murder? 5. Who is David Miliband? 6. Who is Alexander Grushko?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. The British authorities expelled four Russian diplomats because 2. The Russian authorities expelled four British diplomats because 3. British businesses will probably be pleased because 4. There will be no contact between the two governments in the near future because 5. President Putin believes 6. Sergei Karaganov believes a. the British expelled four Russian diplomats. b. the mini crisis will soon be over. c. British officials will not travel to Moscow and Russian officials will not travel to London. d. the Russians did not want to send Mr Lugovoi to London. e. there is some hope that both sides will stop now. f. they were worried that the Russians would make it more difficult to get visas.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Use prepositions to fill the gaps in these phrases from the text. 1. put ______ trial 2. co-operate ______ someone 3. no contact ______ the two governments 4. ______ the near future 5. interested ______ this 6. involved ______ something
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. decide respond govern
noun
co-operation reduction involvement discussion announcement
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. on with between in in in
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d a f c b e
noun
co-operation reduction involvement government discussion response announcement decision
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK for expelling diplomats / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. expel mild extradition targeted unjustified tit-for-tat overcome fatal summon ban
1. A ____________ action is when you do the same thing to someone else that they have done to you. 2. If something is ____________, it is not fair or based on any good reason. 3. A ____________ is an official statement ordering people not to do something. 4. If an action is ____________, it is aimed at a specific group of people. 5. If something is ____________, it is not strong, severe or extreme. 6. If you ____________ a person from a place, you officially order that person to leave. 7. If you take a ____________ dose of something, it will kill you. 8. If you ____________ a problem or crisis, you succeed in dealing with it. 9. ____________ is the process of sending a criminal back for a trial to the country where the crime was committed. 10. If you ____________ a person to a place, you officially order them to go there.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Intermediate
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P H
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The British expelled four Russian diplomats because Russia expelled four British diplomats. 2. People expected the Russian response to be much stronger. 3. The British believe that the Russians are not co-operating with the investigation into the murder of Mr Litvinenko. 4. The man accused of Mr Litvinenkos murder says the KGB were involved. 5. Condoleezza Rice wants Russia to be isolated over this affair. 6. British MPs will not be allowed to travel to Russia.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Intermediate
CA
P H
noun
extradition
investigation
emphasis
7 Discussion
Should a citizen of your country who has committed a crime in another country be extradited to that country to face trial? What are the arguments for and against extradition?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F T T F F F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Putin hits back at UK by expelling diplomats / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. grill spoof clip tilt hail free-for-all quirky unsettles disseminate breakthrough
1. A ____________ is an attempt to achieve something. 2. A ____________ is an uncontrolled situation in which people compete with each other and where there are no rules. 3. A ____________ is a discovery or achievement that comes after a lot of hard work. 4. A ____________ is a very short part of a film, TV programme or news story. 5. If you ____________ someone, you ask them a lot of difficult questions. 6. If you ____________ information, you make it available to a lot of people. 7. If people ____________ something, they say publicly how good or important it is. 8. If something ____________ you, it makes you feel nervous, confused or anxious. 9. A ____________ is a piece of entertainment that copies something in a funny way and makes it seem silly or pretentious. 10. If something is ____________, it is slightly strange or unusual.
Decide whether you think these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. YouTube did not exist during the last US presidential campaign in 2004. 2. The next presidential elections in the US will take place in 2008. 3. Hillary Clinton is one of the Republican candidates for the 2008 US presidential election. 4. More than 25 million people have watched a YouTube video about Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. 5. YouTube is teaming up with CNN to broadcast a debate between the Democratic candidates. 6. John F Kennedy appeared in a televised debate in 1980.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Some of the videos do not ask questions at all: in one, a man plays guitar and sings a song about potential vice-presidents; another includes a talking duck; one man, making a point about the impact of petrol on the environment, is shown driving a 1987 Chevy convertible. Phil Noble, founder of PoliticsOnline, told Reuters YouTubes increasing coverage of politics was significant. In the past, the campaigns sort of stuck their toe into technology and innovation it was a small detail of what was going on. The difference in this election is that technology has become fundamental. Every campaign has figured out ways to use YouTube all the time. The Internet played a small but short-lived role in the 2004 presidential election, with online donations funding the sudden rise of the Democrat Howard Dean. Online Democratic bloggers played a bigger part in last years Congressional elections. But the Internet is shifting into a central position in this campaign in terms of disseminating ideas, fundraising and mobilizing support, particularly among the young. YouTube, which did not exist during the last presidential campaign, has already had an impact on this one. More than 2.5 million people have viewed the video Ive Got A Crush ... On Obama since it was posted last month and a follow-up about women fighting over Mr Obama and Rudy Giuliani, the Republican frontrunner, has been watched more than 500,000 times since it appeared last week. A Hillary Clinton campaign spoof on the final episode of the Sopranos was also popular.
section, told the Washington Post: These YouTube questions a lot of them, anyway are intimate, emotional, personal. That person is in his/her own
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. How does the Internets role in the current presidential campaign differ from its role in the last campaign? a. It is collecting online donations for the candidates. b. It is playing a much more central role this time. c. It is being used to spread information. 2. How did YouTube knock George Allen out of the presidential race? a. It refused to show his promotional video. b. It showed a video of his opponents criticizing him. c. It showed a video of him making a racist comment. 3. How do the organizers describe the joint CNN/YouTube debate? a. They say it is an important milestone in the history of the Internet. b. They say it is the most important event since the debate between Nixon and Kennedy. c. They say it will be the most successful debate ever broadcast.
4. Why are some bloggers unhappy? a. Because the questions will be edited. b. Because the Internet is a democratic free-for-all. c. Because they dont like the fact that CNN is involved.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
noun
noun (person)
5. campaign
8. organize
7 Discussion
If you had the opportunity, what questions would you ask your political leaders? What would you like them to change in your country?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c a c
5. campaign
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. debate emotional campaign powerful election welfare candidate survive frontrunner environment
1. An ____________ is a time when people vote for someone to represent them, especially in a government. 2. The ____________ is the natural world, including the land, water, air, plants and animals. 3. In the United States, ____________ is money given to people who dont have a job. 4. If you ____________ an illness or an accident, you continue to live after it. 5. A ____________ is a formal discussion where people answer questions. 6. A ____________ is one of the people who is trying to win an election. 7. A ____________ is a lot of different things that politicians do to try to win an election. 8. The ____________ is the person who is the favourite to win an election. 9. ____________ things are related to peoples feelings. 10. If an experience is ____________, it has a strong effect on people.
1. How many video questions have people sent in? 2. When did Richard Nixon and John Kennedy first debate on television? 3. How many questions has CNN chosen for the debate? 4. When is the next US presidential election? 5. How many people have watched the video about Barack Obama? 6. How many people have watched the video about Mr Obama and Mr Giuliani?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
in the form of the video-sharing website YouTube, are joining together to show a debate between the Democratic candidates in the United States 2008 presidential campaign. Members of the public have sent in video-recorded questions for Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and the other candidates.
they have recorded on webcameras and mobile phones. One of them is a short 30-second video from someone with cancer who takes off her wig and says she would have a better chance of surviving the disease if she had health insurance. If you were president, what would you do to provide cheap or free medical treatment for everyone in this country? she asks.
for the Internet, in the same way that the televised debate between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960 was an important day in the history of television. But some bloggers, who want the Internet to be democratic and free for everyone to use, have said that they are not happy that CNN is part of this event. The fact that CNN has chosen the 25-30 questions has also made a lot of bloggers angry.
Charleston, South Carolina and watch the questions on a large screen, 7.6 metres wide and 5.5 metres high. So far people have sent in questions about climate change, immigration, gay rights, welfare and foreign policy. US newspapers and television cover Iraq all the time but people have only sent in a few questions on this topic. CNN is checking the questions carefully but there might still be some difficult and uncomfortable questions for the candidates.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make expressions from the text.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. treat insure connect elect organize surround broadcast fight
(person) (plural)
noun
0 o
o 0
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
noun
treatment insurance connection election
(person) organizer (plural) surroundings
broadcast fight
o 0
debate campaign disease event guitar support
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f b e a c
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. f h d c g b a e
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. clip debate quirky submit free-for-all preventative unsettles impact breakthrough coverage
1. If something ____________ you, it makes you feel nervous, confused or anxious. 2. ____________ is the amount of attention that the media gives to a particular subject. 3. ____________ medicine is treatment intended to stop an illness or a disease before it starts. 4. A ____________ is a formal discussion in which people give their opinions about a subject. 5. If something is ____________, it is slightly strange or unusual. 6. A ____________ is a discovery or achievement that comes after a lot of hard work. 7. A ____________ is a very short part of a film, TV programme or news story. 8. If you ____________ a question or a proposal, you formally give it to someone so that they can make a decision about it. 9. An ____________ is the effect or influence that something or someone has. 10. A ____________ is an uncontrolled situation in which people compete with each other and where there are no rules.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many video questions have been submitted to the debate? 2. When did Richard Nixon and John Kennedy first debate on television? 3. How many questions has CNN selected for the debate? 4. When is the next US presidential election? 5. How many people have watched the video about Barack Obama? 6. When will the Republican debate take place on CNN/YouTube?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. This is the first time that television and the Internet have joined forces to broadcast a presidential campaign debate of this kind. 2. All of the videos submitted to the debate ask questions. 3. The Internet is taking a central position in this presidential campaign. 4. Some bloggers are unhappy that CNN is involved. 5. The Internet was not used at all during the last presidential campaign in 2004. 6. YouTube was founded in 2003.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
noun
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. person power emotion democrat environment president centre republic
adjective
7 Discussion
What would you like your politicians to change in your country? If you could send in questions to a political debate, what questions would you submit and why?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. T F T T F F
adjective
personal powerful emotional democratic environmental presidential central republican
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / YouTube at centre of 2008 presidential campaign / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 3
1
Advanced
Read the headline and the sub-heading. What do you think the article is going to be about?
Going under
Britain is world-renowned for its depressingly damp climate. We are used to suffering week upon week of rain. So why have a few heavy showers caused such devastation around the country this summer? Aida Edemariam reports July 24, 2007
Match these keywords from the text with the definitions below. trapped ploughs run-off absorb drainage crop sewers paving flush freak
1. ____________ removing liquids from something 2. ____________ covering the ground with tiles, stones, concrete, etc. 3. ____________ digs up the land in lines, using machines 4. ____________ excess water that cannot sink onto the ground 5. ____________ kept in one place and stopped from moving away 6. ____________ a system of pipes underground to carry waste water away 7. ____________ take in liquid a little at a time 8. ____________ very unusual 9. ____________ plants grown for food 10. ____________ to wash away
Now read the article, check the words in context, and see if your prediction was correct.
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 3 Advanced
4
In fact, the answer lies partly in how quickly it all happened. Brize Norton in Oxfordshire received 121.2mm of rain between midnight Thursday and 5pm Friday a sixth of what it would expect for the whole year. South Yorkshire got a months worth of rain on June 25. And it has been raining for weeks now, and the ground is very wet, so immediately you get rainfall, you get runoff, explains professor Adrian Saul, of Sheffield University. It isnt just a case of the ground not being able to absorb so much so fast drainage systems cant either, and have simply been overwhelmed. When you design a system you have to take a level of risk, and generally the level of risk is sufficient to protect our communities, says Saul. But once that level has been passed, the defences are overwhelmed. Its very fortunate that the Victorians built the systems as big as they did. In London in particular, [they] had the foresight to see that there would be change, and its protected London ever since. Which is, of course, impressive, and true, but it is also true that they were built when Londons population was a quarter of what it is now and last Friday, they simply didnt hold up. Our sewers are not designed to deal with that capacity of water flowing through them, says Nicola Savage, a spokeswoman for Thames Water. They are also not designed for the way we currently treat them. We each, personally, use far more water than ever before. There is also a tendency for the public to use the sewers as a litter bin, Savage adds. People flush nappies down toilets, sanitary products, and tights. In particular, we need to encourage people not to be pouring stuff down the sink for example, fat, oil and grease. The sewers were never designed to cope with this sort of material. Thames Water says that it is spending 323 million improving its sewers, but until recently, Ofwat [the economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales] has been reluctant to allow very much investment by water companies, because they wanted to keep water bills down. Saul is also involved in a 5.6 million project called the Flood Risk Management Research Consortium,
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Britain is world-renowned for its depressingly damp climate. We are used to suffering week upon week of rain. So why have a few heavy showers caused such devastation around the country this summer? Aida Edemariam reports July 24, 2007 1 Anyone attempting to take a train to or from the
southwest of England this weekend could be forgiven for wondering if they had accidentally strayed on to the set of a disaster movie. Trains appeared on boards and then simply vanished. Announcers on the London Underground announced lists of lines progressively going out of service. As for those who had to watch their homes and businesses surrender to the rising tide, among them there was a general sense of disbelief. Disbelief that a downpour so short should wreak such havoc, disbelief that such scenes should be occurring at all.
famed for its wetness. Rain is our national weather. Snow well, we all know what happens when Britain is dusted with a few millimetres of snow. Excessive heat, like last summers, causes difficulties, too but rain? Given our extensive experience, surely we should lead the world in rain management.
over the weekend, thousands more are trapped in their homes. Thats thousands to add to those still unable to go home after floods in the north of England last month, which killed eight people and countless millions to add to a national insurance bill eventually expected to top 2.5 billion. Evesham, in Worcestershire, the worst-hit town this weekend, experienced floods of up to five metres. And it isnt over yet: at the time of going to press there were warnings that flood waters werent expected to peak until tonight, and Oxford and Bedford and Gloucestershire were preparing themselves to be the next major areas hit. All are entitled to ask how such relatively short bursts of rain just one hour in London, somewhat longer in places such as Oxfordshire could have such devastating results.
CA
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Going under
Level 3 Advanced
essence, anything that runs off the house should be stored locally, says Saul. Instead of going straight into the sewerage system, rainwater can be collected in storage tanks under driveways, for example and used to flush toilets or run washing machines. Small trenches called soakaways can be dug in gardens and filled with stones, to trap the water and release it into the ground a bit more slowly. Every little helps. which is investigating how farmers can control the flow of water off land. Farmers can decrease runoff if they plough across hills, rather than down them, and strategically placed trees can help retain water. And the more animals there are on a piece of land, the more they pack the ground down, and the less it can absorb water. This leads to crop damage, which will soon be evident in our shops. And if intensively farmed animals get no drinking water for 48 hours, thousands will die, which will also affect the price of food.
10
can help reduce a problem that, in fact, they have helped create: by extending their houses, paving driveways, building car parks all decreasing the amount of soft ground to absorb water, and increasing the amount of runoff into drains and rivers. In
For although what Britain has experienced over the past month is, as experts explain, a series of freak weather events, our changing climate means that there may soon be more of them, more frequently. Today Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire are having to get out the sandbags and evacuate the citizens. Tomorrow, next month, next year who knows?
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 24/07/07
3 Comprehension check
Re-read the text more carefully, and decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F). 1. The flooding in Britain this summer is no worse than usual. 2. Insurance costs will be very high. 3. One reason for the floods was that a huge amount of rain fell in a very short time. 4. Victorian engineers fully anticipated the extent of population growth. 5. The public have been putting the wrong kind of material down the toilet. 6. Farmers could help prevent flooding if they ploughed their land up and down hill. 7. The price of food is likely to rise. 8. The more we build, the more likely we are to see floods in the future.
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 3 Advanced
4 Vocabulary development 1
Find words in the text that mean the following. Paragraph numbers are given to help you. 1. famous everywhere (sub-heading) 2. enormous destruction (sub-heading) 3. wandered by accident (para 1) 4. sudden period of heavy rainfall (para 1) 5. cause so much damage (para 1) 6. covered with very small quantities (para 2) 7. when this article was printed (para 3) 8. completely defeated (para 5) 9. ability to think ahead and anticipate future problems (para 5) 10. carefully and thoughtfully (para 8)
7. that capacity of
Now scan the text to see how many you got right.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 3 Advanced
no.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
para
1 1 3 3 3 5 5 8
word
those them thousands millions all they they thousands
context
As for those who had to watch... ... among them there was... Thousands had to be evacuated... ... countless millions to add... All are entitled to ask... ... as big as they did... ... they were built... ... thousands will die...
refers to...
7 Recognizing irony
The writer of this article, Aida Edemariam, sometimes uses irony for dramatic effect. 1. Find 5 examples of irony in the subheading and the first 2 paragraphs. 2. Why do you think the use of irony is concentrated only at the beginning of the article?
8 Discussion
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Has your country experienced unusual amounts of flooding recently? Has it experienced other changes in the weather? Do you think such changes are probably due to global warming? What measures is your government taking to help prevent global warming? What measures do you think it should take? What measures do you think individuals in your country should take? In what ways have you changed your own behaviour to help reduce the risks?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 3 KEY
2 Pre-reading B: Key words
1. drainage 2. paving 3. ploughs 4. runoff 5. trapped 6. sewers 7. absorb 8. freak 9. crop 10. flush
Advanced
5 Vocabulary development 2: Expressions of quantity
1. b 2. a 3. g 4. h 5. i 6. c 7. f 8. d 9. j 10. e
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. False. It is much worse than usual. True True False. They anticipated a lot of growth, but not enough. True False. They could help if they ploughed their land across the hill. True True
word
those them thousands millions all they they thousands
refers to...
people (whose houses had been flooded) as above thousands of people millions of pounds everyone in the UK the Victorians (who built the sewers) the sewers thousands of animals
4 Vocabulary development 1
1. world-renowned 2. devastation 3. strayed 4. downpour 5. wreak such havoc 6. dusted 7. at the time of going to press 8. overwhelmed 9. foresight 10. strategically
7 Recognizing irony
1. Britain is world-renowned for its depressingly damp climate. This, after all, is a country famed for its wetness. Rain is our national weather. Snow well, we all know what happens when Britain is dusted with a few millimetres of snow. Given our extensive experience, surely we should lead the world in rain management. 2. Because after that, the content is too serious for irony.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
CA
P H
Going under
Level 1
1
Elementary
Read the headline and the sub-heading below. What do you think the article is going to be about? Umbrellas breaking in the rain? Rainwater filling houses and streets? Tourists staying away because of the rain?
Going under
Everyone knows that it often rains in Britain. We often have week upon week of rain. So why have a few heavy showers caused so much damage here this summer? Aida Edemariam reports July 24, 2007
Match these keywords from the text with the meanings below. disaster floods results run-off drainage sewers ploughs absorb 1. ____________ removing liquids from something 2. ____________ water from rivers filling the land 3. ____________ a very bad accident or serious damage 4. ____________ a system of pipes underground to carry waste water away 5. ____________ things that happen because something else happened 6. ____________ take in liquid a little at a time 7. ____________ too much water that cannot go down into the ground 8. ____________ digs up the land in lines, using machines Now read the article, check the words in context, and see if your answer to Question 1 was correct.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
CA
P H
Going under
Level 1 Elementary
lucky that the Victorians built the systems as big as they did. Especially in London, they thought the city would get bigger, and that has protected London until now. But Londons population is now four times as big and last Friday, the sewers couldnt handle so much water.
Going under
Everyone knows that it often rains in Britain. We often have week upon week of rain. So why have a few heavy showers caused so much damage here this summer? Aida Edemariam reports July 24, 2007 1 People trying to take a train to or from the 6
southwest of England this weekend could think they had accidentally walked into a disaster movie. Some trains never arrived, and the people who had to watch their homes and businesses go under water couldnt believe that such a short rainstorm could cause so much damage. country is famous for its wetness. Rain is our national weather. Snow can cause us problems, yes, and very hot weather, like last summer, causes difficulties, too but rain? With our wide experience, surely we should lead the world in rain management. to leave their homes over the weekend, and thousands more are still trapped inside their houses. Some towns in the south had floods of up to five metres. In the north of England, some people still cant go home after last months floods, which killed 8 people. Everyone is asking how such short rainstorms just one hour in London, slightly longer in other places could have such terrible results. so quickly. Brize Norton in Oxfordshire had 121.2mm of rain between midnight Thursday and 5pm Friday a sixth of what it would expect for the whole year. South Yorkshire got a months worth of rain on June 25. It has been raining for weeks now, and the ground is very wet, so immediately you get rainfall, you get runoff, explains professor Adrian Saul, of Sheffield University. so fast drainage systems get too full, too. When you design a system you have to plan for possible dangers, and generally the plans are good enough to protect our communities, says Saul. Its very
Our sewers are not designed to have so much water flowing through them, says Nicola Savage, a spokeswoman for Thames Water. And they are not designed for the way we use them nowadays. We each, personally, use much more water than ever before. Also, the public often use the sewers as a rubbish bin, Savage adds. People put things like babies nappies down the toilet. And also, we need to encourage people not to pour fat and oil down the sink. The sewers were never designed to handle this kind of thing. Saul is also investigating how farmers can control the flow of water off land. If Farmers plough across hills, not down them, there will be less runoff. And carefully placed trees can help stop flooding. Also, the more animals walk over a piece of land, the harder the ground becomes, and the less water it can absorb. Then, plants cant grow well, and there wont be enough food. And if farm animals get no drinking water for 48 hours, thousands will die, and meat will cost more. Scientists are also investigating how each of us can help reduce a problem that, in fact, we have helped create: by extending our houses, paving driveways, and building car parks. All this takes away soft ground that could absorb water, and adds to the runoff into drains and rivers. And we should collect any water that runs off the house instead of letting it go into the sewerage system. We can use rainwater to flush toilets or run washing machines. Every little helps. For although this months weather in Britain has been very unusual, that may happen more, and more often, as our climate changes. Today people in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire are having to leave their houses. Tomorrow, next month, next year who knows?
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 24/07/07
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Going under
Level 1 Elementary
3 Scanning for information
First, read the text quickly to find the words and numbers in the box below. Underline them in the text.
June 25 48 hours
Now, read the text again, and use the information from the box to complete the sentences below. 1. _____________ built the sewers in London. 2. The rain stopped in Oxfordshire at _____________. 3. _____________ were killed in floods last month in the north of England. 4. _____________ is a professor at Sheffield University. 5. Farm animals may die if they cant drink water for _____________. 6. _____________ of rain fell in five hours in Brize Norton. 7. _____________ gave some information from Thames Water. 8. In South Yorkshire, on _____________, it rained as much in one day as it usually rains in a month. 9. Flood water was _____________ deep in some towns in the south. 10. There are _____________ as many people living in London now as when the London sewers were built.
4 Vocabulary development
Find words in the text that mean the following. Paragraph numbers are given to help you. 1. ____________ kept somewhere, like a prisoner (para 3) 2. ____________ to think and plan how to build something (para 5) 3. ____________ succeed in working with (para 5) 4. ____________ special pieces of soft material for babies to wear because they cant use the toilet (para 6) 5. ____________ covering (the ground) with hard material like concrete or bricks (para 8) 6. ____________ to wash away with a lot of water (para 8)
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 1 Elementary
on 1. ______ the weekend 2. ______ the south 3. ______ June 25 4. raining ______ weeks 5. plan ______ possible dangers 6. Especially ______ London 7. designed ______ 8. things ______ babies nappies
like
for
over
in
protected extending
Which syllable is stressed? Put them in the right column. The first 2 are done for you.
0 o o
businesses
o 0 o
disaster
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 1 KEY
2 Pre-reading B: Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. drainage floods disaster sewers results absorb run-off ploughs
Elementary
o 0 o
disaster professor protected encourage extending unusual
4 Vocabulary development
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. trapped design handle nappies paving flush
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 2
1
Intermediate
Read the headline and the sub-heading below. What do you think the article is going to be about?
Going under
Britain is well-known for its very wet climate. We are used to suffering week upon week of rain. So why have a few heavy showers caused such devastation around the country this summer? Aida Edemariam reports July 24, 2007
Match these keywords from the text with the definitions below. devastation sewers a downpour ploughs evacuated absorb run-off crops drainage sandbags
1. ____________ a very heavy shower of rain 2. ____________ removing liquids from something 3. ____________ digs up the land in lines, using machines 4. ____________ very serious damage 5. ____________ excess water that cannot sink into the ground 6. ____________ made to move away (from a dangerous place) 7. ____________ strong bags filled with sand, used to keep water out 8. ____________ a system of pipes underground to carry waste water away 9. ____________ take in liquid a little at a time 10. ____________ plants grown for food
Now read the article, check the words in context, and see if your prediction was correct.
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 2 Intermediate
5pm Friday a sixth of what it would expect for the whole year. South Yorkshire got a months worth of rain on June 25. And it has been raining for weeks now, and the ground is very wet, so immediately you get rainfall, you get run-off, explains professor Adrian Saul, of Sheffield University.
Going under
Britain is well-known for its very wet climate. We are used to suffering week upon week of rain. So why have a few heavy showers caused such devastation around the country this summer? Aida Edemariam reports July 24, 2007 1 Anyone trying to take a train to or from the 5
southwest of England this weekend might think they had accidentally walked into a disaster movie. Trains were announced, but never arrived, as more and more lines went out of service. And the people who had to watch their homes and businesses flooded, couldnt believe that a downpour so short should cause such damage, or that such scenes should be occurring at all.
It isnt just that the ground cannot absorb so much so fast drainage systems cant either. When you design a system you have to plan for possible dangers, and generally the plans are enough to protect our communities, says Saul. Its very lucky that the Victorians built the systems as big as they did. Especially in London, they imagined that there would be change, and that has protected London ever since. But they were built when Londons population was a quarter of what it is now and last Friday, they simply didnt hold up. Our sewers are not designed to deal with so much water flowing through them, says Nicola Savage, a spokeswoman for Thames Water. And they are not designed for the way we treat them nowadays. We each, personally, use far more water than ever before. The public also tend to use the sewers as a rubbish bin, Savage adds. People put nappies down toilets, sanitary products, tights. In particular, we need to encourage people not to be pouring stuff down the sink for example, fat, oil and grease. The sewers were never designed to cope with this sort of material. Saul is also involved in 5.6 million project which is investigating how farmers can control the flow of water off land. Farmers can decrease run-off if they plough across hills, rather than down them, and carefully placed trees can help stop flooding. And the more animals walk over a piece of land, the harder the ground becomes, and the less water it can absorb. That will damage crops, and there will be a shortage of food. And if intensively farmed animals get no drinking water for 48 hours, thousands will die, and the price of meat will rise. Scientists are also investigating how individuals can help reduce a problem that, in fact, they have helped create: by extending their houses,
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
be evacuated over the weekend, thousands more are trapped in their homes. Thats thousands to add to those still unable to go home after floods in the north of England last month, which killed eight people and millions of pounds to add to a national insurance bill eventually expected to top 2.5 billion. Evesham, in Worcestershire, the worst-hit town this weekend, had floods of up to five metres. And it isnt over yet: as this was printed there were warnings that flood waters werent expected to peak until tonight, and Oxford and Bedford and Gloucestershire were preparing themselves to be the next major areas hit. Everyone is asking how such short bursts of rain just one hour in London, slightly longer in places such as Oxfordshire could have such devastating results.
all happened. Brize Norton in Oxfordshire had 121.2mm of rain between midnight Thursday and
CA
P H
Going under
Level 2 Intermediate
9
For although what Britain has experienced over the past month is, as experts explain, some very unusual weather events, our changing climate means that there may soon be more of them, more frequently. Today Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire are having to get out the sandbags and evacuate the citizens. Tomorrow, next month, next year who knows?
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 24/07/07
paving driveways, and building car parks. All this decreases the amount of soft ground to absorb water, and increases the amount of run-off into drains and rivers. In essence, anything that runs off the house should be stored locally, says Saul. Instead of going straight into the sewerage system, rainwater can be collected in storage tanks under driveways, for example and used to flush toilets or run washing machines. Small trenches called soakaways can be dug in gardens and filled with stones, to trap the water and release it into the ground a bit more slowly. Every little helps.
3 Comprehension check
Re-read the text more carefully, and decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F). 1. People in Britain were not surprised by the floods. 2. Insurance costs will be very high. 3. One reason for the floods was that a huge amount of rain fell in a very short time. 4. The sewers in London were built by Victorian engineers. 5. The public have been putting the wrong kinds of things down the toilet. 6. Farmers could help prevent flooding if they ploughed their land up and down hill. 7. Food will probably cost less after the floods. 8. If people keep covering more land with buildings and concrete, we may see more floods in the future.
4 Vocabulary development 1
Find words in the text that mean the following. Paragraph numbers are given to help you. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. too much, very great (para 2) kept somewhere, like a prisoner (para 3) to reach its highest level (para 3) often do this, as a habit (para 6) succeed in working with (para 6) covering (the ground) with hard material like concrete or bricks (para 8)
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 2 Intermediate
5 Vocabulary development 2: Word formation
All these words appear in the text, some as nouns, some as verbs (or adjectives), and some as both. 1. Give the NOUN form of each of the VERBS given. Some you can find in the text; others you can try to remember, or predict.
verb
1. devastating 2. evacuated 3. announced 4. manage 5. drained 6. flooded 7. stored 8. prepare 9. expect 10. warn
noun
devastation
2. How many different NOUN endings are there here? What are they?
2. What can you discover about the way to use so and such?
7 Discussion
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Have there been floods in your country recently? Have there been other changes in the weather? Do you think these changes are probably because of global warming? What is your government doing to help prevent global warming? What do you think it should do? What do you think individuals in your country should do to help? How have you changed your own behaviour to help reduce the danger?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Going under
Level 2 KEY
2 Pre-Reading B: Key words
1. a downpour 2. drainage 3. ploughs 4. devastation 5. run-off 6. evacuated 7. sandbags 8. sewers 9. absorb 10. crops
Intermediate
noun
devastation evacuation announcement management drainage flooding storage preparation expectation warning
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. False. Although rain is common in Britain, they were very surprised. True True True True False. They could help if they ploughed their land across the hills. False. It will probably cost more after the floods.
4 Vocabulary development 1
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. excessive trapped to peak tend to cope with paving
Use SO: before an adjective alone Use SUCH: before a noun before adjective + noun or with the word as to mean like or for example, + noun
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. perpetrator conviction accomplice testimony clemency conspiracy parole glitch anomaly ruling
1. ____________ is a formal statement about something that you saw, know or experienced, usually given in a court of law. 2. A ____________ is a decision by a court of law that someone is guilty of a crime. 3. ____________ is permission for a prisoner to leave prison before the end of their sentence. 4. An ____________ is something unusual, unexpected or different from what normally happens. 5. An ____________ is someone who helps another person do something illegal or wrong. 6. A ____________ is a secret plan by a group of people to do something bad or illegal. 7. A ____________ is an official decision made by a court. 8. A ____________ is someone who does something harmful, illegal or dishonest. 9. ____________ is a decision made by someone in a position of authority not to punish someone severely. 10. A ____________ is a small and unexpected problem.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. More people are executed in Texas than in any other American state. 2. The governor of Texas often commutes death sentences to life in prison. 3. Nearly 4,000 people have been executed in Texas since the death penalty was reinstated in 1974. 4. In Texas people are executed by hanging. 5. In Texas there is no distinction between the perpetrator of a crime and his or her accomplices.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
and Mr LaHood argued, and the three in the car, 25 metres away, heard a pop. Brown returned to the car and Foster drove off. 5 The four were arrested in connection with Mr LaHoods murder. Dillard was never tried for the crime, and Steen had a deal with the prosecutors. The prosecutors sought the death sentence only for Brown and Foster, and at the district attorneys request the pair were tried together. While Browns conviction was straightforward, Fosters depended on Steens testimony who had said he had had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen when Brown left the car. In the trial Steens testimony was key: it showed there had been a conspiracy to commit the armed robbery. If Steen knew about it, the logic went, then so did Foster. The decision to try Brown and Foster together harmed Foster, said his attorney. Foster, the bigger man, appeared the dominant figure. And when Steen testified, his gang friends arrived to watch. The jury allegedly assumed the gang was linked to Foster; they requested and got armed guards for the remainder of the trial. Brown and Foster received death sentences in May 1997. Brown was executed by lethal injection last year. Since Fosters conviction evidence has emerged suggesting there was no agreement to rob Mr LaHood. But the basis for Fosters appeal has been the unconstitutionality of his punishment, a point made by his lawyer in a letter this month to the head of the Texas parole and pardons board. However, the fifth circuit court of appeals concurred with previous rulings that Foster should have known someone might be killed that night in 1996. Foster could not have helped but anticipate the possibility that a human life would be taken [during] one or more of his coconspirators armed robberies, the court wrote. It said he clearly displayed reckless disregard for human life. Fosters lawyer is dismayed. Were caught by this procedural glitch. Every court that has
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Texas defies federal court with plan to execute man who did not kill
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles August 20, 2007 1 The state of Texas is about to execute a man for a crime he did not commit. While the perpetrator of the murder in San Antonio was executed last year, Kenneth Foster, who was sitting in a car 25 metres away at the time of the shooting, was sentenced to death under the law of parties. 2 The controversial Texas law removes the distinction between the principal actor and accomplice in a crime, and makes a person guilty if they should have anticipated the crime. While a federal appeals court declared that Fosters death sentence contained a fundamental constitutional defect, a legal anomaly means the state appeals court cannot overturn his conviction, there being no new evidence. 3 After the failure this month of Fosters most recent appeal, the 30-year-old AfricanAmericans final hope of avoiding execution on August 30 rests with an appeal for clemency to the Texas parole board and the Texan governor, Rick Perry. Hes on death row because they screwed up, said his attorney, Keith Hampson. There has been a series of mistakes that has had a cascading effect. Now Im asking the court to step in and correct their own mistake. Otherwise this guy gets executed. 4 On August 14 1996 Foster and three friends were driving around San Antonio smoking marijuana and robbing people at gunpoint. Foster, who was driving, stayed in the car while two others, Mauriceo Brown and Julius Steen, robbed. As they went to the home of Dwayne Dillard, the fourth person in the car, they found themselves in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. A woman asked why they were following her, and as she left Brown got out of the car and followed her to the home of her boyfriend, Michael LaHood. Brown
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Advanced
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looked at this [concludes] his execution would be unconstitutional. Its maddening, Mr Hampson said. The matter now rests with the Texas parole board, which can recommend the governor commutes the sentence if at least five of the seven board members agree. But Mr Perry has never commuted a death sentence, even on such advice.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why is the forthcoming execution of Kenneth Foster for murder controversial? a. Because the decision to try him together with Mauriceo Brown harmed his case. b. Because he didnt fire the gun that killed the victim. c. Because there has been a procedural glitch.
2. Why cant the state appeals court overturn his conviction? a. Because only the state governor can do this. b. Because a legal anomaly means there is no new evidence. c. Because at least five members of the parole board have to agree.
3. Why was Foster found guilty? a. Because he was in a car 25 metres from the scene of the crime. b. Because he was a gang member. c. Because, under Texas law, he should have known someone would be killed that night.
4. Why did the court decide there had been a conspiracy to murder LaHood? a. Because if one member of the gang knew about it, logically the others did. b. Because Brown gave evidence in court saying Foster knew about it. c. Because the three men in the car heard a pop.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
Do you agree with the death penalty for murder or for other serious crimes? What are the arguments for and against using the death penalty?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Advanced
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b b c a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. appeal imprisonment attorney court mercy guilty execute constitution evidence parole board
1. A __________________ is a place where trials and other legal cases take place. 2. If you are __________________ of a crime, a court decides that you have done it. 3. A __________________ is the basic laws of a country that describe the rights and duties of its citizens. 4. If you show __________________, you forgive someone or you do not treat them severely for something they have done. 5. __________________ is punishing someone by putting them in prison. 6. __________________ is all the facts and statements that show that someone is guilty of a crime. 7. A __________________ is a group of people who decide if a prisoner can leave prison early. 8. An __________________ is a formal request for a court of law to change its decision. 9. __________________ is the American word for lawyer. 10. If you __________________ someone, you kill them as a punishment for a crime.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. When did Brown kill Michael LaHood? 2. In which city did the murder happen? 3. How old is Kenneth Foster? 4. When was Brown executed? 5. When did Texas reintroduce capital punishment? 6. How many people has the state of Texas put to death since 1974?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Texas defies federal court with plan to execute man who did not kill
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles August 20, 2007 1 On August 14 1996 Kenneth Foster and three friends were driving around San Antonio, Texas, smoking marijuana and using their guns to rob people. Foster, who was driving, stayed in the car while two others, Mauriceo Brown and Julius Steen, robbed people. While they were driving to the home of Dwayne Dillard, the fourth person in the car, they found themselves in a part of the city they did not know. A woman thought the men in the car were following her and asked them what they were doing. When she walked away, Brown got out of the car and followed her to the home of her boyfriend, Michael LaHood. There was an argument between Brown and Mr LaHood. Then the three men in the car, 25 metres away, heard a bang. Brown returned to the car and Foster drove off. 2 The police arrested all four men in connection with Mr LaHoods murder. Dillard was never tried for the crime, and Steen had an agreement with the prosecutors. In court the prosecutors asked for the death sentence only for Brown and Foster. The district attorney asked for Brown and Foster to appear in court together. Brown was found guilty of murder. In Fosters case everything depended on what Steen told the court. Steen said he had had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen when Brown left the car. In the trial Steens words were very important. They showed that all the men knew about the plans to use guns to rob people. If Steen knew about it, then so did Foster. 3 In Texas the law does not make any difference between the person who actually commits a crime and the people who are with him at the time. If they knew about the crime before it happened, then they are guilty too. So Kenneth Foster may die for a murder he did not commit. At the time of the murder he was sitting in a car 25 metres away but he was still found guilty of
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 20/08/07
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Elementary
CA
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3 Comprehension check
These sentences describe how the murder happened. Put them in the correct order. a. They found themselves in a part of town they didnt know. b. Brown got out of the car and followed the woman to her boyfriends house. c. The four men were driving round San Antonio. d. When Brown returned to the car, Foster drove off. e. There was an argument between Brown and Mr LaHood. f. A woman asked them what they were doing. g. The three men in the car heard a bang. h. They were using their guns to rob people.
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make collocations from the text. 1. death 2. armed 3. final 4. capital 5. life 6. parole 7. technical 8. district a. decision b. imprisonment c. attorney d. problem e. sentence f. punishment g. board h. robbery
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. ____________ out of a car 2. ____________ someone for a crime 3. ____________ someone guilty 4. ____________ about other people 5. ____________ a crime 6. ____________ in court 7. ____________ a decision 8. ____________ against a sentence
verb
execute argue
noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. e h a f b g d c
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. c h a f b e g d
noun
execution argument failure agreement recommendation imprisonment punishment robbery
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS /Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. accomplice distinction parole appeal conviction defect conspiracy disregard ruling procedure
1. If you show ____________ for something, you do not consider it important and you do not pay any attention to it. 2. A ____________ is an official decision made by a court. 3. An ____________ is a formal request for a court of law to change its decision. 4. An ____________ is someone who helps another person do something illegal or wrong. 5. A ____________ is a fault in something. 6. ____________ is permission for a prisoner to leave prison before the end of their sentence. 7. A ____________ is a decision by a court of law that someone is guilty of a crime. 8. A ____________ is a secret plan by a group of people to do something bad or illegal. 9. A ____________ is the correct or usual way of doing something. 10. A ____________ is the difference between two things.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. When was capital punishment reintroduced in Texas? 2. How many people have been executed in Texas since capital punishment was reintroduced? 3. When did Brown kill Michael LaHood? 4. How old is Kenneth Foster? 5. When was Brown executed? 6. In which city did the murder take place?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Texas defies federal court with plan to execute man who did not kill
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles August 20, 2007 1 The state of Texas is about to execute a man for a crime he did not commit. While the person who actually committed the murder in San Antonio was executed last year, Kenneth Foster, who was sitting in a car 25 metres away at the time of the shooting, was sentenced to death under the law of parties. 2 The controversial Texas law does not make any distinction between the principal actor and accomplice in a crime, and makes a person guilty if they should have known about the crime. While a US federal appeals court said that Fosters death sentence contained a basic constitutional defect, under Texan law the state appeals court cannot overturn his conviction because there is no new evidence. 3 Fosters most recent appeal failed earlier this month and now the 30-year-old AfricanAmericans final hope of avoiding execution on August 30 is to appeal to the Texas parole board and the Texan governor, Rick Perry for mercy. Hes on death row because they screwed up, said his attorney, Keith Hampson. There has been a series of mistakes one after the other. Now Im asking the court to correct their own mistake. If they dont do so, this guy will be executed. 4 On August 14 1996 Foster and three friends were driving around San Antonio smoking marijuana and robbing people at gunpoint. Foster, who was driving, stayed in the car while two others, Mauriceo Brown and Julius Steen, robbed. As they went to the home of Dwayne Dillard, the fourth person in the car, they found themselves in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. A woman asked why they were following her, and as she left Brown got out of the car and followed her to the home of her boyfriend, Michael LaHood. Brown
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Intermediate
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execution would be unconstitutional. It makes me very angry, Mr Hampson said. The matter now rests with the Texas parole board, which can recommend that the governor reduces the sentence to life imprisonment if at least five of the seven board members agree. But Mr Perry has never commuted a death sentence, even on such advice.
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The governor of Texas will probably reduce Fosters sentence to life imprisonment. 2. Foster was with Brown when he shot Mr LaHood. 3. The Texas state appeals court agreed with the federal appeals court. 4. Brown shot Mr LaHood after an argument with his wife. 5. Steen didnt know what was going to happen when Brown left the car. 6. The jury thought the gang members were linked to Foster.
4 What happened?
These sentences describe how the murder happened. Put them in the correct order. a. They found themselves in a part of town they didnt know. b. Brown followed the woman to her boyfriends house. c. The four men were driving round San Antonio. d. When Brown returned to the car, Foster drove off. e. He had an argument with her boyfriend. f. A woman asked them why they were following her. g. The three men in the car heard the sound of a shot. h. They were robbing people at gunpoint.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. execute convict conspire agree recommend reduce punish reintroduce
noun
7 Discussion
What are the arguments for and against using the death penalty? Do you agree that Kenneth Foster is also guilty of this murder?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
4 What happened?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. c h a f b e g d
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F F F F F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Texas defies federal court with execution plan / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Choose the correct answer. 1. A preposterous notion is an idea that is... a. difficult to believe. b. easy to believe. 2. If the government erects a statue it... a. puts it up. b. takes it down. 3. If you have a row with someone you... a. quietly disagree. b. have a noisy argument. 4. If you are barely on speaking terms with someone... a. you arent speaking much. b. you are speaking a lot. 5. Someone who is behind bars... a. works in a restaurant. b. lives in a prison. 6. If you boycott products from England you... a. buy only products from England. b. dont buy products from England.
1. Who was the first black president of South Africa? 2. What is the ANC? 3. Who is the current prime minister of Britain? 4. Where are the Commons, the Lords and Westminster Abbey? 5. What was apartheid? What do all of the above have in common? Read the article quickly and find out.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 Mr Brown was cheerleader and helper to Mr Mandela, whose face is relatively youthful but whose legs are now weak. The prime minister
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helped the guest of honour, who used a cane, to and from the podium. Earlier, when the cloth was pulled from the statue, exposing it to the elements and the crowds gaze for the first time, Mr Mandela applauded but remained in his seat. Everyone else stood. 11 His wave to the crowd seemed designed to save energy, a slow-motion windscreen wiper action, but his voice was comparatively strong. He revealed that a Live Aid-style concert for his antiAids charity 46664 named after his prisoner number on Robben Island would be staged at
3 Comprehension check
Decide if the sentences are True (T), False (F) or if the text doesnt say (DS). 1. Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo never believed that a statue of a black person would stand in Parliament Square. 2. The statue in Parliament square is an exact replica of Nelson Mandela. 3. Mandela believes that the statue represents more than just himself. 4. Westminster Council didnt approve of the statue at all. 5. Donald Woods, the man who had the idea for the statue, is black. 6. Gordon Brown praised Nelson Mandela. 7. Nelson Mandela is showing signs that he is getting older. 8. Gordon Brown is organizing an anti-AIDS concert in London.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
noun
youth flower 3. 4. noise power 7. 8. energy 9. 5. 6. 1. 2.
adjective
great heroic
intense strong
7 Discussion
Are there any controversial statues or monuments in your city? What famous person from history do you think is worthy of a statue?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Advanced
adjective
1. youthful 2. flowered great heroic 5. noisy 6. powerful intense strong 9. energetic
3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. F 3. T 4. DS 5. DS 6. T 7. T 8. F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Complete the sentences using these key words from the text. boycott (v) cane (n) hail (v) harmony (n) late (adj) struggle (n) symbolize (v) a. For many people, cars _______________ personal freedom. b. The _______________ for democracy lasted several years in the country. c. _______________ is a situation in which people are happy. d. If we talk about someone who is _______________, it means that they have died recently. e. To _______________ someone is to publicly say nice things about them. f. Old people sometimes use a _______________ to help them walk or stand. g. If you dont buy products from a country or company as a protest, you _______________ them.
Match the terms to the definitions. 1. Apartheid a. A government policy of segregation of blacks and whites in South Africa, from 1948 to 1994. 2. Nelson Mandela 3. ANC b. One of the major political parties in Britain. c. The African National Congress, a black political party in South Africa. 4. Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square 5. Ken Livingstone d. The current British prime minister. e. The first black president of South Africa, and winner of the Nobel peace prize. 6. Labour 7. Gordon Brown f. The mayor of London. g. Two places in London.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Elementary
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noun
a. b. c. d. e. f.
verb
free oppress argue prefer believe resist
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Elementary
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niimtres the political leader in countries with a parliament (e.g. the UK)
d. sdinetper the political leader of a country with no king or queen (e.g. the USA) e. stinimer an official in charge of a government department in the UK
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
Connect the word and the preposition. Then complete the sentences with the correct phrase. joked next looked looked on behalf to of about at like
1. Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo _____________ a statue of a black man in London. 2. He sat _____________ the Prime Minister during the ceremony. 3. The President said thank you _____________ the people. 4. Mandela said the statue _____________ him. 5. The crowd _____________ the statue and applauded.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
verb
free oppress argue prefer believe resist
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. b a b c a c
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. joked about next to on behalf of looked like looked at
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Match the words to the definitions. 1. a cane 2. a dignitary 3. to erect 4. to hail 5. to recall 6. relentless 7. a row a. to put something (e.g. a statue) up in a public place b. to remember c. not stopping d. a noisy argument e. a person with an important social position f. to say publicly how good or important someone is g. a stick people use to help them walk
Read the text quickly. Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? a. There is now a statue of Nelson Mandela in Londons Parliament Square. b. Mandelas friend Oliver Tambo was at the ceremony. c. The Mandela statue project had problems. d. The prime minister of Britain didnt speak about Mandela. e. Mandela showed signs of tiredness at the ceremony.
Comprehension check
Look at the underlined words in the text. Who or what do they refer to? a. We (para1) c. it (para 4) ________ ________
b. him (para 3) ________ d. them (para 4) ________ e. their (para 4) ________ f. it (para 6) g. he (para 8) h. he (para 9) i. it (para 10) ________ ________ ________ ________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 Mr Brown was cheerleader and helper to Mr Mandela, whose face is relatively youthful but whose legs are now weak. The prime minister helped the guest of honour, who used a cane, to and from the podium. Earlier, when the cloth was pulled from the statue, exposing it to the elements and the crowds gaze for the first time, Mr Mandela applauded but remained in his seat. Everyone else stood.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Intermediate
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prisoners
public speeches
politics
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
Connect the sentence halves. The collocations are all in the text. 1. Id like you to pay 2. The sun beamed 3. The policeman stood with arms 4. The artists unveiled 5. The prisoner spent the night behind 6. There are heroic people who resist a. the statue of the woman in the square. b. attention to me when Im speaking. c. bars while waiting for his trial. d. down on the festival crowds. e. oppression everywhere in the world. f. outstretched to hold back the people.
6 Vocabulary 3: Chunks
A chunk is a longer collocation, made up of three or more words that go together. Find a chunk in the text that: a) adds extra information for emphasis (3 words, para 2) b) means looked like (4 words, para 3) c) means not really talking to each other (4 words, para 7) d) means no better (3 words, para 8) e) means letting the air, wind and rain hit it (5 words, para 10)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. Id like you to pay attention to me when Im speaking. 2. The sun beamed down on the festival crowds. 3. The policeman stood with arms outstretched to hold back the people. 4. The artists unveiled the statue of the woman in the square. 5. The prisoner spent the night behind bars while waiting for his trial. 6. There are heroic people who resist oppression everywhere in the world.
6 Vocabulary 3: Chunks
a. b. c. d. e. not to mention was a likeness of barely on speaking terms no more fitting exposing it to the elements
3 Comprehension check
a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. Nelson and Oliver Nelson Mandela the statue the heroes and heroines the British people the statue Ken Livingstone the mayor of London Gordon Brown the statue
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Mandela takes his place in Parliament Square / Intermediate
Advanced
Music quiz
Match these artists with the music genre that they are most famous for and their nationality.
artist
Luciano Pavarotti Elvis Presley Bob Marley Edith Piaf John Lennon Johnny Cash Ibrahim Ferrer Billie Holiday Frank Sinatra Kurt Cobain
genre
jazz pop rock and roll swing son opera chanson country grunge reggae
nationality
American English American American American Italian American Cuban Jamaican French
died in (year)
aged
Now, in teams, try to guess the year of their death and their age when they died. One point for each closest answer!
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then skim read the article to check your answers. 1. Pavarotti made his professional debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. 2. He once hit nine high Cs in one performance. 3. The Three Tenors were Pavarotti, Domingo and Caruso. 4. Pavarotti sang the theme tune to the 1994 World Cup. 5. Pavarotti had a number 1 album in the UK. 6. He was a personal friend of Princess Dianas. 7. He always demanded a fully-fitted kitchen in his dressing room. 8. He raised millions of pounds for charities.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Advanced
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10 In a statement, the Royal Opera House said: He was one of those rare artists who affected the lives of people across the globe in all walks of life. He introduced the extraordinary power of opera to people who perhaps would never have encountered opera and classical singing [and] in doing so he enriched their lives. That will be his legacy. 11 Pavarotti gave farewell performances at the Royal Opera House in January 2002 when he sang in Tosca, despite the death of his mother in the final stages of rehearsals.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Advanced
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3 Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences with an appropriate word from the text. 1. Doctors ________________ you when they find out what is wrong with you. 2. When you lose your ability or will to fight something, you ________________ to it. 3. Your ________________ is the (good or bad) opinion people have of you. 4. A ________________ is a non-profit making organization that usually helps others. 5. When somebody is at the ________________, it means they are in charge, or the leader. 6. When we meet or see someone or something for the first time, we ________________ them or it. 7. Something that someone has achieved that continues to exist after they stop working or die is called a ________________.
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
Match the adjectives on the left with the nouns on the right to make collocations from the article. Then use the collocations to re-tell the article to your partner. long, tough greatest celebrated global rain-sodden fully-fitted distinctive heartfelt unique extraordinary audience ability park performance voice battle applause gift kitchen tenor
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Advanced
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2. Which deceased artist would you have liked to have seen performing live? Write your answer using the third conditional. Compare your answer with others in your group and say why.
7 Webquest
Go to www.guardian.co.uk/music/gallery/2007/sep/06/pavarotti?picture=330690212 to see photos of Pavarottis life. You can also watch videos and listen to him singing by going to www.youtube.com and typing Pavarotti in the search box.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Luciano Pavarotti opera Elvis Presley rock and roll Bob Marley reggae Edith Piaf chanson John Lennon pop Johnny Cash country Ibrahim Ferrer son Billie Holiday jazz Frank Sinatra swing Kurt Cobain grunge
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
long, tough battle greatest tenor celebrated performance global audience rain-sodden park fully-fitted kitchen distinctive voice heartfelt applause unique ability extraordinary gift
3 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. diagnose succumb reputation charity helm encounter legacy
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Music quiz
Match these artists with the music genre that they are most famous for and their nationality.
artist
Luciano Pavarotti Elvis Presley Bob Marley Edith Piaf John Lennon Johnny Cash Ibrahim Ferrer Billie Holiday Frank Sinatra Kurt Cobain
genre
jazz pop rock and roll swing son opera chanson country grunge reggae
nationality
American English American American American Italian American Cuban Jamaican French
died in (year)
aged
Now, in teams, try to guess the year of their death and their age when they died. One point for the closest answer.
Key words
Unjumble the letters to fill the gaps. Skim the text to check your answers. 1. The group of people who watch a performance are the ____________. (uedinaec) 2. Another word for a fight is a ____________. (tbtlae) 3. The first time a performer plays in public is his ____________. (betud) 4. A ____________ is what you give when you entertain people by singing, acting or dancing. (ereoprfanmc) 5. The place where an event takes place is called the ____________. (enevu) 6. You can have a good or bad ____________. It depends on what people say about you. (putnretiao) 7. When you pay ____________ to somebody, you say how and why you admire and respect them. (brittue) 8. When you have a natural ability to do something, this is called a ____________. (tifg)
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Elementary
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The Italian opera star Luciano Pavarotti died at his home in Modena aged 71. The tenor, who helped take opera to a new audience, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. His manager, Terri Robson, said Pavarotti died at 5am on September 6. The maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. He remained positive until the end, Mr Robson said. Pavarotti made his professional debut in 1961, as Rodolfo in Puccinis La Boheme at the opera house in Reggio Emilia. His most celebrated performance came at New Yorks Metropolitan Opera House where he hit nine high Cs in Donizettis La fille du regiment. But Pavarotti reached a new global audience during the 1990 football World Cup when his interpretation of the Puccini aria Nessun Dorma was chosen as the tournaments theme tune. It became an international hit. Later the Essential Pavarotti became the first classical album to reach number 1 in the UK charts. The 1990 World Cup was also the venue of the first of the hugely popular Three Tenor concerts that Pavarotti performed with Placido Domingo and Jos Carreras. His most high-profile performance in Britain was the Pavarotti in the Park concert in a rainy Hyde Park in 1991. His friend, Diana, Princess of Wales, was in the front row. Like many opera stars, Pavarotti also had a reputation for being difficult. At a Royal Variety performance in Edinburgh he demanded a fullyfitted kitchen to be built into his hotel suite. He also frequently cancelled concerts at short notice. But he also raised millions of pounds in a number of charity performances.
10
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary
What do these adjectives describe in the article? 1. emotional / distinctive / brilliant 2. positive / difficult / tenor 3. heartfelt / moving 4. long / tough _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________
Underline all the other adjectives in the article. Compare your answers with your partner.
5 Discussion
Complete the sentences by filling the gaps. The last music concert or performance I went to was (who or what) _____________________________, at/in (place) _____________________________, in ___________ (month, year). I thought it was (adjective) _____________ because (reason) _____________________________________. Now read your sentences to your partner. Try to ask and answer further questions to keep the conversation going.
6 Webquest
Go to www.guardian.co.uk/music/gallery/2007/sep/06/pavarotti?picture=330690212 to see photos of Pavarottis life. You can also watch videos and listen to him singing by going to www.youtube.com and writing Pavarotti in the search box.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Elementary
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
CA
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Elementary
Luciano Pavarotti opera Elvis Presley rock and roll Bob Marley reggae Edith Piaf chanson John Lennon pop Johnny Cash country Ibrahim Ferrer son Billie Holiday jazz Frank Sinatra swing Kurt Cobain grunge
2 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. audience battle debut performance venue reputation tribute gift
4 Vocabulary: Synonyms
1. Pavarottis voice 2. Pavarotti 3. The applause at the Royal Opera House 4. Pavarottis battle against cancer
3 Comprehension check
1. True 2. True 3. False (Carreras) 4. False (1990) 5. True 6. True 7. False (in a hotel suite in Edinburgh) 8. True 9. False 10. True
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Music quiz
Match these artists with the music genre that they are most famous for and their nationality.
artist
Luciano Pavarotti Elvis Presley Bob Marley Edith Piaf John Lennon Johnny Cash Ibrahim Ferrer Billie Holiday Frank Sinatra Kurt Cobain
genre
jazz pop rock and roll swing son opera chanson country grunge reggae
nationality
American English American American American Italian American Cuban Jamaican French
died in (year)
aged
Now, in teams, try to guess the year of their death and their age when they died. One point for each closest answer!
Key words
Fill the gaps using these words from the text. debut bar critic interpretation succumb theme tune good cause tribute
1. When you lose your ability or will to fight something, you ____________ to it. 2. A ____________ is someone whose job it is to write about films, books, music or plays. 3. The first time a performer performs in public is his/her ____________. 4. A piece of music that is played at the beginning and end (and sometimes) throughout a film, tournament, etc. is called a ____________. 5. A section in a line of music, containing several notes, is called a ____________. 6. An ____________ is a performers unique way of performing a certain piece of music. 7. When you pay ____________ to someone you say how you admire them and why. 8. A ____________ is usually an organization, plan or activity that helps people or animals in need.
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Intermediate
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Domingo led the tributes to his fellow tenor. I always admired the God-given glory of his voice, he said. I also loved his wonderful sense of humour and on several occasions during our concerts with Jos Carreras we had trouble remembering that we were giving a concert before a paying audience, because we had so much fun between ourselves. The British tenor Russell Watson told GMTV that Pavarotti was without question the man who brought opera to the people. The World Cup was the Three Tenors led by Pavarotti, with a very entertaining version of Nessun Dorma, in fact, its now called Pavarottis Nessun Dorma, Watson said. His voice was so distinctive you only needed to listen to a couple of bars and you knew it was him, he had incredible power and control. Another tenor, Ian Bostridge, agreed. He was an old-fashioned star, he said. Vocally he was the best.
10 In a statement, the Royal Opera House said: He was one of those rare artists who affected the lives of people across the globe in all walks of life. He introduced the extraordinary power of opera to people who perhaps would never have encountered opera and classical singing [and] in doing so he enriched their lives. That will be his legacy. 11 Pavarotti gave farewell performances at the Royal Opera House in January 2002 when he sang in Tosca, despite the death of his mother in the final stages of rehearsals. The applause on those evenings was probably the most moving and heartfelt in the history of the Royal Opera, the statement said. He had a unique ability to touch people with the emotional and brilliant quality of his voice. He was a man with the common touch and the most extraordinary gift. He will be truly missed by millions.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 6/9/07
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Intermediate
CA
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4 Vocabulary: Adjectives
1. Find at least three adjectives in the article that describe Pavarottis voice. ______________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Find at least four adjectives in the article that describe Pavarotti. ______________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What do the adjectives moving and heartfelt describe in the article? ______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Talk in pairs or small groups. Ask: If you could go back in time, who would you like to see perform? Answer: If I could go back in time,
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Intermediate
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P H
Now walk around your class and try to find at least one person who has a similar taste in music to you.
7 Webquest
Go to www.guardian.co.uk/music/gallery/2007/sep/06/pavarotti?picture=330690212 to see photos of Pavarottis life. You can also watch videos and listen to him singing by going to www.youtube.com and typing Pavarotti in the search box.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Luciano Pavarotti opera Elvis Presley rock and roll Bob Marley reggae Edith Piaf chanson John Lennon pop Johnny Cash country Ibrahim Ferrer son Billie Holiday jazz Frank Sinatra swing Kurt Cobain grunge
2 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. succumb critic debut /deIbju:/ theme tune bar interpretation tribute good cause
4 Vocabulary: Adjectives
1. emotional, distinctive, brilliant, God-given 2. opera star, tenor, positive, demanding 3. the applause at the Royal Opera House in 2002
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Pavarotti dies aged 71 / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. stunning quandary vault legendary furious supposedly mere accurate forthcoming gem
1. If you are in a ________________, you are uncertain about what decision to take. 2. A ________________ is a strongly protected room in a bank where money, gold and other valuables are kept. 3. ________________ can mean very angry but in the context of this story it means done with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. 4. If news is ________________, it is extremely surprising, perhaps even shocking. 5. A ________________ is a beautiful, expensive stone that is used to make jewellery. 6. If something is ________________, it is correct or true in every detail. 7. ________________ means as some people believe or say, although you may not agree with this. 8. The word ________________ is used to emphasize that something is small or unimportant. 9. If something is ________________, it is extremely famous or well-known. 10. If something is ________________, it is provided or available when needed or asked for.
Are these statements True (T) or False (F)? Check your answers in the text. 1. The worlds largest ever diamond has recently been discovered in South America. 2. The Cullinan diamond was discovered near Pretoria in South Africa. 3. The worlds previous largest gem-quality rough diamond was the Koh-i-Noor. 4. The Koh-i-Noor diamond is part of the British crown jewels. 5. The Koh-i-Noor originated in India. 6. The value of diamonds is measured in carats.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Advanced
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P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Which of these best describes the reaction of 3. The newly discovered diamond is people in the diamond industry to the news of a. the best quality diamond ever found. the discovery? b. the largest diamond ever found. a. They were absolutely flabbergasted. c. the most valuable diamond ever found. b. They were furious. c. They were in a quandary. 4. The newly discovered diamond is being kept in a bank vault until a. the mining house which owns it decides what to do. b. its value is determined. c. experts decide how best to cut it.
2. The Cartier diamond a. was bigger than the Cullinan diamond. b. was the largest diamond ever found.
c. was less than half the weight of the Golden Jubilee diamond.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary 2: Reformulation
Complete these sentences about the text using the correct form of the word in brackets. 1. It is widely believed that the Cullinan was part of a larger stone that remains ____________. [DISCOVER] 2. The circumstances of the ____________ have still not been fully explained. [DISCOVER] 3. The Koh-i-Noor diamond _____________ brings bad luck to any male who wears or owns it. [SUPPOSE] 4. The diamond is expected to attract a large number of ____________. [BID] 5. The ____________ of the reported size of the stone is not in doubt. [ACCURATE] 6. The person who discovered the stone remains ____________. [IDENTIFY]
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make collocations from the text. 1. bank 2. security 3. diamond 4. private 5. stunning 6. rough 7. industrial 8. uncut a. diamond b. news c. grade d. industry e. state f. vault g. individual h. company
7 Discussion
Is the price of diamonds and other precious stones artificially high? Should the price of natural products be controlled or should the market decide how much they are worth?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Vocabulary 2: Reformulation
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. undiscovered discovery supposedly bidders accuracy unidentified
6. Vocabulary 3: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. f h d g b e c a
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. a c b a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. mine rough vault carat gem colourless rare saddle amazing gift
1. A ____________ is a beautiful, expensive stone that people use to make jewellery. 2. A ____________ is a leather seat you put on a horse when you ride it. 3. A ____________ is a large hole or tunnel in the ground from which people take gold, coal, diamonds etc. 4. A ____________ is something you give to someone as a present. 5. A ____________ is a strongly protected room in a bank for money, gold and other valuables. 6. If something is ____________, it has no colour at all. 7. If something is ____________, you do not often see or find it. 8. A ____________ is a unit of weight for measuring gold and precious stones. 9. If something is ____________, it is very, very surprising. 10. If a diamond is in a ____________ state, no-one has cut or finished it.
1. How much will the new diamond cost? 2. When was the Golden Jubilee diamond found? 3. How much did the cut Cartier diamond weigh? 4. Where was the Cullinan diamond found? 5. How many gems were cut from the Cullinan diamond? 6. When did the British take the Koh-i-noor diamond to London?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Put these sentences in the order in which they happened. a. The Golden Jubilee diamond was found in the same mine as the Cullinan. b. A security company is protecting the precious stone. c. Diamond miners have found the worlds biggest diamond. d. The Koh-i-noor diamond was found in India. e. They took the diamond to a bank vault in Johannesburg. f. The Cullinan diamond was found near Pretoria.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
the biggest
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text.
found
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
the biggest
the best the most expensive the most important the widest the worst the rarest the most precious
5 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
1. in 2. for 3. about 4. near 5. in 6. at 7. to 8. to
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f a c e b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. vault rough accurate carat gem sceptre rare colourless astonishing misfortune
1. If something is ____________, it is not often seen or found. 2. If a diamond is in a ____________ state, it has not been cut or finished. 3. A ____________ is a stick decorated with jewels and carried by a king or queen at official ceremonies. 4. If something is ____________, it is correct or true in every detail. 5. A ____________ is a unit of weight used to measure gold and precious stones. 6. If something is ____________, it has no colour at all. 7. ____________ is another word for bad luck. 8. A ____________ is a strongly protected room in a bank where money, gold and other valuables are kept. 9. If something is ____________, it is very, very surprising. 10. A ____________ is a beautiful, expensive stone that is used to make jewellery.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How much could the new diamond be worth? 2. When was the Golden Jubilee diamond found? 3. How much did the Cartier diamond weigh when it was cut? 4. When was the Cullinan diamond discovered? 5. How many gems were cut from the Cullinan diamond? 6. When was the Koh-i-noor diamond taken to Britain?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
bring good luck to female owners and misfortune or death to any male who wears or owns it. The Hope Diamond is a large (45.52 carat), deep blue diamond. It is famous for the curse it is supposed to place on anyone who possesses it. Previous owners include Kings Louis XV and XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 28/8/07
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The diamond was discovered by Diamond Cutters International. 2. The diamond is the most valuable diamond ever discovered. 3. The Hope Diamond is famous for bringing good luck to its owners. 4. The Koh-i-noor diamond was discovered in India. 5. At first people thought the new diamond was just an industrial diamond. 6. A lot of people will be interested in buying the diamond.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. discover excite protect weigh accurate surprise believe decide
noun
7 Discussion
Should the price of natural products be controlled or should the market decide how much they are worth? Is it right that a stone should be worth 15 million?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. to 2. of 3. by 4. from, to 5. in 6. in
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. F 3. F 4. T 5. T 6. T
noun
discovery excitement protection weight accuracy surprise belief decision
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Miners unearth worlds biggest diamond / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Match these key words from the article with their meanings. What do you think the article might be about? 1. civic responsibility 2. treats 3. ordinance 4. squabble a. an argument b. superficial, only on the surface, not deep c. the duties of a citizen d. refers to the constituents of food and how they affect your health e. something special that you do or buy for yourself or others f. people who put their name on a document g. to completely accept something
8. to embrace (healthier options) h. to make an attempt to deal with something 9. cosmetic 10. revenue 11. signatories 12. pledge i. an adjective meaning obvious j. an adjective meaning honest k. an official order, like a rule or a law l. income from business activities m. a promise
Skim-read the text and find the names of four organizations or official bodies. Write them below. 1. _____________________________________________ 2. _____________________________________________ 3. _____________________________________________ 4. _____________________________________________ Briefly discuss what they might do or who might be a member of them.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 This is an unusually frank admission from the industry which has been trying hard to present a caring, sharing image. Salads, shakes, milk and fruity nibbles have appeared on menus traditionally devoted to meat and potato. Just last week, Burger King announced it was launching apple fries slices of apple cut to look like chips in an effort to persuade young customers to embrace healthier options. 11 Many of these changes, however, are cosmetic. For every salad they sell, McDonalds sells eight double cheeseburgers. Less than a tenth of revenue comes from healthier options. 12 A few chains are taking responsibility. Subway, which predominantly sells fresh sandwiches, has decided to display calories on its menus. Its spokesman, Les Winograd, says it was to the firms advantage: We look at it as an extension of something we were already providing. We have a reputation for offering healthier alternatives to traditional, fatty fast food.
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13 Responding to pressure, the industry has moved back from marketing the worst of its food to children. The Council of Better Business Bureaus has asked companies to stop targeting under-12s with promotions for high-fat foods or for anything failing to meet strict nutritional standards. Burger King, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds, Kelloggs and Kraft are among the signatories. The pledge should change an environment in which children see an average of 21 ads a day for sweets, snacks, cereals and fast food. 14 Experts say the industrys court action this week cancels out such positive action. Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, says: Obesity is all
3 Comprehension check
1. Which sentence best describes the court case in the article? a. Restaurants went to court to stop them having to publicize the number of calories in their food. b. New Yorks Board of Health went to court to stop restaurants selling food with high calorie content. c. The judge brought both parties to court to stop them squabbling. 2. The judge said that: a. Fast food restaurants should display the calorie content of their food on websites. b. Fast food restaurants neednt display the calorie content of their food on websites. c. 2,375 of the 23,000 restaurants in New York cause obesity. 3. People often dont realize how many calories are in food because a. the information on nutritional fact panels is often incorrect. b. they eat outside the home and so dont know what ingredients the meal contains. c. the food is not regulated. 4. Subway has decided to display the calories on its menus because a. they say it will solve New Yorks obesity problem. b. it confirms that they sell healthier alternatives to burgers. c. the judge ruled that they should do so.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
legal terms
5 Discussion
In small groups, think of six local or national food and drink specialities from your country. What ingredients do they contain and how are they prepared? Decide in your group which ones have the most and which have the least calories. Rank them from one to six and give feedback to the class.
6 Webquest
Which contains the most calories: a banana, an avocado or a mango? Use an online calorie counter such as the one at www.fitandtrim.co.uk/caloriecounter.html to find out. Here you can also learn about recommended daily calorie intakes.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. a b b b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Pre-reading task
the words or phrases would you expect to read in an article about junk food. super-size adverts drive-in judge health hot dogs fries snacks breakfast calories Glasgow TV
burger
apple cereal tray New York cosmetic home-cooked Add some more ideas of your own.
Key words
a. the science of food and its effect on health b. three times c. two times d. inside a shop or restaurant e. at the moment
f. very overweight g. a portion h. someone who lives in a particular place i. the second most important person in a company or organization j. the items you need for a recipe or meal
11. confuse 12. consume 13. persuade 14. demand 15. urge
k. to eat or drink something l. to make someone agree to do something by giving them reasons why they should m. to strongly advise someone what action they should take n. to make someone feel they do not understand o. to say clearly and firmly that you want something
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Elementary
CA
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Elementary
CA
P H
Obesity is all about calories how many you take in and how many you burn. For the industry to say thats not key information is incorrect. 14 He urges the big chains to be pro-active in changing Americans diets and in helping consumers to make better choices: The fast foodindustrys arguments are weak. They say
3 Comprehension check
Match the halves of the sentences. 1. New York is... ... targeting young children.
2. A judge said that fast food restaurants dont have to have to...
... overweight.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Comparisons
Fill the gaps in the sentences about the article with: more than / fewer than / less than Remember: fewer is used with countable nouns, and less is used with uncountable nouns! 1. A Big Mac meal has ________ calories ________ a Burger King triple Whopper with cheese. 2.Home-cooked food usually contains ________ calories ________ restaurant-bought food. 3. ________ half of the Big Apples residents are overweight. 4. Food in fast food restaurants costs ________ food in better restaurants. 5. McDonalds sells ________ salads ________ burgers.
5 Group work
Think of six food and drink specialities from your country. What ingredients do they contain? In small groups complete these sentences using the names of the specialities you thought of. Compare your answers with another groups. Do you agree?
________________ has more calories than ________________ and ________________. ________________ has less calories than ________________ and ________________. ________________ has the least calories. ________________ has the most calories.
6 Webquest
Which contains the most calories: a banana, an avocado or a mango? Use an online calorie counter such as the one at www.fitandtrim.co.uk/caloriecounter.html to find out.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. New York is often called the Big Apple. 2. A judge said that fast food restaurants dont have to write calories on their menus. 3. Half of the people who live in New York are overweight. 4. Americans eat out almost 50% of the time. 5. A McDonalds deluxe breakfast contains a huge amount of calories. 6. The amount of calories in food bought in supermarkets is written on the packaging. 7. Some large restaurant chains have said they will stop targeting young children. 8. Some fast food chains now sell healthy options.
4 Comparisons
1. A Big Mac meal has more calories than a Burger King triple Whopper with cheese. 2. Home-cooked food usually contains fewer calories than restaurant-bought food. 3. More than half of the Big Apples residents are overweight. 4. Food in fast food restaurants costs less than food in better restaurants. 5. McDonalds sells fewer salads than burgers.
2 Key words
1. c 2. b 3. e 4. a 5. d 6. g 7. j 8. f 9. h 10. i 11. n 12. k 13. l 14. o 15. m
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Add some more ideas of your own. ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
8 11
Across 1. To make someone feel they do not understand something. (verb) 4. A group of businesses that all belong to the same company. (noun) 7. A legal matter usually brought before a judge. (2 words, noun + noun) 10. Something special that you do or buy for yourself or someone else. (noun) 11. Medically overweight. (2 words, adj + noun)
10
Down 2. Extra part added, a continuation. (noun) 3. Paper or plastic that is around something you buy. (noun) 5. To start selling a new product. (verb) 6. A portion of food. (noun) 8. Boxes, bottles, plastic, etc. around a product. (noun) 9. Someone who buys and uses goods and services. (noun)
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Intermediate
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10 The industry argues that calories are only one of many ways to measure how healthy food is. Putting them on a menu, says the association, will only confuse people. 11 The fast food industry has been trying hard to present a caring, sharing image. Salads, shakes, milk and fruity nibbles have appeared on menus traditionally devoted to meat and potato. Just last week, Burger King announced it was launching apple fries slices of apple cut to look like chips in an effort to persuade young customers to embrace healthier options. 12 Many of these changes, however, are cosmetic. For every salad they sell, McDonalds sells eight double cheeseburgers. 13 A few chains are taking responsibility. Subway, which mainly sells fresh sandwiches, has decided to display calories on its menus. Its spokesman, Les Winograd, says it was to the firms advantage: We look at it as an extension of something we were already providing. We have a reputation for offering healthier alternatives to traditional fatty fast food. 14 Responding to pressure, the industry has stopped marketing the worst of its food to children. The Council of Better Business Bureaus has asked companies to stop targeting under-12s
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with promotions for high-fat foods or for anything failing to meet strict nutritional standards. Burger King, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds, Kelloggs and Kraft are among the companies that have agreed to this request. Currently, children in America see an average of 21 adverts a day for sweets, snacks, cereals and fast food. 15 Experts say the fast food industrys recent court action cancels out such positive action. Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, says: Obesity is all about calories how many you take in and how many you burn. For the industry to say thats not key information is incorrect.
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. A New York judge ruled that all restaurants have to write the calories in their food on menus. 2. There are 2,375 restaurants in New York. 3. Subway writes the amount of calories in its food on its menus. 4. There are more cases of obesity in New York than in other parts of the US. 5. The average American child sees over twenty advertisements a day for junk food. 6. Some larger fast food chains have already agreed to stop targeting young children. 7. The New York State Restaurant Association says that writing calories on menus will solve the obesity problem. 8. According to a source in the article, the fast-food industrys recent court action cancels out the pledge made by some other fast-food chains.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. A Big Mac meal has ____________ calories ____________ a Burger King triple Whopper with cheese. 2.Home-cooked food usually contains ____________ calories ____________ restaurant-bought food. 3. ____________ half of the Big Apples residents are overweight. 4. Food in fast food restaurants costs ____________ food in better restaurants. 5. McDonalds sells ____________ salads ____________ burgers.
5 Discussion
In small groups think of six food and drink specialities from your country. What ingredients do they contain and how are they prepared? Decide in your group which ones probably have the most calories and which have the least calories. Rank them from one to six and give feedback to the class. Was it easy or difficult to come to an agreement about the ranking? Give reasons.
6 Webquest
Which contains the most calories: a banana, an avocado or a mango? Use an online calorie counter such as the one at www.fitandtrim.co.uk/caloriecounter.html to find out. Here you can also learn about recommended daily calorie intakes.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
ate
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. T 6. T 7. F 8. T
4 Comparisons
1. A Big Mac meal has more calories than a Burger King triple Whopper with cheese. 2. Home-cooked food usually contains fewer calories than restaurant-bought food. 3. More than half of the Big Apples residents are overweight. 4. Food in fast food restaurants costs less than food in better restaurants. 5. McDonalds sells fewer salads than burgers.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Whats in the Big Apple? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Have you heard anything about a little girl called Madeleine McCann? If so, decide which of these statements about her story are True (T) or False (F). 1. Madeleine disappeared while her family were on holiday in Spain. 2. Madeleines parents have no other children. 3. The police in Portugal think Mrs McCann may have killed her daughter. 4. They think a bloodstain in the McCanns own car is significant. 5. They do not think her husband was involved. 6. Mr and Mrs McCann believe their daughter is still alive.
Match these key words from the text with the definitions below. toddlers allege presumed bail conditions strain accomplice tributes shattered
1. ____________ someone who helps someone else commit a crime 2. ____________ believed to be true, but not yet proved 3. ____________ restrictions on the temporary freedom given to somebody who is suspected of committing a crime
4. ____________ tension, stress 5. ____________ extremely tired (and sometimes very upset) 6. ____________ to say that someone is guilty before it has been proved 7. ____________ things people say or give to show their sympathy and admiration 8. ____________ very small children who are just learning to walk Now read the story quickly to check your answers to the questions in 1 and 2.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Kate McCann, but shortly after 1pm yesterday, 135 days after they had left their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, the couple lifted their twin toddlers out of a police people-carrier and shut their front door. family of five, Kate McCann has said repeatedly that she could not contemplate coming back as four, without their daughter Madeleine. In fact, their homecoming was even more painful: they returned as suspects in their own daughters presumed death.
emerged from the vehicle. Mrs McCann carried her two-year-old daughter, Amelie, still clasping the pink cuddly cat belonging to Madeleine that she has hardly put down since her daughter disappeared. Mr McCann held their other twin, Sean, in his arms. redbrick house, where they have lived for a year, by a police officer, watched by a crowd of reporters and TV crews, while helicopters from news organizations clattered overhead. doors, but a small group of onlookers had gathered at the end of the street on the outskirts of the pretty village just north of Leicester.
time to return yesterday, and had already sent some possessions home. Their change in status meant that much of the previous day was spent in calls to the Portuguese authorities and consular officials to clear their trip. Downing Street had also been informed.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
it just keeps getting worse and worse. We did not kill our daughter. We will clear our name and we will not give up on Madeleine, he told the News of the World. Mrs McCanns uncle Brian Kennedy, who is chair of the campaign to raise awareness about Madeleines disappearance, emerged and spoke briefly to reporters. He thanked the media, whose members were gathered two-deep behind the neat hedge, for being sympathetic and [behaving] so appropriately, adding that Mr and Mrs McCann would not be emerging from the house for the rest of the day. he is going to say today, Mr Kennedy said. You can imagine how they feel Kate has not been back to this house since the whole terrible affair started.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 10/9/07
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Why is the McCanns return even worse than solely coming back without their daughter? Are the people who live near the McCanns supporting them? How did the press respect the McCanns privacy when they returned home? In what ways are they being intrusive? Are the McCanns professional people?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary development
Find words in the text that mean the following. 1. ____________ a large vehicle that can hold more people than a usual car (para 1) 2. ____________ came out (of) (para 3) 3. ____________ soft and nice to hold (para 3) 4. ____________ made a lot of noise (para 4) 5. ____________ deliberately; they decided to, and didnt change their minds (para 5) 6. ____________ collected, came together (para 5) 7. ____________ very small quantity of (para 9) 8. ____________ followed, chased (para 10) 9. ____________ led ( in a formal way) (para 10) 10. ____________ lying in a very relaxed way (para 12) 11. ____________ very serious request (para 13) 12. ____________ leader, head (of an organization, meeting, etc) (para 16)
5 Discussion
1. How has the press in your country responded to the story about Madeleine? 2. Why do you think the case has received so much media attention?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
4 Vocabulary development
1. people-carrier 2. emerged 3. cuddly 4. clattered 5. resolutely 6. gathered 7. trace 8. pursued 9. ushered 10. slumped 11. plea 12. chair
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Because now they are now suspected of her murder. They kept out of the way when they came home; they left lots of flowers for them, and there is a campaign to find Madeleine. By staying behind the hedge. In Portugal: by chasing after their car; by going on the same flight home; and in England, by hovering overhead in a helicopter. Yes; they are both doctors.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Have you heard of a little girl called Madeleine McCann? She disappeared (nobody could find her) when her family were on holiday. Do you think these sentences about her story are True (T) or False (F)? 1. Madeleines family were on holiday in Spain. 2. Madeleines parents have no other children 3. The police in Portugal think Mrs McCann killed her daughter. 4. They think some blood in the McCanns own car is important. 5. They do not think her husband was part of the crime 6. Mr and Mrs McCann believe their daughter is still alive.
Match these keywords from the text with the definitions below: toddlers suspects exhausted allege an accomplice under suspicion
1. ____________ people the police think committed a crime 2. ____________ very, very tired. 3. ____________ someone who helps someone else commit a crime 4. If you are put ____________ , the police think you are guilty. 5. ____________ to say someone is guilty of doing something wrong before it is proved 6. ____________ very small children, just learning to walk
Now read the story quickly to check your answers to the questions in 1 and 2.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 Lots of cars and motorbikes full of journalists chased after them. One cameraman stood up to film through the car sunroof while it drove at 80mph. At Faro airport, Mr McCann drove into a reserved area normally used by politicians and VIPs, and they were taken through check-in to the departure lounge. 11 The first two rows of seats on their easyJet flight to East Midlands airport were reserved for the family, but a number of reporters were also on their flight. At about 12.30pm they landed, and were met by even more film crews. 12 When Mr McCann came out of the airport, very upset, he read a brief statement, his son still asleep on his shoulder. Mr McCann thanked people who had supported the couple during the four months since Madeleines disappearance, and said he and his wife had thought very carefully before they decided to come home. Although they are suspects, the Portuguese police had let them keep their passports and come back to Britain. 13 In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, Mr McCann said that he and his wife, who police seem to think is the main suspect in Madeleines presumed death, with her husband as an accomplice, were fighting for [their] lives to prove their innocence. 14 We will clear our name and we will not give up on Madeleine, he told the News of the World. 15 Ten minutes after the couples arrival back home, Mrs McCanns uncle, Brian Kennedy, who is
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Elementary
CA
P H
leading the campaign to publicize Madeleines disappearance, came out and spoke briefly to reporters. 16 Kate and Gerry are just happy to be back at home. They have been through three or four of the most difficult days in their lives. They are tired, very tired. If it was me, I would be absolutely shattered. 17 Asked if the couple had plans to return to work Mr McCann as a cardiac surgeon, his wife as a GP Mr Kennedy said: I dont know. I dont think theyll be thinking about that for a while yet.
Rothley Renault
April 27 25
Amelie 80mph
Sean 12.30pm
Now, read the text again, and use the information from the box to complete the sentences below. 1. The McCanns live in ______________. 2. Their twin sons name is ______________. 3. The reporters in Portugal drove at ______________ to follow them to the airport. 4. The McCanns rented a ______________ car. 5. They were on holiday in the town of ______________. 6. They left England on ______________. 7. Their twin daughters name is ______________. 8. They stayed in Portugal for ______________ days. 9. Madeleine disappeared ______________ days before hey hired their car. 10. Their plane arrived in England at ______________.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
at 1. ______ April 27 2. ______ his arms 3. ______ the end ______ the street
in
of
on
to 6. drove ______ the airport 7. drove ______ 80mph 8. _____ about 12.30pm 9. back _____ home 10. the most difficult days _____ their lives
6 Understanding reference
Good writers dont repeat the same words all the time. They use other words to talk about the same people or things. We call this: reference. First find the words on the left in the text, then match them with the words they are referring to on the right. Be careful sometimes the people or things they refer to are in a paragraph before. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The couple (para 3) The vehicle (para 3) The pretty village (para 5) The car (para 9) The family (para 11) The News of the World (para 14) a b c d e f The police people-carrier Rothley The McCanns A Sunday newspaper Gerry and Kate McCann The Renault Scenic
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Elementary
Elementary
4 Vocabulary development
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. people-carrier cuddly trace pursued clear our name give up on briefly shattered
6 Understanding reference
1. e 2. a 3. b 4. f 5. c 6. d
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
What do you know about a little girl called Madeleine McCann? Do you think these sentences about her story are True (T) or False (F)? 1. Madeleine disappeared while her family were on holiday in Spain. 2. Madeleines parents have no other children. 3. The police in Portugal think Mrs McCann killed her daughter. 4. They think some blood in the McCanns own car is important. 5. They do not think her husband was part of the crime. 6. Mr and Mrs McCann believe their daughter is still alive.
Match these keywords from the text with the definitions below. toddlers suspects presumed allege an accomplice
1. ____________ people the police think committed a crime 2. ____________ someone who helps someone else commit a crime 3. ____________ believed to be true, but not yet proved 4. ____________ to say that someone is guilty before it has been proved 5. ____________ very small children, just learning to walk
Now read the story quickly to check your answers to the questions in 1 and 2.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 Forty minutes later, chased by lots of cars and motorbikes carrying journalists, one of them standing to film through the car sunroof while it drove at 80mph, they arrived at Faro airport. Mr McCann drove into a reserved area normally used by politicians and VIPs, and they were taken through check-in to the departure lounge. 11 A number of reporters accompanied them on their easyJet flight to East Midlands airport, on which the first two rows of seats were reserved for the family. At about 12.30pm they landed, and were met by even more film crews. 12 When Mr McCann came out of the airport, clearly emotional, he read a brief statement, his son still asleep on his shoulder. Mr McCann thanked people who had supported the couple during the four months since Madeleines disappearance, and said he and his wife had thought very carefully before deciding to come home. Although they are suspects, the Portuguese police had let them keep their passports and come back to Britain. 13 Whilst it is heartbreaking to return to the UK without Madeleine, it does not mean we are giving up our search for her, Mr McCann said. As parents we cannot give up on our daughter until we know what has happened. He also asked people to respect the familys privacy; they wanted the twins to live an ordinary life in their home country, and they needed time to think about the very worrying events of the last few days.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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14 In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, Mr McCann had said that he and his wife, who police seem to think is the main suspect in Madeleines presumed death, with her husband as an accomplice, were fighting for [their] lives to prove their innocence. 15 We will clear our name and we will not give up on Madeleine, he told the News of the World. 16 Ten minutes after the couples arrival back home, Mrs McCanns uncle, Brian Kennedy, who is chair of the campaign to raise awareness about Madeleines disappearance, came out and spoke briefly to reporters. 17 Kate and Gerry are just happy to be back at home. They have been through three or four of the most difficult days in their lives. They
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Discussion
1. What have the newspapers and TV in your country said about Madeleine? 2. Why do you think this case has had so much media coverage?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
4 Vocabulary development
1. people-carrier 2. cuddly 3. accompanied 4. trace 5. pursued 6. give up on 7. clear our name 8. chair 9. briefly 10. shattered
3 General understanding
1. a 2. c 3. f 4. d 5. e 6. g 7. b 8. h
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The McCanns: Exhausted and under suspicion / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. priceless eagerly struggling fanbase piracy hoax prominence self-indulgence uproar bypass
1. _______________ is the practice of allowing yourself to do something special that you like very much. 2. If you gain _______________ in a particular field, you become important or well-known within that field. 3. A _______________ is a trick in which someone deliberately tells people that something will happen or that something is true when it is not. 4. The _______________ of a pop group or a sports team is the total number of fans they have around the world. 5. If a company is _______________, it is experiencing financial problems. 6. If something causes _______________, it provokes angry public criticism. 7. If you _______________ someone or something, you avoid dealing with them. 8. _______________ is the practice of making and selling illegal copies of CDs, DVDs and so on. 9. A _______________ commodity is extremely valuable and impossible to replace. 10. If you do something _______________, you do it with a great deal of enthusiasm or excitement.
Do you think these statements are True (T) or False (F)? Check your answers in the text. 1. The British rock group Radiohead are planning to give away their new album for free. 2. Prince recently gave his latest album away free with a British newspaper. 3. The music download service iTunes sells albums not individual tracks. 4. Sales of CDs are falling while sales of music merchandise are increasing. 5. Paul McCartney signed a deal with Starbucks. 6. Digital piracy is only having a small impact on the music industry.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Radioheads bid to revive music industry: pay what you like to download albums
Owen Gibson, media correspondent Tuesday October 2, 2007 1 Their music has long been praised for blurring boundaries and breaking moulds. Now Radiohead are hoping to establish a new model for the struggling record industry by inviting music buyers to decide how much they want to pay for their new album. To their biggest fans, eagerly awaiting their first studio album for four years, it is near priceless. Those who believe Radiohead long ago descended into selfindulgence may only risk pennies. But thanks to this ground-breaking experiment, the band will bypass record labels altogether and will be able to put a fiscal value on the publics appreciation of their art. 2 The release was announced with a short message from guitarist Jonny Greenwood on the bands website, revealing that the new album, In Rainbows, would be available to download from October 10. Orders started rolling in yesterday, with customers able to decide how much to pay from nothing (plus a 45p administration charge) upwards. Radioheads honesty box experiment will be closely watched by other artists, their record labels and management companies. 3 In Rainbows is the most high-profile attempt yet to restructure the economics of a music industry struggling with the effects of digital piracy. Despite a booming live scene, CD sales are less profitable than ever thanks to increased competition and piracy. With the role of the Internet in helping new acts rise to prominence already well documented, more established artists are attempting to revolutionize the way music is sold. 4 Prince caused uproar among music retailers by giving his latest album away with a British Sunday newspaper and yesterday the Charlatans
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Advanced
CA
P H
hoax, while the bands management were also forced to deny rumours that they were due to follow Paul McCartneys lead and sign a deal with Starbucks. 8 It was only recently that Radioheads back catalogue, including The Bends and the highlypraised OK Computer, were made available digitally thanks to a deal between EMI and the download service 7Digital. The band had
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why are CDs less profitable than ever? a. Because artists like Prince are giving them away free. b. Because of increased competition and piracy. c. Because people are buying merchandise instead. 2. Why do the Charlatans want to give their new single and album away for nothing? a. Because they dont like the three to six month lead time record companies require. b. Because they want their music to be played by radio stations. c. Because they want to avoid using record companies which they believe are very regulated. 3. In the article, Radiohead are described as blurring boundaries, breaking moulds and taking part in a ground-breaking experiment. Which of these best describes Radiohead? a. They want to make as much money as possible from their new album. b. They enjoy sticking it to the man. c. They enjoy being different and innovative. 4. What has the response of diehard Radiohead fans been to the possibility of buying the new album for as little as 45p? a. Millions of them have downloaded it. b. More of them have ordered the 40 box set than the digital download. c. They have dismissed the new album as a hoax.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
Match the verbs on the left and nouns on the right to make collocations from the text. 1. part 2. cause 3. join 4. have 5. buy 6. offer 7. sign 8. deny a. merchandise b. the opportunity (to do something) c. a deal d. the army e. no choice f. company g. a rumour h. uproar
7 Discussion
What do you think the future of the music industry is? Will the Internet revolutionize music sales as we know them? Are CDs a thing of the past, like vinyl records and cassettes? Do you prefer downloading music to an electronic machine or having a physical CD in your hand?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Advanced
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c c b
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. f h d e a b c g
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. piracy gig booming newsletter album vinyl release deal merchandise track
1. A _______________ is a live musical performance. 2. When record companies _______________ a new CD, they make it possible for people to buy it. 3. A _______________ is written information sent regularly to members of an organization. 4. _______________ is goods that people buy and sell. 5. An _______________ is a CD or record with several songs on it. 6. A _______________ is one of the songs on an album. 7. _______________ is the practice of making and selling illegal copies of CDs, DVDs and so on. 8. A _______________ is a formal business agreement. 9. _______________ is a hard, light plastic used to make LP records. 10. If a business is _______________, it is extremely successful and profitable.
1. What is the title of the new Radiohead album? 2. What is the smallest amount of money customers can pay for the new Radiohead album? 3. How much will the expensive discbox version of the album cost? 4. How will the Charlatans give their new album away free? 5. When will it be possible to download the new Radiohead album? 6. When will customers receive the box set version of the album?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Radioheads bid to revive music industry: pay what you like to download albums
Owen Gibson, media correspondent October 2, 2007 1 For many years the British group Radiohead have been known for their original music. Now they are hoping to do something else that is new to the world of rock music. They are planning to invite music buyers to decide how much they want to pay for their new album. Fans of Radiohead, who can hardly wait to hear their first studio album for four years, will probably be willing to pay a lot of money for the album. People who do not like their music so much will probably only offer to pay a few pennies. But thanks to this experiment, Radiohead will not be using a record company and will be able to find out what people really think of their music. 2 The groups guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, announced the release of the new album on the bands website. Customers can download the album, In Rainbows, from October 10. People began to place orders immediately. They can decide how much to pay from nothing (plus a 45p administration charge) upwards. Other music artists and their record labels and management companies will watch Radioheads experiment very carefully. 3 With In Rainbows Radiohead are trying to restructure the economics of the music industry, which is having problems because of digital piracy. Live music is booming but CD sales are falling as a result of increased competition and piracy. Many new groups have become well known through the Internet and now more famous artists are also using the Internet in order to revolutionize the way music is sold. 4 Companies selling CDs were shocked when Prince gave his latest album away free with a British Sunday newspaper. Pop group the Charlatans have said they will give their new
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Elementary
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. Digital piracy 2. Customers will decide 3. Music groups can earn more money from selling merchandise 4. CD sales are falling 5. When Prince gave his new album away free 6. More people have ordered the expensive box set
a. companies selling CDs were shocked. b. than from selling CDs. c. because fans can get tracks free from Internet sites. d. is a big problem for the music industry. e. than the cheap digital download. f. how much they want to pay for Radioheads new album.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary 1: Adverbs
Fill the gaps in these sentences using these adverbs from the text. quickly differently probably carefully hardly simply
1. Some people will _______________ pay a lot of money for the new album. 2. Big Radiohead fans can _______________ wait for the albums release. 3. Radiohead and Prince are doing things _______________. 4. The experiment will get the album to the fans more _______________. 5. Record labels will watch the experiment _______________. 6. Many fans _______________copy tracks from free Internet sites.
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Fill the gaps using the correct prepositions. 1. as a result _______ increased competition 2. thanks _______ a deal 3. known _______ their original music 4. what people think _______ their music 5. three _______ six months 6. spend money _______ something 7. sign a deal _______ someone 8. pay a lot of money _______ something
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. manage compete release
noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Elementary
Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Adverbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. probably hardly differently quickly carefully simply
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. of to for of to on with for
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f b c a e
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. priceless self-indulgent struggling bypass piracy loyal uproar rumour booming retailer
1. If something causes _______________, it provokes angry public criticism. 2. _______________ is the practice of making and selling illegal copies of CDs, DVDs and so on. 3. If you are_______________ , you allow yourself to do something special that you like very much. 4. A _______________ is a business that sells direct to the public. 5. If a company is _______________, it is experiencing financial problems. 6. If something is _______________, it is extremely valuable and impossible to replace. 7. A _______________ is unofficial information that may or may not be true. 8. If a business is _______________, it is extremely successful and profitable. 9. If you are _______________, you are willing to support someone, even in difficult times. 10. If you _______________ someone or something, you avoid dealing with them.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. What is the minimum amount of money customers will pay for the new Radiohead album? 2. How much will the expensive box set version of the album cost? 3. What is the title of the new Radiohead album? 4. How will the Charlatans give their new album away free? 5. When will the new Radiohead album be available to download? 6. When will the box set version of the album be sent to customers?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Radioheads bid to revive music industry: pay what you like to download album
Owen Gibson, media correspondent October 2, 2007 1 For many years the music of the British group Radiohead has been praised for its scope and originality. Now Radiohead are hoping to introduce another innovation to the world of rock music by inviting music buyers to decide how much they want to pay for their new album. For fans of Radiohead, who can hardly wait to hear their first studio album for four years, the album will be almost priceless. Those who believe Radioheads music has long been self-indulgent will probably only pay pennies. But thanks to this innovative experiment, the band will bypass record labels altogether and will be able to find out what the public really thinks of their music in financial terms at least. 2 The albums release was announced with a short message from guitarist Jonny Greenwood on the bands website, revealing that the new album, In Rainbows, would be available to download from October 10. Orders started coming in immediately, with customers able to decide how much to pay from nothing (plus a 45p administration charge) upwards. Radioheads experiment will be closely watched by other artists, their record labels and management companies. 3 In Rainbows is an attempt to restructure the economics of a music industry struggling with the effects of digital piracy. Live music is booming but CD sales are becoming less and less profitable thanks to increased competition and piracy. Many new groups have become well known through the Internet and now more established artists are using it in an attempt to revolutionize the way music is sold. 4 Prince caused uproar among music retailers by giving his latest album away free with a British Sunday newspaper and yesterday the Charlatans
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Intermediate
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Sales of CDs are increasing. 2. iTunes sells whole albums, not individual tracks. 3. Live music is booming. 4. On the first day of sale more people ordered the expensive box set than the download. 5. The number of people copying CDs and downloading them from the Internet is increasing. 6. Radiohead are planning to sign a deal with Starbucks. 7. Radioheads previous albums are not available in digital form. 8. Piracy is a major problem for the music industry.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Intermediate
CA
P H
noun
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. caution loyalty finance innovation availability profit
adjective
original
competitive
7 Discussion
What are the arguments for and against making music available for free on the Internet?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. g d h e a b c f
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F F T T T F F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Radioheads bid to revive music industry / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Pre-reading 1
the boxes that are correct for you and compare your answers with a partner.
I often use emoticons in my electronic communication. Emoticons are useful for conveying how the writer feels. Emoticons are useful in chat rooms, when writing personal emails and when sending text messages. People who use emoticons arent serious. I dislike emoticons. What are emoticons?
Pre-reading 2
Match these emoticons, and the expressions from the article, with their meanings. }:-( ;-) 8-) 0:-) :-)(-: :-\ Im wearing glasses Im undecided Im married Your toupee is blowing in the wind Im only joking! The writer just made a sweet or innocent remark
1. up to scratch a. waste no time on unnecessary matters b. need for something to make it all better and easier c. good enough / reaches the expectations d. there is a danger of hurting someone or making yourself look like a fool e. no checking or correcting
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Advanced
CA
P H
10 The truth is that, for other than routine messages and acknowledgements, email has become an inadequate substitute for both the telephone and
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
the letter. Compared to the telephone, email is a distancing device. It not only eliminates tone of voice, it prevents interruption or response. It is a one-way conversation, a monologue, with all the rudeness that can imply. Compared to a letter, email has more immediacy but carries none of the humanity, not to mention courtesy, of handwriting. 11 Emails ought to carry a health warning at the top: This note may unintentionally mislead or upset you; if in doubt reply by phone or consult a counsellor. Emails are bad at conveying humour or criticism, bad news or sympathy. The form is too cold. Those who wish to communicate
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. The emoticon was invented by a. the poet, Milton. b. a university professor. c. an American student. 5. There are a. strict guidelines on how to begin and end an email. b. strict rules about using punctuation and capital letters in emails. c. a myriad of ways to begin and end an email.
2. What are emoticons supposed to put into emails? a. Pain and embarrassment. b. Greetings and humour. c. Human emotion.
6. The author thinks that emails are a. not as effective as letters. b. an improvement on letter writing. c. a better way to get hold of someone than by telephone.
3. The author believes it is better to a. write slowly. b. think before you send your email. c. use a manual typewriter.
4. According to the article, many of us... a. take on too much work these days. b. take on different personalities when we write emails. c. always make follow up phone calls after sending emails.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2. With a partner, try to put these collocations into sentences. Look back at the article to check your answers and to see the context in which they are used.
5 Discussion
Discuss the following questions in small groups. Do you prefer to write letters or send emails? When did you last send an email? When did you last write a letter? How many emails do you send/receive per week? How many letters do you send/receive per week? Do you use emoticons when you write emails? What do you think when you receive an email containing emoticons?
6 Webquest
Have a look at these websites for more information on emoticons. Which emoticons do you like best? Unusual and funny emoticons: www.angelfire.com/hi/hahakiam/emoticon.html A-Z of emoticons: www.sharpened.net/glossary/emoticons.php Emoticons that youve probably never seen before: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_emoticons
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Advanced
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
abrupt remark Internet lexicon fully-formed sentence plaintive call bountiful guidance desperate effort subtle meaning inadequate substitute one-way conversation unintentionally mislead
3 Comprehension check
1. b 2. c 3. b 4. b 5. c 6. a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Pre-reading task
Match these emoticons with their meanings. }:-( ;-) 8-) 0:-) :-)(-: :-\ Im wearing glasses Im undecided Im married My hair is blowing in the wind Im only joking! The writer just made a sweet or innocent remark
2 Keywords: Antonyms
Skim the text to find the words that mean the opposite of the words below. 1. strengthen / harden (para 2) 2. polite / courteous (para 2) 3. smile (para 2) 4. hate (para 2) 5. manually (para 3) 6. modern (para 4) 7. perfect (para 5) 8. receive (para 5) 9. calmer (para 7) _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________
10. extraordinary (para 9) 11. add (para 9) 12. rudeness (para 9) 13. sender (para 11)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 Emails are bad at conveying humour or criticism, bad news or sympathy. The form is too cold. Those who wish to communicate these things to another human being should use the telephone.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Elementary
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
Match the halves of the sentences.
... to put feeling and emotion into an email. ... before correcting them. ... in the early days of telecommunication. ... when we write emails. ... they might feel hurt, embarrassed or insulted.
2. If people misunderstand written abbreviations,... 3. We are not so careful... 4. We often send emails off... 5. People use emoticons...
... can be misunderstood in an email. ... for sending routine messages and acknowledgements.
8. The telephone is more personal and therefore better... ... but contain less humanity. 9. Emails are useful... ... to receive letters. ... when you need to give bad news.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
openings
closings
2. Can you think of any other ways to begin or end an email? Write them into the table. Compare your answers in small groups.
5 Discussion
Complete these sentences to make them correct for you. Discuss them in your group. Dont forget to ask the others in your group for more information about their answers. I send about _____________ emails a week. I write roughly _____________ letters a month. I receive about _____________ emails and _____________ letters a week. I feel _____________ when I receive a letter. I think emoticons are _____________. I prefer to communicate by _____________.
6 Webquest
Have a look at these websites for more information on emoticons. Which emoticons do you like best? Unusual and funny emoticons: www.angelfire.com/hi/hahakiam/emoticon.html A-Z of emoticons: www.sharpened.net/glossary/emoticons.php Emoticons that youve probably never seen before: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_emoticons
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Elementary
3 Comprehension check
1. Short forms were also used in the early days of telecommunication. 2. If people misunderstand written abbreviations, they might feel hurt, embarrassed or insulted. 3. We are not so careful when we write emails. 4. We often send emails off before correcting them. 5. People use emoticons to put feeling and emotion into an email. 6. Emails are faster than letters but contain less humanity. 7. Even simple words like please and thank you can be misunderstood in an email. 8. The telephone is more personal and therefore better when you need to give bad news. 9. Emails are useful for sending routine messages and acknowledgements. 10. The majority of people like to receive letters.
2 Antonyms
1. soften 2. abrupt 3. frown 4. love 5. automatically 6. old-fashioned 7. imperfect 8. send 9. angrier 10. routine 11. remove 12. politeness 13. recipient
4 Email writing
openings
Dear Sir Hi gorgeous
closings
Yours sincerely Kind regards Bye
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Pre-reading task
Match these emoticons with their meanings. }:-( ;-) 8-) 0:-) :-)(-: :-\ Im wearing glasses Im undecided Im married Your toupee is blowing in the wind Im only joking! The writer just made a sweet or innocent remark
Key words
Skim-read the article to find words that mean the following. 1. to show or tell _______________ (para 1) 2. to put in _______________ (para 1) 3. a feeling you experience _______________ (para 1) 4. someone who is extremely interested in computers _______________ (para 1) 5. not deliberate or planned _______________ (para 2) 6. behaving or speaking in a way that seems rude _______________ (para 2) 7. to feel sorry or sad about something you have done _______________ (para 4) 8. the process of changing from one state to another _______________ (para 4) 9. a strong sad or guilty feeling about something you have done _______________ (para 6) 10. to destroy _______________ (para 7) 11. without emotion _______________ (para 8) 12. to let someone know you have received something they sent you _______________ (para 9) 13. to communicate ideas or feelings indirectly _______________ (para 10)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
How on earth did we manage in the past? Somehow we communicated love, hurt, remorse, anger and joy with the help of the Oxford English Dictionary. We used quill, pen, pencil, ballpoint, even typewriter, and if anything went wrong we had the telephone as backup. But why is email so lacking in feeling that it needs its own additional emoticon alphabet? How believable is J? The authors of a book on netiquette say that, On email people arent quite themselves ... they are angrier, less sympathetic, less aware, more easily wounded, even more gossipy. Some have even wrecked their marriages, lost their jobs and ended up in jail. Many of us do not know how to handle email. Do we start Dear Sir or Hi gorgeous, or get straight down to business? Do we cover the screen with capital letters, exclamation marks and emoticons in a desperate effort to explain what we mean? Do we end with Yours sincerely, Kind regards or Byeee!? Even such simple words as please, thank you and sorry have a hundred different meanings when spoken but are toneless when lying flat on the screen. The truth is that, for other than routine messages and acknowledgements, email is not as good as the telephone and the letter. Compared to the telephone, email distances us. It not only removes the tone of your voice, it prevents people from interrupting or replying. It is a one-way conversation, a monologue, with all the rudeness that can imply. Compared to a letter, email is faster but has none of the humanity, not to mention politeness, of handwriting. bad news or sympathy. The form is too cold. Those who wish to communicate sincerity to another human being should telephone. of note paper, pick up a pen and do something
users soon realized that abbreviated language could sometimes cause unintentional pain and embarrassment. Therefore, symbols were used to soften remarks that might seem sarcastic or abrupt. The result was not just smileys but frownies and various signs of confusion, love, anger and surprise. Txtrs AZ my favourite being }:-( which means your toupee is blowing in the wind. These days many computers automatically change the frownie into L. In other words, J and L have become formal symbols in Internet vocabulary.
a personal email or text message which I have regretted afterwards. The old-fashioned pen slowed the transition from spoken word (and intended meaning) to script. It gave you time to think, as did the manual typewriter. Writing involved effort. A word was thought about before being written on paper and sent through the post. but imperfect sentences. As soon as they are on screen they become real. And send is always clicked too soon. There is no wait for the post to go, no time to correct what you wrote. Nor is there any certainty that an email has arrived, so we have to call and ask: Did you get my email ... why
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The emoticon was invented because the alphabet doesnt contain human emotion. 2. A student invented the smiley in an email to his professor. 3. Manual typewriters are better than computers for conveying emotion. 4. People often regret sending emails. 5. The author says that people often hold monologues on the phone. 6. Emails can be bad for your health and your love life. 7. Many people change their personality when they write emails. 8. The author suggests that we write more letters.
4 Vocabulary 1: Pronunciation
1. Put these words into the correct columns according to their pronunciation pattern. imperfect emoticons sympathetic communicate exclamation sincerely interrupt humanity recipient conversation additional abbreviate unintentional embarrassment believable
oOo
oOoo
ooOo
ooO
ooOoo
2. Write in other words from the article that fit the pronunciation patterns.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Intermediate
CA
P H
emotions
positive negative
writing equipment
traditional electronic
6 Discussion
Discuss the following questions in small groups. Do you prefer to write letters or send emails? When did you last send an email? When did you last write a letter? How many emails do you send/receive per week? How many letters do you send/receive per week? Do you use emoticons when you write emails? What do you think when you receive an email containing emoticons?
7 Webquest
Have a look at these websites for more information on emoticons. Which emoticons do you like best? Unusual and funny emoticons: www.angelfire.com/hi/hahakiam/emoticon.html AZ of emoticons: www.sharpened.net/glossary/emoticons.php Emoticons that youve probably never seen before: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_emoticons
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary 1: Pronunciation
oOoo
communicate humanity recipient abbreviate embarrassment believable additional
ooOo
sympathetic exclamation conversation
ooO
ooOoo
imperfect emotions
interrupt unintentional
exclamation
2 Key words
1. express 2. insert 3. emotion 4. nerd 5. unintentional 6. abrupt 7. regret 8. transition 9. remorse 10. wreck 11. toneless 12. acknowledgement 13. convey
3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. F 3. F 4. T 5. F 6. T 7. T 8. T
writing equipment
traditional quill pen ballpoint pen pencil typewriter electronic computer email text message
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Emoticons, emails and letter writing / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Warmer: Gold
How many products or uses of gold can you name in two minutes? Write your answers in the box below.
Gold
Key words
Write these pairs of words into the appropriate sentences below. You may need to change the order of the words or their tense. imprison / detain seize / drag prospector / miner nugget / fragment rights / abuse scavenge / pan indiscriminate / inequality 1. A ______________ is someone who searches an area of land for gold. A ______________ digs gold out of the ground. 2. A ______________ of gold is usually bigger than a ______________ of gold. 3. Although the man was ______________ for questioning, the judge decided not to ______________ him. 4. If you do something ______________, you do it without caring about what harm or damage you may inflict. We use the word, ______________ to talk about situations where some people have more than others. 5. The police ______________ the man and ______________ him out of the car. 6. ______________ is a way to find gold by washing the stones. When you ______________, you search through things other people have thrown away. 7. Everyone has ______________, and we shouldnt ______________ them.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Advanced
CA
P H
10 Since the crackdown began last year, the locals guess 500 of the 3,000 residents have been detained. It is hard to find any family that hasnt had someone arrested, said an elderly woman called Sunjee (most Mongolians only use one name). The police have taken people younger than 16 and older than 60. There is a woman in detention now who is 66 years old.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Advanced
CA
P H
11 When the ninjas scavenge for gold or pan the river among the mounds of earth behind the dredges they are trespassing or stealing. These areas are the property of the Russian concession holders so the arrests are legitimate. 12 But the police crackdown has become indiscriminate. Residents say they are pulled from their beds at night, chased as they walk down the street or arrested at checkpoints on scant evidence that they have been scavenging among the waste dumps. 13 Visitors to Ogoomor have been shocked at the changes in Mongolia, which is known as Asias most democratic nation. Ogoomor has become a concentration camp in the original sense of the word. The authorities enclose and control the local population as the British did in the Boer war, says Robin Grayson, a geologist from Lancashire, who has visited the town more than 20 times.
15
3 Comprehension check
Choose the right answer. 1. A ninja turtle is a... a. ... Russian security firm. b. ... cartoon character. c. ... Mongolian miner. 2. The Mongolian gold rush is causing problems between... a. ... ninja turtles and security companies. b. ... Russian gold miners and the Mongolian police. c. ... nomadic miners and non-Mongolian companies. 3. Ogoomor is... a. ... an ancient Mongolian city. b. ... a town separated from the capital, Ulan Bator, by a long drive. c. ... the Mongolian word for gold. 4. The majority of the residents of Ogoomor are... a. ... rich b. ... scared that they will be arrested. c. ... in prison.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Advanced
CA
P H
Use these collocations to retell the story to your partner. Retell one half of the article each.
5 Discussion: A debate
One half of the class take the side of the ninjas, the other half take the side of the mining companies. In your groups note down reasons why you should be allowed to mine / pan the land and present your case to the other side. Can you come to a mutually acceptable agreement to work together? Appoint two neutral observers to take notes and report back.
6 Webquest
What is the current price of gold? Is it rising or falling? Do you think gold is a good investment? Use the following websites to help you answer the questions. http://goldprice.org/ www.thebulliondesk.com http://goldprices.com/ www.kitco.com
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2 Key words
1. prospector / miner 2. nugget / fragment 3. detained / imprisoned 4. indiscriminately / inequality 5. seized / dragged 6. panning / scavenge 7. rights / abuse
8. new security measures 9. live in constant fear 10. Russian concession holders 11. most democratic nation 12. human rights abuses 13. strike it extremely rich 14. controlled by criminal bosses
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c b b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Warmer - gold
How many words connected to gold can you think of in two minutes? Write them in the box below. What can we make from gold? e.g. watches What else is gold used for? e.g. dental fillings
Gold
Key words
Tick the words you would expect to read in an article about gold. Mongolia mine policemen goat bowl smuggle newspapers thief jewellery murder museum
Add some more ideas of your own and then skim-read the article to find the answers.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 When the ninjas search for gold they are stealing. The areas are the property of the Russian concession holders so the arrests are legal. But the police crackdown is frightening the residents who say they are pulled from their beds at night, chased as they walk down the street or arrested at checkpoints without any real evidence against them. 11 Visitors to Ogoomor have been shocked at the changes in Mongolia, which is known as Asias most democratic nation. But this is not a blackN T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Elementary
CA
P H
and-white story of human rights abuses and wealth inequality. Most ninjas make $10 to $20 dollars a day more than policemen or soldiers earn. Some become extremely rich. There are many stories in the town of people who found giant nuggets worth tens of thousands of dollars. 12 The Russian mining company, Altan Dornod Mongol, says the ninjas are organized and controlled by criminal bosses. The ninjas are
3 Comprehension check 1
Join the sentence parts. 1. Mongolian police arrest people for carrying... 2. Ninja turtles are... 3. When people carry a green plastic bowl on their backs, they look like... 4. The Mongolian gold rush is causing problems between... 5. Some Mongolian nomads (who live on the vast plains) own... 6. There are between 30,000 to 100,000 people searching for gold in... 7. Mongolia is known as... 8. When the ninjas search for gold,... 9. Many people in Mongolia are... 10. The mining companies say they want to protect their... a. ... turtles. b. ... Mongolias Wild West. c. ... they are stealing. d. ... herds of sheep and goats. e. ... nomadic miners and foreign companies. f. ... cartoon characters. g. ... very poor. h. ... Asias most democratic nation. i. ... plastic bowls. j. ... mines and their workers.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
places
6 Webquest
What is the current price of gold? Is it rising or falling? Do you think gold is a good investment? Use these websites to help you answer the questions. http://goldprice.org/ www.thebulliondesk.com/ http://goldprices.com/ www.kitco.com/
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Elementary
Elementary
3 Comprehension check 1
1. i 2. f 3. a 4. e 5. d 6. b 7. h 8. c 9. g 10. j
2 Key words
Mongolia mine machine human rights soldier policemen bowl smuggle poverty nomad nugget shell wealth arrest turtle
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Warmer: Gold
How many products or uses of gold can you name in two minutes? Write your answers in the box below.
Gold
Key words
Complete the sentences using the following words from the text. tolerate beat concession nugget black market gold rush prospector imprison legitimate arrest
1. When you keep someone locked up, for example in a police cell, you ________________ them. 2. When you hit someone again and again, you ________________ them. 3. A lump of gold is called a ________________. 4. When the police ________________ someone, they take them to the police station because they believe he or she has committed a crime. 5. If you sell something illegally and secretly, you sell it on the ________________. 6. A ________________ is the right given to someone to sell something or do a particular activity. 7. When you ________________ someone, you accept them even though you dont like or approve of them. 8. A ________________ is someone who searches an area of land or water for gold, oil, etc. 9. When something is ________________, it is legal. 10. A ________________ happens when lots of people move to a place (over a short period of time) in the hope of becoming rich.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 When the ninjas search for gold they are trespassing or stealing. These areas are the property of the Russian concession holders so the arrests are legitimate. But the police crackdown has become indiscriminate. Residents say they are pulled from their beds at night, chased as they walk down the street or arrested at checkpoints without any real evidence against them.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Intermediate
CA
P H
11 Visitors to Ogoomor have been shocked at the changes in Mongolia which is known as Asias most democratic nation. But this is no blackand-white story of human rights abuses and wealth inequality. Most ninjas make $10 to $20 dollars a day a higher income than policemen or soldiers. Some strike it extremely rich. There are many stories in the town of people who found giant nuggets worth tens of thousands of dollars.
3 Comprehension check
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? 1. It is dangerous to walk around with a plastic bowl in Ogoomor. 2. Ogoomor is an ancient city in the west of Mongolia. 3. The gold rush in Ogoomor started 20 years ago. 4. Gold has been discovered in the plains near Ulan Bator. 5. Russian mining companies want to stop the ninjas searching for gold. 6. The number of people moving to Mongolias Wild West is growing rapidly. 7. There is a lot of poverty and unemployment in Mongolia. 8. Ninja is a Mongolian word for nomad. 9. Much of Mongolias gold is smuggled to the West. 10. Residents in Ogoomor are frightened of the police. 11. Some ninjas have found enough gold to make them very rich. 12. The mining companies are happy to share the gold with the ninjas.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Name of group: ____________________________________________________________ What we want: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Why we think we should get what we want: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ What we are willing to compromise on / agree to: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ How we might be able to work together with the other group: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
6 Webquest
What is the current price of gold? Is it rising or falling? Do you think gold is a good investment? Use the following websites to help you answer the questions. http://goldprice.org/ www.thebulliondesk.com http://goldprices.com/ www.kitco.com
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. F 3. F 4. F 5. T 6. T 7. T 8. F 9. F 10. T 11. T 12. F
2 Key words
1. imprison 2. beat 3. nugget 4. arrest 5. black market 6. concession 7. tolerate 8. prospector 9. legitimate 10. gold rush
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Gold rush in Mongolia / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Extreme education
Level 3
1
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words and phrases from the text. zero tolerance vehemently scrutinize mentor accountability disadvantaged discrepancy sponsor peer needy
1. A ____________ is an experienced person who helps someone with less experience. 2. A ____________ is someone who belongs to the same social or professional group as another person or who is the same age as another person. 3. A ____________ is a person or business who pays money to support an event or programme. 4. ____________ is a situation in which people are questioned or criticized for their actions. 5. ____________ is a situation in which all offences, even the most minor, are strictly punished in accordance with the law or a set of rules. 6. A ____________ is a difference between two things that should be the same. 7. If you are ____________, you do not have enough money for basic things such as food and clothing. 8. If you are ____________, you do not have the same advantages as other people. 9. If you protest ____________, you protest very strongly and with passionate feelings. 10. If you ____________ something, you examine it very carefully.
Decide whether you think these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. In the US, statistics show that 95% of parents want a better education for their children. 2. At small 200-pupil academies in the US, children attend class for 12 hours a day. 3. Academies like these have better test scores than private schools. 4. In one academy in a tough area of the South Bronx (the Kipp academy), all the children can read music. 5. More boys apply to join the academies than girls. 6. Some British educationalists believe the UK could learn a lot from the US small academies programme.
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Extreme education
Level 3 Advanced
5 As a principal of a small school I know what every child is up to in terms of their academic achievement and their behaviour, says Mr Verrilli. Its an accountability that is extended to teachers: Mr Verrilli will sit in on classes with a Blackberry, emailing the instructor his notes as they teach. 6 North Star and other small schools like it, have evolved out of the 3,500-strong charter school movement in the US. Charter schools are independent schools, funded by the state, and allowed more freedom to set policies, including their admissions procedures. It runs a lottery for admissions and has 1,800 children on the waiting list. Parents have to put their childs name into the lottery and there are discrepancies in who does so; three times more girls apply than boys. 7 Mr Verrilli vehemently denies any suggestion that his students might not be the most needy. Its a prejudice to say that parents from disadvantaged backgrounds dont care about their kids education. 95% of parents just want a better education for their children. Were not creaming. Im defensive about that. Its something were accused of a lot. How hard is it to put your childs name down on a piece of paper? he said. 8 Every child who attends the Kipp (Knowledge is Power Programme) academy in south Bronx, New York, plays in its orchestra, the best school ensemble in the city. Every child can read music. Shirley Lee, a director of the Kipp academy in the Bronx, says it works because there is a consistent approach across every part of the school. The truth and reality is that kids like structure, she said. Its about telling them whats appropriate and them learning when to use it. I wouldnt talk to you like I am now if I was out in some of these areas. But if we teach them to look in my eyes when Im speaking to them, they will use that if they get stopped by the police and that will protect them. 9 In the UK, the political debate about the achievement gap between rich and poor in schools is gathering pace. The official body for inspecting schools, Ofsted, last week highlighted the stark divide in achievement linked to social class and the government has set itself tough new targets on reducing the gap. Three London academies are experimenting with small
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Extreme education
Level 3 Advanced
11 Ark is also helping to fund the 30 Future Leaders group on the school leadership training scheme visiting the US. The trainees are expected to take some of the ideas they experience home to the UK. Many of them see limits in how translatable the model is to the UK, however. They talk about the fact that most of the US schools are middle schools, for 1014 year-olds. The model has been tested less in the secondary school age group (1118). They also ask how smaller schools can be afforded, though others point out the fact that in the US facilities are basic. They dont even have interactive whiteboards, says one of the groups mentors. They just teach. Small schools might not be practical in the UK, but what I really want these new school leaders to take back is the sense of culture in these schools.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 22/10/07
school principles and last week a group of British teachers in training to run inner city schools visited the US looking for methods to tackle the dire state of complex urban education. 10 Ark, a UK academy sponsor, is taking key components of the small school model into London academies. Lucy Heller, managing director of Ark, says: Theres something in the air: its small schools, tough behaviour management and an adamant belief that inner city children can do just as well. The UK schools minister says small schools can teach disadvantaged children the skills that their middle class peers take for granted: High ambition, zero tolerance of failure, an expectation that children will go to university and that schools will give them the education to do so.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. What is the purpose of the three-way contract? a. To enforce a zero tolerance policy. b. To ensure that parents, children and the principal all work for each childs success. c. To make sure that all homework is handed in by 8 am. 2. What are the three basic components that UK schools will take from the US model? a. Zero tolerance, homework handed in by 8am, and children excluded if their parents do not turn up for meetings. b. Small schools, strict management of behaviour and a strong belief that children from disadvantaged backgrounds can do well. c. High ambition, zero tolerance of failure and an expectation that children will go to university. 3. How is accountability at the North Star Academy extended to teachers? a. They have to work a 10-hour day, just like the pupils. b. They have to scrutinize test results. c. The principal observes their lessons and sends them notes about their lessons. 4. Which statement best reflects the plans of UK educationalists? a. They intend to use some of the US ideas. b. They intend to copy the US model exactly and introduce small school academies to the UK. c. They intend to copy the US model but have better facilities like interactive whiteboards.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Extreme education
Level 3 Advanced
4 Vocabulary 1: Find the word
Look in the text and find these words or expressions. 1. A participle meaning gradually changing and developing. (para 1) 2. A three-word expression meaning to do your share of the work. (para 4) 3. A verb used informally here meaning to take the very best of something. (para 7) 4. A noun meaning a musical group. (para 8) 5. A two-word expression meaning becoming stronger and more successful. (para 9) 6. A two-word expression meaning obvious difference. (para 9) 7. An adjective meaning extremely bad. (para 9) 8. An adjective meaning very determined. (para 10)
1. ____________ a target 2. ____________ a culture 3. ____________ someone in the eye 4. ____________ a school, college or academy 5. ____________ pace 6. ____________ your weight 7. ____________ something for granted 8. ____________ a contract
7 Discussion
Do you think there should be more or less discipline in schools? List the points for and against schools like the North Star Academy.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Extreme education
Level 3 KEY
1 Key words
1. mentor 2. peer 3. sponsor 4. accountability 5. zero tolerance 6. discrepancy 7. needy 8. disadvantaged 9. vehemently 10. scrutinize
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b b c a
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Extreme education
Level 1
1
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words and phrases from the text. admission experiment contract principal behaviour lottery proficient recent excuse funds
1. A ____________ is a written legal agreement between two people or businesses. 2. If you ____________ with a new idea, you try it to see what will happen. 3. ____________ is another word for the headmaster or headmistress of a school. 4. If something is ____________, it happened a short time ago. 5. A ____________ is a game of chance where everyone buys a ticket with a number but only some numbers win. 6. A persons ____________ is the way in which he or she follows basic social rules. 7. ____________ is permission to join an institution like a school or a college. 8. If a government ____________ something, it gives it all the money it needs to operate. 9. An ____________ is a reason you give to explain why you have not done something. 10. If you are ____________ at something you have learned, you are good at it.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible.
1. How many hours a day do pupils study in the North Star Academy? 2. How many pupils are there in the North Star Academy? 3. What percentage of children at North Star get free meals? 4. How many charter schools are there in the US? 5. How many children are on the waiting list for the North Star Academy? 6. How old are children at US small schools?
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Extreme education
Level 1 Elementary
but I know Ive got to work, says one 11-year-old, as she finishes up her homework over breakfast. Even my mothers gone back to school since Ive been here. Pupils take a test every six weeks and the teachers check the results of those tests very carefully. As a principal of a small school I know how every child is progressing and how they are behaving, says Mr Verrilli.
North Star and other small schools like it have developed from the charter school movement in the US. The 3,500 charter schools are independent schools, which get money from the state. They can decide their own school policies, including their admissions procedures. North Star runs a lottery for admissions and has 1,800 children on the waiting list. Parents have to put their childs name into the lottery; three times more girls apply than boys. Mr Verrilli does not agree that his pupils are not from the poorest families. Its quite wrong to say that parents in poor families dont care about their kids education. 95% of parents just want a better education for their children. Were not taking the best kids. Im quite sure about that. How difficult is it to write your childs name on a piece of paper? he said. Every child who attends the Kipp (Knowledge is Power Programme) academy in south Bronx, New York, plays in its orchestra, the best school orchestra in New York. Every child can read music. Shirley Lee, a director of the Kipp academy in the Bronx, says the school works because the students know what the rules are. The truth is that kids like structure, she said. You have to tell them what they can and cant do and when they can do it. If I teach them to look in my eyes when Im speaking to them, they will use that if the police stop them and that will help them. In the UK, people are discussing the differences between the exam results of rich and poor pupils in schools in big cities. A recent report says that these differences are getting bigger and the government is trying to deal with this problem. Three London academies are experimenting with the US small
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
and Queen-Ama smile politely as they shake your hand and welcome you to their school. About 85% of pupils are African-American and 90% get free school meals because they come from poor families. Last year 80% got proficient or advanced grades in maths, compared with just 28% in the local neighbourhood school. Pupils work in silence and in a professional way. From the beginning, teachers teach the pupils to speak clearly, answer questions in full sentences and always look the teacher in the eye.
way contract with their child and the principal. When a child doesnt give their homework to the teacher by 8am, the school phones their home. When the parent doesnt come to a meeting, their child cannot go back to school until the parent comes to that meeting. There are signs saying No excuses on the walls. I was working until 11 last night. Im tired,
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Extreme education
Level 1 Elementary
back home to the UK. But many of them think it will be difficult to transfer the model to the UK. They say that most of the US small schools are middle schools, for 1014-year-olds. Not many people have tried the small school model with the secondary school age group (1118). They also ask where the money to fund smaller schools in the UK will come from. Other members of the group say that the US schools do not have much equipment. They dont even have interactive whiteboards, says one of the groups leaders. They just teach. Small schools might not be practical in the UK, but what I really want these new teachers to take back to the UK is an idea of the culture in these schools.
Guardian News & Media 2007
school model and last week a group of British teachers in training visited the US. The trainee teachers wanted to look for methods they could use to deal with the problems of complex education in cities.
parts of the small school model into London academies. Lucy Heller, managing director of Ark, says: This means having small schools, strict rules on behaviour and the belief that inner city children can be as successful as other children. The UK schools minister says small schools can teach children from poorer families that they can succeed and that they can get the education to go to university.
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. Pupils at the North Star Academy do well at school because 2. Teachers teach the children to 3. Most of the children at North Star 4. Pupils at North Star have 5. If a parent misses a meeting 6. Pupils at US small schools are
a. to hand their homework in by 8am. b. come from very poor families. c. their child cannot go back to school. d. they behave well and they work hard. e. usually aged between 10 and 14. f. speak clearly and always look the teacher in the eye.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Extreme education
Level 1 Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Verbs and nouns
Fill the gaps using these verbs from the text. answer look come run attend take shake sign
1. ____________ a lottery 2. ____________ someones hand 3. ____________ questions in full 4. ____________ someone in the eye 5. ____________ a contract 6. ____________ to a meeting 7. ____________ a test 8. ____________ a school
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. different _______ the behaviour they had before 2. the difference _______ rich and poor 3. _______ the waiting list 4. 95% _______ parents 5. look someone _______ the eye 6. care _______ their kids education 7. give their homework to a teacher _______ 8am 8. to deal _______ a problem
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. move behave admit educate govern believe equip begin
noun
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Extreme education
Level 1 KEY
1 Key words
1. contract 2. experiment 3. principal 4. recent 5. lottery 6. behaviour 7. admission 8. funds 9. excuse 10. proficient
Elementary
3 Comprehension check
1. d 2. f 3. b 4. a 5. c 6. e
noun
movement behaviour admission education government belief equipment beginning
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Extreme education
Level 2
1
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words and phrases from the text. attitude achievement admission appropriate zero tolerance mentor disadvantaged behaviour proficient strict
1. If you are ____________, you do not have the same advantages as other people. 2. If you are ____________ at something you have learned, you are skilled at it. 3. A persons ____________ is the way in which he or she follows basic social rules. 4. A persons ____________ is the way they show their feelings or opinions about something, especially as shown by their behaviour. 5. If a rule is ____________, people must obey it completely. 6. A ____________ is an experienced person who helps someone with less experience. 7. Academic ____________ at school consists of the things children succeed in doing well. 8. ____________ is permission to join an institution like a school or a college. 9. If something is ____________, it is suitable or right for a particular situation. 10. ____________ is a situation in which all offences, even the most minor, are strictly punished in accordance with the law or a set of rules.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible. 1. How many hours a day do pupils study in US small or charter schools? 2. What percentage of children at the North Star Academy get free meals? 3. How many charter schools are there in the US? 4. How many children are on the waiting list for the North Star Academy? 5. How many pupils normally attend charter schools? 6. How many children at the Kipp Academy can read music?
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Extreme education
Level 2 Intermediate
as she finishes up her homework over breakfast. Even my mothers gone back to school since Ive been here. Pupils are tested every six weeks and their results are examined carefully.
developed from the charter school movement in the US. The 3,500 charter schools are independent schools, funded by the state, and allowed more freedom to set policies, including their admissions procedures. North Star runs a lottery for admissions and has 1,800 children on the waiting list. Parents have to put their childs name into the lottery; three times more girls apply than boys. might not be the ones most in need. Its quite wrong to say that parents from disadvantaged backgrounds dont care about their kids education. 95% of parents just want a better education for their children. Were not taking the best kids. Im defensive about that. Its something a lot of people say. How hard is it to put your childs name down on a piece of paper? he said.
their child and the principal, and must promise to participate themselves. When a childs homework isnt handed in by 8am, there is a phone call home. When the parent doesnt turn up for a meeting, their child is not allowed back into school until they turn up. There are signs saying No excuses on the walls. I was working until 11 last night. Im tired, but I know Ive got to work, says one 11-year-old,
is Power Programme) academy in south Bronx, New York, plays in its orchestra, the best school orchestra in New York. Every child can read music. Shirley Lee, a director of the Kipp academy in the Bronx, says the school works because there is a consistent structure throughout the school. The truth and reality is that kids like structure, she said. Its about telling them whats appropriate and them learning when to use it. I wouldnt talk to you like I am now if I was out in some of these areas. But if we teach them to look in my eyes when Im speaking to them, they will use that if they get stopped by the police and that will protect them. the differences in academic achievement between rich and poor in schools in big cities. A recent report
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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Extreme education
Level 2 Intermediate
11
Ark is also helping to fund the 30 Future Leaders group on the school leadership training scheme visiting the US. The trainees are expected to take some of the ideas they experience in the US back home to the UK. Many of them think it will be difficult to transfer the model to the UK, however. They talk about the fact that most of the US schools are middle schools, for 1014 year-olds. The model has been tested less in the secondary school age group (1118). They also ask where the money to fund smaller schools will come from, though others point out the fact that in the US facilities are basic. They dont even have interactive whiteboards, says one of the groups mentors. They just teach. Small schools might not be practical in the UK, but what I really want these new school leaders to take back is the sense of culture in these schools.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 22/10/07
highlighted the growing gap in achievement and the government is trying to deal with this problem. Three London academies are experimenting with small school principles and last week a group of British teachers in training visited the US looking for methods they could use to deal with the problems of complex urban education.
components of the small school model into London academies. Lucy Heller, managing director of Ark, says: Its small schools, strict rules on behaviour and a firm belief that inner city children can be just as successful. The UK schools minister says small schools can teach disadvantaged children the skills that middle class children take for granted: High ambition, zero tolerance of failure, an expectation that children will go to university and that schools will give them the education to go to university.
3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Newark is the poorest city in the US. 2. Pupils at the North Star Academy are better at maths than kids in the local neighbourhood school. 3. Pupils have to look teachers in the eye when they speak to them. 4. If a pupil doesnt hand in their homework by 8am, the school calls their parents. 5. Pupils have a test every six days. 6. Mr Verrilli doesnt go into classrooms himself. 7. More girls apply to go to North Star than boys. 8. The UK is planning to start academies like the US charter schools.
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Extreme education
Level 2 Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. look someone _______ the eye 2. hand in homework _______ 8am 3. _______ the waiting list 4. care _______ their kids education 5. the difference _______ rich and poor 6. to deal _______ a problem 7. take something _______ granted 8. where will the money come _______?
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. accept behave tolerate expect believe admit achieve educate
noun
7 Discussion
Do pupils achieve better results in schools with strict rules? Would you like to attend such a school? Why? / Why not?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Extreme education
Level 2 KEY
1 Key words
1. disadvantaged 2. proficient 3. behaviour 4. attitude 5. strict 6. mentor 7. achievement 8. admission 9. appropriate 10. zero tolerance
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T T T F F T F
noun
acceptance behaviour tolerance expectation belief admission achievement education
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Match the old African state and province names with their current names. Abyssinia Benadir Somalia Mali Mozambique Ethiopia Burkina Faso Namibia Zimbabwe
Key words
Put the following key words into the sentences. bureaucracy confiscate plummet regime delusion conspiracy hyperinflation collapse whim independence
1. When something is in a state of _______________, it is breaking down and has almost stopped functioning. 2. A _______________ is a secret plan to do something bad or illegal, especially in politics. 3. A _______________ is a sudden feeling that you need to do something (usually unimportant). 4. When you get your _______________ you are no longer controlled by another person or country. 5. An idea or belief that is not true can be called a _______________. It is often the belief that you are better than you really are. 6. When there is an incredibly high increase in prices this is called _______________. 7. _______________ is a complicated or annoying system of rules and processes. 8. A system or form of government (often military) that controls the country in a strict or unfair way is called a _______________. 9. When something falls very quickly, we can say that it _______________. 10. When you _______________ something, you take it away for legal reasons or as a punishment.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
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10 The reality is that a man living in a Harare township lucky enough to have a job earns, on average, Z$5m dollars a month, or 2.50 at the hidden-market rate. His transport to work in Harare costs more than that but he has to overspend if he wants to keep his job. 11 Other European airlines abandoned Zimbabwe as its economy collapsed but BA stayed because historic ties with Britain meant there were still a steady number of passengers. 12 But the airline says it has been defeated by escalating costs, particularly the price of having to bring fuel in by road from South Africa, and the unreal maths of the Zimbabwean economy. The Zimbabwe dollar has plummeted from $5,100 to the pound at the beginning of 2006 to nearly $2m to the pound today.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
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13 Mr Msipa and the Zimbabwean government are suspicious of the economic claims. He doesnt understand how BA isnt making money. Mr Msipa admits there is a crisis though, and that his dad might be part of the problem. 14 His father is the Zanu-PF governor of Midlands province where he has overseen the confiscation of white-owned farms and the collapse of agriculture. Mr Msipa concedes this may have been a mistake. Being an old nationalist, my father believes that everything is about the land. Whereas our generation says we should get into computers and call centres.
3 Comprehension check
Complete the sentences with the correct endings. 1. British Airways have stopped flights from Zimbabwe for... a. ... the first time in its history. b. ... the rest of the year. c. ... the second time in 75 years. 5. The average worker from a township in Zimbabwe earns... a. ... approximately the cost of a plane ticket to London. b. ... less than the money he needs to spend on transport to get to work. c. ... 225 per year.
2. White Zimbabweans see British Airways as their... a. ... link to the rest of the world. b. ... link to South Africa. c. ... only escape route out of Zimbabwe.
6. Tobacco production has fallen to... a. ... four-fifths of last years production. b. ... two-thirds of last years production. c. ... one-fifth of last years production.
3. The first black man to rule Zimbabwe was... a. ... Ian Smith. b. ... Robert Mugabe. c. ... Cephas Msipa.
7. Zimbabwes main industry is.... a. ... agriculture. b. ... computers. c. ... call centres.
4. Mugabe has been in power for... a. ... more than 10years. b. ... more than 15 years. c. ... more than 25 years.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
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5 Discussion
In Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs more than fifty times the price it was at the beginning of the year. Compare this to inflation in your country. In your country: How much do dairy products (milk, butter, cheese) cost now? How much did they cost one year ago / five years ago? Make the same comparisons for other items such as bread, alcohol, cigarettes, petrol, houses etc.
6 Webquest
What is the current rate of exchange between the British pound and the Zimbabwean dollar? Go to www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html to read the latest updated facts and figures about Zimbabwe. Go to www.swradioafrica.com and click on the listen live button to listen to the latest independent news from Zimbabwe. The website also contains short news articles and podcasts.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 c a b c b c a
2 Key words
1. collapse 2. conspiracy 3. whim 4. independence 5. delusion 6. hyperinflation 7. bureaucracy 8. regime 9. plummet 10. confiscate
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Match the old African state and province names on the left with their names now (on the right). Abyssinia Benadir French Sudan German Southwest Africa Rhodesia Upper Volta Portuguese East Africa Somalia Mali Mozambique Ethiopia Burkina Faso Namibia Zimbabwe
Key words
Write in the missing vowels (a/e/i/o/u). Skim-read the article to find the answers. The paragraph numbers will help you. 1. When something is not true or you cant trust it, it is _nr_
2. If a plane is sent on a different route to the one it is supposed to go on we say it has been d_v_ (para 3) 3. When you are separated from something, or if your connection has been broken you are c_t
_ff. (para 4)
4. When you have this you are no longer controlled by another person or country: _nd_p_nd_nc_. (para 5) 5. When somebody else wins instead of you, you have been d_f_
_ t_d. (para 5)
6. When something does this, it breaks down and (almost) stops functioning: c_ll_ps_. (para 6) 7. This is an incredibly high increase in prices: hyp_r_nfl_t_
9. The value of the money of one country against the money of another country:
10. The amount of crop (wheat, corn, rice, etc.) that is collected: h_rv_st. (para 7) 11. When someone believes you have done something wrong or are not telling the truth, they are s_sp_c_ _ _ s. (para 10) 12. To agree that something is not really true or that you have done something wrong: _
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the sentence halves. 1. British Airways no longer... a. ... rule Zimbabwe.
5. The average worker from a township in Zimbabwe doesnt earn enough money... 6. Tobacco and wheat production in Zimbabwe...
f. ... is agriculture.
8. There are two different exchange rates in Zimbabwe, h. ... have fallen dramatically. the governments rate...
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Cephas Msipa is a lifelong member of Mr Mugabes Zanu-PF. difficult toilet wheat tobacco shopping lose shrinking hidden call property paper economy trip times centres production market harvest developer control
5 Discussion
Now, in Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs more than fifty times the price it was a year ago. Compare this to inflation in your country. Now, a litre of milk costs about _____________. A year ago it cost _____________. Now, a loaf of bread costs about _____________. A year ago it cost _____________. Now, a packet of cigarettes costs about _____________. A year ago it cost _____________. Now, an apartment costs about _____________. A year ago it cost _____________. ... continue...
6 Webquest
What is the current rate of exchange between the British pound and the Zimbabwean dollar? Go to www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html to read the latest updated facts and figures about Zimbabwe. Go to www.swradioafrica.com and click on the listen live button to listen to the latest independent news from Zimbabwe. The website also contains short news articles and podcasts.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. c 2. e 3. a 4. g 5. b 6. h 7. f 8. d
2 Key words
1. unreliable 2. diverted 3. cut off 4. independence 5. defeated 6. collapse 7. hyperinflation 8. bureaucracy 9. exchange rate 10. harvest 11. suspicious 12. admit
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Match the old African state and province names with their current names. Abyssinia Benadir Somalia Mali Mozambique Ethiopia Burkina Faso Namibia Zimbabwe
French Sudan
Key words
Match the keywords with their definitions. bureaucracy regime plummet hyperinflation conspiracy collapse confiscate independence
1. When something does this it breaks down and (almost) stops functioning. ___________________ 2. This is a secret plan to do something bad or illegal, especially in politics. ___________________ 3. When you have this you are no longer controlled by another person or country. ___________________ 4. This is an incredibly high increase in prices. ___________________ 5. This is what we call a complicated or annoying system of rules and processes. ___________________ 6. A system or form of government (often military) that controls the country in a strict or unfair way. ___________________ 7. When something falls very quickly, we can say that it does this. ___________________ 8. When you do this, you take something away from someone for legal reasons or as a punishment. ___________________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Intermediate
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Last BA flight from a grounded economy Chris McGreal on BA152, HarareLondon October 29, 2007 1 The last flight left the sparkling new Harare
airport, lifted over the city and dipped its wings in farewell. With that, British Airways said goodbye 8 to Zimbabwe.
Zanu-PF, said he thought it was probably part of a British government conspiracy against the Zimbabwean ruler, Robert Mugabe, but he said that he was going to miss British Airways anyway. In these difficult times, Air Zimbabwe has a reputation for being unreliable, he said. the same state as the country; flights are running days late due to lack of fuel or maintenance, or are diverted when Mr Mugabe feels like going on a shopping trip in Kuala Lumpur or attending the Popes funeral.
another reason. Theres toilet paper on this plane. I havent been able get toilet paper in the shops for weeks, she said. I dont know why it matters that this is the last flight, but it does. Its as if were finally being cut off from the rest of the world. Zimbabwe. Flights were stopped in 1965 when Ian Smith declared independence for Rhodesia. BA was back 15 years later when Mr Smith was defeated by economics as much as war; Rhodesia ceased to exist and the only black man to ever rule Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, took power. Mugabe is creating a vast new bureaucracy while the economy shrinks amid hyperinflation and collapsing production. The official exchange rate is so different to that of the hidden market that the central bank governor has to send his staff out to buy dollars on the street.
who travels regularly to London. His job has kept the worst effects of the economic collapse away from him and his five children. We have a relative advantage. I can get things done ... I have contacts, he said. But how Im going to
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3 Comprehension check
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? 1. British Airways now only fly to Zimbabwe once a week. 2. White Zimbabweans saw British Airways as their link to the rest of the world. 3. Robert Mugabe is the first black man to rule Zimbabwe. 4. Mugabe has been in power for over 40 years. 5. The average worker from a township in Zimbabwe earns about the same as the cost of a plane ticket to London. 6. Tobacco and wheat production has fallen dramatically. 7. Zimbabwes main industry is computers. 8. There are two different exchange rates in Zimbabwe, the governments rate and the hidden market rate.
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4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Write in the missing prepositions then check your answers by reading back over the article. 1. British Airways said goodbye ______ Zimbabwe 2. part ______ a British government conspiracy 3. a reputation ______ being unreliable 4. going ______ a shopping trip 5. Mr Smith was defeated ______ economics 6. Rhodesia ceased ______ exist 7. a man living ______ a Harare township 8. historic ties ______ Britain 9. defeated ______ escalating costs 10. part ______ the problem 11. we should get ______ computers 12. No one wants to go ______ Johannesburg
5 Discussion
In Zimbabwe, a loaf of bread costs more than fifty times the price it was at the beginning of the year. Compare this to inflation in your country. In your country: How much do dairy products (milk, butter, cheese) cost now? How much did they cost one year ago / five years ago? Make the same comparisons for other items such as bread, alcohol, cigarettes, petrol, houses etc.
6 Webquest
What is the current rate of exchange between the British pound and the Zimbabwean dollar? Go to www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html to read the latest updated facts and figures about Zimbabwe. Go to www.swradioafrica.com and click on the listen live button to listen to the latest independent news from Zimbabwe. The website also contains short news articles and podcasts.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension
1. F (they have stopped flying to Zimbabwe) 2. T 3. T 4. F (he has been in power for over 25 years) 5. F (they earn much, much less) 6. T 7. F (the main industry is still agriculture) 8. T
2 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. collapse conspiracy independence hyperinflation bureaucracy regime plummet confiscate
4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. British Airways said goodbye to Zimbabwe 2. part of a British government conspiracy 3. a reputation for being unreliable 4. going on a shopping trip 5. Mr Smith was defeated by economics 6. Rhodesia ceased to exist 7. a man living in a Harare township 8. historic ties with Britain 9. defeated by escalating costs 10. part of the problem 11. we should get into computers 12. No one wants to go through Johannesburg
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / British Airways says goodbye to Zimbabwe / Intermediate
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Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. incompatible trial launch protracted intrigue lobby foothold slot outpace vaunted
1. A ____________ process is one that lasts for a long time, often longer than expected. 2. Something which is ____________ is praised highly or described as very important or successful. 3. If two or more devices are ____________, they are not able to work together because they have different operating systems. 4. ____________ is normally a noun but as a verb it means to test something thoroughly to see if it works. 5. If you ____________ people in authority, you try to influence them on a particular subject. 6. If you ____________ a product or service you start selling it to the public on a specific date. 7. If a company ____________ another company, it moves more quickly and is more successful than its rival. 8. If you gain a ____________ in a particular market, you enter that market for the first time and take a position from which you can become more successful. 9. ____________ involves a lot of interest and speculation about a particular subject. 10. A ____________ is a time during a series of events when it is arranged that something will happen. Aircraft have to book a ____________ in order to land and take off, for example.
Decide whether you think these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Google was founded by two university students. 2. Google was founded in 1988. 3. It is now the fifth largest company in the USA. 4. The iPhone mobile phone system is owned by Google. 5. Google is now worth around $22.5 billion. 6. Google is more successful than AOL but not as successful as Yahoo.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans/ Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the information in the text. 1. Why is Google interested in entering the mobile phone industry? a. Because Google wants to compete with iPhone. b. Because it has wide-ranging plans for future products. c. Because this will help it to sell more advertising.
2. What exactly is Android? a. A mobile phone like the iPhone. b. A toolkit that will encourage people to use the Internet on their mobile phones. c. A system that is designed to replace existing mobile phone companies.
3. What has been the main factor in Googles success? a. The fact that it is able to display advertising on its search engine pages. b. The fact that it has gained a foothold in one of the worlds fastest-growing industries. c. The fact that it has purchased a slot on the mobile phone spectrum.
4. How does the article describe Googles plans for future products and services? a. It is part of a battle in the next frontier of the mobile web. b. It is planning to be involved in a number of different technological areas. c. It wants to sidestep the telecommunications network entirely.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans/ Advanced
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7 Discussion
Are you happy to use your mobile phone to make calls and send messages or do you want other services on your phone? What kind of services would you like your mobile phone provider to offer?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans/ Advanced
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Advanced
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. f c b g d h a e
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. c b a b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans/ Advanced
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Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. handset manufactures launch media monitor online purchase browser display market leader
1. If a company ________________ something, it makes large quantities of it in a factory. 2. A ________________ is a computer programme that makes it possible for you to find information on the Internet. 3. If you ________________ a product or service, you start selling it to the public on a specific date. 4. ________________ means connected through a computer to the Internet. 5. A ________________ is the part of a telephone that you hold next to your ear. 6. A ________________ is a company that sells more of a particular product than any other company. 7. Radio, television, newspapers and the Internet are known as the ________________. 8. ________________ is a more formal word for buy. 9. If you ________________ something, you put it somewhere where people can see it. 10. If you ________________ something, you watch it regularly and check what is happening.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible.
1. How many companies support Android? 2. How many handsets did Nokia sell in the past three months? 3. When did Google start? 4. Who started Google? 5. How much is Google worth? 6. Which company launched the iPhone?
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industry. The company is introducing a new mobile system called Android. Google is hoping that Android will bring the Internet to millions of people and that it will also help Google to sell more advertising.
the news. He said that Android was a software set that would make it easier for people to use the Internet on their phones. The main problem with handsets today is that they dont have full power Internet browsers we have to use specialized engineering to get Google software on those handsets, he said. Android will give wireless operators and phone manufacturers the ability to create new things.
people spend surfing the Internet on their phones. This will also make it possible for Google to gather information and to display advertisements direct to mobile phone users in the same way as it does on home computers, said Andy Rubin, Googles director of mobile. At the moment we put advertisements on phones using the web browser, he said. Theres really no difference between browsing on your phone or on a computer. This helps Googles business to grow but we dont have mobile phones powered by advertising just yet.
year has support from more than 30 companies, including mobile phone networks such as T-Mobile and handset makers such as Motorola and South Koreas HTC. Some people thought that Google was planning to manufacture its own mobile phones in a similar way to Apples iPhone.
launch of the Apple iPhone handset in the UK. Google says it is not trying to compete directly with Apple. Although some Google applications such as Internet search and maps are already on the
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iPhone, it can run without any Google services. Mr Schmidt, who is also on the board of Apple, said Android would work with existing phone companies and would not replace them. Its true that Im on the board of Apple, but its also important to say that there are going to be a lot of technical developments in the mobile industry, he said.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 05/11/07
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text.
1. Android will make it possible 2. Android will not 3. Android is not 4. The mobile phone industry 5. Google is planning 6. Google is now a. is one of the worlds fastest-growing industries. b. the fifth biggest company in the USA. c. appear on mobile phones until next year. d. to advertise in different forms of media. e. for millions more people to surf the Internet on their mobile phones. f. a mobile phone.
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verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. browse manufacture operate provide use lead
noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans/ Elementary
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Elementary
noun
browser manufacturer operator provider user leader
3 Comprehension check
1. e 2. c 3. f 4. a 5. d 6. b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans/ Elementary
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Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. confirm monitor device range handset purchase launch slot foothold deny
1. ____________ is a more formal word for buy. 2. A ____________ is a number of different things that are of the same general type. 3. If you ____________ something, you say that it is definitely true. 4. If you ____________ something, you say that it is not true. 5. If you ____________ something, you watch it regularly and check what is happening. 6. A ____________ is a time during a series of events when you can reserve a space to operate a service. 7. If you gain a ____________ in a particular market, you enter that market for the first time and take a position from which you can become more successful. 8. If you ____________ a product or service you start selling it to the public on a specific date. 9. A ____________ is a piece of equipment that performs a particular function. 10. A ____________ is the part of a telephone that you hold next to your ear.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans / Intermediate
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enter the mobile phone industry. The company is introducing a new mobile system called Android, which it hopes will bring Internet access to millions of people and help it sell more advertising. the news. He said that Android was a software set that would encourage people to use the Internet on their phones. It would also solve the problem of different handsets with different operating systems. The fundamental problem with handsets today is that they dont have full power Internet browsers we have to do specialized engineering to get our software on those devices, he said. This will give wireless operators and phone manufacturers the ability to create new things. the Internet on their phones would also let Google gather information and display advertisements direct to mobile phones users, just as it does on home computers, said Andy Rubin, the companys director of mobile. We currently put ads on phones using the web browser, he said. Part of this is that it makes it so that theres really no difference between browsing on your phone or on a computer. This helps Googles business to grow, but you wont see a cellphone thats completely driven by advertising for some time yet. phones next year has support from more than 30 companies, including mobile phone networks such as T-Mobile and handset makers such as Motorola and South Koreas HTC. Some experts had previously thought that Google was planning to manufacture its own mobile phones in a similar way to Apple, whose iPhone device will be launched in the UK next week. software for mobile phones not the handsets
a money-spinner for the Californian company. It will enable Google to get a foothold in one of the worlds fastest-growing industries. Nokia, the mobile phone maker and the market leader, sold more than 100m handsets in the last three months, while network operators such as Vodafone are some of the largest companies in the world. over our lives as more information and money moves online. The Internet giant which was founded by university roommates Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998 is now worth more than $225bn (108bn), making it the fifth largest company in America. Thanks mainly to its ability to display advertising on its search engine pages, Google has built a multibillion-dollar business and has moved ahead of other Internet giants including Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL. services, including office software, web monitoring and other advertising businesses. It is known to be testing a system for monitoring television viewing, and last year it bought a radio advertising company with the aim of delivering adverts across a broad range of media.
on the US airwaves. Some people see this as a threat to traditional phone companies and Internet providers. If it purchases a slot on the mobile phone spectrum, Google could provide a series of mobile services directly to the public without using the telecommunications networks at all. before Apple launches its highly praised iPhone handset in the UK. Google denied it was trying to compete directly with Apple. Although some Google applications such as Internet search and maps come pre-installed on the iPhone, it does not require any Google services in order to run. Mr Schmidt, who is also on the board of Apple, said
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3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Android is a mobile phone. 2. Mobile phone networks and handset makers are supporting Android. 3. The mobile phone market is one of the worlds fastest-growing industries. 4. Page and Brin were students when they founded Google. 5. Google is the fifth largest company in the world. 6. Google is trying to compete directly with Apples iPhone.
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verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. announce appear apply encourage browse arrive operate produce
noun
7 Discussion
Do you surf the Internet on your mobile phone? What other services would you like your mobile phone to provide?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. T 3. T 4. T 5. F 6. F
noun
announcement appearance application encouragement browser arrival operator (operation) product (producer, production)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Google reveals mobile plans / Intermediate
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Advanced
Key words
Complete the sentences using these key words from the text. apocalypse courtesy fragile amicable inevitable steadfast arrogance humiliated pact demise
1. If you feel _________________, you feel very embarrassed and ashamed. 2. A _________________ person is one who does not change his or her opinions because they have a strong belief in something. 3. An _________________ relationship is one that is friendly and without arguments. 4. If something is _________________, it can be broken or damaged very easily. 5. If something is _________________, it is impossible to avoid or prevent. 6. A _________________ is an agreement between two or more people or organizations in which they promise to do something. 7. _________________ is formal politeness in social situations. 8. The _________________ of something is the time when it ceases to exist. 9. _________________ is behaviour that shows you think you are better or more important than other people. 10. _________________ is a time when the whole world will be destroyed.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. More Belgians speak French as a mother-tongue than Dutch (Flemish). 2. Belgium has existed as a country for over 300 years. 3. More than half the population of Belgium think their country will break into two parts. 4. The French part of Belgium is called Wallonia. 5. The Flemish part of Belgium is called Flamonia. 6. Only Dutch is spoken in Brussels.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Advanced
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surveys show that in the north as many as 63% think the break-up of their 177-year-old country is now more or less inevitable. The place has had it, says Ren Vanderweiden, a telecoms engineer, queuing in the Brussels drizzle for a tram. Maybe not now, maybe not in ten years time. But within my lifetime, Id guess. The Flemings (Belgiums Dutch-speaking majority) want out of it, and theyre no longer afraid of saying so. Theres an impatience, that wasnt there before. who works in a bookshop, blames the politicians. We obviously dont need them, she says. Look at us were all going to work, paying our taxes, nothing has changed. Theyre utterly out of touch with ordinary people, anyway, arguing about things that mean nothing to most of us. Its a scandal! They have no idea what theyre doing at all. at least seem to have a very clear idea of what they are doing. In a town hall office in the Brussels suburb of Halle, Mark Demesmaeker, deputy mayor, remarks cheerfully that he can no longer see the value of Belgium, actually. There are six million of us Flemings, we work hard, we make money, and were perfectly capable of standing on our own two feet. Indeed, we would be one of the wealthier
Some may see here the seeds of something rather nastier than a quest for linguistic integrity. But in any case, continues Demesmaeker, the root of the problem is that Halles French speakers show very little willingness to learn Dutch. They come here, they see Halle as some kind of extension of Brussels, they walk into the shops and they say, Bonjour. Many make no attempt. Dont get me wrong: I have nothing against Walloons. I go often to the Ardennes forests, in the far south, and there they are charming, completely different. But here ... Well, theres a certain arrogance, I think. French was for so long the dominant language and culture here, you see. And the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of Halle, well ... there are tensions. They dont like too many people speaking French here. They dont like some of the classes in our schools being half-full of French children. A local shopkeeper agreed: This is Flanders here, and we deserve as much respect as anyone else for our language and for our culture. If we go to Wallonia, we expect to have to speak French. Its only right. And its only right that when Belgian French-speakers come here, they should speak Dutch. Its common courtesy. But most either cant, or dont bother. Reinforced by such passionate sentiments, Belgiums Flemish politicians last week took the historic step of voting through the split-up of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde suburb in parliamentary committee. The Walloon MPs stormed out of the chamber in protest. In living memory, this was the first time that Belgiums unspoken pact had been broken: the politicians of one language community had forced a vote, against the wishes of those of another. It may not signal the end of Belgium, but
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the capitals French-speaking minister-president, concedes that the vote had a very, very strong symbolic value. It is not decisive, I dont think, not yet. But it marks another step in the ongoing process of Flemish intimidation. We have learned in this country, over the years, to compromise more and more to avoid these kinds of situations. But this shows their determination, that they are prepared to increase tensions between the communities. And this is just the beginning of the Flemish demands. They will now demand a full transfer of responsibilities, the further defederalization of this country. What happens next is critical. is becoming the question, if not quite yet for ordinary Belgians, then certainly for their political leaders and the media. The Czechoslovakia option of an amicable divorce, with Brussels becoming a kind of international city state, is being openly discussed. So too, extraordinarily, is the notion that Wallonia might become part of France, which a poll this weekend showed the French would be perfectly happy to countenance. refuses to believe that Belgium is on the brink: Weve grown up in this country; its a nice country, a friendly country. It would be stupid, completely idiotic, to split it all up just because a few thickheaded politicians are so out of touch with reality that they cant see sense. there now has to be, at the very least, major constitutional reform: We could just about live with a confederation two independent states that voluntarily decide what they can profitably do together. That would be sensible, and its a very different proposition from what we have now, he says. Its not that were not prepared to help Wallonia; nobody wants a weak neighbour. But it would have to be on our terms: there would have to be transparency, efficiency, less waste. What we are
12
Unfortunately, says Piqu, for the Walloons and for Brussels, an arrangement like that would be very, very difficult. In a federal state, based on co-operation and solidarity, everything is possible. In a confederation, where theres no real central government to resolve disputes, everything becomes much more problematic. And if the Flemish get exactly what they want out of all this, and make no concessions, and the Walloons start to feel humiliated and realize theyve been left with nothing, then there will inevitably be a radicalization. Future historians could well look back and say: This moment, right now, was this countrys turning point. The demise of Belgium, Piqu says, would be a victory for selfishness. Also, it would be shortsighted, costly and sad. Call me sentimental, but on balance I agree. Outside, it is still pouring. But the tram comes, on time, and nobody on it looks any unhappier than they might reasonably be expected to look in Brussels in November in the rain. They may not be missing their politicians, the Belgians. But it is beginning to look like they might, in the not too distant future, be missing their country.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 13/11/07
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2. What is the minimum requirement of people like the deputy mayor of Halle? a. That Belgium is divided into two independent countries. b. That everyone in Belgium should speak Dutch. c. That there should be major constitutional reform.
3. What is the view of the minister-president of Brussels? a. He believes that Flemish politicians are prepared to increase tensions between the two communities. b. He thinks that the break-up would be good for most Belgians. c. He supports a confederation rather than a federal state.
4. Which sentence best describes the mood in Brussels after 156 days without a government? a. There is anger and panic in the streets. b. Life goes on as normal. c. People are out on the streets demanding change.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Advanced
6 Vocabulary 3: Expressions
Match the expressions from the text with their meanings. 1. to be better off 2. feelings are running high 3. to get someone wrong 4. to storm out 5. to carry on 6. short-sighted a. people are very angry b. to continue c. to leave quickly because you are very angry d. to misunderstand e. failing to consider what will happen in the future f. in a better situation
7 Discussion
Do you think countries should be divided along ethnic or linguistic lines? What are the arguments for and against such divisions?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Advanced
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Advanced
6 Vocabulary 3: Expressions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. f a d c b e
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. a c a b
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Elementary
Key words
Complete the sentences using these key words from the text. wealthy break up impatient idiotic scandal polite arrogant constitution inhabitants symbolic
1. An ________________ person is someone who doesnt like waiting. 2. If someone is ________________, they are very, very stupid. 3. A ________________ person behaves towards other people in a pleasant way. 4. If you are ________________, you have a lot of money. 5. If something is ________________, it represents something important. 6. If you are ________________, you think you are better or more important than other people. 7. If a country ________________, it divides into different parts. 8. The ________________ of a town, city or country are the people who live there. 9. A ________________ is a situation that makes a lot of people shocked and angry. 10. The ________________ of a country is a set of laws that describe the rights and duties of its citizens.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How old is Belgium? 2. What percentage of northern Belgians think Belgium will break up? 3. What is the main language spoken in the Brussels suburb of Halle? 4. What is the name of the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium? 5. What is the name of the French-speaking part of Belgium? 6. How long has Belgium been without a government?
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text.
1. Many people in Flanders want Belgium to break up because 2. Some people believe that the main problem is that 3. Other people say that the problems 4. For 156 days Belgium 5. For 177 years Belgium 6. Many people believe Belgium
a. will break up soon. b. are the fault of the politicians. c. has been a federal kingdom. d. French-speakers do not want to speak Dutch. e. they believe an independent Flanders would be one of the richer small countries in Europe. f. has had no government.
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Elementary
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Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. of in of about to for of of
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. e d b f c a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Elementary
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Intermediate
Key words
Complete the sentences using these key words from the text. wealthy courtesy fragile manifesto inevitable compromise arrogance intimidation concession voluntarily
1. If you ________________, you solve a problem by accepting you cannot have everything you want. 2. If something is ________________, it is impossible to avoid or prevent. 3. A ________________ is a formal statement expressing the aims of a political party. 4. If you do something ________________, you do it because you choose to do it and not because you have to. 5. ________________ is formal politeness in social situations. 6. ________________ is behaviour that shows you think you are better or more important than other people. 7. If you are ________________, you have plenty of money. 8. If something is ________________, it can be broken or damaged very easily. 9. A ________________ is something that you give or allow to someone in order to make an agreement. 10. ________________ is the process of making other people feel frightened so they will do what you want.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How old is Belgium? 2. What percentage of northern Belgians think the break-up of Belgium is inevitable? 3. What is the main language spoken in the Brussels suburb of Halle? 4. What is the name of the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium? 5. What is the name of the French-speaking part of Belgium? 6. How long has Belgium been without a government?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Intermediate
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intimidation. We have learned in this country, over the years, to compromise more and more to avoid these kinds of situations. But this shows that they are prepared to increase tensions between the communities. And this is just the beginning of the Flemish demands. They will now demand a full transfer of responsibilities. What happens next is critical. 8 Joelle Rutten, the bookshop worker, refuses to believe that Belgium is about to break up: Weve grown up in this country; its a nice country, a friendly country. It would be stupid, completely idiotic, to split it all up just because a few stupid politicians are so out of touch with reality that they cant see sense. 9 But for Demesmaeker and his Flemish friends, there now has to be, at the very least, major constitutional reform: We could just about live with a confederation two independent states that voluntarily decide what they can profitably do together. That would be sensible, and its a very different proposition from what we have now, he says. Its not that were not prepared to help Wallonia; nobody wants a weak neighbour. But it would have to be on our terms: there would have to be transparency, efficiency, less waste. What we are not prepared to do is carry on as things are. This is a very, very deep crisis.
11
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Most French-speaking Belgians want to see the break-up of their country. 2. An independent Flanders would be one of the wealthier small countries in Europe. 3. The problem in the suburb of Halle is that French-speakers dont want to learn Dutch. 4. Walloon politicians voted in favour of the break-up of the Halle district. 5. The minister-president of Brussels does not believe the vote is decisive. 6. Mr Demesmaeker strongly supports a confederation. 7. The Flemings are not prepared to help Wallonia. 8. Belgium is certain to break into two parts soon.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Intermediate
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7 Discussion
What are the arguments for and against dividing countries along ethnic or linguistic lines?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Intermediate
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T T F T F F F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Bye bye Belgium? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Warmer
What does a palaeontologist do? Can you name any well-known palaeontologists (real or on TV or film)? Would you like to be a palaeontologist? Why / Why not?
1. Draw the stress pattern for these words from the article. e.g. Palaeontological ooooOoo correspondent dinosaur enthusiast fossil sauropods programmer association palaeontologists eminent vertebra carnivorous herbivorous specimens rummaging Ooo
_________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Advanced
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Untouched on a shelf for 113 years: a dusty bone of the dinosaur no one knew existed
Spinal fossil of sauropod found in museum vault. Species believed to have lived 140m years ago. Ian Sample, science correspondent November 15, 2007 1 Part-time dinosaur enthusiast Mike Taylor was rummaging among the shelves of the Natural History Museum in London when he came across a dusty fossil. He immediately realized that the label stuck to the fossil was distinctly wrong. 2 For 113 years the fossil, stored deep below the museum after being dismissed as just another fossil from a common North American dinosaur, had barely attracted a second look. In fact, what the computer programmer from Gloucestershire had found was evidence of a new species that lived 140m years ago. 3 According to the journal of the British Palaeontological Association, the dinosaur, now named Xenoposeidon proneneukus, belonged to a previously unknown family of sauropods. It was about the size of an elephant and weighed as much as 7.5 tonnes, the journal suggests. 4 The astonishing find came last January during a day of PhD research spent picking through bones to learn more about sauropods, the largest creatures ever to walk the Earth. Taylor was visiting the museum as part of his research at Portsmouth University. 5 Behind grey metal doors in a gloomy sub-basement lie row upon row of shelves strewn with the fossilised remains of extinct creatures. Many of the museums 90 million fossils can be found there. Taylor found the long neglected spine fossil on a shelf, a few floors beneath the offices of some of the most eminent palaeontologists in Britain.
10 Taylor noticed features in the spinal bone that made it clear it was from a sauropod. It contained large air holes that lightened the skeleton, making it easier for the giants to walk. But it differed dramatically in other ways. 11 Apart from its probable size, Taylor says it is almost impossible to infer anything else about it. Describing how he felt on holding the bone, Taylor said: Its just pure love. 12 What this suggests is that these dinosaurs were much more diverse and more widespread than we realized, so were still only scratching the surface in understanding them, he said. 13 There are three major groups of dinosaurs. The most fearsome were the carnivorous theropods, among them Tyrannosaurus rex and the velociraptor. A second group is the ornithischians, such as the triceratops and stegosaurus. 14 But the sauropods, including the herbivorous diplodocus and brachiosaurus, dwarfed them all,
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Advanced
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with some weighing 70 tonnes and nearing 30 metres long. 15 Angela Milner, keeper of palaeontology at the museum, said the Xenoposeidon was unlikely to be the only undiscovered species in the collection. 16 Because the collections here are so large, its bound to be the case that some specimens have not been reviewed in many, many years, she said. When people look at things using modern techniques, its not unusual to make new discoveries and thats why museum collections
3 Comprehension check
Choose the correct answer according to the information in the article.
1. Nobody had noticed this new species before because the fossil... a. ... had been labelled incorrectly. b. ... had not been labelled. c. ... had been hidden. 2. The fossil was recently rediscovered at... a. ... Portsmouth University. b. ... Ecclesbourne Glen, near Hastings. c. ... the Natural History Museum in London 3. Sauropods were... a. ... meat eaters. b. ... vegetarians. c. ... omnivores (ate anything). 4. The three major dinosaur groups are the... a. ... theropods, ornithischians and sauropods. b. ... tyrannosaurus, the stegosaurus and the velociraptor. c. ... sauropods, diplodocus and brachiosaurus.
5. The diplodocus and the brachiosaurus were two of the... a. ... smallest dinosaurs. b. ... medium-sized dinosaurs. c. ... largest dinosaurs. 6. Angela Milner says...
a. ... that it was likely to be the only incorrectly labelled fossil in the museum. b. ... there are probably more incorrectly labelled fossils in the museum c. ... that there are definitely more Xenoposeidon fossils in the museum.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Advanced
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5 Discussion
Have you ever found anything exciting or interesting, something you didnt know you had, or something that amazed or surprised you? Think back to when you were a child. What was it? Where did you find it? What did you do with it? Where is it now?
6 Webquest
Choose one dinosaur, research it on the Internet, and then hold a short presentation about it to your group. You can find a lot of clear information on websites such as: www.zoomdinosaurs.com www.abc.net.au/dinosaurs/fact_files
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. a 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. c 6. b
palaeontologists oooOoo
You can listen to the words being spoken on online dictionaries such as www.m-w.com/dictionary
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Warmer
What is a palaeontologist? Where do palaeontologists usually work? Would you like to be a palaeontologist? Why / Why not?
2 Key words
Write the words from the article into the sentences. The paragraph numbers will help you. enthusiast feature reasearch shelf fossil creature undiscovered label (vb) specimen common
1. A _________________ is a flat piece of wood, glass or plastic that you put things on. (para 1) 2. A _________________ is (a part of) an animal or plant that lived many thousands of years ago. (para 1) 3. An _________________ is someone who is very interested in something and spends a lot of time doing it. (para 1) 4. When something is _________________ it is usual, ordinary or exists in large numbers. (para 2) 5. _________________ is the detailed study of something in order to find new facts and information. (para 4) 6. _________________ is the word we use for anything that lives (except plants). (para 4) 7. When you _________________ something, you attach a piece of paper which provides its name or other information. (para 8) 8. A _________________ is an important part or aspect of something. (para 9) 9. When something has not been found or seen before, it is _________________ (para 12). 10. A _________________ is an example of something, especially a plant or an animal. (para 13)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Elementary
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Untouched on a shelf for 113 years: a dusty bone of the dinosaur no one knew existed
Ian Sample, science correspondent November 15, 2007 1 Part-time dinosaur enthusiast Mike Taylor was looking in the shelves of the Natural History Museum in London when he found a dusty fossil. He immediately realized that the label on the fossil was wrong. 2 For 113 years the museum thought that the fossil was from a common North American dinosaur. In fact, what Mike Taylor had found was a new dinosaur that lived 140 million years ago. 3 The dinosaur, now named Xenoposeidon proneneukus, belonged to a family of sauropods. It was about the size of an elephant and weighed up to 7.5 tonnes. 4 Mike Taylor found the fossil last January while he was doing some research. He was looking at bones to learn more about sauropods, the largest creatures ever to walk the Earth. Taylor was visiting the museum as part of his research at Portsmouth University. 5 Behind grey metal doors in a dark basement in the museum are rows of shelves. Many of the museums 90 million fossils can be found there. Taylor found the spine fossil on a shelf, just a few floors beneath the offices of some of the most respected palaeontologists in Britain. 6 I was looking for two particular specimens, but before I got to those, I found this thing with a label that called it something that it was not, he said. I took it over to the bench, laid it down gently on sandbags, and started looking at it. 7 The bone, a vertebra from near the hip of the creature, was discovered in Ecclesbourne Glen, near Hastings, in the early 1890s, by a fossil collector called Philip James Rufford.
10 Apart from its size, Taylor says it is almost impossible to know anything else about the dinosaur. 11 There are three major groups of dinosaurs. The most frightening were the carnivorous theropods, among them Tyrannosaurus rex and the velociraptor. A second group is the ornithischians, such as the triceratops and stegosaurus. But the sauropods, which include the herbivorous diplodocus and brachiosaurus, were the largest of them all; they could weigh up to 70 tonnes and some were nearly 30 metres long. 12 Angela Milner, a palaeontologist at the museum, said the Xenoposeidon was probably not the only undiscovered species in the collection. 13 Because the collections here are so large, some specimens have not been looked at for many, many years, she said. When people look at things using modern techniques, they sometimes make new discoveries and thats why museum collections are so important.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 15/11/07
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Elementary
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4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Fill in the missing propositions. Check your answers in the article. 1. The Natural History Museum is ____________ London. 2. Xenoposeidon proneneukus belonged ____________ a family ____________ sauropods. 3. It was the size ____________ an elephant. 4. Taylor was looking ____________ bones. 5. The fossil was ____________ a shelf. 6. It was discovered ____________ a fossil collector 113 years ago. 7. Sauropods were the largest ____________ them all. 8. Some specimens have not been looked at ____________ many years.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Elementary
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5 Discussion
Have you ever found anything exciting or interesting? Think back to when you were a child. What was it? Where did you find it? What did you do with it? Where is it now?
5 Webquest
Research one dinosaur on the Internet, make some notes, and then tell your group about it. You can find a lot of clear information on websites such as: www.zoomdinosaurs.com www.abc.net.au/dinosaurs/fact_files
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. in 2. to/of 3. of 4. at 5. on 6. by 7. of 8. for
2 Keywords
1. shelf 2. fossil 3. enthusiast 4. common 5. research 6. creature 7. label 8. feature 9. undiscovered 10. specimen
3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. F 3. T 4. F 5. F 6. T 7. T 8. F 9. F 10. T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Warmer
What is a palaeontologist? Can you think of any well-known palaeontologists (real or on TV or film)? Would you like to be a palaeontologist? Why / Why not?
Key words
Write the following words from the article into the sentences. enthusiast diverse research widespread vertebra fossil significant label (vb) discover extinct
1. When you find something that was hidden or missing, you _________________ it. 2. When something is _________________ it is large, noticeable or important. 3. An _________________ animal or plant is one that no longer exists. 4. An _________________ is someone who is very interested in something and spends a lot of time doing it. 5. When something is _________________, it is very different to something else. 6. A _________________ is one of the bones that forms a line down the centre of your back. 7. _________________ is the detailed study of something in order to find new facts and information. 8. A _________________ is (a part of) an animal or plant that lived many thousands of years ago. 9. When you _________________ something, you attach a piece of paper which provides its name or other information. 10. When something is _________________ is exists in many different places.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Intermediate
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Untouched on a shelf for 113 years: a dusty bone of the dinosaur no one knew existed
Ian Sample, science correspondent November 15, 2007 1 Part-time dinosaur enthusiast Mike Taylor was looking in the shelves of the Natural History Museum in London when he came across a dusty fossil. He immediately realized that the label stuck to the fossil was distinctly wrong. 2 For 113 years it was thought that the fossil was from a common North American dinosaur. In fact, what Mike Taylor had found was evidence of a new species that lived 140 million years ago. 3 According to the journal of the British Palaeontological Association, the dinosaur, now named Xenoposeidon proneneukus, belonged to a previously unknown family of sauropods. It was about the size of an elephant and weighed as much as 7.5 tonnes. 4 The astonishing find came last January during a day of research spent looking at bones to learn more about sauropods, the largest creatures ever to walk the Earth. Taylor was visiting the museum as part of his research at Portsmouth University. 5 Behind grey metal doors in a gloomy basement are rows of shelves covered with the fossilized remains of extinct creatures. Many of the museums 90 million fossils can be found there. Taylor found the long neglected spine fossil on a shelf, just a few floors beneath the offices of some of the most respected palaeontologists in Britain. 6 I was searching the cabinets looking for two particular specimens, but before I got to those, I found this thing lying on its side with a label calling it something that it clearly was not, he said. I took it over to the bench, laid it down gently on sandbags, and started looking at it. 7 The bone, a vertebra from near the hip of the creature, was discovered in Ecclesbourne Glen,
10 Apart from its size, Taylor says it is almost impossible to infer anything else about the dinosaur. Describing how he felt when he held the bone, Taylor said: Its just pure love. 11 What this suggests is that these dinosaurs were much more diverse and more widespread than we realized, and that we still dont know much about them, he said. 12 There are three major groups of dinosaurs. The most fearsome were the carnivorous theropods, among them Tyrannosaurus rex and the velociraptor. A second group is the ornithischians, such as the triceratops and stegosaurus. 13 But the sauropods, including the herbivorous diplodocus and brachiosaurus, were the largest of them all, with some weighing 70 tonnes and nearing 30 metres long. 14 Angela Milner, a palaeontologist at the museum, said the Xenoposeidon was unlikely to be the only undiscovered species in the collection. 15 Because the collections here are so large, some specimens have not been closely looked at for many, many years, she said. When people look at things using modern techniques, they sometimes make new discoveries and thats why museum collections are so important. Things that did not appear very significant when they were first discovered can become important later on.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 15/11/07
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Intermediate
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Intermediate
Comprehension check
Match the sentence halves and then put them into the correct order to retell the story. The fossil was discovered in Ecclesbourne Glen, near Hastings... Modern techniques showed that it is from a Xenoposeidon proneneukus... A leading palaeontologist said there are likely to be other undiscovered species... The mis-labelled fossil lay... A dinosaur enthusiast discovered the dusty bone... He found out that the bone had the wrong label... It was thought to be a common sauropod... ... and was in fact from an unknown dinosaur. ... in the early 1980s, by Philip James Rufford. ... which lived 140 million years ago. ... and was stored in the Natural History Museum. ... on a shelf in a basement for 113 years. ... last January while doing some research. ... in the museum.
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
Join the words to make collocations from the article. Then make a sentence for each collocation. 1. dusty 2. distinctly 3. dinosaur 4. metal 5. astonishing 6. gloomy 7. extinct 8. respected 9. major 10. previously creatures enthusiast find basement doors palaeontologists unknown fossil wrong group
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Intermediate
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5 Discussion
Have you ever found anything exciting or interesting, something you didnt know you had, or something that amazed or surprised you? Think back to when you were a child. What was it? Where did you find it? What did you do with it? Where is it now?
6 Idioms
Choose one dinosaur, research it on the Internet, and then hold a short presentation about it to your group. You can find a lot of clear information on websites such as: www.zoomdinosaurs.com www.abc.net.au/dinosaurs/fact_files/ You could also print out pictures from Google photos.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. The fossil was discovered in Ecclesbourne Glen, near Hastings, in the early 1890s, by Philip James Rufford. 2. It was thought to be a common sauropod and was stored at the Natural History Museum. 3. The mis-labelled fossil lay on a shelf in a basement for 113 years. 4. A dinosaur enthusiast discovered the dusty bone last January while doing some research. 5. He found out that the bone had the wrong label and was in fact from an unknown dinosaur. 6. Modern techniques showed that it is from a Xenoposeidon proneneukus which lived 140 million years ago. 7. A leading palaeontologist said there are likely to be other undiscovered species in the museum.
2 Key words
1. discover 2. significant 3. extinct 4. enthusiast 5. diverse 6. vertebra 7. research 8. fossil 9. label 10. widespread
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
1. dusty fossil 2. distinctly wrong 3. dinosaur enthusiast 4. metal doors 5. astonishing find 6. gloomy basement 7. extinct creatures 8. respected palaeontologists 9. major group 10. previously unknown
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / Dinosaur bone found after 113 years on a shelf / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Iceberg survivors
Level 3
1
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps using an appropriate form of these key words from the text. stricken gutted hypothermia mainland relieved ordeal endure list evacuate drift
1. If a ship ____________ , it leans to one side. 2. An ____________ is an extremely unpleasant experience, especially one that lasts a long time. 3. ____________ is a serious medical condition in which your body temperature is very low. 4. If you feel ____________, you feel extremely disappointed. 5. If you feel ____________, you feel happy and relaxed because a bad situation has ended. 6. If a ship is ____________, it is badly damaged. 7. If you ____________ something unpleasant, you suffer it patiently for a long time. 8. If a ship ____________, it moves slowly in different directions because it has no power. 9. When people are ____________ from a dangerous situation, they are helped to leave it. 10. The ____________ is a large mass of land that forms the main part of a country and does not include any islands.
Read the headline again. Now decide whether these statements about the text are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. The ship was trapped in ice. 2. The ship hit an iceberg. 3. The passengers were rescued immediately. 4. They were on a cruise in the Arctic. 5. The passengers werent afraid. 6. The accident happened in the daytime.
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Iceberg survivors
Level 3 Advanced
pleased to be alive, Danish tourist Jan Henkel, 42, told the AFP news agency. Henkel, who proposed to his girlfriend, Mette Larsen, after they survived the ordeal, added: Everybody was afraid they would die, I think. 6 Im so relieved, Im happy that everyone made it off the ship, because it could have been a big disaster, said Eli Charne, 38, from California, speaking before he left King George Island. Charne, who raised the alarm after he felt the vessel strike ice, said: I thought the ship was going down. We were on the lowest deck of the ship, so we all rushed out of the room and pressed the emergency button as water rushed in. Its certainly nice to be on the way home now. Im just really glad to be around still, he told Reuters. The Explorer, owned by a Canadian tour company, GAP Adventures, was a week away from completing a 19-day, 4,000 trip tracing the 1914-16 expedition undertaken by the explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in his ship Endurance. Endurance was trapped in the ice for months before being broken up by it in October 1915. A spokesman for GAP Adventures said that after landing in Punta Arenas, at the southern tip of mainland Chile, the passengers would be given the option of joining another cruise or flying home. When asked whether an investigation was under way into the ships sinking, the spokesman said: The investigation will commence once all the passengers are safely on the mainland. Those on board included 17 Dutch people, 14 Americans, 12 Canadians, 10 Australians, four Swiss, four Irish, three Danes, two Argentines, two Belgians, two from Hong Kong and single passengers from China, France, Germany, Japan, Colombia and Sweden. The majority of the crew were believed to be from the Philippines, the company stated.
10 Mrs Flood, whose husband was employed by GAP to give lectures on the ship, said that as a staff member he was one of the last people to be
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Iceberg survivors
Level 3 Advanced
But she said that despite his ordeal, Mr Flood had managed to save a souvenir of his trip. When I asked him whether he had managed to save anything at all from the ship, he said yes his passport and his pen drive (computer memory stick), which had all the footage.
Guardian News and Media 2007 First published in The Guardian 26/11/07
evacuated as water filled the lower decks. It took an hour for the full evacuation to take place and by that point the boat had started listing. He said that was quite frightening and he realized they were in danger. He said that he knows how close they came, she said. 11 She said that earlier in the trip her husband had emailed her to tell her that he had managed to shoot some film footage of a rare bird called the angel of the Antarctic, the snowy petrel. He had been to the Antarctic twice and had not been able to get this, so he emailed me to tell me he had and he was thrilled. I had in my mind that, as soon as he got on a rescue boat, he would be absolutely gutted that he had lost this footage.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. What was the passengers greatest fear? a. That they would drown. b. That no-one knew where they were so they wouldnt be rescued. c. That they wouldnt be rescued before they died of hypothermia. 2. Where were the passengers taken first? a. To King George Island. b. To Punta Arenas. c. To Norway. 3. How did the passenger who raised the alarm know there was a problem? a. He heard the sound of the ship hitting an iceberg. b. He felt the ship hit an iceberg. c. He saw the ship hit an iceberg. 4. Why was Mr Flood particularly relieved after his rescue? a. Because he managed to save his passport. b. Because he was the last man off the ship before it sank. c. Because he managed to save his pictures of the rare snowy petrel.
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Iceberg survivors
Level 3 Advanced
4 Vocabulary 1: Find the word
Look in the text and find the following words and expressions. 1. A noun meaning the beginning of something bad. (para 1) 2. A noun meaning someone who studies birds. (para 1). 3. A noun meaning an accident where a ship is destroyed during a voyage. (para 3) 4. A two-word expression meaning because of. (para 3) 5. A verb meaning to ask someone to marry you. (para 5) 6. A two-word expression meaning not to die as the result of an accident. (para 6) 7. A noun meaning film of a particular subject or event. (para 11) 8. An adjective meaning very pleased and excited. (para 11)
1. The ship began to ____________ water and soon began to sink. 2. The Endurance ____________ in the ice in 1915. 3. When water ____________ , it comes in through a hole very quickly. 4. If a disease or a condition ____________ , it begins to affect a person or a group of people. 5. When you ____________ a boat or a plane, you leave it. 6. If you ____________ of somewhere, you leave extremely quickly.
7 Discussion
The Antarctic is clearly a dangerous place to visit. Can you think of any other dangerous parts of the world for tourists? What makes them dangerous? What dangerous places would you like to visit?
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Iceberg survivors
Level 3 Advanced KEY
1 Key words
1. lists 2. ordeal 3. hypothermia 4. gutted 5. relieved 6. stricken 7. endure 8. drifts 9. evacuated 10. mainland
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. c a b c
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Iceberg survivors
Level 1
1
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. survivor lists life raft deck iceberg crew rescue military base cruise investigation
1. To _______________ someone is to save them from a dangerous situation. 2. The _______________ are all the people who work on a ship. 3. A _______________ is one of the levels on a ship. 4. A _______________ is a small boat used for saving people whose ship is sinking. 5. A _______________ is a person who is still alive after a serious accident. 6. A _______________ is a place where soldiers live and work. 7. A _______________ is a journey by ship for pleasure that involves visiting a lot of different places. 8. An _______________ is a very large piece of ice floating in the sea. 9. An _______________ is an official process where people ask a lot of questions to find out why an accident happened. 10. If a ship _______________ , it leans to one side.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible.
1. How many people were on the ship in total? 2. How British people were on the ship? 3. How many hours did they spend in the life rafts? 4. How much did the holiday cost? 5. Where were most of the crew from? 6. Where is Punta Arenas?
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Iceberg survivors
Level 1 Elementary
5 Passengers in the first group of survivors to arrive in Chile talked about their feelings when they got off the plane. I feel wonderful, very pleased to be alive, Danish tourist Jan Henkel, 42, said. Everybody was afraid they would die. When they reached Chile, Mr Henkel asked his girlfriend to marry him. Im so happy that everyone got off the ship, because it was nearly a terrible disaster, said Eli Charne, 38, from California. Charne, who felt the ship hit the iceberg, said: I thought the ship was sinking. We were on the lowest deck of the ship, so we all ran out of the room and pressed the emergency button as the water came in. Its certainly nice to be on the way home now. Im just really glad to be alive he said. The Explorer is owned by a Canadian tour company, GAP Adventures. It was near the end of a 19-day, 4,000 trip when it hit the iceberg. A spokesman for GAP Adventures said that after they arrived in Punta Arenas in Chile, the passengers could join another cruise or fly home. When he was asked about an investigation into the accident, the spokesman said: The investigation will begin when all the passengers are safe in Chile. The passengers included 23 British, 17 Dutch, 14 Americans, 12 Canadians, 10 Australians, four Swiss, four Irish, three Danish, two Argentines, two Belgians, two from Hong Kong and single passengers from China, France, Germany, Japan, Colombia and Sweden. Most of the crew were from the Philippines, the company said. Mrs Flood, whose husband worked for GAP and gave lectures on the ship, said that Mr Flood was one of the last people to leave the ship as water lower decks filled with water. It took an hour for everyone to get off and by then the ship was listing. He said that was
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Iceberg survivors
Level 1 Elementary
I thought that he would lose his pictures when the ship sank. But when I asked him if he had saved anything at all from the ship, he said yes his passport and his computer memory stick, with all the pictures.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 26/11/07
quite frightening and he knew they were in danger. He said that he knows how near they were to dying, she said. 10 Mrs Flood also said that earlier in the trip her husband took some pictures of a rare bird called the snowy petrel. He went to the Antarctic twice before but did not see the bird and did not take any pictures. He emailed me to tell me he had taken the pictures and he was really pleased.
3 Comprehension check
Join the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text.
1. The ship sank because a. when all the passengers are safe in Chile.
2. The passengers were afraid because b. if a rescue boat would come before they died of cold. 3. Mr Flood was very pleased because 4. The passengers did not know 5. The ship was near the end of its trip 6. The investigation will start c. her husband saved his computer memory stick with the photos of the rare bird. d. it was dark and the weather was very cold. e. it hit an iceberg. f. when it hit the iceberg.
country
Canada Australia Switzerland Norway Denmark Belgium The Netherlands Ireland
nationality
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P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Iceberg survivors
Level 1 Elementary
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text with the correct prepositions.
1. _______ danger 2. _______ the freezing cold 3. _______ Saturday night 4. along _______ the other tourists 5. just _______ midnight 6. _______ the way home 7. they ran _______ the room 8. an investigation _______ the accident
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Iceberg survivors
Level 1 KEY
1 Key words
1. rescue 2. crew 3. deck 4. life raft 5. survivor 6. military base 7. cruise 8. iceberg 9. investigation 10. lists
Elementary
Nationality
Canadian Australian Swiss Norwegian Danish Belgian Dutch Irish
3 Comprehension check
1. e 2. d 3. c 4. b 5. f 6. a
6 Vocabulary 3: Prepositions
1. in 2. in 3. on 4. with 5. before 6. on 7. out of 8. into
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Iceberg survivors
Level 2
1
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps using these key words from the text. hypothermia rescue gutted cruise survivor option life raft lists iceberg thrilled
1. A _______________ is a journey by ship for pleasure that involves visiting a lot of different places. 2. A _______________ is a person who is still alive after a serious accident. 3. If you feel _______________, you feel very pleased and excited. 4. An _______________ is something you can choose in a particular situation. 5. To _______________ someone is to save them from a dangerous situation. 6. _______________ is a serious medical condition in which your body temperature is very low. 7. If a ship _______________ , it leans to one side. 8. A _______________ is a small boat used for saving people whose ship is sinking. 9. If you feel _______________, you feel extremely disappointed. 10. An _______________ is a very large piece of ice floating in the sea.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible. 1. Where is Punta Arenas? 2. How many people were on the ship in total? 3. How many Americans were on the ship? 4. How long did they spend in the life rafts? 5. How much did the holiday cost? 6. How long did it take to get everyone off the ship?
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Iceberg survivors
Level 2 Intermediate
5 Passengers among the first group of survivors to reach Chile spoke about their feelings as they got off the plane. I feel wonderful, very pleased to be alive, Danish tourist Jan Henkel, 42, told the AFP news agency. Henkel added: Everybody was afraid they would die, I think. Mr Henkel proposed to his girlfriend when they reached Chile. Im so happy that everyone got off the ship, because it could have been a big disaster, said Eli Charne, 38, from California, speaking before he left King George Island. Charne, who raised the alarm after he felt the ship hit the iceberg, said: I thought the ship was sinking. We were on the lowest deck of the ship, so we all ran out of the room and pressed the emergency button as the water came in. Its certainly nice to be on the way home now. Im just really glad to be alive still, he told Reuters. The Explorer, owned by a Canadian tour company, GAP Adventures, had almost completed a 19-day, 4,000 trip following the 1914-16 expedition undertaken by the explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in his ship Endurance. Endurance was stuck in the ice for months before the ice broke it up in October 1915. A spokesman for GAP Adventures said that after landing in Punta Arenas in Chile, the passengers would be given the option of joining another cruise or flying home. When he was asked whether an investigation was under way into the accident, the spokesman said: The investigation will begin as soon as all the passengers are safely in Chile. Those on board included 23 British, 17 Dutch, 14 Americans, 12 Canadians, 10 Australians, four Swiss, four Irish, three Danish, two Argentines, two Belgians, two from Hong Kong and single passengers from China, France, Germany, Japan, Colombia and Sweden. The majority of the crew were believed to be from the Philippines, the company stated.
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Iceberg survivors
Level 2 Intermediate
and had not been able to get these pictures, so he emailed me to tell me he had and he was thrilled. I thought that as soon as he got on a rescue boat, he would be absolutely gutted that he had lost his pictures. But when I asked him whether he had managed to save anything at all from the ship, he said yes his passport and his computer memory stick, which had all the pictures.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 26/11/07
10 Mrs Flood, whose husband was employed by GAP to give lectures on the ship, said that as a staff member he was one of the last people to leave the ship as water filled the lower decks. It took an hour for everyone to get off and by then the ship was listing. He said that was quite frightening and he realized they were in danger. He said that he knows how near they were to dying, she said. 11 She said that earlier in the trip her husband had taken some pictures of a rare bird called the snowy petrel. He had been to the Antarctic twice
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The Explorer was on a cruise in the Arctic Ocean. 2. The survivors were certain someone would rescue them. 3. While they were in the life rafts, the air temperature was just below zero. 4. Everyone saw the ship hit the iceberg. 5. Mr Flood was unhappy because he lost his photographs. 6. The survivors were rescued by a Norwegian ship.
CA
P H
Iceberg survivors
Level 2 Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Nations and nationalities
Complete the table. All these nationalities are in the text.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
country
Canada The Netherlands
nationality
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. cruise tour life cargo staff emergency rescue memory a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.
noun
boat button plane company stick liner raft member
7 Discussion
Would you like to visit a dangerous place like the Antarctic? Why? Why not?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Iceberg survivors
Level 2 KEY
1 Key words
1. cruise 2. survivor 3. thrilled 4. option 5. rescue 6. hypothermia 7. lists 8. life raft 9. gutted 10. iceberg
Intermediate
nationality
Canadian Dutch Swiss Norwegian Danish Belgian
2. The Netherlands
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. F 3. T 4. F 5. F 6. T
noun
liner company raft plane member button boat stick
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Use two or more of these words to make six new design inventions. Then skim-read the article to check your answers. magnetic clock robotic glowing garden vague a) ____________ ____________ b) ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ c) ____________ ____________ ____________ d) ____________ ____________ ____________ e) ____________ ____________ ____________ f) ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ wastepaper mirrors furniture memos sticky solar-powered transparent cable web bathroom bin
camera
tidier
Keywords: Synonyms
Skim the article again to find words that mean (almost) the same as: 1) allowed / given/ come true ____________ 2) boring / unexciting ____________ 3) rule / idea ____________ 4) original ____________ 5) factory-made in large numbers ____________ 6) plan / project ____________ 7) fail ____________ 8) payment ____________ 9) inexact / indeterminate ____________ 10) view / see ____________
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Advanced
CA
P H
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Kohei Nishiyama is a a) ... financially independent, 40-year old, Tokyo- based inventor. b) ... 37-year old, London-based inventor. c) ... 37-year old, Tokyo-based inventor 2. Kohei Nishiyama wants to.. a) ... retire by the time hes 40. b) ... change the face of shopping. c) ... set up a web design company in London. 3. People who suggest successful designs can.... a) ... earn money for every item sold. b) ... get a job with the company. c) ... vote for other designs. 4. Who can currently post ideas on the site? a) Japanese designers. b) Japanese and British designers. c) Anyone. 5. Currently, the most popular idea is..... a) ... the robotic dog. b) ... the vague clock. c) ... the bathroom mirror that doubles as a whiteboard.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Discussion
Which statement about the article do you most agree with? a) This is a great opportunity for new designers to get themselves and their products known. b) Kohei Nishiyama has found an easy way to make money using other peoples ideas and hard work.
6 Webquest
Go to the website in the article www.cuusoo.jp/muji. Click on the pictures and see if you can guess what the designs are (the website is in Japanese).
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) c b a b c
2 Keywords: Synonyms
1) granted 2) dreary 3) principle 4) unique 5) mass-produced 6) scheme 7) flop 8) royalties 9) vague 10) glimpse
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
grant a wish float ideas post a comment / an image / an idea make a deal found a company suggest improvements develop a product receive votes
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Use two or more of these words to make six new design inventions. The first letter of each word is given to help you. Then skim-read the article to check your answers. magnetic clock robotic glowing garden vague wastepaper mirrors furniture memos sticky solar-powered transparent cable web bathroom bin
camera
tidier
lock_________ ague________ c___ a) v____ b) s____________ - ____________ g____________ g____________ f____________ c) t____________ s____________ m____________ d) r____________ w____________ c____________ e) m____________ b____________ m____________ f) w____________ b____________ c____________ t____________
2 Keywords: Antonyms
Write these keywords from the article into the sentences. manufacture mass-produced improvement change the face vague founder ugly glowing fairly scheme
1) When we _________________ of something, we change the way it looks. 2) The person who starts or sets up a company is its _________________. 3) An _________________ is something that makes something else better. 4) _________________ is another word for a plan or idea. 5) When thousands and thousands of the same item are made in a short time, we say they are ______________. 6) When something in not exact, it is _________________. 7) When something gives off light, we can say it is _________________. 8) The opposite of pretty or attractive is _________________. 9) The word _________________ means the same as rather, or a little bit. 10) When you_________________something, you make or produce it.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Elementary
CA
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check 1
Find the best ending for each sentence.
... 1,000 votes, it can be produced. ... Elephant Design. ... the website. ... interesting products, ... are boring. ... in Japan.
c) Kohei Nishiyama thinks mass-produced products... d) Young designers can post their ideas on... e) When a design gets...
4 Comprehension check 2
Put these sentences describing the design process in the correct order according to the article. ...... They post them with an image on the website. ...... The designer gets money for the items that are sold.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Webquest
Go to the website in the article www.cuusoo.jp/muji. Click on the pictures and see if you can guess what the designs are (the website is in Japanese).
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check 1
a) Kohei Nishiyama is based in Japan. b) Kohei Nishiyamas company is called Elephant Design. c) Kohei Nishiyama thinks mass-produced products are boring. d) Young designers can post their ideas on the website. e) When a design gets 1,000 votes it can be produced. f) Kohei Nishiyama wants to make interesting products.
2 Antonyms
1) change the face 2) founder 3) improvement 4) scheme 5) mass-produced 6) vague 7) glowing 8) ugly 9) fairly 10) manufacture
4 Comprehension check 2
1) Designers think of new and interesting ideas. 2) They post them with an image on the website. 3) People vote for the best ideas. 4) The most popular designs are made and sold. 5) The designer gets money for the items that are sold.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Use two or more of these words to make six new design inventions. The first letter of each idea is given to help you. Then skim-read the article to check your answers. magnetic clock robotic glowing garden vague a) v___________ ___________ b) s___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ c) t___________ ___________ ___________ d) r___________ ___________ ___________ e) m___________ ___________ ___________ f) w___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ wastepaper mirrors furniture memos sticky camera solar-powered transparent cable web bathroom bin tidier
Skim the article again to find words that mean (almost) the same as: 1. boring / unexciting _______________ (para 2) 2. rule / idea _______________ (para 2) 3. original _______________ (para 2) 4. factory-made in large numbers _______________ (para 2) 5. changes _______________ (para 2) 6. plan / project _______________ (para 4) 7. to fail _______________ (para 4) 8. payment _______________ (para 4) 9. inexact / indeterminate _______________ (para 5) 10. leads / wires _______________ (para 5) 11. shows _______________ (para 6) 12. normal / ordinary _______________ (para 7) 13. no good / useless _______________ (para 9)
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Intermediate
CA
P H
independent by the age of 40, living as an inventor and being woken each morning by his robot dog. The 37-year-old Tokyo-based designer and founder of Elephant Design has a dream, one he hopes will change the face of British shopping. marketed and mass-produced objects and replace them with products that we - the people - have helped to develop. Nishiyama calls his idea Design to Order and the principle is simple. Anyone with a unique idea, for anything from a robotic web camera to a magnetic bathroom mirror, posts an image and description on his website. There, people can log on to suggest alterations and improvements to the design. If enough people then vote for the product, he makes a deal with a manufacturer and the product is made. making it on to the shelves because thats how large companies do things. Our idea is to give people what they want by involving anyone of any age or nationality who has a good idea, early on in the process, says Nishiyama. years, and has taken off among designers who use it to present their ideas instead of committing to something that may flop. The company has recently set up a test site with retailer Muji to help develop products for its stores. One idea, for transparent sticky memos, was suggested by a 21-year-old student and will be marketed next month. She will get royalties from every pack sold. Nishiyama has appointed London-based designers The Division as its first British consultancy. The
David Tonge, founder of The Division, said: We wanted a relaxed clock for the home, so the hour hand is on the outside, and like a sundial its fairly vague. But in the centre, it displays minutes in a digital form so you can use it if youre doing something like cooking pasta for 13 minutes. The idea for the garden furniture came after Tonge was fed-up with the over-designed options he found in shops, while the cable tidier is a standard paper bin fitted with a powerblock and cable storage compartments. Any item on the site that gets 1,000 votes is put forward for manufacture. As of yesterday, Tonges clock had received 39 votes, the cable tidier 22 votes and the garden furniture nine. The leading product on the site, with 235 votes, is a bathroom mirror that is also a whiteboard. The designers hope the buyers will be busy professionals, who can write appointments and thoughts on it, attach memos like fridge magnets, and see them as they brush their teeth in the morning. For now the test site is only free to designers, but Nishiyama says he will take ideas from other people, if there are at least ten people who support an idea. Because its a new thing and its experimental, a lot of people are posting ideas and, it has to be said, some of them are rubbish, says Tonge. But it can be surprising. There are definitely people out there, who are not designers, who have some good, interesting ideas, and some of those may end up in the shops.
Guardian News & Media 2007 First published in The Guardian, 24/11/07
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences true or false according to the article? Correct any sentences that are false. 1. Kohei Nishiyama comes from Japan but lives in London. true / false 2. Kohei Nishiyama is the founder of a new design company. true / false 3. He doesnt like mass-marketed products. true / false 4. Elephant Design offers young designers the chance to present their ideas. true / false 5. Kohei Nishiyama wants to move the company base to the UK. true / false 6. A design needs 1000 votes before it can be produced. true / false 7. Currently the most popular product is the vague clock. true / false 8. There are no plans to market any new ideas yet. true / false
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
1. Pair these words from the article according to their stress-patterns. e.g. replace + unique both have the stress-pattern oO product consultancy scheme independent imagination designer experimental ambitious vague cable
financially alterations
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Webquest
Go to the website in the article www.cuusoo.jp/muji. Click on the pictures and see if you can guess what the designs are (the website is in Japanese).
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. false 2. true 3. true 4. true 5. false 6. true 7. false 8. false
product cable Oo vague scheme O (1 syllable only) designer ambitious oOo independent alterations ooOo financially consultancy oOoo experimental imagination oooOo
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / The future of design? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. auction abound reservations mannequin unwitting attached snip saggy curator compelling
1. If you are ____________ to something, you are very fond of it. 2. If something is ____________, it is interesting enough to attract and hold your attention. 3. ____________ clothes have lost their shape and often hang down in the middle. 4. If a person is an ____________ participant in something, they become involved in it without intending to. 5. An ____________ is a public sale where things are sold to the people who offer the highest amount of money for them.
6. If you have ____________ about something, you have feelings of doubt about it. 7. A ____________ is a model of a human body used to display clothes. 8. If things ____________, they exist in large numbers. 9. If something is a ____________, you can buy it at a very cheap price. 10. A ____________ is someone whose job is to look after the objects in a museum.
Former Black Sabbath singer and American reality TV show star, Ozzy Osbourne, is being forced to sell some of his possessions because there isnt enough space for them in his Hollywood mansion. How much do you think each of these items is worth? Match the items with the prices and then check your answers in the text. 1. a sofa 2. a teacup and saucer 3. black velvet cushion 4. black satin coat 5. dog bed (gift from Elton John) 6. porcelain vegetable basket a. up to $1,200 b. up to $150 c. up to $1,500 d. up to $2,000 e. up to $200 f. up to $400
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Advanced
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10 This represents the scope and absurdity of celebrity-dumb in this country, says Comisar, a surprising comment for a man who dedicates himself to collecting knickknacks from TV land. A bed for a dog that is the price of a small automobile. You wonder what goes through their minds that Sir Elton would come to their home and say, What these people really need is a bed for
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why are the Osbournes selling so many of their possessions? a. Because Ozzy is tired of them. b. Because Sharon wants to reduce the amount of stuff they have. c. Because they are short of money. 2. What will happen to the money they make from the auction? a. It will be given to a local charity. b. It will help to pay off some of their debts. c. They will use it to buy more things for the house. 3. What is Ozzys favourite colour? a. red b. blue c. black 4. What does the curator think of the dog-bed? a. He thinks its fantastic. b. He thinks its absurd. c. He thinks Ozzy would prefer a small automobile.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
Imagine that you had to get rid of 99% of your possessions. What five items would you keep and why?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Advanced
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. b 2. a 3. c 4. b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. curator bargain bid knick-knacks celebrity crucifix auction charity documentary estimate
1. An ____________ is a public sale where things are sold to the people who offer the most money. 2. A ____________ is a famous person, usually in the world of entertainment or sport. 3. A ____________ is an organization to which people give money so that it can help people who are poor or ill. 4. A ____________ is a religious symbol in the shape of a cross. 5. An ____________ is a guess about how much something will cost. 6. ____________ are small cheap objects which people use as decorations. 7. A ____________ is someone whose job is to look after the objects in a museum. 8. A ____________ is an offer to buy something at a public sale or on a website such as eBay. 9. A ____________ is something that you buy that costs much less than normal. 10. A ____________ is a TV programme that shows real people and events.
1. How many houses have Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne got? 2. What is Ozzys daughters name? 3. How much will the sofa cost? 4. How much will the dog bed cost? 5. What colour is Ozzys Bentley? 6. Who gave the dog bed to the Osbournes?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Elementary
CA
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings with the endings to make sentences about the text. 1. The Osbournes are selling a lot of their things because 2. Ozzy is unhappy about the auction because 3. The curator of the television museum thinks that 4. All the money they make from the auction 5. Ozzy doesnt like his Bentley because 6. Ozzy complained about his remote control because
a. he really likes a lot of his things. b. will go to to a cancer charity. c. he doesnt like a lot of modern things. d. it is crazy to spend so much money on a dog bed. e. they have too many things in their houses. f. its the wrong colour.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Complete these expressions from the text using prepositions. 1. _______ example 2. _______ sale 3. not happy _______ the auction 4. covered _______ 5. all kinds _______ treasures 6. _______ one corner 7. a present _______ Sharon 8. complain _______ something
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Elementary
noun
Elementary
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. for 2. for 3. about 4. in 5. of 6. in 7. from 8. about
3 Comprehension check
1. e 2. a 3. d 4. b 5. f 6. c
noun
sale combination decision complaint collection present reproduction competition
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. auction downsize curator bid attached artefact baggy vintage pastel knick-knacks
1. ____________ are small cheap objects used as decorations. 2. An ____________ is an object that is culturally or historically important. 3. ____________ colours or shades are pale and soft. 4. A ____________ is someone whose job is to look after the objects in a museum. 5. An ____________ is a public sale where things are sold to the people who offer the most money. 6. A ____________ object is old but is kept in a good condition. 7. If you are ____________ to something, you are very fond of it. 8. ____________ clothes have lost their shape and often hang down in the middle. 9. If you ____________, you reduce the size or quantity of something. 10. A ____________ is an offer to buy something at a public sale or on a website such as eBay.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. Who gave the dog bed to the Osbournes? 2. What colour is Ozzys Bentley? 3. How much will the sofa cost? 4. How much will the dog bed cost? 5. What is Ozzys daughters name? 6. Where is their beachfront house?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The Osbournes are selling some of their possessions because they need money. 2. Ozzy is more enthusiastic about the auction than Sharon. 3. The Comisar Collection is a kind of museum. 4. Ozzy does not like his red Bentley very much. 5. The Osbournes really needed a four-poster dog bed. 6. The cushions are the cheapest items mentioned.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Adjective
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. real stupid modern
Noun
7 Discussion
What kind of things do people collect and why? Do you collect anything?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. about 2. to 3. to 4. in 5. with 6. with 7. of 8. in
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. F 6. T
Noun
reality stupidity modernity romance absurdity emotion limit goth
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2007 NEWS LESSONS / What am I bid for the four-poster dog bed? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Warmer: Brainstorming
a) How many music genres can you think of in three minutes? b) What kind of music do you like? Try to find others in your group who have a similar taste in music to your own (i.e. if you like rock music, join with others who like rock; if you prefer classical or opera, sit with others who like this kind of music).
Discussion: Questions
a) In your groups, discuss these questions: a) How much does a CD cost in your country? b) How many CDs do you buy in a month/year? c) When did you last buy a CD or download music from the Internet? d) What do you consider to be a fair price for a CD? e) How much would you be willing to pay to download music? f) Do you think more music is downloaded legally or illegally? g) What do you think the ratio of legal to illegal downloads might be? b) How do your answers reflect what is written in the article?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text.
1. Radiohead found that... a) ... nearly everybody was willing to pay for the album. b) ... just over half of all downloaders were willing to pay for the album. c) ... just over a third of all downloaders were willing to pay for the album. 2. Compared to other countries... a) ... more... b) ... less... c) ... the same number of... Americans downloaded the album for free. 3. The music industry has seen a decline in the profits made on sales of... a) ... concert tickets. b) ... music downloads. c) ... music CDs. 4. According to the figures given for illegal downloads, Radioheads experiment... a) ... has been a success. b) ... has been unsuccessful. c) ... has made no difference at all.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Advanced
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4 Role play
Role cards: Journalist or newspaper you write for. Decide which magazine
Think of questions that you want to ask the others. At the end of the role play you should decide what kind of spin you are going to give your article. Will it be for or against Radioheads business model, or will your report be neutral?
A Consumer
Explain how you buy music and why you prefer this method. Say how much you are happy to pay for music. Is Radioheads idea a good or bad thing for music buyers?
Note: Each role can be given to one or more people the minimum amount of roles per group is two: the journalist plus one other. If possible, record the role play. For more background information, please refer to the onestopenglish weekly news lesson 57 from October 11th 2007, Radioheads bid to revive the music industry.
5 Writing: Follow up
Choose one of the following: a) Write up a report of your role play in the style of an article for a newspaper or website. b) Chose to be either a band member or consumer and write a letter to a newspaper stating your opinion.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Links:
http://www.inrainbows.com/ http://www.apple.com/itunes/
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
h_ _vy m_t_l
b) Can you add any more? c) What kind of music do you like? Can you find someone in your group who has a similar taste in music to you?
2 Keywords
Use these words to complete the sentences. experiment successful handling charge honesty box increase average piracy decrease download illegally
1. When numbers go up, they _________________. 2. When numbers go down, they _________________. 3. When you do something against the law (commit a crime), you do it _________________. 4. A _________________ is a fee that a shop charges you when they send your goods to you. 5. An _________________ is the amount you get when you add numbers together and then divide the total by the number of things you added together. 6. If you get what you want, you are _________________. 7. When you copy information from the Internet to your computer, you _________________ it. 8. An _________________ is a (virtual) container into which the seller hopes the buyer will place money. 9. _________________ is the crime of making and selling illegal copies of something, especially CDs and DVDs. 10. An _________________ is a (scientific) test to find out what happens to someone or something.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Elementary
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For more background information, please refer to the onestopenglish weekly news lesson 57 from October 11th 2007, Radioheads bid to revive the music industry and http://www.inrainbows.com/
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Now transfer the album to your iPod, MP3-player, or burn it onto a CD, then download the album and save it on your computer. then click on view basket. Now type in the amount you want to pay, then listen and enjoy! (you might have to wait in a queue). Click on DOWNLOAD, Turn on your computer and go to www.inrainbows.com. then click on pay now Type in your details,
4 Discussion
Complete the sentences. a) In my country a CD costs about _________________. b) I buy about _________________ CDs a year. c) I _________________ download music from the Internet. d) I think _________________ is a fair price for a CD. e) Im willing to pay _________________ to download music. f) I last went to a live concert / opera / musical performance in _________________. Now compare your sentences with your partner.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2 Keywords
1. increase 2. decrease 3. illegally 4. handling charge 5. average 6. successful 7. download 8. honesty box 9. piracy 10. experiment
CA
NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Elementary
O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Warmer: Brainstorming
a) How many music genres can you think of in three minutes? b) What kind of music do you like? Can you find someone in your group who has a similar taste in music to you?
Key words
Use these words from the article to complete the sentences. handling charge honesty box struggling ultimately piracy average download remaining experiment reveal era
1. We use this word to talk about a particular period of time. _______________ 2. When a company or industry experiences financial difficulties, it is said to be _______________ 3. When you give out information that was not known before, you _______________ it. 4. A _______________ is a fee that a shop charges you when they send your goods to you. 5. An _______________ is the amount you get when you add numbers together and then divide the total by the number of things you added together. 6. _______________ means the same as, in the end, or finally. 7. When you copy information from the Internet to your computer, you _______________ it. 8. When something is _______________ , it is the amount that is still left. 9. An _______________ is a container into which the seller hopes the buyer will place money. 10. _______________ is the crime of making and selling illegal copies of something, especially CDs and DVDs. 11. An _______________ is a (scientific) test to find out what happens to someone or something.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Intermediate
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much - or as little - as they liked for a digital download of their new album, In Rainbows, many said it was the beginning of a new era for the struggling record industry.
people downloading the album were willing to pay anything at all. Two thirds paid only the 45p charge for handling.
people worldwide visited Radioheads In Rainbows website. A large number of these visitors ultimately downloaded the album. The study showed that 38% willingly paid to download the album, with the remaining 62% choosing to pay nothing. The percentage downloading for free in the US (60%) is only very slightly lower than in the rest of the world (64 %).
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The record industry is not doing well. T/F 2. Less than 50% of people downloaded Radioheads album for free. T/F 3. The album was cheaper on Apples iTunes website. T/F 4. Recently, CD sales have been decreasing. T/F 5. Sales of live concert tickets are increasing. T/F 6. A higher percentage of people download for free in the USA than anywhere else in the world. T/F 7. There are currently more illegal music downloads than legal downloads. T/F 8. Radioheads experiment was a flop. T/F
4 Discussion
In groups, discuss these questions: a) How much does a CD cost in your country? b) How many CDs do you buy in a month/year? c) When did you last buy a CD or download music from the Internet? d) What do you consider to be a fair price for a CD? e) How much would you be willing to pay to download music? f) When did you last go to a live concert / opera / musical performance? g) Do you plan to go to a concert in the near future?
4 Writing - Follow up
Write an email to a friend. Tell them about Radioheads new album. For more background information, please refer to the onestopenglish weekly news lesson 57 from October 11th 2007, Radioheads bid to revive the music industry and http://www.inrainbows.com/
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Intermediate
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2 Comprehension check
1. True 2. False 3. False 4. True 5. True 6. False 7. True 8. False
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Radiohead fans pay 2.90 for digital album / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. audacious unscathed wriggle scale adjoining tip-off admonish homage inmate feud
1. If someone emerges ______________ from a dangerous or bad situation, they are not harmed or damaged by it. 2. If you pay ______________ to an artist, you show respect by using their style or ideas in your own work or in something that you do. 3. If you ______________ someone, you tell them that you do not approve of something they have done. 4. A ______________ is a warning or secret information given to someone. 5. A ______________ is an angry disagreement between two people or groups that continues for a long time. 6. If you ______________ a wall or a fence, you climb over it. 7. An ______________ is someone who is kept in a prison or an institution. 8. An ______________ act is one that is done with extreme confidence, despite difficulties and risks. 9. An ______________ room or property is one that is next to and connected to another room or property. 10. If you ______________ through a small opening, you do it by twisting and turning your body.
Order of events
The text is about an escape from a jail in the USA. Put these sentences into a logical order and then read the text and check your answers. a. They split up and went in different directions along a railway line. b. Then they jumped from the cell-block roof. c. The two prisoners used metal wire to remove the cement around a concrete block in their cell. d. A reward of $8,000 has been offered for their recapture. e. They climbed an eight-metre high razor-wire fence. f. They removed the block and squeezed through the narrow hole.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the information given in the text. 1. Why is the placing of posters of women in bikinis over the holes described as an apparent movie homage? a. Because the escaped prisoners liked The Shawshank Redemption. b. Because the same kind of thing happens in Hollywood movies. c. Because the prisoners wanted to put the wardens off the scent. 2. Why was the local prosecutor angry with the press? a. Because they wrote false reports about the escape. b. Because they romanticized the escape by comparing it to a Hollywood movie. c. Because the escape was quite different from what happens in the movies. 3. Why did Blunts first attempt to escape fail? a. Because he was moved to a more secure part of the prison. b. Because he couldnt squeeze through the hole. c. Because another prisoner told the prison authorities he was planning to escape. 4. How did the prison authorities know the men were not hurt when they jumped from the roof? a. Because the roof was only 10 metres high. b. Because the men parted company. c. Because no blood was found at the scene.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Advanced
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1. If you _________ _________ of a prison, you escape from it. 2. If you _________ something _________, you fill it with soft material. 3. If you _________ something _________, you break it into very small pieces by pressing it hard. 4. If you _________ it _________, you remind someone of something stupid they have done. 5. If you _________ _________ a power or water supply, you switch it off. 6. If you _________ something _________, you succeed in doing something difficult.
7 Discussion
What other ways are there of escaping from prison?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
2 Order of events
1. c 2. f 3. b 4. e 5. a 6. d
3 Comprehension check
1. b 2. b 3. c 4. c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. jail squeeze tools similar prosecutor poster fence track cell reward
1. A _______________ is a large printed picture that you put on a wall for decoration. 2. A _______________ is a lawyer whose job is to prove in court that someone is guilty. 3. If something is _______________ to another thing, it is almost the same but not exactly the same. 4. A _______________ is a mark a person or animal leaves on the ground. 5. _______________ is another word for prison. 6. A _______________ is money you receive for helping the police catch a criminal. 7. A _______________ is a wall made of wood or wire that surrounds an area of land. 8. If you _______________ through a small opening, your body goes through it with some difficulty. 9. _______________ are pieces of equipment you use for particular types of work. 10. A _______________ is a small room where a prisoner is kept.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How much money has been offered as a reward? 2. How many prisoners escaped? 3. What were the numbers of their cells? 4. How big was the hole they escaped through? 5. How old is Otis Blunt? 6. How tall is he?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings with the endings to make sentences about the text. 1. The men filled their beds with pillows because 2. The police know they split up because 3. The police know the men were not injured because 4. The guards didnt see the holes in the cell walls because 5. The men were able to escape because 6. Espinosa was in jail because a. they could squeeze through very small holes. b. there was no blood on the ground. c. the prisoners covered them with posters. d. they wanted the guards to think they were still asleep. e. he was the driver in a drive-by shooting. f. they found their tracks in the snow.
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make two-word expressions from the text. 1. razor 2. high 3. water 4. concrete 5. prison 6. press 7. plastic 8. railway a. block b. wire c. box d. pipe e. line f. guard g. security h. conference
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Elementary
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5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions. 1. thank you _______ 2. escape _______ a jail 3. squeeze _______ a small hole 4. search _______ someone 5. just like _______ the movies 6. on trial _______ robbery 7. walk _______ opposite directions 8. similar _______
6 Word stress
Divide these words from the text into two groups according to their word stress. section secure escape compare movie detail metal remove prison concrete asleep along
0 o
o0
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Collocations
1. b (razor wire) 2. g (high security) 3. d (water pipe) 4. a (concrete block) 5. f (prison guard) 6. h (press conference) 7. c (plastic box) 8. e (railway line)
5 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. for 2. from 3. through 4. for 5. in 6. for 7. in 8. to
3 Comprehension check
1. d 2. f 3. b 4. c 5. a 6. e
6 Word stress
A 0 o section movie metal prison detail concrete B o0 escape asleep secure compare remove along
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. daring rubble breakout fence emerge cell contradiction manslaughter prosecutor feud
1. A ____________ is a flat upright structure made of wood or wire that surrounds an area of land. 2. A ____________ is a small room where a prisoner is kept. 3. ____________ is the crime of causing someones death illegally but without intending to. 4. A ____________ is an escape from a prison. 5. ____________ is a mixture of broken pieces of stone, brick and concrete. 6. If you are ____________, you are brave enough to do dangerous things. 7. A ____________ is an angry disagreement between two people or groups that continues for a long time. 8. When a piece of news or certain details ____________, they become known to the general public. 9. A ____________ is a difference between two statements that makes it impossible for them both to be true. 10. A ____________ is a lawyer whose job is to prove in court that someone is guilty.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many prisoners escaped? 2. How old is Jose Espinosa? 3. How tall is he? 4. What were the numbers of their cells? 5. How big was the hole they escaped through? 6. How much money has been offered as a reward?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text?
1. The prisoners escaped by climbing through a window. 2. The prisoners used posters to cover the holes in the walls of their cells. 3. The men were injured when they jumped from the roof. 4. The men ran away in the same direction along a railway line. 5. Blunt had tried to escape before. 6. The prison authorities are happy with the level of security in the prison.
1. A verb meaning to get through a very small space. (para 1) 2. An adjective meaning almost the same but not exactly the same. (para 2) 3. A two-word expression meaning things that belong to a person. (para 3) 4. A noun meaning someone kept in a prison or an institution. (para 5) 5. A two-word expression meaning very sharp wire used for protection or security. (para 6) 6. A verb meaning to go in a particular direction. (para 6) 7. An adjective meaning safe. (para 7) 8. A three-word expression meaning a situation where someone is shot from a moving car. (para 8)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Intermediate
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5 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in the phrases from the text using prepositions 1. make fun _______ someone 2. break out _______ a jail 3. squeeze _______ a small opening 4. search _______ someone 5. escape _______ a jail 6. compare _______ 7. similar _______ 8. travel _______ opposite directions
7 Discussion
The two men made a hole in their cell wall and escaped through it. Can you think of other ways that prisoners could escape from prison?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
1. of 2. of 3. through 4. for 5. from 6. with 7. to 8. in
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. T 3. F 4. F 5. T 6. F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Thanks for the tools! Jailbreakers taunt guards / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. launch affluent clogged latent welding decade stringent subsidized hub miniscule
1. If a regulation or test is ________________, it is extremely strict in order to ensure high standards. 2. An ________________ person is one who is rich enough to buy things for pleasure. 3. ________________ means extremely small. 4. A ________________ is a period of ten years. 5. If a street is ________________, it is completely blocked by heavy traffic. 6. A ________________ is an occasion when a company starts selling a new product. 7. If an activity or product is ________________, part of its cost is paid for by the authorities. 8. ________________ is a process in which two pieces of metal are joined by being heated and pressed together. 9. A ________________ is the most important place where an activity takes place. 10. If something is ________________, it exists but is not obvious and has not developed yet.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. India has a population of two billion. 2. The currency of India is the rupee. 3. China currently has the fastest-growing car market in the world. 4. One in every two people in the USA owns a car. 5. Renault produces the worlds cheapest car. 6. Traffic in Delhi moves at an average speed of less than five miles an hour.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Advanced
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8 In terms of emission standards we are five to 10 years behind Europe. We do not tax diesel properly and hence subsidize more dirty car use, said Sunita Narain of Delhis Centre for Science and Environment. We need public transport to ensure mobility, not policies that promote private cars, otherwise we will meet peoples aspirations, but not their needs. 9 The motor lobby insists that Indian car ownership is minuscule in per capita terms: seven or eight out of every 1,000 people, compared with more than 500 in America. The number of private cars in India about 13m is only a little more than half the number of cars in America at the onset of the Great Depression of the 1930s. Indias mass motoring boom is already reshaping the country. Slowly cities are giving way to wideflung suburbs. The government is spending
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the information given in the text. 1. Why do environmentalists describe the Nano as a nightmare? a. Because it has no air-conditioning. b. Because the car will be sold in large numbers and cause more pollution. c. Because it is very cheap. 2. How has the Nano revolutionized the motor industry? a. It uses plastic rather than metal and glue rather than welding. b. Five adults can squeeze into it. c. It has attracted other car-makers to India. 3. What solution does the Centre for Science and Environment suggest? a. Better public transport. b. More expensive cars not cheaper ones. c. Motorcycles not cars. 4. What effect is car ownership having on Indian cities? a. It enables people to reach the suburbs easily. b. It is increasing environmental pollution. c. It is putting every Indian family behind a steering wheel.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Advanced
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5 Vocabulary 2: Chunks
Rearrange the words to make phrases from the text.
1. quality from materials high made 2. car the growing market fastest 3. affordable weather of a form safe all transport 4. the less next car the price half cheapest than of 5. the in 20th early century 6. the worrying for environment implications 7. ten Europe five years to behind 8. than hour nine less an miles
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make two-word expressions from the text. 1. rush 2. windscreen 3. safety 4. steering 5. sales 6. economic 7. greenhouse 8. public a. gases b. boom c. wiper d. tax e. wheel f. hour g. transport h. standards
7 Discussion
Should car ownership and car travel be restricted in order to protect the environment?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Vocabulary 2: Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. made from high-quality materials the fastest growing car market a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport less than half the price of the next cheapest car in the early 20th century worrying implications for the environment five to ten years behind Europe less than nine miles an hour
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c a b
6 Vocabulary 3: Collocations
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. f c h e d b a g
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Advanced
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Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. boot smog airbag manufacturer boom scooter damage motor nightmare greenhouse gases
1. The ____________ industry is the industry that produces cars. 2. If something causes ____________, it causes physical harm to something. 3. ____________ is dirty air that is a mixture of smoke and fog. 4. An ____________ is a large bag that fills with air and protects the driver if a car has an accident. 5. ____________ are gases like carbon dioxide that make the earth warmer. 6. A ____________ is an extremely difficult or frightening situation or a very bad dream. 7. A ____________ is a small motorcycle with a very small engine. 8. The ____________ of a car is the space, usually at the back, where you place your luggage. 9. A ____________ is a sudden large increase in the activity of an industry. 10. A ____________ is a person or company that makes a product.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many cars will the Tata factory produce each year? 2. How many people out of one thousand have a car in India? 3. How much will the Nano car cost? 4. How much carbon dioxide did cars in India produce in 2005? 5. How many people live in India? 6. What is the money used in India called?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Elementary
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projects. Companies are building car factories on farmland. 9 The Tata factory will produce 250,000 cars a year. Thousands of farmers lost their land when the new factory was built. Last month Shankar Patra, a 50-year-old farmer who lost his fields to the Tata factory, killed himself. Without our
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings with the endings to make sentences about the text. 1. People will buy the Nano because 2. The Nano is cheap because 3. Environmentalists are worried because 4. The farmer killed himself because 5. China 6. India
a. is the fastest-growing car market in the world. b. it is cheap. c. he lost his land. d. they believe the Nano will make the air dirtier. e. will soon be the fastest-growing car market in the world. f. it is made mostly of plastic, not steel.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Elementary
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1. A ____________ is a situation when cars cannot move because there are too many cars on the road. 2. You use the ____________ if you are hot. 3. You use the ____________ if it is raining and you cant see. 4. You use the ____________ to see what is behind your car. 5. The ____________ limit in English towns and cities is 30 miles per hour. 6. A ____________ is someone who travels in a car with the driver.
6 Vocabulary 3: Puzzle
Rearrange the letters to make words from the text. 1. s t r a p n o r t 2. r o - n e n t m i n v e 3. r - a t f i f c 4. t a s f e y 5. n t g i o m o r 6. t a c r o f - y
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Adjectives
1. f 2. e 3. a 4. b 5. g 6. h 7. c 8. d
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. boot smog vehicle rival emission evict boom nightmare consumer switch
1. If you ____________ someone, you force them by law to leave their home or their land. 2. An ____________ is a substance, particularly a gas, that goes into the air. 3. A ____________ is an extremely difficult or frightening situation or a very bad dream. 4. A ____________ is a machine that you travel in on a road, such as a car, a bus or a motorcycle. 5. The ____________ of a car is the space, usually at the back, where you place your luggage. 6. If you ____________, you change from one thing to another. 7. A ____________ is a sudden major increase in the activity of a particular industry. 8. A ____________ is someone who buys and uses goods and services. 9. A ____________ is a person or business that competes with another. 10. ____________ is polluted air that is a mixture of smoke and fog.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. What is the population of India? 2. What is the currency of India? 3. How much will the Nano car cost? 4. How many people per thousand people in India have a car? 5. How much carbon dioxide did cars in India produce in 2005? 6. How many cars will the Tata factory be able to produce each year?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Intermediate
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properly so more dirty car use is encouraged, said Sunita Narain of Delhis Centre for Science and Environment. We need better public transport, not policies that promote private cars, otherwise we will not meet peoples needs. 9 The motor industry says that Indian car ownership is still small: seven or eight out of every 1,000 people own a car, compared with more than 500 in every 1,000 in America. The number of private cars in India about 13m is only a little more than half the number of cars in America at the start of the 1930s. But the boom in motoring in India is already changing the shape of the country. Slowly cities are being replaced by distant suburbs. The government is spending 35bn on new road projects. Farmland has been given to industry for the factories to build new cars.
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. There were more cars in America in the 1930s than there are in India today. 2. Ford and Renault are also planning to make cars in India. 3. The chairman of Tata wants everyone in India to own a car. 4. The next cheapest car in India costs 200,000 rupees. 5. In Delhi traffic moves faster than it did 10 years ago. 6. There are around 13 million private cars in India. 7. The Indian government does not want to spend money on new roads. 8. The Tata factory has been built on farmland.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Intermediate
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5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make two-word expressions from the text. 1. high 2. public 3. safety 4. rush 5. sales 6. economic 7. greenhouse 8. windscreen a. gases b. boom c. wiper d. tax e. quality f. hour g. transport h. standards
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. own realize consume emit pollute
noun
revolution
encouragement eviction
7 Discussion
Does everyone have the right to own a car? How can we protect the environment if road and air travel becomes even cheaper?
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Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Collocations
1. e 2. g 3. h 4. f 5. d 6. b 7. a 8. c
3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. T 3. F 4. F 5. F 6. T 7. F 8. T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / India gears up for mass motoring revolution / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Write these words into the definitions below. race issue poll wary embark alienate prominent controversial (political) camp tinged tie
1. When you do this you start or begin doing something that may be difficult. ________________ 2. This term is being used more frequently in US politics these days when there is any controversy that includes possible racism. ________________ 3. When people get an equal amount of points or votes we say that the result is a draw or a ________________. 4. This is a term for a group of people who support the same person. ________________ 5. When something is racially ________________ it contains a small amount of racism. 6. When you are ________________, you are usually careful or nervous. 7. When you ________________ someone, they no longer like you or want to support you. 8. A ________________ subject is one that many people disagree with or do not approve of. 9. When someone or something is ________________ they or it are well-known and in the public eye. 10. A ________________ is the process that asks many people their opinion about a certain topic.
Find the answers to the following questions by skim-reading the article. 1. How many US states are mentioned in the article? 2. How many candidates for the Democratic Party are mentioned in the article? 3. What do Obamas team accuse Clinton of doing? 4. What do Clintons team accuse Obama of doing? 5. According to the polls, who is currently in the lead?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama prepare to face off / Advanced
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Advanced
in black issues when Obama was doing something in the neighbourhood: I wont say what he was doing, but he said it in his book. 9 Johnson later said that his comments referred to Obamas work as a community organizer in Chicago and nothing else. Any other suggestion is simply irresponsible and incorrect. The Obama team demanded an apology.
10 Bill Shaheen, a New Hampshire Clinton campaign official, resigned last month after suggesting Democrats should be wary of nominating Obama because of his past drug use. 11 In what seems to have been another misjudged remark, Obamas wife, Michelle, campaigning for him in South Carolina, also brought up race. Addressing African-Americans sceptical about his ability to win, she said Iowa, which is predominantly white, voted for Obama. Aint no black people in Iowa, she said. 12 The language could alienate some white voters and the comment is also factually wrong there are 75,000 African-Americans in Iowa. 13 John Edwards, who is trailing at 11%, supported Obama in the race row. The former North Carolina senator has recently gone out of his way to find a common cause with Obama. The association with Obama has led to speculation that Edwards is trying to become Obamas vice presidential running mate. 14 A legal dispute over the role of unions in Nevada has also raised issues of race, with Obama and Clinton competing for the support of Latinos, who make up about a quarter of the states population. 15 Obama campaigned in Nevada on 14 January while Clinton held an event in New York, fixed before the row, to mark Martin Luther Kings birthday the following day.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama prepare to face off / Advanced
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US politics
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama prepare to face off / Advanced
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5 Discussion
One of the reasons behind the controversy is that Obama publically admitted taking drugs in his youth. Do you think that peoples past acts should affect their chances of getting a particular job? Support your answer with examples.
6 Webquest
Check out US websites such as the Washington Post or CNN to see who is currently leading in the campaign to become the Democratic Partys presidential nominee.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama prepare to face off / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama prepare to face off / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Write these key words next to their definitions (use a dictionary to help you). resign support race bitter defend victory autobiography controversial racist demand poll accuse distort aint
1. An opinion or decision that people disagree with or do not approve of is ________________. 2. Involving very angry feelings. ________________ 3. A noun meaning a win. ________________ 4. When you say that someone has done something wrong, you________________ them (of doing it). 5. To protect someone or something from attack. ________________ 6. In this context, ________________ means: a group of people who are similar because they have the same skin colour or speak the same language, or have the same history or customs. 7. ________________ behaviour is offensive or harmful to people who belong to a race that is different from your own. 8. When you change information so that it is no longer true or accurate you ________________ it. 9. When you say formally that you are leaving a job, you ________________. 10. When you help a person or organization to be successful, you ________________ them. 11. This is a book about your life that you write yourself. ________________ 12. A spoken way of saying am not, is not, are not, has not, or have not. Many people think it is incorrect. ________________ 13. When you ________________ something, you say in a very firm way that you want something. 14. A ________________ is an occasion when a lot of people are asked what they think about something. Definitions: Macmillan English Dictionary online.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the sentences with the correct endings. 1. The name of the third place candidate for the Democrats is ... a) Obama
b) John Edwards
c) Hillary Clinton
d) race issues
5. At the moment, the polls show that the next President could be ...
f) Iowa
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
1. Write these words into the box according to how they are pronounced. controversial presidential demand defend ooOo democratic democratic teenager Ooo accuse resign oO president democrat candidates support
2. Now write the stress patterns for these words. comment autobiography official community
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama / Elementary
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5 Discussion
Obama wrote that he took drugs when he was a teenager. 1. Do you think he can still be a good president? 2. Now complete this sentence: People who ________________ shouldnt work as a________________ , but people who________________ can still work as a ________________.
5 Webquest
Check out US news websites, for example www.washingtonpost.com or www.CNN.com to see who has the most votes at the moment: Clinton, Obama or Edwards.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. The name of the third place candidate for the Democrats is John Edwards. 2. Obama and Clinton are arguing about race issues. 3. There are approximately 75,000 African-Americans in Iowa. 4. The first primary elections were in Iowa and New Hampshire. 5. At the moment, the polls show that the next President could be Hillary Clinton. 6. In the race row, Edwards supported Obama.
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
1. ooOo democratic controversial presidential democrat Ooo president candidates teenager oO accuse defend resign support demand
2.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Write these words into the definitions below. legal dispute racially tinged political camp distorts race issue controversial candidates revive tie poll destruction
1. This term is being used more frequently in US politics these days when there is any controversy that includes possible racism. ________________ 2. If people get an equal amount of points or votes we say that the result is a draw or a ________________. 3. This is a term for a group of people who support the same politician. ________________. 4. When something is ________________ ________________ it contains a small amount of racism. 5. A ________________ subject is one that many people disagree with or do not approve of. 6. A ________________ is the process that asks many people their opinion about a certain topic. 7. People who compete in an election are called ________________. 8. If someone ________________ something, they change the information so that it is no longer true or accurate. 9. A ________________ is a disagreement that has to be decided by a court. 10. When you ________________ something, you bring it back to life. 11. ________________ is another word for very severe damage or harm.
Which further ten words or names would you expect to appear in an article about the US Democratic Partys presidential candidates? Compare your answers in class and then skim-read the article to see how many of your words actually appear. _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama prepare to face off / Intermediate
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face on January 15 for the first time since their two camps began the dangerous strategy of trying to gain political points from the race issue. Hampshire, the two candidates who met for a debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday are hoping to break the tie in Nevada or in South Carolina.
importance of South Carolina, where about half the Democratic voters are African-American. engaged in the politics of personal destruction.
4 The Obama team today accused Clinton of being 5 The Clinton team has been forced to defend
supported Obama in the race row. The former North Carolina senator has recently gone out of his way to find a common cause with Obama and many people now believe that Edwards is trying to become Obamas vice presidential running mate. has also raised issues of race, with Obama and Clinton competing for the support of Latinos, who make up about a quarter of the states population. showed Obama closing the gap nationwide, with Clinton on 42%, down 11% since last month, and Obama on 37%, up 14%. But a national CBS News-New York Times poll showed Clinton on 42% compared to Obamas 27%. A figure that has remained unchanged since last month.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 14/01/08
themselves over a series of remarks that have been interpreted as racially tinged. The most controversial was a comment from Clinton that suggested she was trying to minimize the role of Martin Luther King in the civil rights era. The Clinton team accused Obama of distorting the remarks. Entertainment Television who is among Clintons most well-known African-American supporters, revived the issue of Obamas teenage drug use, which he wrote about in his memoir, Dreams From My Father. Johnson said Hillary and Bill Clinton were engaged in black issues when Obama was doing something in the neighbourhood: I wont say what he was doing, but he said it in his book. to Obamas work as a community organizer in Chicago and nothing else. Any other suggestion is simply irresponsible and incorrect. The Obama team demanded an apology.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama prepare to face off / Intermediate
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4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Fill in the missing prepositions. 1. meet someone face ________ face 2. Obamas victory ________ Iowa 3. exchanges ________ race 4. Bob Johnson is ________ Clintons most well-known African-American supporters. 5. doing something ________ the neighbourhood 6. because ________ his past drug use 7. Michelle Obama, campaigning ________ her husband ________ South Carolina 8. John Edwards, who is in third place ________ 11% 9. a legal dispute ________ the role ________ unions ________ Nevada 10. a poll ________ the Washington Post
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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5 Discussion
In his book, Obama admitted that he took drugs when he was a teenager. What do you think: should things that people did in the past affect their chances of getting a particular job? Yes / no / it depends? Think of examples to support your answer.
6 Webquest
Check out US websites such as the www.washingtonpost.com or www.CNN.com to see who is currently leading in the campaign to become the Democratic Partys presidential nominee.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama prepare to face off / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. to 2. in 3. over 4. among 5. in 6. of 7. for/in 8. at 9. over/of/in 10. for
3 Comprehension check
1. c 2. b * Quote from the website http://www.sourcewatch.org/index. php?title=Politics_of_personal_destruction The politics of personal destructiona phrase popularized by Bill Clinton during his impeachment has been in vogue since long before Clintons impeachment. Although the tactic of demonizing the opposition has been practiced with varying intensity throughout the history of politics, this current round of hyper-partisan warfare can be traced back to 1987, when President Ronald Reagan nominated Robert H. Bork for the Supreme Court. 3. c 4. a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Clinton and Obama prepare to face off / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. percentage soap research average sedentary childhood survey decrease multitask own
1. A ____________ is a set of questions that you ask a large number of people. 2. ____________ is the time of a persons life when they are a child. 3. ____________ is when you study something in detail to discover new facts. 4. If you ____________, you do more than one thing at the same time. 5. ____________ is the opposite of increase. 6. If you do a ____________ activity, you sit down a lot and dont do much exercise. 7. If you ____________ something, it is yours, usually because you have bought it. 8. A ____________is a television series about the lives of a group of people. 9. A ____________ is an amount that is equal to part of a total you have divided by 100. 10. An ____________ is a usual level or standard.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Elementary
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Life through a lens: How Britains children eat, sleep and breathe TV
Lucy Ward, social affairs correspondent January 16, 2008 1 A survey has shown that in modern-day Britain many children spend a lot of their daily lives watching television. They watch TV before they go to school, when they return home, as they eat their evening meal and then (63% of them a much higher percentage than read a book each day) in bed at night. The survey of five to 16-year-olds shows that four out of every five children now have a TV set in their bedroom. 2 Many children now do other things while they watch television, including social networking on the Internet, looking from their laptop to the TV screen and back again. Even if they are concentrating on the television, young people often do not watch just one programme. Boys in particular often switch from one channel to another and back again to watch two programmes at the same time. The survey, from the market research agency Childwise, will make many people worried that childhood is now more about private space and sedentary activities than about play, social interaction or the childs own imagination. 3 The survey also shows that children are watching more television than before. The amount of television-watching decreased over the last three years but is now increasing again. This is mainly the result of more girls watching soaps. 4 Childrens use of the Internet is also increasing rapidly. This means British children spend an average of five hours and 20 minutes in front of a screen every day, compared with four hours and 40 minutes five years ago. But children do not read for pleasure as much as they did in the past. Four out of five children read books in their own time but only one out of four read books every day and only 53% at least once a week. 5 The survey interviewed 1,147 children in 60 schools around England, Scotland and Wales. It
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Elementary
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they lie about their age if there are minimum age requirements to join a social networking site. Children as young as eight are now joining sites like these. 10 Kathy Evans, policy director of the Childrens Society, which is studying modern childhood, said that people are worried about the possible results of childrens TV and Internet viewing
3 Comprehension Check
Match the beginnings and the endings to make sentences about the text. 1. The survey shows that 2. The amount of television watching is increasing again 3. The main reason children use the Internet... 4. Two thirds of children 5. Over a third of children 6. 83% of children
a. because more girls are watching soaps. b. turn on the television when they get home from school. c. own a laptop. d. children are spending more and more time watching TV and using the Internet. e. watch TV before they go to school. f. is social networking.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Elementary
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5 Chunks
Rearrange the words to make phrases from the text. 1. school they before to go 2. least week at once a 3. going sleep to before 4. hours more a than day four 5. returning after home 6. channel switch to one from another
6 Word stress
Put these words from the text into group A or group B according to their stress. average survey (n) amount between private programme children childhood return because result report
A 0o
B o0
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Percentages
1. f 2. a/c 3. d 4. e 5. a/c 6. b
5 Chunks
1. before they go to school 2. at least once a week 3. before going to sleep 4. more than four hours a day 5. after returning home 6. switch from one channel to another
4 Word stress
A 0o B o0
amount return result between because report
3 Comprehension check
1. d 2. a 3. f 4. e 5. c 6. b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. widespread balanced facilities survey sedentary reluctant decline multitask pastime essential
1. If you ____________, you do more than one thing at the same time. 2. If something is ____________, it happens or exists in many places. 3. A ____________ life is one in which all parts combine well together and exist in the correct amounts. 4. A ____________ is a set of questions that you ask a large number of people. 5. ____________ are things such as rooms or pieces of equipment provided at a place for people to use. 6. A ____________ is a reduction in the amount or quality of something. 7. If something is ____________, it is completely necessary. 8. A ____________ is something people do regularly for fun in their free time. 9. If you are ____________ to do something, you dont want to do it. 10. If an activity is described as ____________, it involves a lot of sitting and not much exercise.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. What percentage of British children watch TV in bed at night? 2. How much time on average do British children spend in front of a screen each day? 3. How many children read books in their own time each day? 4. How many children did the survey interview? 5. What percentage of five to 16-year olds use the Internet? 6. How much time on average do children spend online (on the Internet)?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Intermediate
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Life through a lens: How Britains children eat, sleep and breathe TV
Lucy Ward, social affairs correspondent January 16, 2008 1 A generation of multitasking children are living their
daily lives including eating and falling asleep to the accompaniment of television, according to a survey of young peoples media habits. They watch TV before they go to school, when they return home, as they eat their evening meal and then for 63%, a much higher percentage than read a book each day in bed at night. The survey of five to 16year-olds shows that four out of five children now have a TV set in their bedroom. children now combine it with other activities, including social networking online, looking from their laptop to the TV screen and back again. Even if they are concentrating on the television, young people are now unwilling to watch just one programme, with boys in particular often switching between channels to keep up with two programmes at the same time. The survey, conducted by the market research agency Childwise, will increase worries that childhood is increasingly about private space and sedentary activities and less about play, social interaction or the childs own imagination. on improving play facilities as a means of ensuring a more balanced life for young people who spend a lot of time watching television. Todays survey findings show that after declining for three years, television-watching among children is now increasing again. This is mainly the result of more girls watching soap operas. This means British children spend an average of five hours and 20 minutes in front of a screen a day, up from four hours and 40 minutes five years ago. Reading books for pleasure, on the other hand, continues to decline as a regular pastime. While four out of five children read books in their own time, only a quarter do so daily and 53% at least once a week.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Intermediate
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fun (e.g. online games) as the main reason to use the Internet and study is now far behind. Almost three quarters (72%) of children have visited a social networking site, and over half have their own profile sometimes lying about their age to avoid minimum age requirements. Children as young as eight are now signing up.
Society, which is conducting its own inquiry into modern childhood, said there was now growing public and professional concern about the possible
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Boys often watch more than one TV programme at the same time. 2. The rise in Internet use is mainly the result of social networking sites. 3. The number of children watching television is falling steadily. 4. Less than half the children surveyed watch TV while they are eating their evening meal. 5. The survey is conducted every 14 years. 6. Many children watch TV and use a laptop at the same time.
1. A four-word expression meaning while something else is happening or can be heard. (para 1) 2. A three-word phrasal verb meaning to continue to follow. (para 2) 3. An adverb meaning every year. (para 5) 4. A two-word phrasal verb meaning look quickly at a magazine or newspaper. (para 7) 5. A verb meaning to say you will not do something that someone has asked you to do. (para 7) 6. An adjective meaning as small in amount or degree as possible. (para 9) 7. A two-word phrasal verb meaning agree to join a course or organization. (para 9) 8. A noun meaning the time of your life when you are a child. (para 10)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Intermediate
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6 Word building
Complete the table using words from the text. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. inquire investigate please research refusal
verb
interact imagine
noun
decline
7 Discussion
Do you think children spend too much time watching TV and using the Internet? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these activities?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. T 3. F 4. F 5. F 6. T
6 Word building
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. interact imagine decline research refuse inquire investigate please
noun
interaction imagination decline research refusal inquiry investigation pleasure
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. ubiquitous anecdotal flicker revival flick decline flip bug sedentary pastime
1. A ____________ is a reduction in the amount or quality of something. 2. A ____________ is something people do regularly for fun in their free time. 3. A ____________ is the process of becoming active, successful or popular again. 4. A ____________ is a sudden strong enthusiasm for doing something. 5. If an activity is described as ____________, it involves a lot of sitting and not much exercise. 6. If something is ____________, it can be found everywhere. 7. If evidence is ____________ , it is based on someones personal experience or information rather than on facts. 8. If you ____________ from one TV channel to another, you keep changing channels quickly. 9. If a light or a TV screen ____________, it goes on and off or becomes brighter or less bright in quick succession. 10. If you ____________ your eyes from one thing to another, you move them quickly.
The article is about TV, the Internet and reading habits of British children. Decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F) and then check your answers in the text. 1. More than 80% of schoolchildren turn on the TV when they return home from school. 2. Only 50% of schoolchildren read books in their own time every day. 3. More than 50% of schoolchildren in Britain own a computer or a laptop. 4. More than half the children surveyed have their own profile on a social networking site. 5. Almost three in four thirteen to sixteen year olds watch TV in bed. 6. 95% have a TV in their bedroom.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Advanced
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Life through a lens: How Britains children eat, sleep and breathe TV
Lucy Ward, social affairs correspondent January 16, 2008 1 A generation of multitasking children are living their daily lives including eating and falling asleep to the accompaniment of television, according to a survey of youngsters media habits. The flickering of the screen accompanies most of them before they go to school, when they return home, as they consume their evening meal and then for 63%, far more than read a book each day in bed at night. The study of five to 16-year-olds shows that four out of five children now have a TV set in their bedroom. 2 So ubiquitous has television become that many children now combine it with other activities, including social networking online, flicking their eyes from laptop to TV screen and back again. Even if they are focusing on the television, young people are now reluctant to commit to one programme, with boys in particular often flipping between channels to keep up with two simultaneous shows at once. The findings, from the market research agency Childwise, will fuel concerns that childhood is increasingly about private space and sedentary activities and less about play, social interaction or the childs own imagination. 3 The governments recent Childrens Plan, while attempting to calm panic over claims of toxic childhood, focused on improving play facilities as a means of ensuring a more balanced life for screen-bound youngsters. Todays survey findings indicate a revival in television-watching among children after three years of decline, driven mainly by more girls watching soaps such as Hollyoaks and EastEnders. 4 Internet use now that the social networking bug is biting younger than ever is also continuing to grow at a far greater rate than the brief fall-off in TV viewing. That means British children spend an average of five hours and 20 minutes in front of a screen a day,
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Advanced
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study, with 85% of five to 16-year-olds accessing the Net, and over a third (including a quarter of five to six-year-olds) owning a computer or laptop of their own. On average, they go online just over four times a week, spending two hours each time. 9 The survey shows a rise in Internet use, particularly among younger children, driven primarily by a boom in the use of social networking sites, primarily Bebo. Communication, says the report, has overtaken fun (e.g. online games) as the main reason to use the Internet and study is now far behind. Almost three quarters (72%) of children have visited a social networking site, and over half have set up their own profile sometimes lying about their age to sidestep minimum age
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. What is the main reason for the increase in the number of hours children spend in front of a screen? a. More girls are watching soaps. b. There has been a large increase in Internet use. c. The use of social-networking sites. 2. What does the phrase children now multitask mean? a. They perform several tasks on their computers. b. They can watch TV, read a magazine and use a computer at the same time. c. They are unable to make firm decisions. 3. What is the main reason for childrens use of the Internet? a. To play online games. b. To send emails. c. To use social networking sites like Bebo. 4. Which of these best describes the conclusions of the survey? a. People are worried that children are spending too much time in front of TV and computer screens. b. Childrens use of computers and TV viewing habits should be regarded as normal. c. The Internet is now an essential part of peoples lives.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
How much time do you spend each day watching TV and using your computer? Should parents be worried by the amount of time their children spend watching TV and using computers? Is the decline in reading a worrying trend?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. a 2. b 3. c 4. a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Life through a lens / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Write the key words into the definitions and decide whether they are verbs, nouns or adjectives. nautical harpoon ram carcass fleet pursue clash vessel uncompromising tactics
1. When you _____________ someone, you chase them in order to catch them. 2. If a vehicle or boat _____________ something, it hits it very hard.
3. When you hit a whale with a weapon made of a blade on a rope, you _____________ it. noun / verb / adjective 4. When you _____________ with someone, you argue violently or fight with them. 5. The body of a dead animal is a _____________.
7. A _____________ is a group of vehicles, planes, boats or trains, usually owned by one organization or person. noun / verb / adjective 8. _____________ are a particular method or plan for achieving something (usually used in the plural form). noun / verb / adjective 9. _____________ is a word meaning relating to ships or sailing.
10. When someone is _____________, they are very determined and not willing to change their opinions, plans, or actions.
Skim-reading
Skim the text to find the answers to these questions. 1. How many ships does the article mention and who do they belong to? 2. Who is the captain of the MV Steve Irwin? 3. Which organization believes in non-violent action? 4. What happened when the three characters met last year in the Antarctic? 5. What happened to Giles Lane and Benjamin Potts? Why? 6. What are the main differences between Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 The two organizations, Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd, are as different as chalk and cheese. The tactics they use are different. Sea Shepherd thinks nothing of chucking acid, stink bombs, urine or even chocolate cake at its adversaries.
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It will try to foul ships by putting ropes round their propellers and, led by Watson, the crew has crept on to its enemies boats at night and opened the stopcocks to sink them. Greenpeaces main tactic is to put itself between the whales and the whalers, or in the paths of survey ships not safe, but highly effective. Its rule is non-violent direct action. 11 Greenpeace said, Were not working together in any way. We have our interpretation [of direct action] and they have theirs, and we stick to ours, said a spokesperson. We are a confrontational organization. We will put ourselves at risk, but no one else. We would never endanger sailors on other ships. Our argument is not with the guys on the ships; it is with the [Japanese] ministries.
3 Vocabulary: Collocations
Match the verbs on the left and the nouns on the right to make collocations. In which contexts were they used in the article? spark ram open set chuck fight harpoon deliver use destroy life whales a battle tactics a stopcock an international incident a trap acid a ship a letter
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
You are a crew member on the following ship: MV Steve Irwin (Sea Shepherd) Your political and environmental beliefs
_________________________________ _________________________________
You are a crew member on the following ship: Esperanza (Greenpeace) Your political and environmental beliefs
_________________________________ _________________________________
Your tactics
_________________________________ _________________________________
Your job
_________________________________ _________________________________
7 Webquest
Look at these websites to find out about the latest developments in the sea battle: www.greenpeace.org/international/ www.seashepherd.org/ www.whaling.jp/english/index.html
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Vocabulary: Collocations
spark an international incident ram a ship open a stopcock set a trap chuck acid fight a battle harpoon whales deliver a letter use tactics destroy life
2 Skim-reading
1. Seven (five belong to Japan, one belongs to Green peace, and one to Sea Shepherd) 2. Paul Watson 3. Greenpeace 4. A battle ensued resulting in one death and a fire 5. They were held hostage when they boarded the Yusshin Maru No. 2 6. The tactics they use are different
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Match the following words with their definitions. Example: whaling - the activity of hunting whales. (definition, Macmillan English Dictionary online) distress flare sanctuary 1. harpoon chase incident capture jealousy crew trap cruel battle rival
2. _____________ a person, team or business that competes with another. 3. _____________ a fight between two groups of people. 4. _____________ a special area where animals live in a natural environment protected from people. 5. _____________ a feeling of anger and sadness because someone has something that is better than you have. 6. _____________ to follow someone or something quickly in order to catch them. 7. _____________ to catch someone so that they become your prisoner. 8. _____________ something that happens, especially a violent, criminal or dangerous event. 9. _____________ a rocket sent up into the sky to show that at ship is in trouble and needs help. 10. _____________ when you are this, you enjoy causing pain to other people or animals. 11. _____________ a trick or plan to catch someone. 12. _____________ a weapon made from a blade on a pole fixed to a rope, used for hunting whales.
2 Skim-reading
Skim the text and circle the correct answers to these questions. 1. How many ships does the article mention? (2 / 6 / 7) 2. In which ocean is the battle taking place? (Pacific Ocean / Atlantic Ocean / Southern Ocean) 3. Who is the captain of the MV Steve Irwin? (Giles Lane / Paul Watson / Dave Walsh) 4. Which organization believes in non-violent action? (Greenpeace / Sea Shepherd / the Japan Whaling Association) 5. Which group throws acid and rams ships? (Greenpeace / Sea Shepherd / the Japan Whaling Association) 6. Members of which organization boarded a Japanese whaler? (Greenpeace / Sea Shepherd / the Japan Whaling Association)
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Elementary
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10 The two organizations, Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd, are as different as chalk and cheese. The tactics they use are very different. Sea Shepherd throws acid, stink bombs, urine or even chocolate cake at its enemies. It puts ropes round their propellers and, led by Watson, the crew has crept on to its enemies boats at night and tried to sink them. Greenpeaces main tactic is to put itself between the whales and the whalers or in front of survey ships these tactics are not safe but highly effective. Greenpeaces rule is non-violent direct action. 11 Greenpeace said, Were not working together with Sea Shepherd. We are a confrontational organization. We put ourselves at risk, but no one else. We would never endanger sailors on other ships. Our argument is not with the guys on the ships; it is with the [Japanese] ministries.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the halves of the sentences. 1. Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd are... ... taking place in the Southern Ocean on the edge of Antarctica. 2. The sea battle is... ... the two Sea Shepherd crew members.
3. Japan is using four small whaling ships... ... trying to stop Japans whaling expedition in the Antarctic. 4. The Nisshin Maru is... 5. Two of the Sea Shepherd boats crew... ... jumped aboard one of the smaller whalers. ... sabotage or sink the whalers.
6. The Japanese whaler sailed away over ... to kill nearly 1,000 whales in the Antarctic whale sanctuary. the horizon with... 7. Sea Shepherd tries to... 8. Greenpeace puts itself between... ... the whalers and the whales. ... a large Japanese whaling factory ship with a crew of 80 men.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
b) The article says that Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd are as different as chalk and cheese. Can you think of a similar expression in your language?
5 Discussion
Which of these statements do you most agree with? a) There are many whales, so its ok to kill a few for scientific purposes. b) Peaceful protest is the best way to stop whaling. The Japanese crew are only doing their job. c) Violence and sabotage are the only way to stop whaling. It doesnt matter whether people get hurt animals are as important as humans.
6 Webquest
Look at these websites to find out about the latest developments in the sea battle: www.greenpeace.org/international/ www.seashepherd.org/ www.whaling.jp/english/index.html
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd are trying to stop Japans whaling expedition in the Antarctic. The sea battle is taking place in the Southern Ocean on the edge of Antarctica. Japan is using four small whaling ships to kill nearly 1,000 whales in the Antarctic whale sanctuary. The Nisshin Maru is a large Japanese whaling factory ship with a crew of 80 men. Two of the Sea Shepherd boats crew jumped aboard one of the smaller whalers. The Japanese whaler sailed away over the horizon with the two Sea Shepherd crew members. Sea Shepherd tries to sabotage or sink the whalers. Greenpeace puts itself between the whalers and the whales.
2 Skim-reading
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Seven ships (five belong to the Japanese, one belongs to Greenpeace, one to Sea Shepherd) Southern Ocean Paul Watson Greenpeace Sea Shepherd Sea Shepherd
4 Vocabulary: Opposites
a) huge empty leave in front of safe smaller different tiny full stay behind dangerous larger similar
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Warmer
Write down ten words you would expect to find in an article about whaling. Compare your words with your partners, then skim-read the article. How many of your words can you find? Example: whaling - the activity of hunting whales. (definition, Macmillan English Dictionary online) _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________
Skim-reading
Skim the text again to find the answers to these questions. 1. How many ships does the article mention and who do they belong to? 2. Where is the battle taking place? 3. Who is the captain of the MV Steve Irwin? 4. Which organization believes in non-violent action? 5. Which group is the most radical? 6. Giles Lane and Benjamin Potts are members of which organization?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 The two organizations, Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd, are as different as chalk and cheese. The tactics they use are very different. Sea Shepherd thinks nothing of chucking acid, stink bombs, urine or even chocolate cake at its enemies. It will try to foul ships by putting ropes round their propellers and, led by Watson, the crew has crept on to its enemies boats at night and opened the stopcocks to sink them. Greenpeaces main tactic is to put itself between the whales
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and the whalers, or in the paths of survey ships these tactics are not safe, but highly effective. Greenpeaces rule is non-violent direct action. 11 Greenpeace said, Were not working together in any way. We have our interpretation [of direct action] and they have theirs, and we stick to ours, said a spokesperson. We are a confrontational organization. We will put ourselves at risk, but no one else. We would never endanger sailors on other ships. Our argument is not with the guys on the ships; it is with the [Japanese] ministries. 12 Watson is far more personal. We are obsessed with stopping the cetacean Death Star, that
3 Comprehension check
(More than one answer may be correct) 1. Which ship has the largest crew? a) The Esperanza. b) The MV Steve Irwin. c) The Nisshin Maru. 2. The Southern Ocean is... a) ... lonely and wild. b) ... south of Australia. c) ... a whale sanctuary. 3. According to the article, there is jealously and rivalry between... a) ... Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd. b) ... Sea Shepherd and the Japanese whalers. c) ... Greenpeace and the Japanese whalers. 4. Members of whose crew had to be rescued from an ice floe last year? a) The Japanese whalers. b) Sea Shepherds. c) Greenpeaces. 5. Greenpeace says their argument is with... a) ... the Japanese whalers. b) ... Sea Shepherd. c) ... the Japanese ministries. 6. What do Sea Shepherd call the Cetacean Death Star? a) The Esperanza. b) The Japanese whaling fleet. c) The Nisshin Maru.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Intermediate
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4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Write the missing prepositions into these phrases from the article. 1. _____ different _____ chalk and cheese 2. miles _____ empty ocean 3. one boat belongs _____ Greenpeace, the other _____ Sea Shepherd 4. 2,500 miles south-west _____ Australia 5. Giles Lane is _____ Brighton 6. an act _____ courage (or stupidity) 7. a period _____ more than a week 8. a trap set _____ the Japanese fleet 9. differences _____ opinion _____ protest and confrontation 10. _____ any way
5 Discussion
Greenpeace try to stop the whaling by putting themselves between the whale and the whalers. Sea Shepherd use stronger and more forceful tactics such as throwing acid and ramming the whalers. Which of these tactics do you think is most effective and why? Do you agree with either of the tactics? Which do you think is the most dangerous? Can you think of any other ways to stop whaling?
7 Webquest
Look at these websites to find out about the latest developments in the sea battle: www.greenpeace.org/international/ www.seashepherd.org/ www.whaling.jp/english/index.html
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. as different as chalk and cheese miles of empty ocean one boat belongs to Greenpeace, the other to Sea Shepherd 2,500 miles south-west of Australia Giles Lane is from Brighton an act of courage (or stupidity) a period of more than a week a trap set by the Japanese fleet differences of opinion about protest and confrontation in any way
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c a, b and c a b c c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / A tale of two ships / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. funding hitch reusable impact demand conventional spin-off hypersonic vast claustrophobia
1. ________________ means extremely large. 2. A ________________ is a problem that is not particularly serious. 3. If something is ________________, it can be used again, often more than once. 4. ________________ is another word for effect or influence. 5. A ________________ speed is a speed which is several times faster than the speed of sound. 6. If something is ________________, it is of the usual, traditional or accepted type, instead of being new or different. 7. If there is ________________ for a particular product or service, a lot of people want it. 8. ________________ is the money that a government or organization provides for a particular purpose. 9. ________________ is the fear of being in a small or crowded place. 10. A ________________ is something good or useful that happens unexpectedly because of something else.
The text is about hypersonic air travel. Which of these statements do you think are True (T) and which are False (F)? Check your answers in the text. 1. Hypersonic air travel would make it possible to fly from Brussels to Australia in less than 4 hours. 2. A hypersonic plane would use liquid hydrogen rather than normal aviation fuel. 3. A hypersonic plane would not be able to have windows for the passengers to see out. 4. The plane would fly at the height of the ozone layer. 5. A hypersonic plane, flying at five times the speed of sound, could be operating within five years. 6. The route from Brussels to Australia would take the plane over the South Pole.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why would the Europe to India route be less attractive for hypersonic flights? a. Because it is not far enough to make it economical. b. Because planes travelling at supersonic speeds would have to make long detours to avoid populated areas. c. Because there would not be sufficient business on such routes. 2. What is the main function of Skylon? a. To make hypersonic passenger flights possible. b. To transport cargo into space. c. To fly without a pilot. 3. Why wouldnt the hypersonic plane have windows? a. Because travelling at such high speeds would mean the windows would have to be very heavy to be secure. b. Because looking out of the windows at such high speeds would make the passengers ill. c. Because it would be cheaper to use flat screen panels showing images of the scene outside. 4. What is the next stage in the development of the A2 hypersonic aircraft? a. To develop the necessary technology to build the engines. b. To design an engine that will run on liquid hydrogen. c. To assess its possible effect on the environment.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Advanced
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6 Grammar: Adverbs
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these adverbs from the text. potentially commercially conventionally excitedly environmentally technically closely 1. Some people are worried that the A2 might be _________________ damaging. 2. The technology used in the A2 is more _________________ associated with space travel. 3. A hypersonic plane is ______________ possible but it might be too expensive to produce it ________________. 4. It would have to fly _________________ across populated areas like the USA. 5. People have been talking _________________ about the project on internet message boards. 6. Liquid hydrogen is _________________ much greener than conventional aviation fuel.
7 Discussion
Do you think hypersonic travel would be good or bad for the planet?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. b 2. b 3. a 4. c
6 Grammar: Adverbs
1. environmentally 2. closely 3. technically / commercially 4. conventionally 5. excitedly 6. potentially
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. hypersonic cargo mach vapour claustrophobia environment incredible populated weapons message board
1. Water _________________ is small drops of water in the air. 2. _________________ is a unit for measuring the speed of an aircraft in comparison with the speed of sound. 3. _________________ are things like guns and bombs which are used in wars. 4. A _________________ is a place where Internet users write emails to each other about a particular subject. 5. If something is _________________, it is difficult to believe. 6. If an area of the world is densely _________________, a lot of people live there. 7. The _________________ is the natural world, including the land, water, air and plants. 8. A _________________ speed is a speed which is several times faster than the speed of sound. 9. _________________ is the fear of being in a small or crowded place. 10. A _________________ plane is one that carries goods instead of people.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How many passengers will the A2 carry? 2. How fast will it be able to fly? 3. How long will the flight time from Brussels to Australia be? 4. How long will the A2 be? 5. What percentage of air travel could be hypersonic in 25 years time? 6. How fast will the A2 fly across the North Pole?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings with the endings to make sentences about the text. 1. The A2 will not fly from Europe to India because 2. Some people are worried because... 3. The A2 will be much bigger 4. The A2 will be quieter 5. Flying to Australia on the A2 will not be more expensive than 6. The A2 will use liquid hydrogen because
a. the cost of a first class ticket to Australia on a normal plane. b. than normal passenger jet aircraft. c. it will not be able to reach the necessary speed with normal aviation fuel. d. it cannot fly over populated areas. e. than supersonic panes like Concorde. f. liquid hydrogen could be bad for the environment.
4 Vocabulary 1: Chunks
Rearrange the words to make phrases from the text. Check your answers in the text. 1. than hours less five 2. space and cheap travel reliable 3. than 25 less years time in 4. the sound just speed below of 5. the for environment bad 6. the cause to damage atmosphere ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. transport damage react develop fly
noun
discussion design
agreement
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Chunks
1. less than five hours 2. cheap and reliable space travel 3. in less than 25 years time 4. just below the speed of sound 5. bad for the environment 6. cause damage to the atmosphere
3 Comprehension check
1. d 2. f 3. b 4. e 5. a 6. c
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. hypersonic conventional mach claustrophobia reusable incredible demand secure spin-off firm
1. A ________________ is a company or business. 2. If there is ________________ for a particular product or service, a lot of people want it. 3. A ________________ speed is a speed which is several times faster than the speed of sound. 4. ________________ is the fear of being in a small or crowded place. 5. A ________________ is something good or useful that happens unexpectedly because of something else. 6. ________________ is a unit for measuring the speed of an aircraft in comparison with the speed of sound. 7. If something is ________________, it is difficult to believe. 8. If something is ________________, it can be used again, often more than once. 9. If something is ________________, it is fixed firmly and in a safe way. 10. If something is ________________, it is of the usual, traditional or accepted type, instead of being new or different.
Look in the text and find this information as quickly as possible. 1. How fast will the A2 be able to fly? 2. How many passengers will it carry? 3. How long will it take to fly from Brussels to Australia? 4. How long will the A2 be? 5. What percentage of air travel could be hypersonic in 25 years time? 6. How much cargo will Skylon be able to carry into space?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The A2 is specifically designed to fly from Europe to India. 2. It will fly conventionally over populated areas. 3. The A2 will fly at the height of the ozone layer. 4. It will fly at mach 5 over the North Atlantic. 5. The A2 will have no windows at all. 6. The A2 would need specially designed airports.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Intermediate
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5 Vocabulary 2: Opposites
Complete the table by adding the prefixes un, in or dis to form the negative forms of these words. 1. reliable 2. expensive 3. credible 4. conventional 5. advantage 6. populated 7. sufficient 8. secure ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
7 Discussion
Make a list of the points in favour of hypersonic travel and the points against. Would you like to travel in this way?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Vocabulary 2: Opposites
1. unreliable 2. inexpensive 3. incredible 4. unconventional 5. disadvantage 6. unpopulated 7. insufficient 8. insecure
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. T 3. T 4. F 5. T 6. F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fly to Australia in under five hours / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Warmer
Find the synonyms used in the article for the following words. The paragraph number is provided to help you. 1. announce (para1) ___________________ 2. team (para 2) ___________________ 3. (football) game (para 2) ___________________ 4. walk (slowly) (para 2) ___________________ 5. develop/invent (para 4) ___________________ 6. mind-set/way of thinking (para 4) ___________________ 7. way (para 5) ___________________ 8. fitting/proper (para 6) ___________________ 9. first language (para 7) ___________________ 10. task (para 8) ___________________ 11. (football) field (para 9) ___________________ 12. shows/indicates (para 9) ___________________ 13. main (para 10) ___________________ 14. positive outcome (para 11) ___________________
Skim-reading
Skim-read the article to find the answers to these questions. 1. What nationality is the England football teams new manager? 2. Which well-known teams has he managed in the past? 3. Why didnt he want to speak English at the press conference? 4. What language does he speak with the players? 5. What does Capello demand from his players? 6. What recently damaged the England players self-confidence?
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Advanced
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Advanced
translation from the managers native tongue. I will speak English with you when I am sure that I know all the terms and all the right words, he said. You are good at twisting things, so I want to be very careful. But with the players I can explain and communicate in English and Im happy about that. 8 Capellos objective is to create a unified team in time for the first World Cup qualifying game against Andorra in September. In the meantime he will be studying videos of each friendly match and passing on his observations to the players. Weve worked very hard on the tactical front for the last few days, all of this in order to create a group mentality and, more importantly, a way of moving on the pitch that reflects my ideas about football, he said. Ive seen some English clubs move on the pitch in the way I want my team to move. So for some it wont be anything new. Others who arent used to moving this way will have to adapt.
and respect are the buzz words as Capello seeks winning mentality
Richard Williams February 6, 2008 1 At Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid the players called Fabio Capello Mister, the name given to generations of managers in Italy and Spain as a result of the many British coaches who spread the game around the world. In England, however, he will have another title. The players can call him Boss, Capello declared yesterday. 2 To the England football squad the Italians iron word will be law. And that means no wasting time with computer games, no strolling down to breakfast at whatever time suits the individual, and absolutely no golf in the run-up to international football matches. 3 After the match they can play all the golf they like, Capello said with a grim smile during a press conference, when he explained the need for a code of behaviour. 4 We are only together for a short time, he said, and in that time you need to try and work and create a way of working. To do that you need to set some rules. Eating together and getting up from the table at the same time and being punctual these things are about respect for other people and for each other. We dont have a long time to create a group mentality. Its important to spend time together. 5 Capello continued: We need to work in an orderly fashion. Compared to football clubs, we dont have many days together. Therefore we need strict rules. If we follow those rules, well create a group and a specific winning mentality, which is what I want. 6 People make mistakes but, if they want to be part of this group, they will follow the rules. If someone doesnt, then we will analyze why the rules were broken and take the appropriate course of action. 7 At the press conference, headphones were provided for journalists needing a simultaneous
10 On the psychological front, his principal task will be to restore the self-belief so badly damaged by failure to qualify for Euro 2008. But that, as he pointed out, is not an overnight job. 11 I want the team to regain their winning mentality by being confident in their own resources and by playing bravely. I believe we need to leave the past behind. We need a positive mind-set and to look ahead. But we cant perform miracles. Weve only just started our work. Give us time to show results. 12 And after a month in England, what was his view of Englands players? I think players are the same everywhere, he concluded. My first impressions of these players are very good. Theyre very attentive and eager to impress. With this spirit and mentality I believe we will be able to do very well.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 06/02/08
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Comprehension check
Choose the right answer. 1. Capello wants the England players to call him... a) ... Mister. b) ... Boss. c) ... Sir. 2. Capello wants the players to eat... a) ... in expensive restaurants. b) ... together. c) ... once a day. 3. He says the players should not play golf... a) ... before the matches. b) ... after the matches. c) ... at all. 4. He believes that strict rules will lead to... a) ... better discipline. b) ... higher earnings. c) ... more positive results.
6 Webquest
Look on the Internet to find out when Fabio Capello took over as England manager, how much he earns, whether England won or lost their first match with him as manager, and who that match was against. You can watch a short video about Capello on http://www.fabiocapello.org.uk/ and an interview with him on http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7229823.stm
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
4 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b b a c
3 Skim-reading
1. Italian 2. Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid 3. Because the journalists often twist words, and he was worried that they would misquote him. 4. English 5. Adherence to rules, respect, a winning mentality and a different way of moving on the pitch. 6. Not qualifying for Euro 2008.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Match these key words from the article with the definitions. The paragraph numbers will help you. simultaneous punctual native tongue press conference winning mentality qualify (for something) restore objective group mentality respect tactics self-confidence
1. ________________ is a feeling you have for someone because of their personal qualities, their achievements, or their status. You show this by treating them in a polite and kind way. (title) 2. A ________________ is an official meeting where someone makes a formal statement to journalists and answers questions. (para 3) 3. When you are on time, you are ________________. (para 4) 4. Thinking like a team: ________________. (para 4) 5. Thinking positively and expecting to succeed: ________________. (para 5) 6. When things happen or are done at the same time, they are ________________. (para 7) 7. Your ________________ is the language you first learnt and spoke at home while you were growing up. (para 7) 8. An ________________ is something that you plan to achieve, especially in business or work. (para 8) 9. These are particular methods or plans you have to achieve something: ________________. (para 9) 10. When you have ________________, you have the feeling that you can do things well and that people respect you. (para 10) 11. When you ________________ something, you bring it back to the condition it was before. (para 10) 12. When you _____________, you reach the next stage of a competition by winning in an earlier stage. (para 10)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Elementary
CA
P H
Rules and respect are the buzz words as Capello seeks winning mentality
Richard Williams February 6, 2008 1 At Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid the players called Fabio Capello Mister, the name given to generations of managers in Italy and Spain by British football coaches around the world. In England, however, he will have another title. The players can call him Boss, Capello said. 2 The England football team will have to do exactly what the Italian says. And that means no computer games, no having breakfast whenever they feel like it, and absolutely no golf before international football matches. 3 At a press conference Capello explained the need for strict rules. After the match they can play all the golf they like, he said with a serious smile. 4 We are only together for a short time, he said, and in that time we need to find a way of working. To do that you need rules. Eating together and getting up from the table at the same time and being punctual these things are about respect for other people and for each other. We dont have a long time to create a group mentality, so its important to spend time together. 5 Capello said: Compared to football clubs, we dont have many days together. Therefore we need strict rules. If we follow those rules, well create a specific winning mentality, which is what I want. 6 He said: People make mistakes but, if they want to be part of this group, they will follow the rules. If someone doesnt, then we will look at why the rules were broken and do something about it. 7 At the press conference, journalists who needed a simultaneous translation from the managers
10 Psychologically, his main task will be to restore the players self-confidence which was lost when the England team failed to qualify for Euro 2008. But that, as he said, is not an overnight job. 11 I want the team to regain their winning mentality by being confident and by playing bravely. I believe we need to leave the past behind. We need to look ahead positively. But we cant perform miracles. Weve only just started our work. Give us time to show what we can do. 12 So, after a month in England, what was his view of Englands players? I think players are the same everywhere, he concluded. My first impressions of these players are very good and I believe we will be able to do very well.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 06/02/08
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Match the sentence halves. 1. Capello wants the England players 2. Before matches, Capello wants the players 3. He believes that strict rules will lead 4. Capello still speaks Italian 5. He is able to communicate with the players 6. He wants the players to move differently 7. His first aim is for England 8. He says football players are the same to beat Andorra. to a better team mentality. in English. to call him Boss. all over the world. at press conferences. to eat together. on the football pitch.
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
Look through the article to find nouns that can follow football. Can you think of more?
pitch
football...
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Webquest
Watch a short video about Capello on www.fabiocapello.org.uk and find the answers to these questions on the website. When did Fabio Capello begin the job as England manager? ________________________ How much does he earn? ________________________ You can see more video clips on http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7229823.stm What language does Capello speak in the videos? ________________________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. Capello wants the England players to call him Boss. 2. Before matches, Capello wants the players to eat together. 3. He believes that strict rules will lead to a better team mentality. 4. Capello still speaks Italian at press conferences. 5. He is able to communicate with the players in English. 6. He wants the players to move differently on the football pitch. 7. His first aim is for England to beat Andorra. 8. He says football players are the same all over the world.
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
Possible answers: match, pitch, game, manager, coach, result, score, player, star, stadium, club, team, squad, hooligan, competition, trophy, league
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Warmer
Key words
Write these key words into the sentences. group mentality self-confidence grim stroll declare restore winning mentality native tongue qualify pitch objective
1. When you officially announce that something is true or happening, you ___________________ it. 2. If your smile is ___________________, it is serious or even unfriendly. 3. When you ___________________, you walk without hurrying. 4. Thinking like a team: ___________________. 5. Thinking positively, with a view to succeeding: ___________________. 6. Your ___________________ is the language you first learnt and spoke at home while you were growing up. 7. An ___________________ is something that you plan to achieve, especially in business or work. 8. A ___________________ is a place or ground where sport is played. 9. When you have ___________________, you have the feeling that you can do things well and that people respect you. 10. When you ___________________ something, you bring it back to the condition it was before, or make someone have a particular feeling again.
11. When you ___________________ for something you reach a particular stage of a competition by competing successfully in an earlier stage.
Skim-reading
Skim-read the article to find the answers to these questions. 1. What nationality is the England football teams new manager? 2. Which well-known teams has he managed in the past? 3. Why didnt Capello speak English at the press conference? 4. What language does he speak with the England team players? 5. What is going to take place in September 2008?
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Intermediate
CA
P H
Rules and respect are the buzz words as Capello seeks winning mentality
Richard Williams February 6, 2008 1 At Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid the players 8
called Fabio Capello Mister, the name given to generations of managers in Italy and Spain by the many British football coaches around the world. In England, however, he will have another title. The players can call him Boss, Capello declared. what the Italian says. And that means no wasting time with computer games, no strolling down to breakfast whenever they feel like it, and absolutely no golf before international football matches. like, Capello said with a grim smile during a press conference, when he explained the need for strict rules. and in that time you need to create a way of working. To do that you need to set some rules. Eating together and getting up from the table at the same time and being punctual these things are about respect for other people and for each other. We dont have a long time to create a group mentality. Its important to spend time together. days together. Therefore we need strict rules. If we follow those rules, well create a group and a specific winning mentality, which is what I want.
Capellos objective is to create a unified team in time for the first World Cup qualifying game against Andorra in September. In the meantime, he will be studying videos of each friendly match and passing on his comments to the players. Weve worked very hard on tactics for the last few days in order to create a group mentality and, more importantly, a different way of moving on the pitch, he said. Ive seen some English clubs move on the pitch in the way I want my team to move. So for some it wont be anything new. Others who arent used to moving this way will have to learn. the players self-confidence which was so badly damaged when the England team failed to qualify for Euro 2008. But that, as he pointed out, is not an overnight job. by being confident in their own resources and by playing bravely. I believe we need to leave the past behind. We need a positive mind-set and to look ahead. But we cant perform miracles. Weve only just started our work. Give us time to show what we can do. Englands players? I think players are the same everywhere, he concluded. My first impressions of these players are very good. Theyre very attentive and eager to impress. With this spirit and mentality I believe we will be able to do very well.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 06/02/08
3 After the match they can play all the golf they
provided for journalists who needed a simultaneous translation from the managers native tongue. I will speak English with you when I am sure that I know all the terms and all the right words, he said.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Intermediate
CA
P H
b) What was the score in Englands match against Switzerland on February 6th 2008? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7229823.stm
c) What was the result of the last football match you watched?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Webquest
Watch a short video about Capello on www.fabiocapello.org.uk and find the answers to the following questions on the website. When did Fabio Capello take over as England manager? How much does he earn? What do visitors to the website think about an Italian managing the England football team? (see the visitor poll)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. F T F F T T F T
3 Skim-reading
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Italian Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid He was worried the journalists would twist his words (mis-quote him). English The first World Cup qualifying match against Andorra.
b) 2:1 to England
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Rules and respect / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key adjectives
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key adjectives from the text. endangered devastating vulnerable unrestricted extinct resilient revised predatory excessive wide-ranging
1. A ____________ animal or person is one that is at risk of being damaged by something negative or harmful. 2. A ____________ animal is one that kills and eats other animals. 3. If something is ____________, there is much more of it than is reasonable or necessary. 4. An ____________ animal, plant or language no longer exists. 5. A ____________ creature is one that is able to become healthy or strong again despite a serious problem. 6. If something is ____________, it covers a very large area. 7. An ____________ species is one that may soon become extinct. 8. An ____________ activity is one that has no rules or limits to control it. 9. A ____________ version of something is one that has been changed or added to. 10. ____________ means causing a lot of harm or damage.
The text is about endangered species and, in particular, sharks. Decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F) and then check your answers in the text. 1. Shark fins are a delicacy in China. 2. More than 100 species of shark are on the World Conservation Unions endangered list. 3. The worlds shark population has fallen by 90% as a result of the demand for shark fins. 4. The shark population along the US east coast has only fallen by 1%. 5. Shark fishing is not permitted in international waters. 6. Sharks mature in a relatively short time 5 to 6 years.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Shark species face extinction amid overfishing and appetite for fins
Call for marine reserves to protect migration hotspots as scientists fear decline will affect other species Alok Jha in Boston Monday February 18 2008
1 Nine more species of shark are to be added to the endangered list as scientists warn that oceans are being emptied of the fish by overfishing and finning. The scalloped hammerhead shark, which has declined by 99% over the past 30 years in some parts of the world, is particularly vulnerable and will be declared globally endangered on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) list. 2 Sharks are definitely at the top of the list for marine fishes that could go extinct in our lifetimes, said Julia Baum of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California and a member of IUCN shark specialist group. If we carry on the way that we are, were looking at a really high risk of extinction for some of these shark species within the next few decades. 3 At the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Boston, Baum said that in addition to the scalloped hammerhead, other shark species that will be added to the revised IUCN endangered list later this year are the smooth hammerhead, short-fin mako, common thresher, big-eye thresher, silky, tiger, bull and dusky. There are already 126 species of shark on the IUCNs list. 4 The perception has been that really wideranging species cant become endangered because if they are threatened in one area, surely theyll be fine in another area, said Baum. But fisheries now cover all corners of the earth and theyre intense enough that these species are being threatened everywhere.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Advanced
CA
P H
the University of California, Davis, found that scalloped hammerhead sharks migrate along fixed superhighways in the oceans, speeding between a series of stepping stone sites near coastal islands ranging from Mexico to Ecuador. Hammerhead sharks are not evenly dispersed throughout the seas, but concentrated at seamounts and offshore islands, he said. Hence, enforcing reserves around these areas will go far in protecting these species and will provide the public with places for viewing sharks in their habitat. 9 One site between Hawaii and Mexico attracts so many sharks it has become known among
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why are wide-ranging species of shark becoming endangered? a. Because their prey has exploded. b. Because shark fishing is unrestricted. c. Because intense fisheries now cover all corners of the earth. 2. Why did the North Carolina bay scallop fishery close down? a. Because there werent any sharks to eat the cownose rays that feed on scallops. b. Because the sharks ate all the scallops. c. Because it was no longer profitable. 3. Why has the consumption of shark fin in China increased? a. Because it has become cheaper to buy. b. Because the growing middle class in China can afford to buy this expensive delicacy. c. Because the Chinese believe it is good for the health. 4. What is the white shark cafe? a. A coastal island. b. A place where migrating sharks regularly gather. c. A place where sharks return to each year to have their young.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
Should there be a complete ban on certain types of fishing in order to protect endangered species? Should we allow certain species to become extinct because that is simply the natural order of things?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Advanced
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key adjectives from the text. endangered habitat scallop fin extinct species migration ban conservation resolution
1. An _______________ animal, plant or language no longer exists. 2. An _______________ species is one that may soon become extinct. 3. A _______________ is a type of shellfish that many people like to eat. 4. An animals natural _______________ is the place it normally lives in. 5. A _______________ is a thin flat part of a fishs body that sticks out. 6. _______________ is a period when animals, fish or birds travel in large numbers to a different part of the world to seek warmer or cooler weather. 7. A _______________ is an official statement ordering people not to do something. 8. A _______________ is a formal proposal at an official organisation. 9. A _______________ is a group of animals whose members are all similar. 10. _______________ is the protection of the environment and the animals and other creatures in it.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How much do shark fins cost in China? 2. How many species of shark are on the World Conservation Unions list of endangered species? 3. How many years does it take a scalloped hammerhead shark to grow to adult size? 4. How much have shark populations fallen along the US east coast? 5. How much have shark populations fallen in the oceans of the world as a result of fishing? 6. What is the IUCN?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Shark species face extinction amid overfishing and appetite for fins
Call for marine reserves to protect migration hotspots as scientists fear decline will affect other species Alok Jha in Boston February 18, 2008 1 The number of sharks in the worlds oceans is falling rapidly. Scientists say that fishing and hunting sharks for their fins, known as finning, are the main reasons for the fall in the shark population. Nine more species of shark will soon be on the list of endangered species. One of these species is the scalloped hammerhead shark. Its numbers have fallen by 99% over the past 30 years in some parts of the world. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) list of endangered species will list the scalloped hammerhead shark as endangered worldwide. 2 Sharks are definitely at the top of the list of marine animals that could become extinct during our lifetimes, said Julia Baum of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California and a member of IUCN shark specialist group. If things dont change, some of these shark species will become extinct in the next twenty or thirty years. 3 At a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, Baum said that as well as the scalloped hammerhead, other shark species will be on the IUCN endangered list later this year. They include the smooth hammerhead, short-fin mako, common thresher, big-eye thresher, silky, tiger, bull and dusky. There are already 126 species of shark on the IUCNs list. 4 People think that a worldwide species cant become extinct because if they are in danger in one part of the world, surely theyll be fine in another part, said Baum. But fisheries now cover all corners of the earth and the fishing is so intensive that these species are in danger everywhere.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Elementary
CA
P H
reserves around these areas, it will help to protect these species and will provide the public with places where they can see sharks in their natural habitat. 9 One site between Hawaii and Mexico attracts so many sharks that scientists call it the white shark cafe, Klimley says. We started calling it the cafe because that is where you might go to have a snack or maybe just to see and be seen. We are not sure which, said Salvador
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text.
1. The shark population is falling rapidly because of 2. The scallop fishery in North Carolina closed because 3. People catch sharks for their fins because 4. Scientists call one place the white shark caf because 5. Shark numbers can fall very quickly because 6. Scientists are going to put scalloped hammerhead sharks on the list of endangered species because
a. sharks return there again and again. b. there is a real danger that they will become extinct. c. there were no sharks to eat the cownose rays. d. they can sell them for a lot of money. e. fishing and finning. f. they take a long time to grow to adult size.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Vocabulary 1: Synonyms
Match the words from the text in the left-hand column with the words in the right-hand column that have a similar meaning. 1. rapidly 2. worldwide 3. fine 4. rich 5. as a result of 6. increase 7. habitat 8. snack a. grow b. because of c. wealthy d. light meal e. all over the world f. environment g. very quickly h. alright
past simple
grow fall show find
past participle
grew fell became showed cost found left saw
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Elementary
Elementary
4 Chunks
1. over the past 30 years 2. in the next twenty or thirty years 3. since the early 1970s 4. in the last 25 years 5. for over a hundred years 6. by an average of 50%
5 Vocabulary 1: Synonyms
1. g 2. e 3. h 4. c 5. b 6. a 7. f 8. d
3 Comprehension check
1. e 2. c 3. d 4. a 5. f 6. b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. endangered devastating habitat predator scallop explode extinct migration coalition conservation
1. A ______________ is an animal that kills and eats other animals. 2. An ______________ animal, plant or language no longer exists. 3. An ______________ species is one that may soon become extinct. 4. ______________ means causing a lot of harm or damage. 5. A ______________ is a type of shellfish that many people like to eat. 6. A ______________ is a temporary union of different groups who agree to work together to achieve a common aim. 7. If a population ______________, it increases very rapidly. 8. ______________ is a period when animals, fish or birds travel in large numbers to a different part of the world to seek warmer or cooler weather. 9. ______________ is the protection of the environment and the animals and other creatures in it. 10. An animals natural ______________ is the place it normally lives in.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How many species of shark are on the World Conservation Unions list of endangered species? 2. How much do shark fins sell for in China? 3. How many years does it take a scalloped hammerhead shark to mature? 4. By how much have shark populations fallen along the US east coast? 5. How many groups are in the Shark Alliance? 6. Worldwide by how much have shark populations fallen as a result of fishing?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Shark species face extinction amid overfishing and appetite for fins
Call for marine reserves to protect migration hotspots as scientists fear decline will affect other species Alok Jha in Boston February 18, 2008 1 Scientists are warning that over-fishing and the practice of catching sharks for their fins, known as finning, are reducing shark populations rapidly. Nine more species of shark will soon be added to the list of endangered species. The scalloped hammerhead shark, whose numbers have fallen by 99% over the past 30 years in some parts of the world, is particularly at risk and will be declared globally endangered on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) list. 2 Sharks are definitely at the top of the list for marine fishes that could go extinct in our lifetimes, said Julia Baum of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California and a member of IUCN shark specialist group. If we carry on the way that we are, were looking at a really high risk of extinction for some of these shark species within the next few decades. 3 At the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Boston, Baum said that in addition to the scalloped hammerhead, other shark species that will be added to the IUCN endangered list later this year are the smooth hammerhead, short-fin mako, common thresher, big-eye thresher, silky, tiger, bull and dusky. There are already 126 species of shark on the IUCNs list. 4 People think that worldwide species cant become endangered because if they are threatened in one area, surely theyll be fine in another area, said Baum. But fisheries now cover all corners of the earth and the fishing is so intensive that these species are in danger everywhere. 5 Recent studies have shown that all shark populations in the north-west Atlantic Ocean
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Intermediate
CA
P H
Hammerhead sharks are not evenly spread throughout the seas, but concentrated at underwater mountains and offshore islands, he said. So, enforcing reserves around these areas will help to protect these species and will provide the public with places where they can view sharks in their natural habitat. 9 One site between Hawaii and Mexico attracts so many sharks that scientists call it the white shark cafe, Klimley says. We started calling
3 Comprehension check
Are these sentences True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The bay scallop fishery in North Carolina closed because sharks ate all the cownose rays. 2. Only rich people eat shark fin in China. 3. Intensive fishing is the main reason the shark population is falling. 4. Hammerhead sharks are spread evenly around the worlds oceans. 5. Fishing for sharks in international waters is not permitted. 6. Migrating sharks often return to the same places along the coast. 7. The scalloped hammerhead is the only endangered species of shark. 8. Fisheries now cover all corners of the earth.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Intermediate
CA
P H
5 Chunks
Rearrange the words to make phrases from the text 1. the years over 30 past 2. next the within decades few 3. early the 1970s since 4. years in last the 25 5. the in some world parts of 6. of by 50% average an
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. restrict resolve conserve migrate
noun
7 Discussion
Should we spend a lot of money to protect endangered species or should we simply let nature take its course and allow them to become extinct like the dinosaurs?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Chunks
1. over the past 30 years 2. within the next few decades 3. since the early 1970s 4. in the last 25 years 5. in some parts of the world 6. by an average of 50%
3 Comprehension check
1. F 2. F 3. T 4. F 5. F 6. T 7. F 8. T
verb
restrict resolve conserve migrate
noun
restriction resolution conservation migration enforcement protection reduction threat
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Shark species face extinction / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
The Oscars
Level 3
1
Advanced
Team quiz: And the award for best actor goes to...
All of these actors have won an Oscar for best actor, but in which year, and for their role in which film? Match each actor with the film he starred in and the year the film was in the cinemas. Russell Crowe Daniel Day-Lewis Ben Kingsley Marlon Brando Bing Crosby Humphrey Bogart Roberto Benigni Forest Whitaker Jack Nicholson Laurence Olivier Which of the actors above: a) Refused the award? ____________________ b) Won the Oscar for best actor again this year? ____________________ The Godfather Gladiator My Left Foot The Last King of Scotland Going My Way Life is Beautiful Hamlet Ghandi The African Queen One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest 1944 1948 1951 1972 1975 1982 1989 1998 2000 2006
Key words
Write these key words from the article into the definitions. resolution driven montage sentiment contender menacing hyperbole noteworthy stoked prospector
1. Something that is _________________ is intended to seriously threaten or frighten someone. 2. When you are _________________ you always try very hard to achieve things and be successful. 3. A _________________ is someone who searches an area of land or water for gold, oil etc. 4. When something is _________________ it is worth giving special attention or praise to. 5. When someone says they are _____________, they mean that they are really happy or excited about something. (slang) 6. A _________________ is the action of solving a problem or dealing with a disagreement in a satisfactory way. 7. A _________________ is a feeling or expression of sympathy, sadness or love. 8. A _________________ is a single picture created by combining several different pictures, pieces of music, etc. 9. A _________________ is someone who competes with other people for a prize or job. 10. _________________ is a way of emphasizing what you are saying by describing it as far more extreme than it really is.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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The Oscars
Level 3 Advanced
uncertainty that showed in much of the broadcast. Host Jon Stewart, making his second appearance at the helm of the second most-watched television programme in the US, opened proceedings by remarking, Youre here! I cant believe it! Youre actually here! 7 That sense of relief and disbelief filtered through to the rest of the show. While the Oscars are always keen on sentiment, much of this years broadcast was given over to nostalgic reruns of previous wins and interviews with stars of bygone years. Had the writers strike continued, they would have had to pad out the ceremony with even more montages, Stewart said at one point, before introducing yet another montage of old clips. After it finished, he said, Thank God we didnt have to show that. One of the evenings surprises came when Marion Cotillard won the best actress award for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. Julie Christie and Ellen Page had been considered strong contenders for the award, but Cotillard built on her victory at the BAFTAs to win the Oscar.
10 British winners included Alexandra Byrne for her costume designs for Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Jan Archibald, along with Didier Lavergne for La Vie en Rose, and Suzie Templeton and Hugh Welchman for the animated short film Peter and the Wolf. 11 Daniel Day-Lewis was the only winner to attempt to scale the heights of Oscar hyperbole, when he noted from the stage that There Will be Blood had, sprung like a golden sapling out of the mad, beautiful head of [director] Paul Thomas Anderson. 12 But best actress winner Cotillard probably came up with the most touching sentiment of the night when she remarked from the stage that, It is true, there are some angels in this city.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 25/02/08
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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The Oscars
Level 3 Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
The Oscars
Level 3 Advanced
4 Webquest
Go to www.oscar.com and watch the best acceptance speeches. You can see short clips of post-award acceptance speeches and interviews on the Thank you cam. To find quotes from previous winners, type best and worst acceptance speeches into an Internet search engine.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
The Oscars
Level 3 Advanced KEY
1 Team quiz: And the award for best actor 3 Skimming for information goes to...
Bing Crosby, Going My Way, 1944 Laurence Olivier, Hamlet, 1948 Humphrey Bogart, The African Queen, 1951 Marlon Brando, The Godfather, 1972 Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, 1975 Ben Kingsley, Ghandi, 1982 Daniel Day-Lewis, My Left Foot, 1989 Roberto Benigni, Life is Beautiful, 1998 Russell Crowe, Gladiator, 2000 Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland, 2006 Marlon Brando refused the award. Daniel Day-Lewis won the Oscar for best actor again this year. a) Best actor: Daniel Day-Lewis for There will be Blood b) Best actress: Marion Cotillard for La Vie en Rose c) Best film: No Country for Old men (Coen Brothers) d) Best supporting actress: Tilda Swinton for Michael Clayton e) Best supporting actor: Javier Bardem for No Country for Old men f) Best director: Joel and Ethan Coen for No Country for Old men
4 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c a a
2 Key words
1. menacing 2. driven 3. prospector 4. noteworthy 5. stoked 6. resolution 7. sentiment 8. montage 9. contender 10. hyperbole
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
The Oscars
Level 1
1
Elementary
In the past, these actors won an Oscar for best actor. Match each actor with a film and the year the film was in the cinemas. Russell Crowe Daniel Day-Lewis Ben Kingsley Marlon Brando Bing Crosby Humphrey Bogart Roberto Benigni Forest Whitaker Jack Nicholson Laurence Olivier The Godfather Gladiator My Left Foot The Last King of Scotland Going My Way Life is Beautiful Hamlet Ghandi The African Queen One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest 1944 1948 1951 1972 1975 1982 1989 1998 2000 2006
One of the actors won the Oscar for best actor again this year. Who? ________________________
2 Key words
Write these key words from the article into the definitions. astonishing portrayal acceptance speech touching sentiment victory animated prospector triumphant sapling nominee
1. When you are __________________, you win or have much success. (para 2) 2. The way that you show or describe someone is your __________________ of him/her. (para 3) 3. A __________________ is someone who searches an area of land or water for gold, oil etc. (para 3) 4. A __________________ is someone who has been officially suggested for a position or prize. (para 4) 5. An __________________ is what you give (say) when you win a prize or award. (para 4) 6. Something that is __________________ is very surprising. (para 5) 7. A __________________ is another word for a win. (para 7) 8. An __________________ film consists of a series of drawings that are shown quickly one after another so that they look as if they are moving. (para 8) 9. A __________________ is a young tree. (para 9) 10. A __________________ is an emotional expression of sympathy, sadness, or love. (para 10)
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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The Oscars
Level 1 Elementary
time, opened the show by saying, Youre here! I cant believe it! Youre actually here! 7 One of the evenings biggest surprises came when Marion Cotillard won the best actress award for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. Most people had expected either Julie Christie or Ellen Page to win the award, but Cotillard followed her victory at the BAFTAs (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards) by winning the Oscar. British winners included Alexandra Byrne for her costume designs for Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Jan Archibald, along with Didier Lavergne for La Vie en Rose, and Suzie Templeton and Hugh Welchman for the animated short film Peter and the Wolf. Daniel Day-Lewis was the only winner to use over-the-top sentimental and emotional language. He said during his acceptance speech that There Will be Blood had, sprung like a golden sapling out of the mad, beautiful head of [director] Paul Thomas Anderson.
10 But best actress winner Cotillard probably came up with the most touching sentiment of the night when she said, It is true, there are some angels in this city.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 25/02/08
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The Oscars
Level 1 Elementary
4 Comprehension check
1. The most successful film at this years Oscars was... 2. No Country for Old Men was directed... 3. Daniel Day-Lewis won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal... 4. Javier Bardem won the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal... 5. The Oscars ceremony was hosted... 6. Tilda Swinton is... 7. Marion Cotillard is... 8. This years Oscars for best actor, best actress, best supporting actor and best supporting actress were all... ... a French actress. ... of an oil prospector. ... by Jon Stewart.
... won by Europeans. ... No Country for Old Men. ... by the Coen brothers. ... of a hitman.
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The Oscars
Level 1 Elementary
5 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Fill in the missing prepositions. Check your answers in the article. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. the Oscar ______ best director ______ the Academy Awards ______ Los Angeles his portrayal ______ an oil prospector He accepted his award ______ his knees ______ Helen Mirren best actress ______ a supporting role there are some angels ______ this city
6 Webquest
Go to www.oscar.com and watch the short interviews on the Thank you cam.
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
The Oscars
Level 1 Elementary KEY
1 Team quiz: And the winner is...
Bing Crosby, Going My Way, 1944 Laurence Olivier, Hamlet, 1948 Humphrey Bogart, The African Queen, 1951 Marlon Brando, The Godfather, 1972 Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, 1975 Ben Kingsley, Ghandi, 1982 Daniel Day-Lewis, My Left Foot, 1989 Roberto Benigni, Life is Beautiful, 1998 Russell Crowe, Gladiator, 2000 Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland, 2006 Daniel Day-Lewis won the Oscar for best actor again this year.
4 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The most successful film at this years Oscars was No Country For Old Men. No Country For Old Men was directed by the Coen brothers. Daniel Day-Lewis won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of an oil prospector. Javier Bardem won the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of a hitman. The Oscars ceremony was hosted by Jon Stewart. Tilda Swinton is a British actress. Marion Cotillard is a French actress. This years Oscars for best actor, best actress, best supporting actor and best supporting actress were all won by Europeans.
2 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. triumphant portrayal prospector nominee acceptance speech astonishing victory animated sapling touching sentiment
5 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. for at / in of on / from in in
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
The Oscars
Level 2
1
Intermediate
Team quiz: And the award for best actor goes to...
All of these actors have won an Oscar for best actor, but in which year, and for their role in which film? Match each actor with the film he starred in and the year the film was in the cinemas. Russell Crowe Daniel Day-Lewis Ben Kingsley Marlon Brando Bing Crosby Humphrey Bogart Roberto Benigni Forest Whitaker Jack Nicholson Laurence Olivier The Godfather Gladiator My Left Foot The Last King of Scotland Going My Way Life is Beautiful Hamlet Ghandi The African Queen One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest 1944 1948 1951 1972 1975 1982 1989 1998 2000 2006
Which of the actors above won the Oscar for best actor again this year? ____________________
Key words
Write these key words from the article into the definitions. animated portrayal triumphant noteworthy nominee prospector nostalgic heavily-tipped sentiment dominate
1. When you ___________________ something, it means you perform much better than your opponents. 2. When you are ___________________, you win or have much success. 3. When you are ___________________ for something, most people expect you to win. 4. The way that you show or describe someone is your ___________________ of him/her. 5. A ___________________ is someone who searches an area of land or water for gold, oil etc. 6. A ___________________ is someone who has been officially suggested for a position or prize. 7. When something is ___________________, it is worth giving special attention or praise to. 8. Something that is ___________________ reminds you of happy times in the past. 9. An ___________________ film consists of a series of drawings that are shown quickly one after another so that they look as if they are moving. 10. A ___________________ is a feeling or expression of sympathy, sadness or love.
Skim-read the text to find out who won the following 80th Academy Awards and for which films. a) Best actor ________________________________________________________ b) Best actress ______________________________________________________ c) Best film _________________________________________________________ d) Best supporting actress _____________________________________________ e) Best supporting actor _______________________________________________ f) Best director _________________________________________________________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Oscars / Intermediate
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
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The Oscars
Level 2 Intermediate
cancelled. As the strike ended less than two weeks before the Academy Awards, it left the shows writers little time to prepare. Jon Stewart, hosting the second most-watched television programme in the US for the second time, opened the show by saying, Youre here! I cant believe it! Youre actually here!
Old Men dominated the 80th Academy Awards on Sunday, when it won best director and best film. Oscar for his role as the hitman Anton Chigurh in the same film. Rounding things off on a triumphant night for the film, directors Ethan and Joel Coen also won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for bringing the work of novelist Cormac McCarthy to the screen.
That sense of relief and disbelief continued throughout the rest of the show and much of this years broadcast was given over to nostalgic reruns of previous wins and interviews with stars and past winners. One of the evenings biggest surprises came when Marion Cotillard won the best actress award for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. Most people had expected either Julie Christie or Ellen Page to win the award, but Cotillard followed her victory at the BAFTAs (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards) by winning the Oscar. Other British winners included Alexandra Byrne for her costume designs for Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Jan Archibald, along with Didier Lavergne for La Vie en Rose, and Suzie Templeton and Hugh Welchman for the animated short film Peter and the Wolf. over-the-top sentimental and emotional language when he said during his acceptance speech that There Will be Blood had, sprung like a golden sapling out of the mad, beautiful head of [director] Paul Thomas Anderson. with the most touching sentiment of the night when she remarked from the stage that, It is true, there are some angels in this city.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 25/02/08
tipped favourite Daniel Day-Lewis won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of an oil prospector in There Will Be Blood. He accepted his award, on his knees, from Helen Mirren (who won an Oscar in 2006 for her portrayal of the British Queen), remarking that, thats the closest Ill ever come to getting a knighthood. with six Oscars going to British nominees. The most notable was to Tilda Swinton, who won the award for best actress in a supporting role for her performance in the legal thriller Michael Clayton. Swinton also produced the most noteworthy acceptance speech of the night, noteworthy for its inclusion of the words nipple and buttock in the 45 seconds winners are allowed.
to being surprised at her win. Im so excited, I think its fantastic. Its completely astonishing, and Im amazed Im still standing, but Im not complaining. Its good. in inclement weather and with the writers strike only just ended. The strike caused the Golden Globes, Hollywoods other major celebration, to be
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
The Oscars
Level 2 Intermediate
4 Comprehension check
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? 1. No Country For Old Men won more Oscars than any other film at this years Academy Awards. 2. Cormac McCarthy directed the film No Country For Old Men. 3. The writers strike in Los Angeles ended shortly before the Oscars. 4. The weather in Los Angeles was perfect for the ceremony. 5. Daniel Day-Lewis expects to get a knighthood. 6. Jon Stewart has hosted the Oscars ceremony before. 7. Most people had expected Marion Cotillard to win the best actress award. 8. This years Oscars for best actor, best actress, best supporting actor and best supporting actress were all won by Europeans.
6 Webquest
Go to www.oscar.com and watch the best acceptance speeches. You can see short clips of post-award acceptance speeches and interviews on the Thank you cam. To find quotes from previous winners, type best and worst acceptance speeches into an Internet search engine.
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
The Oscars
Level 2 KEY
1 Team quiz: And the award for best actor goes to...
Bing Crosby, Going My Way, 1944 Laurence Olivier, Hamlet, 1948 Humphrey Bogart, The African Queen, 1951 Marlon Brando, The Godfather, 1972 Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, 1975 Ben Kingsley, Ghandi, 1982 Daniel Day-Lewis, My Left Foot, 1989 Roberto Benigni, Life is Beautiful, 1998 Russell Crowe, Gladiator, 2000 Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland, 2006 Daniel Day-Lewis won the Oscar for best actor again this year.
Intermediate
4 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. T F T F F T F T
2 Key words
1. dominate 2. triumphant 3. heavily-tipped 4. portrayal 5. prospector 6. nominee 7. noteworthy 8. nostalgic 9. animated 10. sentiment
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Warmer
cockroach /kkrt/ noun [countable] An insect similar to a large beetle that lives in places where food is kept. Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattodea. This name derives from the Latin word for cockroach, blatta. Discuss what you would do if you saw a cockroach: in the street? in your home? in a restaurant?
Key words
Skim read the article and find a word that means: 1. To get rid of an employee two words. (sub-title and para 4) 2. A short news broadcast or official statement. (para 1) 3. One complete turn around a course or a circuit. (para 2) 4. A silly or embarrassing mistake. (para 3) 5. Something that fails completely in an embarrassing way. (para 5) 6. To improve the way something looks by making major changes to it. (para 5) 7. An informal word for an argument. (para 6) 8. To start a new project, one that will difficult and take time. (para 8) 9. To make a short visit. (para 11) 10. The act of chopping off someones head. (notes)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Advanced
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And finally... how the march of a lone cockroach put 30 people out of work
Luke Harding in Moscow February 22, 2008 Turkmen president sacks staff after insects walk-on part in TV news bulletin 1 For the viewers of Turkmenistans popular nightly news programme, Vatan, it was another routine bulletin. But as the newsreader began the 9pm broadcast, viewers across the central Asian country spotted something unusual crawling across the studio table: a large brown cockroach. 2 The cockroach managed to complete a whole lap of the desk, apparently undetected, before disappearing. The programme, complete with cockroach, was repeated at 11pm that night. 3 It was only at 9am the following day that horrified officials from Turkmenistans ministry of culture discovered the cockroachs guest appearance. And that, perhaps, should have been the end of the matter, the mildly entertaining footage being occasionally shown on a TV bloopers show. But the consequences of this particular cockroachs five minutes of fame were immediate and severe. 4 The countrys president, Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, took news of the insect so badly that he responded by firing no fewer than 30 workers from the main state TV channel, the news website Kronika Turkmenistan reported yesterday. 5 Before the cockroach debacle, Berdymukhamedov had instructed Turkmenistans minister of culture, Gulmurat Muradov, to revamp the countrys Soviet-era TV channel. However, a new ministerial supervisory committee founded to carry out this task only worked 9am to 6pm - allowing the cockroach to make its run undetected. 6 Berdymukhamedov became leader of the oil-rich former Soviet republic in December 2006, following the sudden death of Turkmenistans longstanding and flamboyantly authoritarian ruler Saparmurat
10 Our flourishing nation should not stand separate from the world, Berdymukhamedov told state-run television. He added: It absolutely should have a worthy operatic theatre and a worthy state theatre. The first opera would be performed in six or seven months, he suggested. 11 Berdymukhamedov has moved to end Turkmenistans isolation from the rest of the world in other ways too. He has overseen attempts to attract larger numbers of foreign tourists to Turkmenistan, including the building of a multibillion pound tourist resort on the Caspian Sea. The president has also dropped in on Washington. 12 Berdymukhamedovs apparent dislike of cockroaches may have something to do with his previous career as a dentist. He graduated from Turkmenistans state medical institute in 1979, completing a PhD in medical sciences in Moscow, and working as a dentist from 1980 to 1995. In December 1997 he was appointed minister for health.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Advanced
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Advanced
A cockroach will live after decapitation for several weeks before starving to death; the severed head survives several hours. The worlds largest species is the wingless Australian rhinoceros (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), weighing up to 33.5 gms and up to 90 mm in length.
Cockroach notes 4,500 cockroach species have been classified, but there are thought to be at least twice as many species yet to be discovered around the world. Despite the belief cockroaches would be the only survivors of nuclear war, being 15 times more resistant to radiation than humans, other insects such as fruit flies can survive even higher doses.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 22/02/08
3 Comprehension check
1. Where does Turkmenistans wealth currently come from? a) Tourism b) Oil c) Pharmaceuticals 2. Before he became president, Berdymukhamedov was... a) a dentist. b) the Minister for Health. c) Both of the above. 3. Operatic theatre and ballet... a) can now be performed in Turkmenistan. b) have been banned. c) are free for pensioners. 4. The cockroach wasnt noticed at first because... a) the technical staff had been sacked. b) the bulletin wasnt shown until 3am. c) the ministerial advisory committee had finished work for the day. 5. Berdymukhamedov wants to... a) cut ties with Russia. b) bring about an end to Turkmenistans isolation from the rest of the world. c) offer free dental treatment to the countrys 100,000 pensioners. 6. Turkmenistan is... a) landlocked. b) an island. c) is on the Caspian sea.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Advanced
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4 Discussion
Berdymukhamedovs reaction to the cockroach debacle was to sack 30 people. Do you think his actions were justified? Give reasons why or why not.
7 Webquest
Do cockroaches bite? How big is a cockroach baby? What do cockroaches eat? Go to http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/kunkel/cockroach_faq.html to find the answers to these and many other questions. Create a class quiz with each student contributing one question (plus answer).
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
mildly entertaining footage flamboyantly authoritarian ruler mild liberal reforms worthy operatic theatre multibillion pound tourist resort state medical institute
2 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. b) Oil c) Both of the above. a) can now been performed in Turkmenistan. c) the ministerial advisory committee had finished work for the day. b) bring about an end to Turkmenistans isolation from the rest of the world. c) is on the Caspian sea.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
cockroach /kkrt/ noun [countable] An insect similar to a large beetle that lives in places where food is kept. Find words in the article that mean: 1. To get rid of an employee. (sub-title and para 4) 2. A short news programme or official statement. (para 1) 3. The people who watch a TV programme at home. (para 1) 4. To be shown again. (para 2) 5. Shocked. (para 3) 6. Something that happens that is (in this case) embarrassing. (para 5) 7. To show a TV or radio programme. (para 6) 8. Changes, especially to make a system work fairly. (para 8) 9. To give something back to someone. (para 9) 10. To do something in front of an audience, especially in a theatre. (para 9) 11. A situation in which a country is alone. (para 10) 12. Someone has completed their studies at a university. (para 11)
media/TV jobs
t_________ TV e_________
n_________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Elementary
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10 Berdymukhamedov wants to end Turkmenistans isolation from the rest of the world in other ways too. He wants to attract more foreign tourists to Turkmenistan, especially to the new multibillion pound tourist resort on the Caspian Sea. The president has also visited Washington. 11 Berdymukhamedovs dislike of cockroaches may have something to do with his previous career as a dentist. He graduated from Turkmenistans state medical institute in 1979, he has a PhD in medical sciences from Moscow, and he worked as a dentist from 1980 to 1995. In December 1997, he was made minister for health. Cockroach notes 4,500 cockroach species are known, but there may be at least twice as many species not yet discovered around the world. Although people some people think that cockroaches would be the only survivors of nuclear war (because they 15 times more resistant to radiation than humans), other insects such as fruit flies can survive even higher doses of radiation. A cockroach can live without a head for several weeks before it starves to death; the head by itself can survive several hours. The worlds largest species of cockroach is the wingless Australian rhinoceros (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), it weighs up to 33.5 gms and can measure up to 90 mm in length.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 22/02/08
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Elementary
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4 Vocabulary: Countries
Write the country names under their correct pronunciation pattern. Turkmenistan Russia Kazakhstan Afghanistan Ukraine Iran Uzbekistan Pakistan
oOoo
oO
Oo
Ooo
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) A cockroach ran across the newsreaders desk on live television. Ministry officials knew nothing until the next morning. The news bulletin, with the cockroach, was shown again on TV the same evening. The president did not find the cockroach incident funny. The president sacked 30 staff at the state TV channel. Turkmenistan wants to improve its international image. Turkmenistan has built a new multibillion pound tourist resort at the Caspian Sea. Turkmens can now go to Internet cafes and opera and ballet performances.
4 Vocabulary: Countries
oOoo
Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Afghanistan
oO
Ukraine Iran
Oo
Russia
Ooo
Kazakhstan Pakistan
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Warmer
cockroach /kkrt/ noun [countable] An insect similar to a large beetle that lives in places where food is kept. What you would do if you saw a cockroach: in the street? in your home? in a restaurant?
2 Key words
Skim read the article and find a word that means: 1. To get rid of an employee two words. (sub-title and para 4) 2. A short news programme or official statement. (para 1) 3. A TV or radio programme. (para 1) 4. Shocked. (para 3) 5. The results of affects of something. (para 3) 6. Not seen, or unnoticed. (para 5) 7. Changes, especially to make a system work fairly. (para 8) 8. To give something back to someone. (para 9) 9. To have good qualities. (para 10) 10. Someone has completed their studies at a university. (para 12)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 Our flourishing nation should not stand separate from the world, Berdymukhamedov said. He added: It absolutely should have a worthy operatic theatre and a worthy state theatre. 11 Berdymukhamedov wants to end Turkmenistans isolation from the rest of the world in other ways too. He has overseen ideas to attract larger numbers of foreign tourists to Turkmenistan, including the building of a multibillion pound tourist resort on the Caspian Sea. The president has also visited Washington. 12 Berdymukhamedovs dislike of cockroaches may have something to do with his previous career as a dentist. He graduated from Turkmenistans state medical institute in 1979, completing a PhD in medical sciences in Moscow, and then worked as a dentist from 1980 to 1995. In December 1997 he was appointed minister for health.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Intermediate
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Intermediate
Cockroach notes 4,500 cockroach species have been classified, but there are thought to be at least twice as many species yet to be discovered around the world. Despite the belief cockroaches would be the only survivors of nuclear war, being 15 times more resistant to radiation than humans, other insects such as fruit flies can survive even higher doses.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 22/02/08
A cockroach can live without a head for several weeks before starving to death; the head by itself can survive several hours. The worlds largest species is the wingless Australian rhinoceros (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), weighing up to 33.5 gms and up to 90 mm in length.
3 Comprehension check
According to the article are these statements True (T) or False (F)? 1. Turkmenistans wealth currently comes from oil. T/F 2. Before he became president, Berdymukhamedov was a dentist. T/F 3. Berdymukhamedov has banned performances of operas and ballets. T/F 4. The capital of Turkmenistan is Vatan. T/F 5. Berdymukhamedov wants to bring about an end to Turkmenistans isolation from the rest of the world. T/F 6. Turkmenistan has no coast. T/F 7. Berdymukhamedov wants school children to learn foreign languages. T/F 8. Turkmenistan used to be a part of the former Soviet Union. T/F
country
Turkmenistan
nationality
Ukrainian
Afghani
Kazakhstan
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Intermediate
CA
P H
5 Discussion
Berdymukhamedovs reaction to the cockroach incident was to sack 30 people. Do you think this was the right thing to do? Give reasons why or why not.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. True 2. True 3. False 4. False 5. True 6. False 7. True 8. True
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Turkmen cockroach / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. unanimous implicit hardliner shun fatigues rhetoric mandate ovation convalescing omnipotent
1. A ____________ is the authority of an elected government to do the things they promised to do before an election. 2. A standing ____________ is when the members of an audience stand up and clap their hands to express their admiration or enjoyment. 3. If someone is ____________, they are resting in order to recover from an illness or an operation. 4. If something is ____________, it is not stated directly but is understood from what someone says or does. 5. A ____________ is someone who is strict or extreme in their beliefs or opinions. 6. ____________ is a style of speaking or writing that is intended to influence people. 7. An ____________ person is one who is powerful enough to do everything. 8. ____________ are simple loose clothes worn by soldiers. 9. A ____________ decision is one that everyone agrees with and supports. 10. If you ____________ something, you deliberately avoid it.
Are these statements True (T) or False (F)? Check your answers in the text. 1. Havana is the capital of Cuba. 2. Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro is over 90 years old. 3. Fidel Castro was in power in Cuba for more than half a century. 4. Fidel Castros brother is the new Cuban head of state. 5. The Cuban revolution took place in 1949. 6. More than 20 million people live in Cuba.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Advanced
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1 Cubas national assembly has unanimously named Ral Castro as head of state, formally ending almost half a century of Fidel Castros rule. The 76-year-old defence minister took power in a choreographed ceremony of party unity which cast his brother in the role of revered, but no longer omnipotent, oracle of the revolution. As the constitutionally-designated successor, Rals appointment was expected but the appointment of an ideological hardliner as his deputy was a surprise. Jos Ramn Machado, a 77-year-old veteran of Fidels Sierra Maestra guerrilla campaign, was promoted ahead of young potential reformers. 2 In his first speech as leader Ral, in a suit and tie instead of his usual fatigues, promised to consult Fidel on important decisions of state. The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution is unique. Fidel is Fidel, as we all know well, he is irreplaceable, he said. The new president also said the Communist party would ensure socialism outlasted Fidel and his generation. The mandate of this legislature is clear ... to continue strengthening the revolution at a historic moment. This conviction has particular importance when the founding generation of the revolution is disappearing, he said. 3 The mood in the 614-seat chamber showed little sense of drama or history in the making in an effort to project normality and continuity. The streets of Havana were quiet as people absorbed the latest step in Fidels withdrawal from public life, a transition initiated 19 months ago when he provisionally ceded power to undergo emergency intestinal surgery. Last week the convalescing 81-year-old said he would not accept another term as president.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
8 Under Ral the military has taken control of much of the economy by managing farms, tourist resorts and other businesses, giving so-called Ralista senior officers political power and smoothing the transition. Yet since taking over, the younger Castro has attempted few reforms, possibly because ideological purists in the
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text.
1. What will Fidel Castros role be now that his brother has succeeded him as head of state? a. He will remain the omnipotent oracle of the revolution. b. He will continue to be leader of the Communist party. c. He will give up power in order to undergo surgery.
2. What kind of policies does Ral Castro intend to follow? a. He does not want to change anything. b. He intends to criticize the system. c. He wants to raise living standards but retain strong political control.
3. How did the people of Havana react to Rals appointment as head of state? a. With angry demonstrations. b. Calmly and quietly. c. With a standing ovation.
4. Why has Ral Castro attempted few reforms? a. Because he has been prevented from doing so by hardliners. b. Because he favours a Chinese-type economic liberalization. c. Because he has to consult his brother on important decisions of state.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
7 Discussion
Should economic sanctions be imposed on countries that do not have free and democratic elections?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c b a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text unanimous appointment hardliner recover ovation dislike assembly task single-handedly consult
1. A national ____________ is another word for a countrys parliament. 2. An ____________ is a situation in which someone is given a new job, especially an important one. 3. A ____________ decision is one that everyone agrees with and supports. 4. A ____________ is someone who is strict or extreme in their beliefs or opinions. 5. ____________ is the opposite of like. 6. A standing ____________ is when the members of an audience stand up and clap their hands to express their admiration or enjoyment. 7. A ____________ is something that you have to do. 8. If you ____________ someone, you ask them for their advice or opinion. 9. If you do something ____________, you do it yourself without help from other people. 10. If you ____________ , you become fit and healthy again after an illness or an operation.
Find this information in the text as quickly as possible. 1. How old is Fidel Castro? 2. Is Ral Castro younger or older than his brother? 3. When did Fidel Castro undergo surgery? 4. When was the Cuban revolution? 5. What is the population of Cuba? 6. How many members of the Cuban parliament are there?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. The streets of Havana were quiet because 2. Fidel Castro has left power because 3. There was a standing ovation in the national assembly because 4. Ral is different from Fidel because... 5. People hope Ral 6. Money from Venezuela a. will deliver better food, transport and housing. b. someone mentioned Fidel Castros name. c. will allow Cuba to return to basic communism. d. the Cuban authorities control the island and its people carefully. e. he prefers to consult his colleagues before he makes decisions. f. he has been ill.
4 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in the phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. _____ favour of 2. head _____ state 3. instead _____ 4. departure _____ 5. recover _____ 6. secretary _____ state 7. take control _____
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. It is not clear how much influence Fidel Castro will ____________. 2. The new president wants to ____________ living standards. 3. He says he will ____________ his colleagues before he makes decisions. 4. Politicians ____________ a lot of speeches. 5. All governments should ____________ human rights. 6. They should also ____________ political prisoners.
Adjective
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Vocabulary 1: Prepositions
1. in 2. of 3. of 4. from 5. from 6. of 7. of
3 Comprehension check
1. d 2. f 3. b 4. e 5. a 6. c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. unanimous retain designate hardliner collegiate convalescing ovation initiative veteran single-handedly
1. A ____________ is someone who is strict or extreme in their beliefs or opinions. 2. If you do things in a ____________ way, you consult your colleagues before making important decisions. 3. ____________ is another word for keep or preserve. 4. If you hold the ____________ in a particular situation, you have the opportunity to take action before other people do. 5. A ____________ is someone who was in the armed forces in the past. 6. If someone is ____________, they are resting in order to recover from an illness or an operation. 7. If you do something ____________, you do it yourself without help from other people. 8. A standing ____________ is when the members of an audience stand up and clap their hands to express their admiration or enjoyment. 9. A ____________ decision is one that everyone agrees with and supports. 10. If you ____________ someone for a particular purpose, you choose them formally for that purpose.
Find this information in the text as quickly as possible. 1. What is the population of Cuba? 2. How old is Fidel Castro? 3. Is Ral Castro younger or older than his brother? 4. When was the Cuban revolution? 5. When did Fidel Castro undergo surgery? 6. How many members of the Cuban parliament are there?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
8 Under Ral the military has taken control of much of the economy managing farms, tourist resorts and other businesses and giving senior officers political power. But since taking over, the younger Castro has not introduced many reforms, possibly because the hardliners in the
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Everyone in the 614-seat Cuban National Assembly supported the nomination of Ral Castro as head of state. 2. No-one was surprised by the choice of Jos Ramn Machado as deputy head of state. 3. Ral Castro normally wears a suit. 4. The people of Havana demonstrated noisily on the streets as the historic events took place. 5. Fidel Castro gave up power temporarily 19 months ago because he had a serious medical problem. 6. Fidel Castro still writes newspaper articles. 7. Ral Castro will rule Cuba single-handedly. 8. Ral Castro has already introduced a large number of reforms.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Word building
Complete the tables.
adjective
1. 2. 3. 4. weak strong loose
verb
tighten
adjective
1. 2. 3. 4. normal continuous poor united
noun
7 Discussion
Cuba has free healthcare and education, and employment for all but its citizens are not free to travel abroad or say what they want. Which is more important social security or human rights?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. T F F F T T F F
verb
strengthen loosen tighten weaken
adjective
1. 2. 3. 4. normal continuous poor united
noun
normality continuity poverty unity
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / After 49 years of Fidel, Cuba ushers in the era of Ral / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. venture goodies mere blurb chutney sustainable modest competitive cynic onlooker
1. ____________ are things that are nice to eat. 2. If agriculture is ____________, it uses methods that do not harm the environment. 3. ____________ is a cold food made from fruit, spices and vinegar and eaten with meat or cheese. 4. ____________ prices are cheaper than many others. 5. ____________ is used to emphasise that something is small, cheap or unimportant. 6. An ____________ is someone who watches something but does not take part in it. 7. ____________ is information printed about something to describe it or make it attractive to buy. 8. A ____________ is a new business or activity. 9. A ____________ crowd is one that is fairly small. 10. A ____________ is someone who believes that people care only about themselves and are not sincere or honest.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Prince Charles is the heir to the throne of the United Kingdom. 2. Charles owns a supermarket. 3. He is married to the Duchess of Cornwall. 4. Charless vegetables are cheaper than those sold in the supermarket opposite his shop. 5. Charles was 60 last year. 6. Charles in interested in environmental issues.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Advanced
CA
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Advanced
CA
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more visitors. Chocolate shop owner Hortensia Oates had been checking out the prices Charles was charging. Ive got to admit they are pretty competitive, she said. 9 Butcher John Newman sells beef from Charless estate and, indeed, fine lamb from Princess Annes land too. This will bring more people into the town so thats good for us. The shopkeepers are painfully keen not to be seen to criticize their royal neighbour this is a royalist town if ever there was one. As they left the store yesterday, the duchess shook hands
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text.
1. What is the formula that has served him so well? a. Working for charity b. Selling home-grown vegetables and home-made food c. Working as a shopkeeper in his own business 2. What, according to the text, might a cynical view of Charless new shop be? a. That it is very expensive and only aimed at the upper classes. b. That the profits will go to Charless own charities. c. That it is designed to promote Charless own brand and image. 3. What is the attitude of the shopkeepers of the small town of Tetbury to Charless new venture? a. They see it as competition so they do not welcome it. b. They think their own businesses will suffer as a result. c. They believe it will attract more visitors to the town and this will be good for everyone. 4. What is the attitude of the people of Tetbury to Charless new venture? a. They are excited because there is no greengrocer in the town. b. They are all royalists so they welcome it. c. They are worried that the town will be crowded with tourists.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Discussion
Prince Charles will probably be the next King of the United Kingdom. Do you think royal families are a good thing or a bad thing? Is it better to have an unelected king or queen or an elected president?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
4 Colloquial expressions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f e a b c
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b c c a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. posh leek estate competitive orchard benefit chutney highlight florist vase
1. A ________________ is a long, thin vegetable that tastes a bit like an onion. 2. ________________ prices are cheaper than many others. 3. A ________________ is someone whose job is to arrange or sell flowers. 4. A ________________ is a container for flowers. 5. An ________________ is a large area of land belonging to one person, usually with a very big house on it. 6. A ________________ is the most exciting, interesting or impressive part of something. 7. An ________________ is an area of land where fruit trees grow. 8. If a person is ________________, he or she is from a high social class. 9. If you ________________ from something you get an advantage or a profit from it. 10. ________________ is a cold food made from fruit, spices and vinegar and eaten with meat or cheese.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How old will Charles be at his next birthday? 2. What is the name of his wife? 3. What is the name of Prince Charless country house? 4. How much does the expensive vase cost? 5. How much does a bunch of leeks cost in Charless shop? 6. How much does a bunch of leeks cost in the supermarket opposite?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Elementary
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text.
1. Local shopkeepers think Prince Charless new shop is good for the town because 2. Charless organic vegetables are more expensive 3. People are excited about the vegetables because 4. The shopkeepers dont want to criticize Prince Charles because 5. Any profits from the shop 6. The vase marking the princes 60th birthday
a. people in Tetbury like the royal family. b. is very expensive. c. than the vegetables in the supermarket opposite. d. will go to the princes Charities Foundation. e. there is no greengrocer in the town. f. ... it will bring more visitors to the town.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Word stress
Put these words from the text into one of the two groups depending on their word stress. local reply estate promote business produce biscuit reflect advance royal highlight neighbour
A 0 o
o 0
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. over the last few years the best thing to buy one of the people in the crowd why is he doing this? in the supermarket opposite a few metres from Charless shop
6 Word stress
A 0 o B o 0
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. f c e a d b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. heir sustainable venture prominent chutney competitive cynic onlooker goodies rumour
1. ________________ is a cold food made from fruit, spices and vinegar and eaten with meat or cheese. 2. An ________________ is someone who watches something but does not take part in it. 3. A ________________ is unofficial information that may or may not be true. 4. A ________________ person is one who is important and well known. 5. A ________________ is a new business or activity. 6. If agriculture is ________________, it uses methods that do not harm the environment. 7. A ________________ is someone who believes that people care only about themselves and are not sincere or honest. 8. ________________ are things that are nice to eat. 9. The ________________ to the throne of a country is the person who will be its next king or queen. 10. ________________ prices are cheaper than many others.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. What is the name of Prince Charless country house? 2. What is the name of Charless new shop? 3. How much does the Highland vase cost? 4. How old will Charles be at his next birthday? 5. What is the name of his wife? 6. What is the difference in price between the leeks on sale in Charless shop and those on sale in the supermarket opposite?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Intermediate
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Local shopkeepers are angry about Charless new shop. 2. Thousands of people came to the opening. 3. The prince cut a ribbon to open the shop. 4. The vegetables in the shop are not particularly expensive. 5. Some non-food items in the shop are very expensive. 6. Any profits from the shop will go towards opening more shops.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Intermediate
CA
P H
6 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
Fill the gaps in these phrases from the text using prepositions. 1. __________ the last few years 2. away __________ the food shelves 3. on sale __________ 395 4. have a chat __________ someone 5. all __________ order 6. thinking __________ doing something 7. according __________ the publicity 8. in charge __________
7 Discussion
Do you buy organic produce? What are the advantages and disadvantages of food that is grown organically?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
6 Vocabulary 2: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. over from for with in of to of
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F F F T T F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Welcome to UKs poshest veg shop / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Warmer
addiction a strong need that someone feels to regularly take an illegal or harmful drug: There is a growing problem of drug addiction in our cities. addiction to a strong need or wish to spend as much time as possible doing a particular activity: Many people have an addiction to nicotine. His addiction to the Internet is taking over his life. Source: Macmillan English Dictionary Online
What things might people become addicted to? Make a list. Divide the list into new or modern addictions and old or traditional addictions.
Write the key words and phrases into the sentences. case study clinical disorder discussion boards public health issue self-help group significant other negative repercussions withdrawal symptoms a fix wean off
1. ____________________ are the unpleasant physical and mental effects suffered by someone who stops taking a substance that they are addicted to. 2. A ____________________ is a medical matter that affects the general population. 3. A ____________________ is a medical problem or condition. 4. ____________________ are the bad effects that something has, usually lasting for a long time. 5. A ____________________ is a piece of research that records details of how a situation develops over a period of time. 6. Your ____________________ is the person you are having a (romantic) relationship with. 7. When you make someone gradually stop depending on something that they like and have become used to, especially a drug or a bad habit, you ____________________ them ____________________ it. 8. ____________________ is an amount of a drug that someone feels they need to take regularly to satisfy their addiction. 9. ____________________ is another term for online forums. 10. A ____________________ consists of people who discuss their problems and find ways to deal with them.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Advanced
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3 A case study is South Korea, which has the greatest use of broadband in the world. Block points out that 10 people died from blood clots from remaining seated for long periods in Internet cafes and another was murdered because of an online game. Their country now considers Internet addiction as one of its most serious public health issues. The government estimates that around 210,000 South Korean children are affected and in need of treatment. 80 per cent of them might need drugs targeting the brain and nearly a quarter could need to go to hospital. Since the average high school pupil there spends about 23 hours per week gaming, another 1.2 million are believed to be at risk of addiction and require basic counselling. There has been alarm over a rising
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Advanced
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Advanced
Robert Freedman, editor of the American Journal of Psychiatry, said Internet addiction can be diverse. In Korea, it seems to be primarily gaming sites. In America, it seems to be Facebook. Additionally, its porn, its games, its gambling, its chatting with friends. All these things existed before, but now theyre a lot easier. To beat the addiction, he advised: A self-help group might be a place to start. Maybe replace an online group with a real one.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Observer, 23/03/08
3 Comprehension check
Find the answers to the questions in the article. 1. What are the four basic components of Internet addiction? a) Emailing, viewing online pornography, texting and isolation. b) Excessive use, withdrawal symptoms when the computer is not accessible, the constant need for better computers and software and negative repercussions on the users life. c) Spending at least 16 hours a day on the Internet, quitting jobs, leaving school and social isolation. 2. In Korea, the main cause of Internet addiction is... a) ... playing online games. b) ... viewing pornography. c) ... spending time on social websites such as Facebook and MySpace. 3. The case study revealed that many Internet addicts... a) ... are in financial trouble. b) ... take recreational drugs. c) ... left their jobs or stopped attending school. 4. Ironically, self-help groups can be found... a) ... in Internet cafes. b) ... on the Internet. c) ... in Pennsylvania.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
b) How many other similar words can you find? Explain their meaning.
If you answer yes to five or more of these questions, you may have an Internet addiction! Source: Centre for Internet Addiction Recovery www.netaddiction.com
6 Webquest
Go to the website www.netaddiction.com. Here you can take further tests, read about real-life cases of Internet addiction, listen to podcasts and watch videos.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
b) possible answers: anger, rage, lying, loss of sense of time, neglect of basic drives, arguments, not caring
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b a c b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Warmer: Brainstorming
addiction a strong need that someone feels to regularly take an illegal or harmful drug: There is a growing problem of drug addiction in our cities. addiction to a strong need or wish to spend as much time as possible doing a particular activity: Many people have an addiction to nicotine. His addiction to the Internet is taking over his life. Source: Macmillan English Dictionary Online
What things might people become addicted to? How many can you write down in one minute?
repercussions
self-help group
1. When something is _____________________ it is much more than is reasonable or necessary. (subtitle) 2. When you are alone and separated from other people you are in _____________________. (subtitle) 3. _____________________ are the unpleasant physical and mental effects suffered by someone who stops taking a substance that they are addicted to. (subtitle) 4. A _____________________ is a doctor who treats people with mental disorders. (para 1) 5. _____________________ are parts, or features of something. (para 2) 6. _____________________ are the bad effects that something has, usually lasting for a long time. (para 2) 7. A _____________________ is a lump of blood in your veins that can be dangerous. (para 3) 8. An _____________________ is a guess at a number. (para 3) 9. _____________________ is another word for medical care. (para 3) 10. When you _____________________ to something, you agree that it is true. (para 5) 11. _____________________ are food and other goods you buy regularly for the home. (para 5) 12. _____________________ is another term for online forums. (para 6) 13. _____________________ is the process of getting better after an illness or health problem. (para 6 ) 14. A _____________________ is a legal matter often decided at court. (para 6) 15. A _____________________ is a group of people who discuss their similar problems and find ways to deal with them. (para 8)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Elementary
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3 Block says that in South Korea 10 people died from blood clots because they sat for long periods in Internet cafes and another was murdered because of an online game. South Korea now sees Internet addiction as one of its most serious public health issues. The government estimates that around 210,000 South Korean children need treatment. 80 per cent of them might need medicines that help the brain and nearly a quarter might need to go to hospital. High school pupils there spend about 23 hours per week gaming, so another 1.2 million need basic counselling about Internet addiction. Many people are also worried about the number of addicts who stop going to school or leave their jobs to spend more time on computers. In China, there might be 10 million teenage Internet addicts.
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4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
Fill in the missing prepositions. Check your answers in the article. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. on (x2) from (x2) at (x2) to of in by
Internet addiction is caused _________ excessive gaming looking _________ online pornography it should be included _________ medical text books feelings _________ anger not doing well _________ school 10 people died _________ blood clots need to go _________ hospital a single 51-year-old _________ New York spend16 hours a day _________ the Internet spend more time _________ computers
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Elementary
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5 Discussion: Addicted to
Do you agree with either of these sentences? Many people are addicted to something and it is a big problem these days. Being addicted to something is not a new problem.
6 Webquest
Go to the website www.netaddiction.com. Here you can take tests, read about real-life cases of Internet addiction, listen to podcasts and watch videos.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Elementary
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4 Vocabulary: Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. by at in of at from to from on on
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Internet addicts dont realize how many hours they spend online. Leading psychiatrists think Internet addiction is a real illness. The average South Korean high school student spends 23 hours a week playing online games. People have died because of their Internet addiction. South Koreans go online at Internet cafes more often than Americans. Internet addiction is difficult to treat. Facebook and MySpace are social networking websites. In the USA, most people surf the Internet at home. Internet addicts are often lonely and tired. Internet addicts think they need better computers and software.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Elementary
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Intermediate
Warmer
addiction a strong need that someone feels to regularly take an illegal or harmful drug: There is a growing problem of drug addiction in our cities. addiction to a strong need or wish to spend as much time as possible doing a particular activity: Many people have an addiction to nicotine. His addiction to the Internet is taking over his life. Source: Macmillan English Dictionary Online
What things might people become addicted to? Make a list. Can you divide the list into new or modern addictions and old or traditional addictions?
Write the keywords and phrases from the article into the sentences. discussion boards inaccessible clinical disorder psychiatrist adolescent irony significant other repercussions component
diverse
withdrawal symptoms
1. When something is ___________________ it is much more than is reasonable or necessary. (subtitle) 2. ___________________ are the unpleasant physical and mental effects suffered by someone who stops taking a substance that they are addicted to. (subtitle) 3. A ___________________ is a medical problem or condition. (para 1) 4. A ___________________ is a doctor who treats people with mental disorders. (para 1) 5. A ___________________ is a part, or feature of something. (para 2) 6. When something is ___________________ it is impossible to reach or use. (para 2) 7. ___________________ are the bad effects that something has, usually lasting for a long time. (para 2) 8. An ___________________ is a boy or girl who is not yet a man or a woman. (para 3) 9. Your ___________________ is the person (or thing) you are having a (romantic) relationship with. (para 4) 10. ___________________ is a form of humour in which you use words to express the opposite of what the words really mean. (para 6) 11. ___________________ is another term for online forums. (para 6) 12. When things are very different from each other they are ___________________ (para 7 ) 13. A ___________________ is a group of people who discuss their similar problems and find ways to deal with them. (para 8)
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Dr Jerald Block writes that the disorder is caused by excessive gaming, viewing online pornography, emailing and text messaging. He says that the disorder is now so common that it should be included in medical text books. According to Block, Internet addiction has four main components: Excessive use, often associated with a loss of sense of time; Withdrawal symptoms, including feelings of anger, tension and/or depression when the computer is inaccessible; The need for better computers, more software, or more hours of use; Negative repercussions, including arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation and tiredness.
Dr Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, writes that it is more difficult to estimate how bad the problem is in America because people tend to surf at home instead of in Internet cafes. But he believes there are similar cases, and says: Unfortunately it is not easy to treat Internet addiction. He told The Observer that he did not believe specific websites were responsible. The relationship is with the computer, he said. First, it becomes a significant other to them. Second, they use up emotions that they could experience in the real world on the computer, through any number of mechanisms: emailing, gaming, porn. Third, computer use takes up a huge amount of time in their life. Then if you simply try to remove the computer, they feel theyve lost their best friend. That can take the form of depression or rage. Harry Husted, a single 51-year-old from New York, spends 16 hours a day on the Internet. He insists that he is not addicted, but admits that he used to be. I used to work with computers for eight hours, then get home and go online for another seven hours. I stayed up until two or three in the morning, or until I got so sleepy I had to go to bed. I didnt go out to get the groceries and I didnt care about friends, TV, or anything. After a while I realized what was happening and did something about it. Now if I use MySpace its only to advertise my business. Internet addiction clinics are opening all around the world, and many people have turned, apparently without irony, to web discussion boards with names such as Internet Addicts Anonymous. The Centre for Internet Addiction Recovery in Bradford, Pennsylvania, says Internet addiction has become a growing legal issue in criminal, divorce and employment cases. Robert Freedman, editor of the American Journal of Psychiatry, said Internet addiction can be diverse. In Korea, it seems to be mostly gaming sites. In America, it is Facebook. Additionally, its porn, its games, its
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blood clots because they stayed seated for long periods in Internet cafes and another was murdered because of an online game. South Korea now considers Internet addiction one of its most serious public health issues. The government estimates that around 210,000 South Korean children need treatment. 80 per cent of them might need drugs that target the brain and nearly a quarter could need to go to hospital. Since the average high school pupil there spends about 23 hours per week gaming, another 1.2 million are believed to be at risk of addiction and require basic counselling. Many people are also worried about the number of addicts who stop going to school or leave their jobs to spend more time on computers. In China it
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To beat the addiction, he advised: A self-help group might be a good place to start, but maybe a real group is better than an online one.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Observer, 23/03/08
Comprehension check
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? 1. The four basic components of Internet addiction are excessive use, withdrawal symptoms when the computer is not accessible, the constant need for better computers and software and negative repercussions on the users social life. 2. In South Korea, the main cause of Internet addiction is spending time on social networking websites such as Facebook and MySpace. 3. The average South Korean high school student spends 16 hours a day playing online games. 4. People have died as a consequence of their Internet addiction. 5. South Koreans go online at Internet cafes more often than Americans. 6. Internet addiction is easy to treat.
oOo
oOoo
ooOo
Can you find any more words in the article that have these intonation patterns?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Intermediate
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Intermediate
5 Discussion: Addictions
the Internet
alcohol
smoking
Work in groups or pairs and make notes about how being addicted to one of them affects the addicts life. Think about, money, social life, family, time, health, etc. What similarities and differences do you find? Is one addiction worse than the others? What advice would you give an addict?
6 Webquest
Go to the website www.netaddiction.com. Here you can take tests, read about real-life cases of internet addiction, listen to podcasts and watch videos.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Intermediate
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Intermediate
oOoo
psychiatrist pornography significant psychiatry
ooOo
isolation repercussion adolescent
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. T F F T T F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Addiction to Internet is an illness / Intermediate
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Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. sue label lawsuit collapse dispute stall piracy front (vb) expansion back catalogue
1. If sales or prices _________________, they fall very quickly and dramatically. 2. If someone agrees to _________________ an advertising campaign, they are the main personality seen in that campaign. 3. In the record business, _________________ is the illegal copying and sale of CDs. 4. A _________________ is a case that a court of law is asked to decide involving a disagreement between two people or organizations. 5. A record _________________ is a company that produces records. 6. If a process begins to _________________, it stops making progress. 7. If you _________________ someone, you make a legal claim against them, usually to get money from them because they have done something bad to you. 8. A _________________ is a serious disagreement, especially one between groups of people that lasts for a long time. 9. An artists _________________ is all the books, films or records he or she has produced in the past. 10. _________________ is the process of increasing in size.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. The Beatles refused to allow their music to be used in advertising. 2. Sales of music CDs are rising steadily. 3. EMI is the worlds biggest record label. 4. Sony owns the rights to The Beatles back catalogue. 5. Virgin Records was founded by Richard Branson, the owner of Virgin Atlantic. 6. Radiohead gave away their album In Rainbows for free on the Internet.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Advanced
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Smashing Pumpkins sue record label over use of songs in Pepsi promotional deals
Band says Virgin had no agreement to use name Tensions growing as labels seek new revenue streams Owen Gibson, media correspondent March 26, 2008 1 The sometimes uneasy relationship between bands and brands has been reflected in a new legal case in the US. Alternative rock group the Smashing Pumpkins are suing their record label, claiming it used their name and music without permission in promotional deals with Pepsi and Amazon. The group, headed by Billy Corgan, was signed to Virgin Records in the US for 17 years but yesterday claimed its only existing agreement covered the right to sell digital downloads and not the right to use the bands image in promotional campaigns. 2 In a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed in Los Angeles superior court on Monday, band members said they had worked hard for over two decades to accumulate a considerable amount of goodwill in the eyes of the public. Virgins use of the band in a promotion known as Pepsi Stuff, in conjunction with Amazon.com and PepsiCo, threatened their reputation for artistic integrity, band members claimed. They said they would never grant such authority to Virgin, or any other entity. 3 While some big name artists, from Michael Jackson to Robbie Williams, have willingly signed deals with soft drinks brands and mobile phone networks to front their campaigns and feature their branding on tours, others have consistently refused. 4 The Smashing Pumpkins, who broke up in 2000 amid stalling album sales and disputes between band members but reunited in 2006, have had a turbulent relationship with the major labels. Despite selling millions of copies of albums such as Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, they gave their music
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why are the Smashing Pumpkins suing their record label? a. Because they say the label used their name and music in advertising without their permission. b. Because their record label gave their final album away free. c. Because the group has the sole right to sell digital downloads. 2. What is the possible effect of using a song in an advert? a. The recording artist can lose money. b. The song can become a worldwide hit. c. It can secure radio play for new artists. 3. What was EMIs reaction to the Smashing Pumpkins lawsuit? a. The company said it was a matter for Virgin Records. b. The company said it didnt want to discuss the matter. c. The company said it would defend its actions. 4. Why do record companies want to cooperate with big brands? a. Because they think it is good for their image. b. Because they want to help to promote the names of these big brands. c. Because they want to compensate for falling CD sales and the impact of piracy.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Advanced
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5 Business terms
Match these business terms from the text with their definitions. 1. venture capital 2. revenue stream 3. joint venture 4. division 5. breach of contract 6. licensing fee a. a failure to follow the terms of an agreement b. a separate part of a large organization c. money invested in a new business d. money paid for the right to use something e. an agreement between two companies to work together f. source of income
6 Discussion
Should artists have the right to decide how their music is used by record companies?
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Advanced
Advanced
5 Business terms
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f e b a d
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. a b b c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Advanced
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Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. download brand promote contract back catalogue give away sue refuse label split up
1. A record _________________ is a company that produces records. 2. A _________________ is a computer file obtained from the Internet. 3. If you _________________ to do something that someone has asked you to do, you say that you will not do it. 4. A _________________ is a written legal agreement between two people or businesses. 5. If the members of a rock group _________________, they decide to stop working together. 6. If you _________________ a product, you advertise it to make people buy it. 7. A _________________ is a product or group of products that has its own name, e.g. Pepsi. 8. If you _________________ someone, you make a legal claim against them, usually to get money from them because they have done something bad to you. 9. If a company _________________ something _________________, they let you have it without paying for it. 10. An artists _________________ is all the books, films or records he or she has produced in the past.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. When did EMI buy Virgin Records? 2. When did the Smashing Pumpkins split up? 3. When did the Smashing Pumpkins re-form? 4. For how long did the Smashing Pumpkins have a contract with Virgin Records in the US? 5. How much did the Smashing Pumpkins 2000 album cost? 6. Which two companies were advertised using the Smashing Pumpkins music?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Elementary
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Smashing Pumpkins sue record label over use of songs in Pepsi promotional deals
Band says Virgin had no agreement to use name Tensions growing as labels seek new revenue streams Owen Gibson, media correspondent March 26, 2008 1 Rock bands often have a difficult relationship with the world of big business and a new legal case in the US is an example of this relationship. American rock group the Smashing Pumpkins are suing their record label because they say it used their name and music without permission in promotional deals with Pepsi and Amazon. The group had a contract with Virgin Records in the US for 17 years. However, they have now said that the only agreement they have now covers the right to sell digital downloads and not the right to use the bands image in advertising campaigns. 2 The group has taken their record company to court in Los Angeles for breaking their contract. Band members said they had worked hard for over twenty years to build up a good image with the public. Virgin used their name and music in a promotion with Amazon.com and PepsiCo called Pepsi Stuff. The Smashing Pumpkins say that this was bad for their image and their artistic integrity. They said they would never give permission like this to Virgin, or any other company. 3 Some big name artists, like Michael Jackson and Robbie Williams, have happily signed deals with soft drinks brands and mobile phone networks to be part of their advertising campaigns and to advertise their products on their tours, but other artists have always refused to sign such deals. 4 The Smashing Pumpkins split up in 2000. Sales of their records had stopped rising and band members were arguing with each other. They re-formed in 2006 but have always had a difficult
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. The Smashing Pumpkins are suing their record company because... 2. Music labels want to work with advertisers because... 3. Richard Branson sold Virgin Records because 4. The Smashing Pumpkins split up because 5. Record companies profits are falling because 6. Sony can allow Beatles songs to be used in advertising because
a. it now owns the rights to the Beatles back catalogue. b. he needed money for his airline business. c. sales of their records had stopped rising. d. they say it used their name and music in advertising without permission. e. CD sales are falling and they need money from other sources. f. CD sales are falling and people are copying CDs illegally.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Elementary
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6 Word building
Complete the table using words from the text.
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 produce permit disagree promote
noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
6 Word building
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 permit disagree promote announce believe advertise increase produce
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d e b c f a
noun
permission disagreement promotion announcement belief advertisement increase product
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. download back catalogue sue label lawsuit goodwill dispute promote piracy charts
1. A ____________ is a serious disagreement, especially one between groups of people that lasts for a long time. 2. The ____________ is a list showing the CDs that people have bought the most copies of in the previous week. 3. A ____________ is a case that a court of law is asked to decide involving a disagreement between two people or organizations. 4. If you ____________ someone, you make a legal claim against them, usually to get money from them because they have done something bad to you. 5. An artists ____________ is all the books, films or records he or she has produced in the past. 6. A record ____________ is a company that produces records. 7. If you ____________ a product, you attract peoples attention to it through advertising. 8. In the record business, ____________ is the illegal copying and sale of CDs. 9. A ____________ is a computer file obtained from the Internet. 10. ____________ is the good reputation that a person, a group of people or a company has in the eyes of the general public.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. When did EMI buy Virgin Records? 2. When did the Smashing Pumpkins break up? 3. Which two companies were advertised using the Smashing Pumpkins music? 4. Which band had a hit album called In Rainbows? 5. Which is the worlds biggest record label? 6. When did the Smashing Pumpkins re-form?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Smashing Pumpkins sue record label over use of songs in Pepsi promotional deals
Band says Virgin had no agreement to use name Tensions growing as labels seek new revenue streams Owen Gibson, media correspondent March 26, 2008 1 Rock bands often have a difficult relationship with the world of big business and this has been reflected in a new legal case in the US. Alternative rock group the Smashing Pumpkins are suing their record label, saying it used their name and music without permission in promotional deals with Pepsi and Amazon. The group, led by Billy Corgan, was signed to Virgin Records in the US for 17 years but yesterday said that its only existing agreement covered the right to sell digital downloads and not the right to use the bands image in advertising campaigns. 2 The group has filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles superior court for a breach of contract. Band members said they had worked hard for over twenty years to build up a great deal of goodwill in the eyes of the public. Virgins use of the band in a promotion known as Pepsi Stuff, together with Amazon.com and PepsiCo, was in conflict with their reputation for artistic integrity, they said. They said they would never give such authority to Virgin, or any other company. 3 Some big name artists, from Michael Jackson to Robbie Williams, have happily signed deals with soft drinks brands and mobile phone networks to be part of their advertising campaigns and to feature their products on their tours, but others have always refused to sign such deals. 4 The Smashing Pumpkins broke up in 2000 when sales of their albums had stopped rising and band members were arguing with each other. They re-formed in 2006 and have always had a stormy relationship with the big record companies. Despite selling millions of copies of albums such as Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, they gave
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The Beatles did not allow their music to be used in advertising. 2. Sony is planning to use The Beatles music in advertising. 3. The Smashing Pumpkins believe their record company does not have the right to sell digital downloads of their music. 4. Disputes between artists and record labels are the result of piracy and falling CD sales. 5. Michael Jackson and Robbie Williams have always refused to sign deals with big brands. 6. Links between music labels and advertisers have been growing in recent years.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Business terms
Match the words in the left-hand column with the definitions in the right-hand column. 1. deal 2. breach of contract 3. joint venture 4. licensing fee 5. profit 6. division a. the difference between income and expenditure b. an agreement between two companies to work together c. a separate part of a large organization d. a formal business agreement e. money paid for the right to use something f. a failure to follow the terms of an agreement
6 Word building
Complete the table.
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 permit agree dispute promote announce sign advertise divide
noun
7 Discussion
What is the best way to listen to music? Do you prefer to buy CDs or are you happier downloading tracks from the Internet?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Intermediate
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Intermediate
5 Business terms
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f b e a c
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. permission agreement dispute promotion announcement signature advertisement/advertising division
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. T T F F F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Smashing Pumpkins sue record label / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Pre-reading
1. Do you like flying? 2. Have you ever had any problems at an airport? 3. How would you feel if your luggage got lost or was delayed? 4. And if your flight was cancelled? This article is about what happened when London Heathrow Airport opened its new terminal.
Key words
Match some key words from this article with the definitions. fume intimidating backlog calamity proliferated surly
farcical
meltdown
1. _____________________: complete collapse of an organization 2. _____________________: frighteningly difficult 3. _____________________: disaster 4. _____________________: increased and increased 5. _____________________: a lot of work waiting to be done before starting the next job 6. _____________________: ridiculous 7. _____________________: become extremely angry 8. _____________________: bad-tempered and rude Now read the article quickly to check.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
A series of factors were behind yesterdays meltdown: Baggage handlers IDs were not recognized by computers and they were not able to log on to the handling system, resulting in three flights taking off without bags The handlers also could not get where they were supposed to go because they could not get into the car parks or get security clearance Amid confusion over the layout of the new terminal, bag handling teams were unable to make good the delays, which left passengers in arrivals while their bags waited on planes Problems were exacerbated by a lack of the baggage storage bins that are loaded on to planes. Carousels loading luggage also broke down By the afternoon, the already crammed system became overloaded and a ban on checking in luggage was issued Delays in loading and unloading planes led to delays in departures and arrivals, forcing BA to cancel 34 flights to ensure that its jets start in the right positions to run a normal timetable today
but found little sympathy from many of the 40,000 people who passed through T5 yesterday. her daughter Olivia, five, gave up on her luggage after waiting more than an hour-and-a-half in the morning. Adamson, who was visiting her parents in Maidenhead, Berkshire, said: I am furious. We had a 50-minute flight from Frankfurt and then we had a 90-minute wait. The luggage system seemed to have packed up completely. Staff have been really surly and there has been no announcement. One BA woman in there was saying there was a technical problem. Ive given up. They can send my bags on. with The Beatles, was among those caught up in the
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Terminal 5 from Glasgow for more than an hour and then when he was transported to the terminal, the wheelchair user was met by a kerb. I couldnt even get into the building without getting up a step, he said. It is totally unbelievable as far as I am concerned. designed by Lord Rogers and opened by the Queen earlier this month.
16
BA had promised that the new system would halve the number of bag delays and losses at the airline, which, at 26.5 bags for every 1,000 passengers, is the worst of any major European carrier.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 28/03/08
3 General understanding
Match the beginnings and endings of these sentences about the article. 1. The opening of Terminal 5... 2. A lot of flights... 3. A lot of luggage... 4. Passengers were allowed to... 5. British Airways had hoped that terminal 5... 6. BA promised to give passengers... 7. The delays were mainly due to... 8. There were also problems with... a. ... lack of equipment. b. ... take on their hand luggage. c. ... their money back if they couldnt fly. d. ... were cancelled. e. ... was not loaded onto the planes. f. ... would be the best ever. g. ... problems with the computer system. h. ... was not a success.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Advanced
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If youre not quite sure of the difference, here is a tip. When they are used as ADJECTIVES they often come before nouns. GERUNDS are like nouns, so they can be the subject or object of a verb, and they often come after the or a preposition. CONTINUOUS forms appear with the verb to be, to say what somebody or something is doing. PARTICIPLES also describe what people or things are doing, but without the verb to be; sometimes they come after a comma.
6 Discussion
1. How efficient are the airports in your country? 2. And the train and bus systems? 3. What changes would you make to improve them? 4. Do you think public transport should be free? 5. Should air travel be restricted to reduce global warming? 6. If so, how?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Advanced
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Advanced
3 General understanding
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. h d e b f c g a
visiting (11) triggering (6) saying (11) promising (7) resulting (9) travelling (11) arriving (13)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Pre-reading
1. Do you like flying? 2. Have you ever had any problems at an airport? 3. How would you feel if your luggage didnt arrive? 4. How would you feel if your plane didnt leave? This article is about what happened when London Heathrow Airport opened its new terminal.
Key words
Match some key words from this story with the meanings below. fume chaos collapses handlers backlog disaster carousels teething problems
complained
apologize
1. ___________________: told somebody that they were not satisfied 2. ___________________: say that you are sorry 3. ___________________: breaks down and stops working 4. ___________________: problems that only happen at the start of a new system 5. ___________________: people who move things by hand from place to place 6. ___________________: a lot of work you have to do before you start the next job 7. ___________________: terrible situation 8. ___________________: complete confusion 9. ___________________: become very angry 10. ___________________: where you look for your luggage when it comes into the airport Now read the article quickly to check.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Elementary
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10 BA blamed the disaster on teething problems, but got little sympathy from many of the 40,000 people who passed through T5 yesterday. 11 Kate Adamson, 39, travelling from Frankfurt with her daughter Olivia, five, stopped expecting her luggage after waiting more than an hour-anda-half in the morning. She said: I am furious. We had a 50-minute flight from Frankfurt and then we had a 90-minute wait. The luggage system seemed to have stopped completely. Staff have been really rude and there has been no announcement. One BA woman in there was saying there was a technical problem. Ive given up. They can send my bags on. 12 Producer Sir George Martin, famous for his work with The Beatles, was also affected by the difficulties. He said: When I came here I was very excited about the new terminal, but not now. 13 Matt Duffy had to wait on a flight arriving into
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Terminal 5 from Glasgow for more than an hour and then when he was transported to the terminal, his wheelchair couldnt get up the step. I couldnt even get into the building without getting up a step, he said. It is totally unbelievable as far as I am concerned. 14 BA is the only airline that can use Terminal 5, which was designed by Lord Rogers and opened by the Queen earlier this month. 15 The 34 cancelled flights represented almost 10% of the total timetabled to fly in and out of the terminal yesterday but, luckily, BA didnt plan to use the terminals full capacity of 70,000
Now match each number with its explanation below. 1. __________________: the flights that couldnt come in or out of Terminal 5 2. __________________: the percentage of cancelled flights on yesterdays timetable 3. __________________: the money spent on the terminal 4. __________________: the passengers who will use T5 next month 5. __________________: the years needed to plan T5 6. __________________: the age of the passenger from Frankfurt 7. __________________: the number of bags usually late or lost for every thousand BA passengers 8. __________________: the minutes Ms Adamson waited and still didnt get her luggage
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2. A lot of flights... 3. A lot of peoples... 5. British Airways said... 6. BA offered to give... 8. About 340 flights...
1. Customers could get their money back... (para 8) _____________________ 2. ... the handlers could not get where they were supposed to go... (para 9) _____________________ 3. ... they could not get into the car parks... (para 9) _____________________ 4. ... or get security clearance (para 9) _____________________ 5. ... so that its jets could get ready... (para 9) _____________________ 6. BA ... got little sympathy... (para 10) _____________________ 7. ... his wheelchair couldnt get up the step. (para 13) _____________________ 8. I couldnt even get into the building... (para 13) _____________________ 9. ... without getting up a step,... (para 13) _____________________
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Elementary
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Elementary
4 General understanding
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. c e f g a h b d
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Pre-reading
1. Do you like flying? 2. Have you ever had any problems at an airport? 3. How would you feel if your luggage got lost, or was late arriving? 4. How would you feel if your flight was cancelled? This article is about what happened when London Heathrow Airport opened its new terminal.
Key words
Match some key words from this article with the definitions below. fume chaos collapses surly backlog kerb prospects due to
complained
packed up
1. _____________________: told somebody that they were not satisfied 2. _____________________: timetabled to, expected to 3. _____________________: breaks down and stops working 4. _____________________: stopped working 5. _____________________: edge of a pavement that is higher than the road 6. _____________________: a lot of work you have to do before you start the next job 7. _____________________: outlook; the possibility that something will happen in the future 8. _____________________: complete confusion 9. _____________________: become very angry 10. _____________________: bad-tempered and rude Now read the article quickly to check.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Intermediate
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10 BA blamed the disaster on teething problems, but got little sympathy from many of the 40,000 people who passed through T5 yesterday. 11 Kate Adamson, 39, travelling from Frankfurt with her daughter Olivia, five, stopped expecting her luggage after waiting more than an hour-anda-half in the morning. Ms Adamson, who was visiting her parents in Maidenhead, Berkshire, said: I am furious. We had a 50-minute flight from Frankfurt and then we had a 90-minute wait. The luggage system seemed to have packed up completely. Staff have been really surly and there has been no announcement. One BA woman in there was saying there was a technical problem. Ive given up. They can send my bags on. 12 Producer Sir George Martin, famous for his work with The Beatles, was among those affected by
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the difficulties. He said: When I came here I was very excited about the new terminal, but not now. 13 Matt Duffy had to wait on a flight arriving into Terminal 5 from Glasgow for more than an hour and then when he was transported to the terminal, his wheelchair couldnt get up the kerb. I couldnt even get into the building without getting up a step, he said. It is totally unbelievable as far as I am concerned. 14 BA is the only airline that can use Terminal 5, which was designed by Lord Rogers and opened by the Queen earlier this month. 15 The 34 cancelled flights represented almost 10% of the total due to fly in and out of the
3 General understanding
Are the following sentences True (T) or False (F)? If they are false, say why. 1. Terminal five opened successfully. 2. A lot of flights did not take off. 3. Everybody lost their luggage. 4. Nobody could take hand luggage into the plane. 5. British Airways said they were sorry. 6. BA didnt offer to give some people their money back. 7. Some staff could not work because the computers didnt accept their ID. 8. About 340 flights were timetabled to leave yesterday.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Intermediate
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backlog
teams
6 Discussion
1. Do the airports in your country work well? 2. What about the train and bus systems? 3. How could they be better? 4. Do you think public transport should be free? 5. Do you think people should not travel so much by air, to reduce global warming? 6. If so, how would you stop them?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
baggage
3 General understanding
1. False. There were a lot of problems. 2. True. 3. False, but a lot of people will have to wait for their luggage. 4. False. They could only take hand luggage. 5. True. 6. False. They said they could have a refund. 7. True. 8. True.
bag hand
handling handling
baggage luggage
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Passengers fume in the chaos of Terminal 5s first day / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Warmer
Credit crunch: A shortage of available loans. In well-functioning markets, this would simply mean a rise in interest rates, but in practice it often means that some borrowers cannot get loans at all, a situation of credit rationing.
What do you know about the global credit crunch? Talk in small groups for five minutes and exchange what information you have.
Find words or phrases in the article that mean the following. The relevant sections of the article have been given to help you. 1. A legal agreement in which you borrow money from a bank in order to buy a house. Repayments are usually made monthly. _____________________ (section 1) 2. To remove an offer from the market. _____________________ (section 1) 3. A situation in which your house has lost value and is now worth less than the amount you are paying for it. _____________________ (section 1) 4. A period when trade and industry are not successful and there is a lot of unemployment. ___________________ (section 1) 5. Someone who buys and uses goods and services. _____________________ (section 1) 6. Amount of money that a person, business, or country borrows, especially from a bank. _____________________ (section 2) 7. An agreement with your bank that allows you to spend money when you have no money left in your account. _____________________ (section 2) 8. The percentage that an institution such as a bank charges or pays you when you borrow money from it or keep money in an account. _____________________ (section 3) 9. The total value of the goods and services that a country produces in a year, not including income received from money invested in other countries. _____________________ (section 5) 10. An economic process in which prices increase so that money becomes less valuable. ____________________ (section 6) Source: Macmillan English Dictionary Online
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Advanced
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10 This is despite the recent cuts in interest rates, which lenders appear determined to ignore. The housing market 11 Negative equity threat to 3 million homes was the headline in a recent edition of the Daily Mail. But Labour politicians disagree with the suggestion that the current problems could lead to a repeat of the recession of the early 1990s, but official statistics do back up the concern. 12 In parliament, Vince Cable warned that a 10% drop in house prices would leave 3m households locked in the misery of negative equity. 13 Minister Angela Eagle was quick to disagree and said Cables assessment was colourful and lurid fiction. Prices, though, have fallen for the last five months, and economists warn that a larger drop becomes more likely once people expect it to happen. 14 The likelihood of a sharp change in house prices will also rise if both sellers and buyers start expecting it to happen. This is becoming a very real threat due to all the current high profile bad news about mortgages and the housing market, Howard Archer, Global Insight. The economy 15 The chancellor, Alistair Darling, insists the UK economy will still expand this year. 16 News that growth in the key service sector is slowing is putting pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates. But persistent inflationary pressures may deter policymakers. 17 The picture in the US is murkier, with Ben Bernanke warning that the worlds largest economy could shrink in the first half of 2008. 18 It now appears likely that real gross domestic product will not grow much, if at all, over the first half of 2008 and could even contract slightly, said Bernanke.
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Further bad news 19 Oil is still trading over $100 a barrel which indicates that petrol prices will stay at their current level of about a pound a litre. 20 Food inflation is soaring. The cost of milk, bread and sugar has been going up for many months, driven by higher demand in emerging markets. The latest edible commodity to come under pressure is rice prompting a warning from the UN that 36 countries could run short of essential food stocks.
3 Comprehension check
Find the answers to these questions in the article. 1. Mortgage rates are... a) ... going up. b) ... going down. c) ... remaining steady. 2. It is becoming ___________________ to get a new mortgage deal? a) easier b) harder c) impossible 3. Many people in Britain are having to borrow more money to pay for... a) ... new cars. b) ... food. c) ... their homes. 4. Some banks are... a) ... closing their branches. b) ... stockpiling cash. c) ... offering new and exciting deals. 5. House prices in Britain are... a) ... falling. b) ... rising. c) ... remaining steady.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Advanced
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5 Discussion
What advice would you give people to help them avoid or survive the credit crunch?
6 Webquest
Read the following articles to discover what advice some financial professionals are giving. Is the advice similar to yours in question 5? http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/apr/13/consumeraffairs.householdbills http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/creditcrunch
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. a b c b a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
1. Write borrow or lend into the gaps: a. Can I __________________ your pen, please? b. Can you __________________ me your pen, please? c. Would you like to __________________ my pen? d. Shall I __________________ you my pen? 2. Whats the difference between borrow and lend? Tip: It might help to draw pictures and translate the words into your own language. 3. In pairs, practise situations in which you lend and borrow things. Credit crunch: A shortage of available loans. This could simply mean a rise in interest rates, but it often means that some borrowers cannot get loans at all.
_v _ r d r _ f t
8. An expert in financial matters, especially one who advises a government department, business, or organization. _ c _ n _ m _ s t 9. The member of the British government who is responsible for taxes and for deciding how the government spends its money. c h _ n c _ l l _ r 10. An economic process in which prices increase so that money becomes less valuable. _ n f l _ t _ _ n Source: Macmillan English Dictionary Online
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Discussion
Brainstorm as many different ways to save money as you can (e.g. stop smoking; walk to work). Talk in groups. Which of these things would you be willing to do to save money?
5 Webquest
Skim-read the following article to discover what advice some financial professionals gave. http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/apr/13/consumeraffairs.householdbills
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Elementary
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3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. People are paying more money for their homes in Britain. The financial future doesnt look good. The US economy might fall into recession. Food is becoming more expensive worldwide. Banks are not giving many loans. People are borrowing money on their credit cards.
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Intermediate
a) Try to explain the difference between borrow and lend. Tip: It might help to draw a picture and translate the words into your own language. b) In pairs, offer to lend someone something, and ask to borrow something. Then explain to a third person what you said and did. Credit crunch: A shortage of available loans. This could simply mean a rise in interest rates, but it often means that some borrowers cannot get loans at all.
interest rate
1. A legal agreement in which you borrow money from a bank to buy a house. Repayments are usually made monthly. ___________________ 2. To remove an offer from the market. ___________________ 3. A situation in which your house has lost value and is now worth less than the amount you are paying for it. _____________________ 4. A period when trade and industry are not successful and there is a lot of unemployment. _________________ 5. Someone who buys and uses goods and services. ___________________ 6. Amount of money that a person, business or country borrows, especially from a bank. __________________ 7. An agreement with your bank that allows you to spend money when you have no money left in your account. ___________________ 8. The percentage that an institution such as a bank charges or pays you when you borrow money from it or keep money in an account. ___________________ 9. A group of numbers that represent facts or describe a situation. ___________________ 10. An economic process in which prices increase so that money becomes less valuable. ___________________ Source: Macmillan English Dictionary Online
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3 Comprehension check
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? Correct any false sentences. 1. Mortgage rates are remaining steady. 2. It is becoming impossible to get a new mortgage deal. 3. Many people in Britain are having to borrow more money to pay for their homes. 4. Some banks are stockpiling cash. 5. House prices in Britain are likely to remain steady. 6. Petrol prices are likely to go up dramatically. 7. The US economy is going to stay very strong. 8. Interest rates in the UK have risen.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Intermediate
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6 Webquest
Skim-read the following article to discover what advice some financial professionals are giving. Is the advice similar to yours in question 5? http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/apr/13/consumeraffairs.householdbills
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
1. False 2. False 3. True 4. True 5. False 6. False 7. False 8. False
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The week the crisis hit home / Intermediate
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Advanced
Pre-reading 1
1. If you are a teenager, what kind of thing do you enjoy reading most? 2. Make a short list of five before you read the article below. 3. If you are not a teenager, guess the kind of things they like reading!
Pre-reading 2
Look at the following lists (which are not in the right order!). One is the top ten favourites of young British teenagers; the other is the kind of thing they hate reading most. Which do you think is which? Facebook The Beano Magazine articles about skinny celebrities Music (scores) / the Harry Potter series / maps/directions Shakespeare Encyclopedias and dictionaries Financial Times / anything in another language Books of over 100 pages Books assigned by school/teachers Homework Books by Anthony Horowitz Film scripts My own blog or fan fiction Bliss magazine / online song lyrics Online computer game cheats The Harry Potter series BBC Online / the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson books by Louise Rennison Anne Franks diary Heat magazine The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by CS Lewis
Pre-reading 3
Well, the second list shows the top ten favourites. Which order do you think they came in? Now read the text and see if you were right.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Advanced
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Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank: the reading diary of British teenagers
Shakespeare and homework lose out as Internet competes with books and magazines for attention of young readers Mark Brown, arts correspondent March 27, 2008 1 It may not make all parents leap for joy but a report
published today shows the favourite reading material of young teenagers is Heat magazine. Parents may be more pleased to note that Anne Franks diary, books by Anthony Horowitz and CS Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are also in the top ten. when 11 to 14-year-olds are asked to name their favourite read, followed by teenage girls magazine Bliss, which comes joint second with reading song lyrics online. They are followed by reading computer game cheats advice online, and then reading your own blog or fan fiction. at number five. Proving what a contrary lot teenagers are, Harry Potter is also number eight in the most loathed reading material top ten. Fed Up: Exploring Teenage Reading Habits in the UK Today, which was commissioned by organizers of the National Year of Reading, which Gordon Brown launched in January. diary at number six, Anthony Horowitz novels at eight, the CS Lewis classic at number nine and books by Louise Rennison author of the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series in joint tenth place with BBC Online. Reading, said she was more interested in the shape of the list than the rankings. I think the diversity of the list is really encouraging. I read everything from Jane Austen to Grazia magazine and if you asked adults the same question weve asked teenagers you wouldnt expect James Joyce and Dostoevsky to be there.
over is perhaps reflected by it being the ninth most hated read, although the report shows a big rise in online reading. been told off by parents for reading something considered improper. Wilson-Fletcher said: One of the fundamental problems weve got is that we end up being pejorative about certain kinds of reading. Parents should realize reading is not just about books.
celebrated. Young people are web natives exposed to a wider variety of reading material than any previous generation through the explosion of digital media. It seems not all adults are comfortable with this shift and are often discouraging teens from taking advantage of this new reading landscape. young people have the opportunity to read widely. It is wonderful that 80% of the teenagers surveyed write their own stories and keep up-to-date with current affairs by using sites like BBC Online. listed online computer game cheats as their favourite read, while online song lyrics came second. Nearly a third of boys said they loved reading because it helped them get better at hobbies. Girls took a different approach, with 39% saying they loved reading because it provided an escape, or quiet time to enjoy on their own.
3 The first books in the list are the Harry Potter series
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5 General understanding
Are the following statements True (T) or False (F)? If they are false, say why. 1. The writer thinks most parents would approve of the writer CS Lewis. 2. The teenagers questioned prefer books to magazines. 3. Harry Potter books are both loved and hated. 4. Honor Wilson-Fletcher is not surprised by the results. 5. She thinks reading something is better than reading nothing. 6. Jim Knight is discouraged by the results. 7. Boys and girls read for the same reasons. 8. The survey was conducted online.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Advanced
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6. fundamental
7 Collocations B
Now match nine of the collocations with their meaning. a. ____________________: several people brought together to find out their opinions b. ____________________: important things that are happening now c. ____________________: basic difficulties d. ____________________: stories made up about popular stars e. ____________________: the big difference between boys and girls f. ____________________: the words of songs g. ____________________: shared second place h. ____________________: things you can read i. ____________________: another attitude
8 Discussion
1. Do the results of the survey surprise you? 2. How similar is the situation in your country? 3. What do you think explains the situation? 4. How much does it matter what young people read? 5. Why? 6. What would you do to change the situation?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Advanced
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Advanced
5 General understanding
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. True False; books dont appear until number four. True True True False; hes glad that they read widely, including BBC online 7. False; see paragraph 12 8. True
7 Collocations B
a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. focus groups current affairs fundamental problems fan fiction gender divide song lyrics joint second reading material different approach
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Pre-reading 1
1. How old are you? 2. Are you a teenager? (between 13 and 19) 3. Do you like reading? 4. What kind of thing do you read? 5. If you are older, what do you think teenagers like reading best?
Find words in the box to match the definitions below. celebrity blog scandal fan fiction favourite literature gossip skinny cheats current affairs
1. ___________________: a web log, like a diary on the Internet, that anyone can read 2. ___________________: untrue stories about popular stars and famous people 3. ___________________: unfair ways to win a game or pass a test 4. ___________________: somebody who is often in the news or on TV, like a pop star or actor 5. ___________________: the one you like best 6. ___________________: important things happening now 7. ___________________: a situation that everybody thinks is terrible or wrong 8. ___________________: talking about other peoples private lives 9. ___________________: very, very thin 10. ___________________: books, plays and poems that people think are very well written Now read the article and check.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Elementary
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Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank: the reading diary of British teenagers
Shakespeare and homework lose out as Internet competes with books and magazines for attention of young readers Mark Brown, arts correspondent March 27, 2008 1 Many parents wont like it, but a report published today shows young teenagers favourite reading is Heat magazine. Parents may be happier to see that Anne Franks diary, books by Anthony Horowitz and CS Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are also in the top ten. 2 The celebrity gossip and news magazine comes top when 11 to 14-year-olds are asked to name their favourite read. This is followed by teenage girls magazine Bliss, which comes joint second with reading song lyrics online. They are followed by reading computer game cheats advice online, and then reading your own blog or fan fiction. 3 The first books in the list are the Harry Potter series at number five. But not all teenagers agree, because Harry Potter is also number eight in the most hated reading material top ten. 4 The results are in a report called Read Up, Fed Up: Exploring Teenage Reading Habits in the UK Today, as part of the National Year of Reading, which Gordon Brown set up in January. 5 Other books on the favourites list are Anne Franks diary at number six, Anthony Horowitz novels at eight, the CS Lewis classic at number nine and books by Louise Rennison author of the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series in joint tenth place with BBC Online. 6 Honor Wilson-Fletcher, director of the National Year of Reading, said she was more interested in the variety of the list than the order. She said that adults read different kinds of things too and not many read serious literature. 7 Predictably, the most hated read is homework. It is followed by Shakespeare, books of over 100
10 The schools minister, Jim Knight, said: It is vital that young people have the opportunity to read widely. It is wonderful that 80% of the teenagers surveyed write their own stories and keep up-to-date with current affairs by using sites like BBC Online. 11 The report also shows a big difference between boys and girls. 41% of boys put online computer game cheats as their favourite read, and put online song lyrics second. Nearly a third of boys said they loved reading because it helped them get better at hobbies. 39% of girls said they loved reading because it provided an escape, or quiet time to enjoy on their own. 12 Young people were surveyed to find the 20 most loved and 20 most loathed reads. Then teenagers logged on to the teen website Pizco to vote on the lists.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 27/03/08
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Elementary
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Elementary
Most hated reads
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Homework Shakespeare Books of over 100 pages Magazine articles about skinny celebrities Books set by school/teachers Encyclopedias and dictionaries The Beano Music (scores) / the Harry Potter series / maps/directions 9. Facebook 10. Financial Times / anything in another language
3 Quiz
What do you know about the teenagers favourites? Match the words on the left with their explanations on the right. 1. Anthony Horowitz 2. Bliss 4. Heat 5. CS Lewis 6. Anne Frank a. Born in 1898; serious writer of imaginative books for children b. Stories written like a modern teenage girls diary d. Real teenage girl who wrote a diary about hiding from the Nazis in World War Two e. A magazine with lots of stories about famous people f. A magazine about pop music, television, and stories about famous people
3. Georgia Nicolson books c. Writer of books about Alex Rider, a 14-year-old spy
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Elementary
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The title of the report was Read Up, Fed Up. The word read can be pronounced /rid/, in the infinitive, or /red/ like the past tense. Which do you think it is here? Here are some more words from the article. Put them in the columns for their vowel sound. make eight cheat fed name heat teenagers helped web teens media many say said set any Shakespeare pleased
/e/ as in play
/i/ as in see
/e/ as in red
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Elementary
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Elementary
3 Quiz
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c e b f a d
7. They hate the Financial Times less than the Beano (or: They dont hate the Financial Times as much as the Beano). 8. They hate encyclopedias as much as dictionaries. 9. They dont hate maps and directions as much as homework (or: They hate maps and directions less than homework). 10. They hate Music (scores) as much as the Harry Potter series. 11. They dont hate anything in another language as much as books set by schoolteachers (or: They hate anything in another language less than books set by schoolteachers).
/e/ as in play
make eight name say Shakespeare
/i/ as in see
cheat heat teenagers teens media pleased
/e/ as in red
fed many said set helped web any
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Pre-reading 1
1. If you are a teenager, what kind of thing do you enjoy reading most? 2. Make a short list of 5 before you read the article below. 3. If you are not a teenager, guess the kind of things they like reading!
Pre-reading 2: Quiz
Look at this list of the top ten favourites of young British teenagers not in the right order!
What do you know about them? Match the words on the left with their explanations on the right. 1. Anthony Horowitz 2. blog 4. Bliss 5. cheats 7. Anne Frank 8. CS Lewis 9. Heat 3. Fan fiction a. Born in 1898; serious writer of imaginative books for children b. Untrue stories about popular stars and celebrities c. Fictional modern teenage girls diary d. Writer of books about Alex Rider, a 14-year-old spy e. Real teenage girl who wrote a diary about hiding from the Nazis in World War Two g. A celebrity gossip magazine h. A celebrity gossip and entertainment magazine i. Unfair ways to win a game or pass a test
6. Georgia Nicolson books f. A web log, like an online diary with pictures that anyone can log onto
Pre-reading 3
Before you read the article, see if you can put the teenagers top ten in the right order. Now, read the text and see if you were right.
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Intermediate
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Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank: the reading diary of British teenagers
Shakespeare and homework lose out as Internet competes with books and magazines for attention of young readers Mark Brown, arts correspondent March 27, 2008 1 It may not make all parents jump for joy but a report published today shows the favourite reading material of young teenagers is Heat magazine. Parents may be more pleased to see that Anne Franks diary, books by Anthony Horowitz and CS Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are also in the top ten. 2 The celebrity gossip and news magazine comes top when 11 to 14-year-olds are asked to name their favourite read, followed by teenage girls magazine Bliss, which comes joint second with reading song lyrics online. They are followed by reading computer game cheats advice online, and then reading your own blog or fan fiction. 3 The first books in the list are the Harry Potter series at number five. Proving how inconsistent teenagers are, Harry Potter is also number eight in the most hated reading material top ten. 4 The results are in a report called Read Up, Fed Up: Exploring Teenage Reading Habits in the UK Today, which was commissioned by organizers of the National Year of Reading, which Gordon Brown launched in January. 5 Other books on the favourites list are Anne Franks diary at number six, Anthony Horowitz novels at eight, the CS Lewis classic at number nine and books by Louise Rennison author of the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series in joint tenth place with BBC Online. 6 Honor Wilson-Fletcher, director of the National Year of Reading, said she was more interested in the shape of the list than the rankings. I think the diversity of the list is really encouraging. I read everything from Jane Austen to Grazia magazine and if you asked adults the same question weve asked teenagers you wouldnt expect James Joyce and Dostoevsky to be there.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Intermediate
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Intermediate
Most hated reads
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Homework Shakespeare Books of over 100 pages Magazine articles about skinny celebrities Books set by school/teachers Encyclopedias and dictionaries The Beano Music (scores) / the Harry Potter series / maps/directions 9. Facebook 10. Financial Times / anything in another language
5 General understanding
Match the sentence halves. 1. The writer thinks most parents... 2. The teenagers in the survey... 3. Harry Potter books... 4. Honor Wilson-Fletcher... 5. Jim Knight... a. ... read for the same reasons. b. ... is glad teenagers want to follow the news. c. ... want children to read serious books. d. ... like magazines more than books. e. ... the survey questions online. f. ... are loved as well as hated. g. ... is not surprised by the results.
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Now write these percentages as (less precise) fractions. 5. 50% ________________________ 6. 25% ________________________ 7. 66.6% ________________________ 8. 10% ________________________ 9. 90% ________________________ 10. 26% ________________________ 11. 49% ________________________ 12. 35% ________________________
7 Discussion
1. Do the results of the survey surprise you? 2. How similar is the situation in your country? 3. Why do you think teenagers like reading the things they do? 4. How much does it matter what young people read? 5. Why? 6. What would you do to change the situation?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 General understanding
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. c d f g b a e
6 Talking numbers
1. 2. 3. 4. b d a c
5. half 6. a quarter 7. two thirds 8. a tenth 9. nine tenths 10. just over a quarter 11. just under half / almost half 12. just over a third
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Celebrity scandal and Anne Frank / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. disorder high-profile overwhelming forthcoming confess consultant stigma gorge revelation memoirs
1. A _______________ is a feeling that something is wrong or embarrassing in some way. 2. If you write your _______________, you write an autobiographical account of your experiences. 3. If a publication is _______________, it is going to appear soon. 4. A _______________ person is often seen in public, mentioned in the newspapers and appears on television. 5. If you _______________ to something about yourself, you admit to it, even though it might be embarrassing and you would not normally tell other people about it. 6. A _______________ is an illness or medical condition. 7. A _______________ is a senior doctor who specializes in a particular area of medicine. 8. An _______________ feeling is one that is so strong that you cannot think or behave normally. 9. A _______________ is the admission of something that was previously hidden or secret. 10. If you _______________ on something, you eat so much of it that you cannot eat any more.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Bulimia and anorexia are both eating disorders. 2. Bulimia and anorexia are the same thing. 3. It is quite common for middle-aged and elderly men to suffer from eating disorders. 4. More men than women suffer from eating disorders. 5. 80% of people suffering from eating disorders are aged between 12 and 20. 6. More than one million people in Britain suffer from eating disorders.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Advanced
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girl to confess to, but for a high-profile male politician approaching 70, its especially impressive. Glover said he had never before come across a man of Prescotts age with bulimia. It seriously makes me think that maybe were completely missing a whole audience of middle-aged men who are too scared to admit they have a problem. Johns bravery will hopefully encourage more men to stop suffering in silence and come forward to seek treatment.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why might people think it strange for a 70-year old politician to confess to suffering from bulimia? a. Because politicians normally never confess to anything. b. Because people might think he wasnt being serious. c. Because people normally associate bulimia with young women. 2. What, in his view, was the cause of his eating disorder? a. He was constantly hungry. b. He was under a lot of stress in his job. c. The fact that he likes sweet things. 3. Why is his decision to confess to suffering from bulimia described as brave? a. Because sufferers often feel ashamed of themselves and find it hard to tell other people. b. Because it is embarrassing for a man to suffer from a disease associated with women. c. Because the treatment is difficult and sometimes unpleasant. 4. According to the consultant psychiatrist, how many middle-aged men are suffering from bulimia? a. A few. b. A lot. c. An unknown number.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
noun
courage
adjective
brave embarrassed
6 Phrasal verbs
Match the verbs with the definitions. 1. account for 2. throw up 3. speak out 4. keep down 5. turn to 6. give away 7. turn up 8. come across a. to start to use something in an attempt to help yourself when you are having difficulty dealing with a situation b. to meet someone or find something by chance c. to be the reason why something exists or happens d. to provide information that should be kept secret e. to control something and prevent it from increasing in size or number f. to arrive somewhere without making a firm arrangement g. to vomit h. to state your opinion firmly and publicly about something.
6 Discussion
Do you agree with the theory that images of super-thin models are responsible for anorexia and bulimia in young girls and women? What other factors might lead to eating disorders?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
6 Phrasal verbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. c g h e a d f b
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. c b a c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. disorder autobiography anorexia exhausted bulimia embarrassed consultant vomit stress throw up
1. A ___________________ is a senior doctor who specializes in a particular area of medicine. 2. An ___________________ is a book about your life that you write yourself. 3. If you are ___________________, you feel very, very tired. 4. A ___________________ is an illness or medical condition. 5. If you ___________________, food comes up from your stomach and out through you mouth. 6. ___________________ is another way of saying vomit. 7. ___________________ is a serious illness that makes you want to stop eating. 8. ___________________ is a worried or nervous feeling that stops you relaxing. 9. If you feel ___________________, you feel ashamed of something and worried about what other people will think. 10. ___________________ is a serious illness in which a person makes himself or herself vomit after eating in order to control his or her weight.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How old is John Prescott? 2. What job did he do? 3. When did he begin suffering from bulimia? 4. How many people in Britain suffer from eating disorders? 5. What percentage of them are women? 6. What is the age of 80% of new cases of eating disorders?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Elementary
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is nearly 70 years old, its especially difficult. Glover said he had never before heard of a man of Prescotts age with bulimia. It makes me think that maybe there are a large number of middle-aged men who are too frightened to tell anyone they have a problem. I hope they will stop suffering in silence and seek treatment.
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. People who suffer from bulimia... 2. People who suffer from anorexia... 3. John Prescott began to suffer from bulimia because 4. He says he felt like an idiot because 5. His case is unusual because 6. The chief executive of Beat thinks Prescott is brave because
a. young women usually suffer from eating disorders, not middle-aged men. b. dont eat enough food and become extremely thin. c. he was the only man in the consultants waiting room. d. eat large amounts of food and then throw up. e. people often feel ashamed and find it difficult to talk about eating disorders. f. he was under a lot of stress in his job.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
adjective
1 2 3 4 5 6 brave silent
noun
stress embarrassment exhaustion danger
5 Prepositions
Complete these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. suffer _____________ an illness 2. dangerous _____________ your health 3. be _____________ a lot of stress 4. free _____________ a problem 5. associate _____________ something 6. hide something _____________ someone 7. prefer food _____________ alcohol 8. feel ashamed _____________ something
6 Word stress
Divide these words into two groups according to their stress. illness believe amount throw up suffer menu A 0 o ashamed prefer treatment expert B o 0 frightened Chinese
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. silence stressful bravery embarrassed exhausted dangerous
5 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. from for under of with from to; of
6 Word stress
A 0 o
illness suffer treatment frightened menu expert
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d b f c a e
B o 0
amount ashamed believe throw up prefer Chinese
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. disorder consultant anorexia gorge bulimia autobiography confess resign high-profile speak out
1. _________________ is a serious illness that makes you want to stop eating. 2. A _________________ is a senior doctor who specializes in a particular area of medicine. 3. A _________________ is an illness or medical condition. 4. If you _________________ on something, you eat so much of it that you cannot eat any more. 5. _________________ is a serious illness in which a person makes himself or herself vomit after eating in order to control his or her weight. 6. If you _________________ from a job, you state formally that you are leaving it permanently. 7. A _________________ person is often seen in public, mentioned in the newspapers and appears on television. 8. If you _________________ about something, you state your opinion firmly and publicly. 9. An _________________ is a book about your life that you write yourself. 10. If you _________________ to something about yourself, you admit to it, even though it might be embarrassing and you would not normally tell other people about it.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. When did John Prescott begin suffering from bulimia? 2. How old is he? 3. How long did he suffer from bulimia? 4. How many people in Britain suffer from eating disorders? 5. What percentage of them are women? 6. What is the age of 80% of new cases of eating disorders?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Intermediate
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politician who is nearly 70, its especially impressive. Glover said he had never before heard of a man of Prescotts age with bulimia. It seriously makes me think that maybe were completely missing a large number of middleaged men who are too scared to admit they have a problem. Johns bravery will hopefully encourage more men to stop suffering in silence and seek treatment.
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. John Prescott believes his eating problems were caused by stress. 2. He often drank vodka when he was feeling stressed. 3. Some doctors dont think boys and men are affected by eating disorders. 4. Many men dont tell their families about their eating problems because they feel ashamed. 5. More men suffer from eating disorders than women. 6. If you are suffering from bulimia, you dont want to eat anything.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Word building
Complete the table.
adjective
1 2 3 4 5 6 aware embarrassed brave
noun
6 Prepositions
Complete these phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. suffer _______________ an eating disorder 2. be _______________ pressure 3. free _______________ a problem 4. associate _______________ something 5. hide something _______________ someone 6. diagnose someone _______________ a disease 7. prefer food _______________ alcohol 8. feel ashamed _______________ something
7 Discussion
Why do so many young people suffer from eating disorders? What is the solution to the problems such disorders cause?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. embarrassment bravery courageous stressful ashamed awareness
6 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. from under of with from with to of
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. T F T T F F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / John Prescott admits bulimia / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Warmer
Which of these words do you associate with alternative medicine? Say why. herbal remedies homeopathic remedies prescription supermarket
health stores
GP (General Practitioner)
chemist
a) Explain the differences between: pills, potions and ointments. (para 2) b) Skim-read the article to find words that mean the following. 1. When something is considered ordinary or normal and accepted or used by most people, we can say its ___________________. (para 1) 2. Giving drugs or medicines to yourself without seeking advice from a doctor: ___________________. (para 1) 3. ___________________ is a law or a set of laws. (para 3) 4. A ___________________ is a substance that is not medicine but that a patient who is taking it believes is medicine, so they get better. (para 4) 5. When something is ___________________, it continues for a long time without stopping. (para 6) 6. When something is ___________________, it may be seriously considered. (para 6)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Discussion
Have you ever bought over-the-counter alternative remedies? Why / why not?
7 Webquest
What are these plants called in your language? Put the Latin name into a search engine to find out. purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) yarrow (Achillea millefolium) chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita) hops (Humulus lupus)
Which could you take a) to ease a headache or migraine? b) to boost your immune system? c) as a sedative? d) when you have a cold or a fever?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
prescription-only drugs high-octane lifestyle over-the-counter medicine legitimate alternative placebo effect scientific evidence biologically plausible
6 Webquest
a) to ease a headache or migraine = chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita) b) to boost your immune system = purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) c) as a sedative = hops (Humulus lupus) and maybe chamomile d) when you have a cold or a fever = yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. b a b c a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
alternative medicine: medical treatment which uses methods that are different from the usual Western scientific methods.
Which of the following do you think are examples of alternative medicine? aromatherapy acupuncture physiotherapy homeopathy herbal medicine (phytotherapy) plastic surgery
2 Key words
Write the key words from the article into the sentences. remedy counter stigma boom outlet addiction treatment placebo minute
legitimate
insomnia
1. A ___________________ is a sudden increase in sales or profits. 2. When you get ___________________, you are getting medical care. 3. A ___________________ is another word for cure. 4. A ___________________ is a substance that is not medicine but that a patient who takes it believes is medicine, so they get better. 5. When something is ___________________, it is very, very small. 6. ___________________ is the strong need that someone feels to regularly take an illegal or harmful drug. 7. When something is ___________________, it is legal. 8. A ___________________ is the long, flat surface in a shop that the shop assistant stands behind. 9. An ___________________ is a shop or store where a particular product is sold. 10. A ___________________ is a feeling that something is wrong or embarrassing in some way. 11. ___________________ is a medical condition in which people cannot sleep.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
Write the country names under their correct pronunciation pattern. homeopathic registration government authorization prescription controversial pharmacist complementary legislation regulations
oOo
ooOo
Ooo
oooOo
Can you find any more words in the article with these stress patterns?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Elementary
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5 Discussion
Ask and answer these questions. Do you sometimes buy alternative medicines? Do you think herbal remedies work? Do you think homeopathic remedies work?
6 Webquest
What are these plants called in your language? Put the Latin name into a search engine to find out. purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) yarrow (Achillea millefolium) chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita) hops (Humulus lupus)
Which could you take a) for a headache or migraine? b) to help your immune system? c) to help you sleep? d) when you have a cold or a fever?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
oOo
prescription
ooOo
complementary controversial legislation registration regulations
Ooo
pharmacist government
oooOo
homeopathic authorization
2 Key words
1. boom 2. treatment 3. remedy 4. placebo 5. minute 6. addiction 7. legitimate 8. counter 9. outlet 10. stigma 11. insomnia
6 Webquest
a) for a headache or migraine = chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita) b) to help your immune system = purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) c) to help you sleep = hops (Humulus lupus) and maybe chamomile d) when you have a cold or a fever = yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
3 Comprehension check
1. More and more women over the age of 35 are buying medicines for themselves and not going to a doctor. 2. Sales of alternative remedies have increased rapidly in the last ten years. 3. New EU laws aim to standardize the quality of herbal medicines. 4. There are over 40 million websites on alternative medicine. 5. Some herbal medicines can treat illnesses. 6. Homeopathic remedies cannot protect people from Malaria.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Write the key words from the article into the sentences. potion stigma extract outlet beneficial predict legitimate consumer remedy ointment
counter
insomnia
placebo
1. An _____________________ is a thick, smooth substance that you put on sore or injured skin. 2. A _____________________ is a drink that is taken as medicine. 3. A _____________________ is another word for cure. 4. A _____________________ is a substance that is not medicine but that a patient who takes it believes is medicine, so they get better. 5. A _____________________ is someone who buys something.
6. To _____________________ is to say what you think will happen in the future. 7. When something is _____________________, it is legal. 8. A _____________________ is the long, flat surface in a shop that the shop assistant stands behind. 9. An _____________________ is a substance that has been taken from another substance, e.g. from a plant. 10. When something is _____________________, it has a positive effect. 11. _____________________ is a medical condition in which people cannot sleep. 12. A _____________________ is a feeling that something is wrong or embarrassing in some way. 13. An _____________________ is a shop or store where a particular product is sold.
2 Before reading
Which of these further words would you expect to read in an article about alternative medicine? plants farm minerals chemist prescription supermarket health stores malaria doctor stress
Add five of your own ideas, then skim-read the article to find out.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Intermediate
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Intermediate
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4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
Write these words into the table according to their stress patterns. homeopathic complementary consumers legislation predicted regulations government registration prescription authorization pharmacist controversial
oOo
ooOo
Ooo
oooOo
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Intermediate
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5 Discussion
Would you ever buy herbal or homeopathic remedies? Why / why not?
6 Webquest
What are these plants called in your language? Put the Latin name into a search engine to find out. purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) yarrow (Achillea millefolium) chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita) hops (Humulus lupus)
Which could you take a) to ease a headache or migraine? b) to boost your immune system? c) as a sedative? d) when you have a cold or a fever?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
oOo
consumers predicted prescription
ooOo
complementary controversial legislation registration regulations
Ooo
pharmacist government
oooOo
homeopathic authorization
6 Webquest
a) to ease a headache or migraine = chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita) b) to boost your immune system = purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) c) as a sedative = hops (Humulus lupus) and maybe chamomile d) when you have a cold or a fever = yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
3 Comprehension check
1. T 2. T 3. F 4. T 5. T 6. T 7. F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The demand for natural cures soars / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. _________________: to untie or open something that was rolled up, e.g. a flag or an umbrella 2. _________________: to have and be able to use power or influence 3. _________________: to make changes to a document, law or agreement 4. _________________: to try to end a disagreement between two people or groups 5. _________________: to walk without hurrying 6. _________________: to make someone go somewhere by pushing them in a rough way 7. _________________: to say what you are feeling or thinking in an indirect way 8. _________________: to prevent something from happening or progressing normally 9. _________________: to make a deep loud sound that continues for some time 10. _________________: to make an organized and determined attempt to deal with a problem
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. What did Medvedev specifically promise to do in his speech at the Kremlin? a. To pay warm tribute to his predecessor. b. To visit China and Kazakhstan. c. To pay special attention to the law. 2. Which of these statements best reflects the opinions expressed in the text? a. Vladimir Putin is planning to return as president in 2012. b. Vladimir Putin will have very little influence when he becomes prime minister. c. Vladimir Putin will run Russia together with Dmitry Medvedev. 3. What, according to some experts, is Medvedevs biggest challenge? a. To try and establish good relations with the next American president. b. To keep the military intelligence group in the Kremlin on his side. c. To make life comfortable, confident and secure for ordinary Russians. 4. Which of these statements best reflects the challenges faced by Russias new president? a. He has several very difficult problems, both in Russia and abroad. b. He has one or two serious challenges to deal with. c. He is facing some minor problems but none of them are serious.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Advanced
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Phrasal verbs 5
Match these phrasal verbs from the text with their definitions. 1. take over 2. step down 3. fade away 4. thrive on 5. turn up 6. stick to a. to disappear slowly b. to arrive somewhere c. to do something you promised or decided you would do d. to leave an official position or job e. to begin to do something someone else was doing f. to become successful or happy in a particular situation
6 Collocations
Complete the collocations using these verbs from the text. wield negotiate deliver hamper pay bring down establish amend
1. ________________ good relations 2. ________________ an agreement 3. ________________ a speech 4. ________________ the curtain
7 Discussion
Do you agree with the presidential systems in Russia and the United States where presidents are elected for a maximum of two four-year terms of office? What are the arguments for and against limiting the amount of time an elected president can stay in office?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Phrasal verbs
1. e 2. d 3. a 4. f 5. b 6. c
6 Collocations
1. establish 2. negotiate 3. deliver 4. bring down 5. hamper 6. pay 7. amend 8. wield
3 Comprehension check
1. c 2. c 3. b 4. a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. corruption praise secure step down inflation negotiate utilities KGB constitution ban
1. The _________________ of a country is the set of basic laws that describe the rights and duties of its citizens. 2. If you _________________ from an official position or job, you leave it formally. 3. If you feel _________________, you are safe from attack, harm or damage. 4. If you _________________ someone, you say very positive things about them. 5. The _________________ was the state security service of the former Soviet Union. 6. _________________ is dishonest or illegal behaviour by officials or people in positions of power. 7. _________________ is an economic process in which prices increase and money becomes less valuable. 8. _________________ are public services such as gas, water and electricity. 9. If you _________________ something, you say officially that people must not do it. 10. If you _________________ an agreement, you discuss it in a very formal way first until both sides are happy with it.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. Who is the new president of Russia? 2. How old is he? 3. What is the level of inflation in Russia? 4. How long was Vladimir Putin president of Russia? 5. How much money do Russian pensioners receive each month? 6. Which foreign countries will the new president visit first?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
CA
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did not break my promise, he said in a short speech. 9 Meanwhile, Medvedevs promise to turn Russia into a society based on law is an interesting one. Yesterday, the authorities banned an anti-government demonstration in Moscow by supporters of The Other Russia movement, even though the constitution says that people have the right to protest.
3 Comprehension check
Match the beginnings and endings to make sentences about the text. 1. One of the new presidents biggest problems is... 2. The new president is planning... 3. He also has to decide... 4. The constitution says people have the right... 5. Putin was able... 6. The new president promised...
a. to make life comfortable and secure for ordinary people. b. what to do about Abkhazia. c. how to stop Russias rising inflation. d. to make different factions agree. e. to protest. f. to visit China and Kazakhstan.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Prepositions
Fill the gaps in the phrases using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. 1. not interested ___________ us 2. pay attention ___________ something 3. respect ___________ the law 4. head ___________ government 5. a disagreement ___________ someone 6. different ___________ someone else 7. ___________ a four-year break 8. a society based ___________ law
6 Word building
Complete the table using words from the text.
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Elementary
noun
Elementary
4 Adjectives
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. e c b f a d
5 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. in to for of with from after on
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. agreement development strengthen promise speech opposition movement improve
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f b e d a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these verbs from the text. corruption challenge hamper utilities dignitary banner stroll constitution mediate step down
1. If you _________________ between two people or groups, you try to end a disagreement between them. 2. If you _________________, you walk without hurrying. 3. If you _________________ something, you prevent it from happening or progressing normally. 4. A _________________ is a wide piece of cloth with a message on it, often stretched between two poles. 5. _________________ are public services such as gas, water and electricity. 6. The _________________ of a country is the set of basic laws that describe the rights and duties of its citizens. 7. A _________________ is someone who has an important official position. 8. If you _________________ from an official position or job, you leave it formally. 9. _________________ is dishonest or illegal behaviour by officials or people in positions of power. 10. A _________________ is something that needs a lot of skill, energy and determination to deal with.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. Who is the new president of Russia? 2. How old is he? 3. For how many years was Vladimir Putin president of Russia? 4. How much money do Russian pensioners receive each month? 5. Which foreign countries will the new president visit first? 6. Who was president of Russia before Vladimir Putin?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
CA
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Intermediate
(88) a month, Zoya Vasilyevna, a 77-year-old retired teacher, complained at the rally. It was my generation who defended this country in the war, but now these people have stolen all the resources. Putin only likes billionaires. Hes not interested in us, she said.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 08/05/08
Meanwhile, Medvedevs promise to turn Russia into a law-based society is an interesting one. Yesterday, the authorities banned an anti-Kremlin opposition rally in Moscow by supporters of The Other Russia movement, even though the constitution guarantees peoples right to gather. One man was arrested and pushed into a police van after trying to wave a banner. Our pensions are now 40 times less than what MPs earn. We have to survive on 4,000 roubles
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Many people doubt that Medvedev and Putin will run Russia together. 2. The Russian president lives in the White House. 3. Medvedev is younger than Putin. 4. Both Putin and Medvedev were members of the former state security, the KGB. 5. Putin is very good at mediating between different groups within the Russian ruling class. 6. Putin will definitely return as president in 2012.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Word building
Complete the table using words from the text.
adjective
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 dissatisfied able flexible
noun
7 Discussion
What is better for a country to have a king or queen as head of state or to have a president?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. of for by with in with on with
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F F T F T F
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. ability flexibility confident problematic powerful secure comfortable dissatisfaction
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Medvedev sworn in as Russian president / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Brainstorming
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of: a) suburban living: living in a suburban area outside of a big town or city? b) urban living: living in a big town or city?
Key words
Find the missing key words in the article. The paragraph numbers have been given to help you. 1. A _______________ is a legal agreement in which you borrow money from a bank in order to buy a house. The money is usually paid back in monthly payments. (title) 2. When banks _______________, they take someones property because they failed to pay back the money they borrowed to buy it. (subtitle) 3. _______________ is a synonym for danger. (para 1) 4. A _______________ is someone who lives in a suburb. (para 2) 5. An adjective meaning large and impressive: _______________. (para 2) 6. An adjective relating to populations: _______________. (para 3) 7. An adjective meaning dirty and untidy: _______________. (para 4) 8. When something is _______________, it makes you think something bad will happen. (para 4) 9. Something that is _______________ is lively and exciting or bright and colourful. (para 6) 10. When something is _______________, it is certain to fail or be destroyed. (para 7) 11. A _______________ is a long thin bar with a weight at the lower end that swings from side to side, usually in order to keep a clock working. (para 7) 12. Something that is _______________, is made for one particular person or purpose. (para 10)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 But what most alarms urban theorists is what might become of developments like Franklin Reserve once people can no longer afford to live there. Unlike the inner city that was abandoned in the latter half of the last century, it is hard to adapt suburban developments to other uses. These spaces are custom-made for residential purposes only, says Leinberger. They dont convert easily to retail or office or hotel.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 28/04/08
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
l na o r s er nke p a . b e.g
finance
These websites and PDFs may be useful when you need to look up specific financial terms in English. http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/financialguide.pdf http://handsonbanking.org/nav_elements/teachers_guide_PDF/HOB_Dictionary.pdf http://www.ubs.com/1/e/about/bterms.html
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Discussion
Are house prices in your area going up or down? Why do you think this is?
6 Webquest
Look at this website http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/neighbourhoodwatch/nwatch01.htm or type neighbourhood watch into a search engine. Go to the directory (this lists all the registered schemes in the UK), choose one, make notes on the main information and tell your class about the scheme and its aims and activities.
........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
Possible answers: 1. She was attracted by suburban life; a new home in a new location, with award-winning schools. Elk Grove had the reputation of being a friendly, family-oriented community. 2. Graffiti in the park. 3. 400. Mow lawns, communicate via Internet message board, report problems to the police. 4. Transport now accounts for 19% of household costs, compared to 3% a hundred years ago. 5. Increase in fuel prices plus people having children later and not needing such large houses.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Suburbia
Have you ever seen the US TV series Desperate Housewives? Describe the area where the main characters live (or describe what you imagine suburbia to be like).
2 Key words
Write in the missing vowels (a e i o u) to complete the key words from the text. The paragraph numbers have been given to help you. 1. The money you pay back to the bank for your house is your m _ rtg _ g _. (title) 2. When banks f _ r _ cl _ s _, they take away someones house property because they didnt pay back the money they borrowed to buy it. (subtitle) 3. People who live in an area are the c _ mm _ n _ ty. (para 1) 4. A c _ l-d _ -s _ c is a short street closed at one end so cars cant drive through it. (para 2) 5. An _ ss _ c _ _ t _ _ n is a group of people with similar interests and aims. 6. A l _ wn is an area of grass, usually in a garden. (para 4) 7. People who live in a house are the _ cc _ p _ nts. (para 4) 8. Illegal writing sprayed or painted onto walls is called gr _ ff _ t _ . (para 6) 9. A t _ sk f _ rc _ is a group of people who deal with a particular problem. (para 6) 10. An _m _ ss _ _ n is a gas that goes into the air. (para 9) 11. If you can _ ff _ rd something, you have enough money to pay for it. (para 10) 12. Something that is c _ st _ m-m _ d _ is made for one particular person or purpose. (para 10)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 But what worries urban theorists is what might happen to places like Franklin Reserve when people can no longer afford to live there. These areas are custom-made for people to live in, says Leinberger. Its not easy to turn them into shops or offices or hotels.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 28/04/08
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
ACROSS 3. When a bank takes away your house because you cant pay 5. Money you pay to the owner of a house so that you can live there 7. Someone who works in a bank or other financial organization
S T T
DOWN 1. The amount of money you have to pay to buy something 2. Money you pay back to the bank when you buy a house 4. Money you pay regularly for something 6. When something is available and people can buy it, it is for...
6 7
G K L
These websites and PDFs may help you when you need to look up specific financial terms in English. http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/financialguide.pdf http://handsonbanking.org/nav_elements/teachers_guide_PDF/HOB_Dictionary.pdf http://www.ubs.com/1/e/about/bterms.html
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Elementary
CA
P H
5 Discussion
Tick the statement that is most true for you and compare answers in your group. Say why you chose your statement. a) I prefer to live in a town or city. b) I prefer to live near a town or city, in the suburbs. c) I prefer to live in the country.
Write new words into a search engine or check http://www.macmillandictionaries.com/resourcenew.htm to find other new words.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
P R I C E
2 4
M O R T G A G S E
C O S
E
6 7
N S A L E
T S N K
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Susan McDonald is an activist, a mother and a businesswoman. She is the president of the Franklin Reserve Neighbourhood Association. She moved to Franklin Reserve because of its safe, family-friendly reputation. Some of her neighbours cannot afford to pay their rent or mortgage. Susan and her neighbours keep the gardens of empty houses tidy. These days many people dont want to have to drive everywhere. People have started moving back to the cities. Nearly twenty per cent of peoples household costs now go on transport.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Brainstorming
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of: a) suburban living: living in a suburban area outside of a big town or city? b) urban living: living in a big town or city?
Key words
Write these key words into the sentences. doomed lawn cul-de-sac mortgage suburbanite community custom-made ominous demographic
foreclose
potential
1. A __________________ is a legal agreement in which you borrow money from a bank in order to buy a house. The money is usually paid back in monthly payments. they borrowed to buy it. 2. When banks __________________, they take someones property because they failed to pay back the money 3. People who live in an area are the __________________. 4. A __________________ is someone who lives in a suburb. 5. A __________________ is short street closed at one end so traffic cant drive through it. 6. An adjective relating to populations: __________________. 7. A __________________ is an area of grass, especially in a garden. 8. When something is __________________, it makes you think something bad will happen. 9. When something is __________________, it is certain to fail or be destroyed. 10. An adjective for when something is possible or likely in the future: __________________. 11. Something that is __________________, is made for one particular person or purpose.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
I took my kids for a walk in the park and saw some graffiti, she says. Soon after, McDonald and seven others decided to form a neighbourhood association. Today, the group has 400 members, a lawn-mowing task force and a lively online message board. But long grass is the least of suburbias problems, according to Christopher Leinberger, an urban theorist who wrote an analysis of the problem in the Atlantic Monthly. He argues that suburbia is doomed: For the past 50 years weve left the city and headed to the suburbs, he says. Now people are moving back, aided by $4 per gallon gas. The move back to the towns and cities has also been helped by cultural and demographic changes, says Leinberger. Couples are having children later in life, so they dont need a suburban house with five bedrooms and a huge garden. Many potential house buyers also prefer the concept of being able to walk to where they want to go; in suburbia they have to drive everywhere. Transport now accounts for 19% of household costs, compared to 3% a hundred years ago, says Leinberger. At some point this country has to get serious about reducing carbon emissions.
drives a nice car, wears smart clothes and during office hours is the neighbourhood personal banker. But after work McDonald has another life. It is then that the mother of three turns into a neighbourhood organizer, encouraging people in her community to fight for a way of life that many believe is in danger.
president of the Franklin Reserve Neighbourhood Association in the city of Elk Grove, 15 miles south of the Californian capital, Sacramento. Franklin Reserve, a collection of large houses on anonymous cul-de-sacs with unlikely names Snow Leopard Circle, Fox Trotter Way is at the heart of what some call the fight for suburbia.
demographic changes, rising fuel prices and other factors could mean the end for the suburbs. The term slumburbia was not far behind.
people, there are signs that all is not well. Some front lawns are overgrown and untidy, and there are many for sale signs and signs offering properties for rent. On Caprezzo Way a five-bedroom, threebathroom house, complete with pool, is on the market for $550,000, probably $100,000 less than a year ago. Across the street a more ominous sign of the mortgage foreclosure crisis is taped to the gate of a house on Cortino Way. Notice to quit, it declares, telling the occupants, who couldnt pay their mortgage, they have three days to leave.
attracted by suburban life; a new home in a new location, with award-winning schools. Elk Grove had
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Intermediate
CA
P H
Intermediate
Comprehension check
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? Correct any false sentences. 1. Susan McDonald is an activist, a mother and a business-woman. 2. She is the mayor of Franklin Reserve. 3. She moved to Franklin Reserve because of its safe, family-friendly reputation. 4. Some of her neighbours cannot afford to pay their rent or mortgage. 5. Susan employs the 400 local kids to cut the grass in front gardens. 6. Many people dont want to have to drive everywhere. 7. A quarter of peoples household costs now go on transport. 8. Suburban areas such as Franklin Reserve can easily be converted into hotels or offices.
al n so r er nke p . ba e.g
finance
These websites and PDFs may be useful when you need to look up specific financial terms in English.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Intermediate
CA
P H
Intermediate
5 Discussion
Are house prices in your area going up or down? Why do you think this is?
6 Webquest
In paragraph three of the article there is a new word made by joining two other words:
Write new words into a search engine or check http://www.macmillandictionaries.com/resourcenew.htm to find other new words.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. True False, she is the president of the Franklin Reserve Neighbourhood Assosciation. True True False, the Neighbourhood Assosciation has 400 members and a lawn-mowing taskforce. True False, 19% of peoples household costs go on transport. False, its hard to adapt these areas for other purposes.
6 Webquest
podcast smog
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mortgage crisis sees suburbs slump / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. predator rodent extinct evolves endangered unmolested vulnerable remote eradicate ornithologist
1. If someone or something is __________________, they are easy to attack. 2. A __________________ place is one that is very far from cities, towns or people. 3. If an animal is __________________, it is not disturbed or bothered by other animals. 4. If a creature is __________________, it no longer exists anywhere in the world. 5. A __________________ is a type of small animal that has long sharp front teeth. 6. When an animal __________________, its physical form changes over a long period of time. 7. An __________________ is someone who studies birds. 8. If you __________________ something, you get rid of it completely. 9. A __________________ is an animal that kills and eats other animals. 10. An __________________ species is one that may soon become extinct.
Decide whether these statements about wildlife on Gough Island in the South Atlantic are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Mice arrived in Gough Island on cruise ships. 2. The normal diet of house mice is insects and seeds. 3. The mice are 30 times bigger than the birds they kill. 4. More than half the young birds on Gough Island die in their nests. 5. One sixth of the worlds most endangered birds are on British territory. 6. The largest mice in the world live on Gough Island.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
From stowaway to supersize predator: the mice eating rare seabirds alive
John Vidal, environment editor May 20, 2008 1 For tens of thousands of years, the birds of Gough Island lived unmolested, without predators on a remote outcrop in the south Atlantic. Today, the British-owned island, described as the home of the most important seabird colony in the world, still hosts 22 breeding species and is a world heritage site. But as a terrible consequence of the first whalers making landfall there 150 years ago, Gough Island has become the stage for one of natures great horror shows. Mice stowed away on the whaling boats jumped ship and have since multiplied to 700,000 or more on an island of about 25 square miles. 2 What is horrifying ornithologists is that the British house mouse has somehow evolved, growing to up to three times the size of ordinary domestic house mice, and instead of surviving on a diet of insects and seeds, has adapted itself to become a carnivore, eating albatross, petrel and shearwater chicks alive in their nests. They are now believed to be the largest mice in the world. Birdlife International, a global alliance of conservation groups, has recognized that the mice, who are without predators themselves, are out of control and threatening to make extinct several of the worlds rarest bird species. 3 The organization, which runs the Red List of endangered bird species, elevated the Tristan albatross, of which only a few remain in the world, and the Gough bunting, a small finch found only on the island, to the list of the worlds most critically endangered species, the highest category of threat. Five other bird species on the island are also said to be threatened. 4 The RSPB has proposed hiring helicopters to drop thousands of tonnes of rodent poison on the volcanic island, 2,000 miles off the coast of South America. A government-funded feasibility study done with New Zealand, which has eradicated
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Advanced
CA
P H
big money needed to actually do the mouse eradication. If they dont, we wont be able to give two critically threatened species the lifeline they need. 9 The discovery that the mice had adapted their diets and supersized themselves was made by Richard Cuthbert, a professional ornithologist who spent a year on the island in 2001 and stumbled on the phenomenon as he was
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. What is the only hope for the survival of the endangered bird species on Gough Island? a. That insects and seeds are introduced to the island to feed the mice. b. That the mice are taken from the island and sent elsewhere. c. That the mice are destroyed by poison. 2. Why cant the parents defend their chicks? a. Because the mice are too big. b. Because they have no experience of predators. c. Because they are too fat. 3. What is the glimmer of light referred to in the text? a. The fact that New Zealand and Australia have eradicated rats from islands. b. The fact that the UK government has supported the RSPB and the feasibility study. c. The fact that the cold South Atlantic weather may kill the mice. 4. Which answer best describes how the Gough Island mice have evolved? a. They have become much bigger and now only eat meat. b. They have stopped eating insects and seeds and started eating birds. c. They have adapted their diets and grown to up to three times the size of ordinary domestic house mice.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Chunks
Rearrange the words to make phrases from the text. Check your answers in the text. 1. house domestic mice ordinary 2. the species bird rarest of several worlds 3. feasibility a funded study government 4. most the critically worlds species endangered 5. of groups alliance a conservation global 6. the colony most world in the seabird important
6 Word formation
Complete the sentences about the text using the correct form of the word in brackets at the end of each sentence. 1. The effects of the growing numbers of mice on Gough Island could be _______________ for the bird population. [catastrophe] 2. The UK government has supported the RSPB _______________. [propose] 3. Britains _______________ of the ecology of its overseas territories has been criticized. [maintain] 4. The Tristan albatross and Gough bunting are facing _______________. [extinct] 5. The _______________ of the Gough Island mice is extraordinary. [evolve] 6. The birds have no defence against the mice; they are _______________. [defend]
6 Discussion
Is it important if rare species become extinct? Should governments and conservationists intervene in situations like this or should they simply let nature take its course?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. ordinary domestic house mice several of the worlds rarest bird species a government-funded feasibility study the worlds most critically endangered species a global alliance of conservation groups the most important seabird colony in the world
6 Word formation
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. catastrophic proposal maintenance extinction evolution defenceless
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. c b b c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. species chick extinct poison endangered conservation ornithologist defend rare nest
1. If a creature is ____________________, it no longer exists anywhere in the world. 2. If something is ____________________ , it is not often seen or found. 3. An ____________________ is someone who studies birds. 4. A ____________________ is an animal group whose members have the same features and can produce young together. 5. ____________________ is a substance that can kill you if you eat it. 6. ____________________ is the opposite of attack. 7. An ____________________ species is one that may soon become extinct. 8. ____________________ is the protection of the environment and the animals in it. 9. A ____________________ is a home that birds make to keep their eggs and babies in. 10. A ____________________ is a baby bird.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. Where is Gough Island? 2. How far is Gough Island from the coast of South America? 3. How many species of birds live on the island? 4. How many mice are there on the island? 5. How much will it cost to remove all the mice from the island? 6. How much do the albatross chicks weigh?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Elementary
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
From stowaway to supersize predator: the mice eating rare seabirds alive
John Vidal, environment editor May 20, 2008 1 Gough Island is a small hilly island in the cold South Atlantic, 2,000 miles from the coast of South America. It is home to tens of thousands of seabirds. For tens of thousands of years the birds of Gough Island lived safely on their rocky island, which some people say is the most important home for seabirds in the world. Today there are still 22 species of birds and Gough Island is protected by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. 2 But now something terrible is happening to the birds on Gough Island. When the first whaling ships landed there 150 years ago, a number of mice escaped from the ships and made their home on the island. Now there are more than 700,000 mice on an island which is only 25 square miles in size. 3 Ornithologists are shocked that the British house mouse has somehow changed and now grows to almost three times the size of normal house mice. House mice usually eat insects and seeds but the mice on Gough Island have changed and are now meat-eaters. They eat baby birds alive in their nests and they are now the largest mice in the world. Birdlife International, a global conservation group, says that the mice on Gough Island are out of control and could make several of the worlds rarest bird species extinct. 4 Birdlife International keeps a list of endangered bird species and has now put two of Gough Islands bird species on the list of the worlds most endangered species, the highest level of danger. There is also a danger that five other bird species on the island will become extinct. 5 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has suggested using helicopters to drop thousands of tonnes of rat poison on Gough Island. New Zealand has removed rats completely from many islands, so it is possible.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
a. die in their nests. b. the chicks cannot defend themselves. c. to kill all the mice on Gough Island. d. are the biggest mice in the world. e. will drop thousands of tonnes of rat poison on the island. f. to discover the problem and conduct the study.
noun
1 2 3 4 5 6 rock shock profession globe disaster hill
adjective
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
singular
1 2 3 4 5 6 fish louse sheep
plural
mice
deer geese
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
5 Verbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f b e a d
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f b e a d
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. predator horrified extinct carnivore endangered rare remote chick ornithologist catastrophe
1. If a creature is ___________________, it no longer exists anywhere in the world. 2. An ___________________ is someone who studies birds. 3. A ___________________ is an animal that kills and eats other animals. 4. A ___________________ is a baby bird. 5. If something is ___________________, it is not often seen or found. 6. If you are ___________________, you find something extremely shocking and unpleasant. 7. A ___________________ is something that causes a lot of damage and suffering. 8. An ___________________ species is one that may soon become extinct. 9. A ___________________ place is one that is very far from cities, towns or people. 10. A ___________________ is an animal that eats meat.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. It will be very difficult to remove all the mice from Gough Island. 2. The albatross chicks are almost 30 times bigger than the mice. 3. New Zealand has tried to remove rats from some islands but without success. 4. The mice first arrived on Gough Island in the 19th century. 5. Gough Island is near the coast of South America. 6. No-one spends more than a few days on Gough Island because it is so remote.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 survive discover commit conserve
noun
proposal
6 Prepositions
Complete these phrases from the text using prepositions. 1. out _________ control 2. up _________ three times the size 3. survive _________ a diet of insects and seeds 4. in danger _________ becoming extinct 5. no chance _________ survival 6. consist _________ 7. get rid _________ 8. covered _________ feathers
7 Discussion
Should governments spend money to protect endangered species?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. conservation propose survival discovery commitment escape recognize remove
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F T F T F F
6 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. of to on of of of of in
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mice eating rare seabirds alive / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
a) How much do the following items cost in your local supermarket? a loaf of bread a litre of milk a dozen eggs a packet of pasta _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
b) How do these prices compare with those of a year ago? c) Skim-read the article to find out (on average) how much the items currently cost in Britain. Note: Tesco and Asda are two of the largest supermarket chains in the UK.
Key words
Find the key words in the article. The paragraph numbers are given to help you. 1. In the sea, not on land: __________________. (para 1) 2. When you usually do something, you __________________ to do it. (para 4) 3. A verb meaning to be different in different situations. __________________ (para 5) 4. A noun meaning something which is like something that happened before: __________________. (para 5) 5. When you are __________________, you have no money in the bank account and your balance is below zero. (para 8) 6. A noun meaning a way to solve a problem in which people accept they cannot have everything they want: __________________. (para 9) 7. An adjective used to describe poultry that are kept together in small spaces: __________________. (para 9) 8. The opposite of 7 above: __________________. (para 9) 9. __________________ are products that a company produces for itself. They usually have the name of the shop on the label. (para 11) 10. __________________ are feelings of doubt about whether something is good or right. (para 12) 11. When something is famous for being bad, it is __________________ bad. (para 13) 12. When you __________________ something, you formally start it. (para 13) 13. A __________________ is a set of plans set by a government. (para 13) 14. When you __________________ something, you throw it away. (para 14) 15. Something that is __________________ is confused, in the wrong order, or upside down. (para 14)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
10 Food miles, pesticides, and fair trade also concern them, Sharon Wall says, but these days ethics can feel something of an expensive luxury. We try to get bits of organic food; I try to get the fair trade coffee. Price comes into it, though. Some weeks I try to pick up the fair trade coffee, whereas other weeks I think, I just cant afford it this week. 11 Stores look rather different than they used to: budget and own-brand ranges are now found front and centre in displays. We are seeing more promotions than ever, says Andrew Opie, from the British Retail Consortium, which represents leading British supermarket chains, and these tend to be straightforward reductions in price, rather than bogofs (buy one get one free offers). 12 The Wall family welcome offers, of course, but with reservations. The things that arent good for you, the cookies and the cakes and the crisps, are the things that are on offer says Jim Wall. 13 Late last year, in response to high prices and the
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Advanced
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countrys notoriously poor nutrition, the Scottish parliament initiated a national food debate in order to come up with a comprehensive policy for food provision in Scotland. 14 This is a conversation that needs to happen not only in Scotland, say experts. For as long as Britain consumes so much more than it produces
3 Comprehension check
Find the answers to the questions in the article. 1. Which food item has had the sharpest price increase? a) bread b) pasta c) butter d) milk 2. How much has the Walls food bill risen by in the last few years? a) 15% b) 25% c) 50% d) 60% 3. When they can afford it, the Walls buy... a) barn eggs. b) organic milk. c) cakes and crisps. d) fair trade coffee. 4. The Scottish parliaments national food debate aims to... a) persuade people to eat less chickens and potatoes. b) provide cheap food for all. c) get people to eat healthier food. d) force out large supermarket chains. 5. If a loaf of bread costs 1, which of the following offers would save you the most money? a) bogof b) two for the price of one c) half price d) 50% off
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Advanced
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b) Now use the collocations to make sentences of your own. ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................
5 Discussion
If you had to reduce your weekly food bill by 20%, how would you go about it?
6 Webquest
How does www.mysupermarket.co.uk help British shoppers save money and calories? Go to the website and watch the demo video to find out. Also find out what the traffic light food labelling system is by going to http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/ foodlabels/trafficlights/.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
walking distance eagerly awaited classic example hardly anything pretty much family budget precise circumstances dramatically soared familiar calculations expensive luxury
3 Comprehension check
1 2 3 4 5 b c d c a, b, c & d (all answers are the same)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
b) Skim-read the article to find out (on average) how much the items currently cost in Britain. Note: Tesco and Asda are two of the largest supermarket chains in the UK.
2 Key words
Match the key words from the article with the definitions. The paragraph numbers are given to help you. free range increases cupboard fridge pesticides organic trolley freezer battery stuff hardly anything
1. Fighting, or experiencing financial difficulties: ____________________. (title) 2. Three words (para 3) that describe places in the kitchen where you can keep different kinds of food: cold food ____________________ frozen food ____________________ tins and packets of food ____________________ 3. A word you can use to talk about a variety of different things: ____________________. (para 4) 4. A phrase meaning almost nothing. ____________________ (para 4) 5. Rises in the number, amount or degree of something: ____________________. (para 5) 6. Another word for strange or unusual: ____________________. (para 7) 7. A wire basket on wheels that you push in a supermarket: ____________________. (para 8) 8. An adjective used to describe birds that are kept together in small spaces: ____________________. (para 9) 9. The opposite of 8 above: ____________________. (para 9) 10. Chemicals used for killing insects, especially those that eat crops: ____________________. (para 10) 11. An adjective to describe food that is produced naturally and without using 10 above: _________________. (para 10) 12. To get rid of something you no longer want, e.g. by putting it in a dustbin: ____________________. (para 12)
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Elementary
CA
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10 Sharon Wall says that they think about food miles, pesticides and fair trade, but these days green shopping is an expensive luxury. We try to buy organic food and I try to get fair trade coffee but sometimes I just cant afford it. 11 Supermarkets do have many promotions and special offers but as Jim says, The things that arent good for you, the cookies and the cakes and the crisps, are the things that are on offer. 12 The Scottish parliament is looking at the problem of providing good healthy food to the people in Scotland. This is a topic that needs to be discussed not only in Scotland, say experts. Currently people in Britain throw away 10bnworth of food a year, including, every day, 550,000 chickens and 5.1m potatoes.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 29/05/08
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
a packet of...
a litre of...
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Webquest
How does www.mysupermarket.co.uk help British shoppers save money and calories? Go to the website and watch the demo video to find out.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Jim Wall works on oil rigs in the North Sea. Sharon Wall looks after their four children. Sharon cannot drive so Jim does the main shopping. The Walls food bill has risen by 50%. When they can afford it, the Walls buy organic food. Promotional offers in supermarkets are usually for unhealthy food. People in Britain throw away over half a million chickens a day. The Scottish parliament wants people to eat more healthy food.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
b) Have these prices increased much in the past year? c) Skim-read the article to find out (on average) how much the items currently cost in Britain. Note: Tesco and Asda are two of the largest supermarket chains in the UK.
Key words
Match the key words from the article with the definitions. free range trolley overdrawn stuff own-brand hardly anything offshore organic represent pesticides
topsy-turvy
struggling
battery
1. Fighting, or experiencing difficulties: ___________________. (title) 2. In the sea, not on land: ___________________. (para 1) 3. A word you can use to talk about a variety of different things: ___________________. (para 4) 4. A phrase meaning almost nothing: ___________________. (para 4) 5. To be a sign or a symbol of something: ___________________. (para 6) 6. When you are ___________________, you have no money in your bank account and your balance is below zero. (para 8) 7. A wire basket on wheels that you push, used in a supermarket for carrying the things you want to buy: ___________________. (para 8) 8. An adjective used to describe poultry that are kept together in small spaces: ___________________. (para 9) 9. The opposite of 7 above: ___________________. (para 9) 10. Chemicals used for killing insects, especially those that damage crops: ___________________. (para 10) 11. An adjective to describe food that is produced naturally and without using 10 above: ___________________. (para 10) 12. ___________________ are products that a company produces for itself. They usually have the name of the shop on the label. (para 11) 13. Something that is ___________________ is confused, in the wrong order, or upside down. (para 13)
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Intermediate
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2 The first thing that Jim Wall does on his way home
from the oil rigs is to stop at a large Tesco supermarket on the outskirts of Aberdeen, to buy a bit of everything. Although the family has a weekly box of vegetables delivered from a local farmers market, they eagerly look forward to his return. go, and then when I come back I have to do it all over again, he says. I know the cupboards will be almost empty by then. The couple say their weekly food bill is usually around 150, however, in the last four days theyve spent 220. A few years ago they spent about 100 a week on food. husband. I think it was about 75p for a loaf of Asda bread just a couple of months back, now its almost 1. I usually get a little bit of shopping when hes away, and what used to cost me 20 to 25 is now 35 to 40, for pretty much the same amount of stuff, says Sharon Wall. I was in Asda the other day and I thought, oh, Ive got hardly anything here and its 20! experiencing the same problems as the Walls. For many, food price increases a pound here, 10 there are starting to hurt.
rice 60% more. Pasta has gone up by 81% in some shops, and in Tesco it was found to be 113% more expensive. Butter costs 60% more than it did and meat prices are up too. These increases represent the sharpest rise in food prices since records began. noticed, says Alex Beckett, a food journalist. In fact, food prices have been going up for quite some time, but they have dramatically soared in the last 18 months.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Intermediate
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Intermediate
Comprehension check
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? 1. Jim Walls works at Tesco. 2. The Walls food bill has risen by 50%. 3. When they can afford it, the Walls buy eggs from battery chickens. 4. Promotional offers are usually for unhealthy food. 5. The Scottish parliaments national food debate aims to get people to eat healthier food. 6. The familys favourite bread costs 1. 7. Sharon and Jim Wall have four children. 8. Sharon Wall drives to the local Asda when her husband is away. 9. People in Britain waste over half a million chickens a day. 10. Supermarkets are promoting and selling more of their own brands. 11. The Wall family only buy organic or fair trade produce.
4 Vocabulary: Trends
Fill in the missing vowels to find phrases used in the article to describe trends. Then check your answers in paragraphs 6 and 7.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Webquest
How does www.mysupermarket.co.uk help British shoppers save money and calories? Go to the website and watch the demo video to find out. Also find out what the traffic light food labelling system is by going to http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/ foodlabels/trafficlights/.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS /Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
4 Vocabulary: Trends
Suggested answers: costs 20% more gone up by more expensive prices are up sharpest rise prices have been going up dramatically soared costs 20% less gone down by less expensive / cheaper prices are down sharpest fall prices have been going down dramatically plummeted / fell
3 Comprehension check
1. False 2. True 3. False 4. True 5. True 6. False 7. True 8. False 9. True 10. True 11. False
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Families struggling as bills begin to bite / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. plunge harnessed foolhardy exceed embolism weightlessness abort gaze foiled gondola
1. If you do something ____________________, you ignore obvious dangers in a stupid way. 2. ____________________ is a situation in which you have no weight because you are outside the Earths atmosphere. 3. A ____________________ is the part of a hot-air balloon that people travel in. 4. If you ____________________ a particular speed, you go faster than it. 5. If you ____________________ at something, you look at it for a long time because it is attractive or interesting. 6. To ____________________ is to fall very quickly from a great height. 7. If you ____________________ a mission, you stop it because it is too dangerous to continue. 8. An ____________________ is a medical condition in which a blood vessel in your body becomes blocked by a mass of blood. 9. If an attempt to do something is ____________________, it is prevented from happening. 10. If something is ____________ to something else, it is firmly attached to it.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. The record for the highest parachute jump is a jump from over 100,000 feet. 2. It is impossible for a free-fall parachutist to travel faster than the speed of sound. 3. At 40,000 feet there is still enough oxygen to breathe. 4. The weather has no effect on attempts to break parachute-jumping records. 5. At a height of 12 miles, your blood will boil if your pressure suit fails. 6. The world record parachute jump was set nearly 50 years ago.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth/ Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Why did Michel Fournier decide to plan his free-fall mission himself? a. Because the French space agency programme was aborted. b. Because it was too expensive for the French space agency to fund it. c. Because technical problems foiled the French space agency mission. 2. Which sentence best describes his potential achievement? a. If he succeeds he will be the first man to break through the sound barrier. b. If he succeeds he will break a number of records simultaneously. c. If he succeeds he will be the oldest man since Joe Kittinger to hold the record. 3. What does Fournier describe as important? a. Contributing to the safety of the conquest of space. b. Breaking world records. c. Breaking through the sound barrier. 4. Why is the jump described as foolhardy? a. Because only a stupid person would attempt it. b. Because weightlessness can make you do stupid things. c. Because a fatal accident could occur for a number of reasons.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Phrasal verbs
Match the verbs with the definitions. 1. take on 2. draw in(to) 3. let off 4. bring to 5. work towards 6. go on a. release b. contribute to c. continue d. compete against e. involve (often against someones will) f. prepare for
6 Discussion
Is Michel Fournier brave or foolhardy? Should people risk their lives to break records?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. a b a c
6 Phrasal verbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d e a b f c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text.
helmet
stuntman
spacesuit belongings
embolism free-fall
paratrooper altitude
gondola resistance
1. ______________________ is a force that slows down a moving object. 2. An ______________________ is a medical condition in which a blood vessel in your body becomes blocked by a mass of blood. 3. ______________________ is the height of a place or thing above sea level. 4. A ______________________ is a set of clothes that allows people to move and breathe in space. 5. A ______________________ is someone whose job is to perform dangerous actions in a film. 6. A ______________________ is a hard hat that you wear to protect your head. 7. ______________________ is the part of a parachute jump where the parachutist falls very quickly before the parachute opens. 8. A ______________________ is the part of a hot-air balloon that people travel in. 9. A ______________________ is a soldier trained to jump out of an aeroplane wearing a parachute. 10. ______________________ are the things a person owns.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How old is Michel Fournier? 2. How long will it take him fall back down to Earth? 3. How long has he been preparing for this jump? 4. How many world records will he break if he succeeds? 5. What is the speed of sound? 6. What altitude did Joe Kittinger jump from?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Elementary
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a. a serious medical condition caused by a sudden decrease in pressure around your body b. physical harm to your brain as a result of illness or an accident c. when you have no weight because you are outside the Earths atmosphere d. someone who travels and works in space e. a chance to do something that you only have for a very short time f. the state of being awake and able to hear, see and think
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
adjective
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 sick weightless conscious black high
noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
5 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. at of of at with for to from
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. e d f a c b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. embolism stuntman weightlessness belongings gondola free-fall fatal altitude mission resistance
1. __________________ is the part of a parachute jump where the parachutist falls very quickly before the parachute opens. 2. __________________ are the things a person owns. 3. __________________ is a force that slows down a moving object. 4. A __________________ is the part of a hot-air balloon that people travel in. 5. An __________________ is a medical condition in which a blood vessel in your body becomes blocked by a mass of blood. 6. If something is __________________, it will cause someone to die. 7. A __________________ is someone whose job is to perform dangerous actions in a film. 8. __________________ is the height of a place or thing above sea level. 9. __________________ is a situation in which you have no weight because you are outside the Earths atmosphere. 10. A __________________ is a flight into space.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How high will Michel Fournier be when he jumps out of the balloon? 2. How long will it take him to reach that altitude? 3. When did he start to prepare for this mission? 4. What is the speed of sound? 5. How long will he be in free-fall? 6. How old was Joe Kittinger when he made his world record jump?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Michel Fourniers main aim is to break four world records. 2. When he is in free-fall he will be travelling at the speed of sound. 3. The main danger is that the pressure suit could fail. 4. There will be 40 members of his team in the gondola. 5. The fastest speed he will reach is at around 20,000 feet. 6. Steve Truglia believes he can break any record set by Fournier.
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adjective
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 sick black weightless conscious
noun
7 Discussion
Would you like to try a parachute jump? Why? Why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F F T F F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The man who will free-fall to Earth / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Warmer: Airlines
Virgin Atlantic easyJet Silverjet Qantas Ryanair
Categorize these airlines into: a) budget airlines: ____________________________________________ b) national airlines: ___________________________________________ c) other: ____________________________________________________ Have you flown with any of these airlines? If not, would you like to, and where would you go?
Key words
Find the key words and phrases in the article. The paragraph numbers have been given to help you. 1. An adjective meaning cheap which is only used before a noun: ___________________. (title) 2. An adjective used to describe a company or person who has admitted they have no money: ___________________. (para 1) 3. A financial term that means the product is being put under pressure from both ends of the market (supply and demand) leading to a price increase: ___________________. (para 1) 4. This is what happens to a company when it loses all its money and ceases to operate: __________________. (para 2) 5. When a company does this, they neither make a profit nor lose money: ___________________. (para 2) 6. When something is this, it is almost certain to happen or occur in the near future: ___________________. (para 4) 7. A ___________________ is a regular or important feature of something. (para 5) 8. ___________________ is the practice of making advance purchases of fuel at a fixed price for future delivery to protect against anticipated price increases. (para 7) 9. This word has a double meaning. Either a confusing or uncontrolled situation, or sudden violent movements of air: ___________________. (para 8) 10. Saving money by taking a lower quality product or one that has less extras and costs less: ___________________. (para 8) 11. A company which is in severe trouble, but still with some hope of recovery, may be put into ___________________. (para 8) 12. To have enough money to pay for something: ___________________. (para 9)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Discussion
How would an increase in airfares and surcharges for baggage and food affect your decisions when planning a holiday or business trip? Are there any other factors that might influence your decision whether to fly or use an alternative method of transport?
6 Webquest
What should you do if you have booked and paid for a flight on an airline that has gone into administration? Would you be able to get your money back? Find the answers in the FAQs (frequently asked questions) on Silverjets website: http://www.flysilverjet.com/.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. b d b c d
2 Key words
1. budget 2. bankrupt 3. oil squeeze 4. go bust 5. break even 6. on the horizon 7. staple 8. fuel hedging 9. turbulence 10. trading down 11. administration 12. cover costs
4 Vocabulary: Collocations
weekend breaks continental Europe dominant carriers hotel bookings airline alliances membership rules fuel surcharges 9/11 attacks
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2 Key words
Match the key words and phrases from the article with the definitions. The paragraph numbers are given to help you. charge raise bankrupt budget cover costs break even profit rely on economy alliance
1. An adjective meaning very cheap: ___________________. (title) 2. An adjective used to describe a company or person who has admitted they have no money: ___________________. (para 1) 3. When you ___________________ something, you increase its number, amount or level. (para 2) 4. When a company does this they neither make a profit nor lose money: ___________________. (para 2) 5. Companies ___________________ something (often profits or customers) in order to stay in business. (para 2) 6. An ___________________ is an arrangement between two or more people, groups, or businesses who agree to work together. (para 3) 7. To ask someone to pay money for something you are selling to them or doing for them: ___________________. (para 3) 8. ___________________ travel is the cheapest type of air travel available. (para 4) 9. A word meaning money that a business makes: ___________________. (para 6) 10. To have enough money to pay for something: ___________________. (para 9
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Elementary
CA
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary: Trends
Do these phrases from the article mean: to go up , go down , or stay the same ? Draw arrows next to each phrase to show the trend it describes. raise air fares break even the list is growing cut fares price increase cover costs
5 Discussion
How often do you fly? If air fares go up, do you think you will go on fewer holidays or business trips?
6 Webquest
BA and Qantas are members of the oneworld alliance. Who are the other eight members? Who or what is Skyteam?
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Elementary
CA
P H
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Ryanair and easyJet are budget airlines. British Airways and Qantas are national carriers. Airlines are increasing their fares because of high oil prices. Some airlines are charging passengers for food and baggage. If oil prices go above $130 a barrel, many airlines wont make any money. About 33% of airlines costs go on fuel. More passengers are travelling with budget airlines to save money. Some airlines, e.g. Silverjet, have already stopped operating this year.
2 Key words
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. budget bankrupt raise break even rely on alliance charge economy profit cover costs
4 Vocabulary: Trends
raise air fares break even the list is growing cut fares price increase cover costs
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Warmer: Airlines
Match the key financial words and phrases from the article with the definitions. The paragraph numbers are given to help you. charge bankrupt administration budget cover costs affordable economy
add-on fee
break even
profitable
go bust
1. An adjective meaning cheap which is only used before a noun: __________________. (title) 2. An adjective used to describe a company or person who has admitted they have no money: __________________. (para 1) 3. When something is __________________, it is cheap enough that most people can pay for it. (para 1) 4. This is what happens to a company when it loses all its money and ceases to operate: __________________. (para 2) 5. When a company does this they neither make a profit nor lose money: __________________. (para 2) 6. To ask someone to pay an amount of money for something you are selling to them or doing for them: __________________. (para 3) 7. __________________ travel is the cheapest type of air travel available. (para 4) 8. An additional charge: __________________. (para 5) 9. When a business makes money, it is __________________. (para 7) 10. To have enough money to pay for something: __________________. (para 6) 11. A company which is in severe trouble, but still with some hope of recovery, may be put into __________________. (para 8)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Intermediate
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oil would force it to raise fares by about 5% this year. The budget airline, which has warned that many of its rivals may soon go bust, admitted that it will only break even this year if oil remains at around $130 a barrel. European budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet rely on low fares to fill their aircraft. They then squeeze more money out of passengers by charging for add-ons such as luggage check-in and hotel bookings.
are hoping to find their way out of trouble caused by soaring oil prices by raising fares, although a leading industry executive warned that if this isnt successful, they could also start charging passengers for baggage check-in and food. The head of one of the worlds biggest airline alliances, oneworld, whose members include BA and Qantas, said the group would consider changing their rules to allow national airlines to charge for extras similar to the way that budget airlines do.
for an apple juice in economy class, oneworld alliance will move in that direction too, said John McCulloch, oneworlds managing partner. When he was asked if baggage check-in charges were also likely, he added: Airlines would argue that its the right way to do it. Some already charge 20 a bag and 10 for a meal. We are going to see much more of that.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Comprehension check
According to the article, are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? 1. Ryanair and easyJet are budget airlines. 2. National airlines are initially trying to find a way through the crisis by raising fares. 3. If this doesnt work they will consider charging for onboard food and baggage. 4. If oil prices go above $130 a barrel, most airlines will have to sell their planes. 5. National airlines no longer want to offer business class. 6. About 33% of airlines costs go on fuel. 7. Michael OLeary is the CEO of British Airways.
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
Which of the words below fit into this pronunciation pattern? oOoo executive alliance affordable economy administration profitable recovering passengers e.g. competitors
Draw stress bubbles to show the pronunciation patterns of the other words in the list.
5 Discussion
How often do you fly? If air fares go up, do you think you will go on fewer holidays or business trips? Do you think that, in general, people will consider using other forms of transport and fly less?
6 Webquest
BA and Qantas are members of the oneworld alliance. Who are the other eight members? Who or what is SkyTeam?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Intermediate
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. T T T F F T F
4 Vocabulary: Pronunciation
oOoo = competitors, executive, affordable, economy, recovering alliance = oOo administration = oooOo profitable = Oooo passengers = Ooo
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Is this the end of budget travel? / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. tricky reform literacy problematic dyslexia unique awful complicated simplify fluently
1. ______________________ is the ability to read and write. 2. If you ______________________ a system, you change it to make it better. 3. If something is ______________________, it is very, very bad. 4. If something is ______________________, it is very difficult to understand or use. 5. A ______________________ problem is one that is very difficult to solve. 6. If you speak a language ______________________, you speak easily and accurately. 7. ______________________ is a difficulty some people have with reading and spelling. 8. If something is ______________________, it is the only one that exists. 9. If you ______________________ something, you make it easier. 10. If something is ______________________, it causes problems.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible. 1. How many difficult words do British children meet by the age of 11? 2. How long does it take for British children to reach a basic reading level? 3. When did the Portuguese make changes to their spelling system? 4. When did the Turks change their alphabet from Arabic to Latin? 5. When did the Germans reform their spelling system? 6. How many basic words would be easier to spell if extra letters were removed?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / English is too hard to read for children / Elementary
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a. ... they think English spelling should be different. b. ... slows childrens reading down. c. ... its whole alphabet. d. ... English spelling is complicated. e. ... do want the English spelling system to change. f. ... people pronounce some letter combinations in a different way.
4 Chunks
Rearrange these words to make phrases from the text. Check your answers in the text. 1. the eleven by of age 2. rest the with Europe compared of 3. three months within 4. a ways in number different of 5. do possible ways to this two 6. whether use choose new system old or to the
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / English is too hard to read for children / Elementary
CA
P H
5 Word building
Complete the table using words from the text.
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 spell research pronounce combine
noun
confusion simplification development improvement
6 Word stress
Put these words from the text into two groups according to their stress. awful reason contain language stomach reform pronounce system remove confuse unique children
0o
o0
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / English is too hard to read for children / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. by the age of eleven compared with the rest of Europe within three months in a number of different ways two possible ways to do this choose whether to use the new or old system
5 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. combination confuse pronunciation simplify research develop improve spelling
6 Word stress
0o
awful stomach reason language system children
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f a b c e
o0
contain pronounce remove unique reform confuse
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / English is too hard to read for children / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text.
surplus
dyslexia
tricky uniform
resistant simplify
hinders reform
literacy problematic
1. If something is ____________________, it causes problems. 2. If you ____________________ something, you make it easier. 3. If something is ____________________, it is the same in all cases. 4. If something is ____________________, it is extra and more than you need. 5. A ____________________ problem is one that is very difficult to solve. 6. If you ____________________ a system, you change it to make it better. 7. ____________________ is the ability to read and write. 8. If something ____________________ a process it makes it more difficult or slow. 9. ____________________ is a difficulty some people have with reading and spelling. 10. If you are ____________________ to something, you fight against it.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible. 1. When did the Turks change their alphabet from Arabic to Latin? 2. When did the Germans reform their spelling system? 3. When did the Portuguese make changes to their spelling system? 4. How many difficult words do British children meet by the age of 11? 5. How many basic words could be simplified just by dropping surplus letters? 6. How long does it take British children to reach a basic level of reading competence?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / English is too hard to read for children / Intermediate
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3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. The words in the list are problematic for reading. 2. The letter e in friend and the o in shoulder are surplus letters. 3. English children take longer to learn to read than Finnish children. 4. Teachers want English spelling to be simplified. 5. Some English words contain combinations of letters that are usually pronounced in a different way and this is confusing for children. 6. English is more difficult to learn than any other language.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / English is too hard to read for children / Intermediate
CA
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6 Word building
Complete the table using words from the text.
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 approach pronounce conclude combine compare own
noun
hindrance confusion
7 Discussion
Do you think English spelling is difficult? Would you like English spelling to be simplified? Think of some difficult English words to spell. What would they look like with simpler spelling?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / English is too hard to read for children / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. T F T F T F
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. conclusion combination comparison ownership hinder pronunciation confuse approach
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / English is too hard to read for children / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. rescuer plankton seaweed vet marine shallow stranding sonar trapped rumour
1. ______________________ water is the opposite of deep water. 2. A ______________________ is a situation in which a dolphin or whale is stuck in a place it cannot escape from, usually in shallow water. 3. ______________________ is a plant that grows in the sea. 4. If you are ______________________, you are in a place you cannot escape from. 5. A ______________________ is a story that people talk about but which may or may not be true. 6. ______________________ biology is the study of things that live in the sea. 7. ______________________ is a navigation system for ships and submarines that uses sound waves. 8. ______________________ are very small organisms floating in the sea that fish feed on. 9. A ______________________ is an animal doctor. 10. A ______________________ is a person who tries to save people or animals in dangerous situations.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible. 1. How long has Nick Tomlinson been a fishing-boat captain? 2. How far was Nick Tomlinsons boat from the coast? 3. How many dolphins swam towards the shore? 4. How many died? 5. How many strandings have happened in the UK over the past ten years? 6. What is the usual direction of the wind in Cornwall in the spring?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Elementary
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Theories and rumours abound as scientists ponder mystery of mass dolphin deaths
Ministry of Defence denies sonar to blame but conservationists call for navy to suspend its use Steven Morris June 14, 2008 1 Something very strange happened off the coast of Cornwall in the south-west of England recently. Nick Tomlinson, has been a fishing-boat captain there for 35 years. He described what happened: I was about 12 miles from the coast. Im used to the noise of the big military guns but this was something different bang, bang, bang, very close, very loud. My whole boat was shaking. 2 At the same time as Nick Tomlinsons boat was rocking out at sea, something extraordinary was happening in the muddy little channels near the port of Falmouth. Around 70 dolphins suddenly swam towards the shore and many of them got trapped in the mud. Rescuers covered them with wet sheets and seaweed to keep them wet. They guided some back out to sea but 26 died. 3 Marine scientists are shocked by the tragedy the biggest stranding of dolphins for many years. Strandings of large numbers of dolphins and whales often happen in other parts of the world. In the UK, the number of strandings has increased to more than 700 over the past ten years. But this is usually because dolphins get trapped in fishing nets and this usually only happens to a few individuals or a small group. 4 During the next few weeks scientists will try to find the cause of this weeks stranding. The government has given them extra money to help them solve the mystery. Meanwhile, in Cornwall, there are a lot of rumours. Did explosions frighten the dolphins? Did sonar from navy ships frighten them? Is the navy testing secret equipment? 5 Even before the strandings it was an unusual spring off the coast of south Cornwall. The winds blew from the north and not from the usual south-westerly direction so the plankton came
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Elementary
CA
P H
a. ... something frightened them. b. ... they may never find the real reason for the death of the dolphins. c. ... there were no large ships. d. ... they were looking for food. e. ... the plankton came very late. f. ... the winds blew from a different direction to the normal one.
4 Opposites
Match the adjectives in the left-hand column with their opposites in the right-hand column. 1. dry 2. quiet 3. clear 4. shallow 5. unusual 6. routine a. normal b. deep c. extraordinary d. wet e. unclear f. loud
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Elementary
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Chunks
Rearrange these words to make phrases from the text. Check your answers in the text. The phrases are in the order they appear in the text. 1. the other in world of parts 2. few the weeks next during 3. solve to them help mystery the 4. first it he at believe couldnt 5. water feel he shaking could the 6. else cause might the something be
6 Prepositions
Fill the gaps in the phrases from the text using prepositions. Check your answers in the text. The phrases are in the order they appear in the text. 1. _____________ the coast of Cornwall 2. 12 miles _____________ the coast 3. trapped _____________ the mud 4. _____________ the past ten years 5. the cause _____________ the strandings is unknown 6. the real reason _____________ the death of the dolphins
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Opposites
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f e b a c
5 Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. in other parts of the world during the next few weeks to help them solve the mystery at first he couldnt believe it he could feel the water shaking something else might be the cause
6 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. off from in over of for
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d a f e c b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. clear (vb) plankton tarpaulin vet seaweed grisly stranding tremor rumour disorientated
1. _______________________ are very small organisms floating in the sea that fish feed on. 2. If you are _______________________, you feel confused and dont know where you are. 3. If you _______________________ an area, you remove everything from it. 4. A _______________________ event is horrible and shocking and involves a lot of blood. 5. A _______________________ is an animal doctor. 6. A _______________________ is a large sheet of strong, flexible, waterproof material. 7. _______________________ is a plant that grows in the sea. 8. A _______________________ is a situation in which a dolphin or whale is stuck in a place it cannot escape from, usually in shallow water. 9. A _______________________ is a story that people talk about but which may or may not be true. 10. A ____________ is a shaking movement caused by an earthquake or a large explosion.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible. 1. How many dolphins swam towards the shore? 2. How many died? 3. How many strandings have happened in the UK over the past ten years? 4. From which direction do the winds usually blow in Cornwall in the spring? 5. How long has Nick Tomlinson been a fishing-boat captain? 6. How many large ships were in the bay that weekend?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Intermediate
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Theories and rumours abound as scientists ponder mystery of mass dolphin deaths
Ministry of Defence denies sonar to blame but conservationists call for navy to suspend its use Steven Morris June 14, 2008 1 Nick Tomlinson has been a fishing-boat captain in Cornwall in south-west England for 35 years. It was the first time he had experienced anything like this before. Im used to the big military guns but this was something different bang, bang, bang, very close, very loud. The whole boat was shaking, he said. 2 As Tomlinsons boat was rocking 12 miles off shore, an extraordinary drama was taking place in muddy little channels near the port of Falmouth. Around 70 dolphins had suddenly swum towards the shore and dozens became trapped in mud. Rescuers tried to keep them wet by covering them with damp tarpaulins and seaweed. They guided some back out to sea but 26 died. 3 Marine scientists are shocked by the tragedy the biggest mass stranding of dolphins for many years. Multiple strandings of dolphins, porpoises and whales often happen in other parts of the world. In the UK the number of strandings has doubled to more than 700 over the past ten years. But this is generally because the creatures become entangled in fishing nets and usually only involves a few individuals or a small group. 4 Over the next few weeks scientists from the Zoological Society of London will try to find the cause of this weeks stranding. The government has given them extra money to help them solve the mystery. 5 But meanwhile, in Cornwall, the experiences of people like Nick Tomlinson are leading to a lot of rumours. Were the dolphins terrified by explosions of some sort? Could sonar from naval vessels have frightened them? Is the military testing secret equipment?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Intermediate
CA
P H
Monday was routine. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society believes sonar equipment or explosions could have frightened the dolphins or made them feel disorientated. It wants the navy to stop using sonar in the area while the stranding is investigated and to say exactly what it is doing off the coast of Cornwall. 12 Marine biologists are almost certain that exposure to sonar leads to strandings. One Spanish study of a mass stranding of whales in the Canary Islands concluded the whales
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Scientists are sure that strandings are caused by sonar equipment. 2. The spring in Cornwall was unusual this year because the wind blew from a different direction to the normal one. 3. The lack of plankton meant the dolphins had no small fish to feed on. 4. The weekend was unusual because the sea was very calm. 5. There was no firing on the day of the strandings. 6. The dolphins were not trapped in fishing nets.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Intermediate
CA
P H
6 Opposites
Match the adjectives in the left-hand column with their opposites in the right-hand column. 1. deep 2. routine 3. single 4. noisy 5. odd 6. dry a. quiet b. damp c. extraordinary d. multiple e. shallow f. normal
7 Discussion
Make a list of the different possibilities for the strandings. Which one is the most likely and which ones can you rule out?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
6 Opposites
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. e c d a f b
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F T T F F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key verbs
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key verbs from the text.
shudders
clear
drape agitated
pinpoint dismiss
unravel suspend
1. If you ________________________ something, you cover it loosely with a piece of material. 2. If you ________________________ an idea or suggestion, you decide that it is impossible. 3. To ________________________ the cause of something means to identify the exact cause. 4. When someone ________________________ somewhere, they travel towards that place. 5. If you ________________________ a mystery, you solve it. 6. To ________________________ means to remove everything from a place or area. 7. If you ________________________ an activity, you stop it for a specific period. 8. When something ________________________, it shakes violently for a short time. 9. If the sea is ________________________, it becomes very rough. 10. If you ________________________ a person or animal, you make them very frightened or alarmed.
Decide whether these statements are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Dolphins are vegetarian. 2. Dolphins, porpoises and whales often become stuck in shallow water in different parts of the world. 3. This never happens in Britain. 4. In south-west England, the wind usually blows from the north. 5. Sonar equipment and explosions can frighten dolphins. 6. Dolphins are frightened by killer whales.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Theories and rumours abound as scientists ponder mystery of mass dolphin deaths
Ministry of Defence denies sonar to blame but conservationists call for navy to suspend its use Steven Morris June 14, 2008 1 Nick Tomlinson, a fishing-boat captain, had not felt anything like it in the 35 years he has been working the waters off the Cornish coast. Im used to the big military guns going off but this was something different bang, bang, bang, very close, very loud. The vibrations went through the boat. The whole boat was shuddering. 2 As Tomlinsons boat was rocking 12 miles out, an extraordinary drama was taking place in muddy little coastline creeks near Falmouth. Around 70 dolphins had suddenly headed for shore and dozens became trapped in mud. Rescuers tried to keep them wet by draping damp tarpaulin and seaweed over them. They guided some back out to sea but 26 died. 3 Marine scientists are astounded at Mondays tragedy the biggest mass stranding of dolphins for many years. Multiple strandings of dolphins, porpoises and whales do happen frequently in other parts of the world. In the UK the number of strandings has doubled to more than 700 over the past ten years. But this increase is generally put down to the creatures becoming entangled in fishing nets and usually only involves a few individuals or a small group. 4 Over the next few weeks scientists from the Zoological Society of London will try to pinpoint the cause of this weeks stranding. The government has given them extra money to help them unravel the mystery. 5 But meanwhile, in Cornwall, there are a lot of rumours fuelled by the experiences of people like Nick Tomlinson. Were the dolphins terrified by explosions of some sort? Could sonar from naval vessels have spooked them? Is the military testing secret equipment?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Advanced
CA
P H
dolphins actually headed to shore and insists the firing on Monday was routine. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society believes sonar equipment or explosions could have frightened the dolphins or caused them to become disorientated. It has called for the navy to suspend the use of sonar in the area while the stranding is investigated and to release details of its activities off Cornwall. 12 Marine biologists are increasingly convinced that exposure to sonar leads to strandings. One
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. What caused so many dolphins to die off the Cornish coast? a. No-one knows for sure. b. They were spooked by killer whales. c. They were frightened by sonar equipment and explosions. 2. Why did the diver describe the weekend as odd? a. The wind was blowing from the north. b. There werent as many ships as usual. c. There was a submarine in the water. 3. Why did the whales in the Canary Islands die? a. They were killed by naval sonar. b. Sonar frightened them and they came to the surface too quickly. c. They became stranded in shallow water. 4. What are the rumours in Cornwall saying? a. That the dolphins were killed by the unusual weather. b. That the Ministry of Defence was firing guns. c. That secret military equipment is being tested.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Advanced
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5 Phrasal verbs
Fill the gaps in these sentences using these phrasal verbs from the text.
put down
carry out
1. If you __________________ an animal, you kill it because it is old or sick. 2. To __________________ means to request something formally. 3. If you __________________ a theory or suggestion, you decide that it is true or the best solution. 4. To __________________ means to destroy completely. 5. If you __________________ a theory or possibility, you say that it is not possible and you reject it. 6. If you _________________ a phenomenon to a particular cause, you believe that that cause is responsible for it. 7. Guns and bombs __________________. 8. ____________ is another way of saying perform or do.
7 Discussion
There are several different theories about why the dolphins died. What are they? Which one do you think is true?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Advanced
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Advanced
5 Phrasal verbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. put down call for settle on wipe out rule out put down go off carry out
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. a b b c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Mystery of mass dolphin deaths / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. enforcement laughing stock warrant suspicious raid bankrupt petition siren sack lawsuit
1. A ___________________ is a document written by a judge that gives the police permission to do something, for example to arrest someone or search a house. 2. A ___________________ is an action by police officers in which they suddenly enter a place in order to arrest people or search for something. 3. A ___________________ is a piece of equipment that makes a loud sound, used for warning people. 4. If you are ___________________, you say officially that you have no money and cannot pay what you owe. 5. If someone or something is a ___________________, everyone thinks they are silly or stupid. 6. If you ___________________ someone, you remove them from a job or official position. 7. ___________________ is the process of making sure people obey the law. 8. A ___________________ is a disagreement between two people that a court of law is asked to decide. 9. If you are ___________________, you believe that someone has probably done something wrong. 10. A ___________________ is a document signed by many people that asks someone in authority to do something.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible. 1. How many people live in Gerald? 2. What did the people of Gerald call Bill Jakob? 3. How much money did he owe? 4. What was written on his T-shirt? 5. How many people have signed the petition? 6. How much money are the 17 people asking for?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Elementary
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US town left red-faced after fake federal officer leads five-month war on drugs
Unemployed truck driver fools entire community Wrongly arrested citizens threaten lawsuits Ed Pilkington in New York July 2, 2008 1 The small town of Gerald, Missouri (population just 1,200) had a huge problem with drugs. Then one day a man called Bill Jakob arrived in Gerald. He said he was a federal officer (FBI) and that he specialized in drug enforcement. He offered to help local officials in Gerald to solve their drug problem. They couldnt believe their luck. Bill Jakob was a typical FBI agent he was strong, he had very short hair, military boots and trousers and he wanted to get results. When he arrived, he was wearing a police badge and carrying federal ID and a gun. 2 He said he would not cost the local community of Gerald anything he was a gift from the Drug Enforcement Agency in Washington to help the town deal with its drug problems. He arrived in town driving an unmarked police car, equipped with a siren and a police radio, and he promised to leave the car in Gerald when he had finished the job. 3 There was only one problem: Sergeant Bill, as the people of Gerald soon began to call him, was not a federal agent, and never had been. He was in fact an unemployed truck driver with a criminal record who owed a lot of money and was almost bankrupt. 4 But for almost five months, from the day he arrived in town in January, he was known as the police king of Gerald. With the towns five police officers he raided the homes of suspected drug users. Wearing a black T-shirt with the word Police on it, he arrested the local pharmacist and led at least 17 other raids. He didnt follow normal police procedures and when people asked him for an arrest warrant he said that he didnt need one because he was a federal agent. 5 And he got results. Mayor Otis Schulte once called Gerald a drug capital of the United
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Elementary
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6 Word stress
Put these words from the text into two groups according to their word stress.
incident enforcement
inquiry petition
reporter federal
pharmacist criminal
official evidence
officer suspicious
A 0oo
B o0o
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Elementary
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Elementary
6 Word stress
A 0oo incident pharmacist officer federal criminal evidence B o0o inquiry reporter official enforcement petition suspicious
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. e d b a f c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. enforcement stocky close-cropped bankruptcy warrant raid incentive petition boast sack
1. If you _____________________ about something, you proudly tell other people what you can do in order to make them admire you. 2. If you _____________________ someone, you remove them from a job or official position. 3. _____________________ is the process of making sure people obey the law. 4. A _____________________ is an action by police officers in which they suddenly enter a place in order to arrest people or search for something. 5. A _____________________ is a document signed by many people that asks someone in authority to do something. 6. If your hair is _____________________, it is very short. 7. An _____________________ is something that makes you want to do something because you know you will benefit by doing it. 8. A _____________________ is a document written by a judge that gives the police permission to do something, for example to arrest someone or search a house. 9. _____________________ is a situation in which you admit officially that you have no money and cannot pay what you owe. 10. A _____________________ person is one who is strong but not tall.
Look in the text and find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible. 1. What was Bill Jakobs nickname? 2. How many police raids did he take part in? 3. How much money did he owe? 4. What was written on his T-shirt? 5. How many people have signed the petition? 6. Where is Gerald?
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Intermediate
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US town left red-faced after fake federal officer leads five-month war on drugs
Unemployed truck driver fools entire community Wrongly arrested citizens threaten lawsuits Ed Pilkington in New York July 2, 2008 1 When Bill Jakob, a federal officer who specialized in drug enforcement, offered his services to a tiny town in Missouri that was fighting against a huge rise in drug use, the local officials couldnt believe their luck. They had found a man who was the image of the tough but reliable FBI agent stocky build, close-cropped hair, military boots and trousers and a determination to get results. He came wearing a badge and carrying federal ID and a gun. 2 He said he would not cost the local community of Gerald anything he was a gift from the Drug Enforcement Agency in Washington to help the town clean up its drug problems. As an extra incentive, he arrived in town driving an unmarked police car, equipped with a siren and a police radio, which he promised to leave behind him when the job was done. 3 There was only one problem: Sergeant Bill, as he came quickly to be known by the 1,200 townspeople of Gerald, was not a federal agent and never had been. He was in fact unemployed, a former truck driver with a criminal record who had fallen into debt and filed for bankruptcy. 4 But for almost five months from the day he arrived in town in January, he built himself a reputation as the police king of Gerald. He led the towns existing five officers in numerous raids against suspected drug users. Wearing a black T-shirt with the word Police on it, he took part in the arrest of the local pharmacist and a series of at least 17 raids. He didnt follow normal police procedures and when he was asked for an arrest warrant he boasted that he didnt need one because he was a federal agent.
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Intermediate
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7 Discussion
Sergeant Bill fooled the whole town into believing he was an FBI agent. What could the citizens of Gerald have done to prevent this situation?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F F T F F T
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text.
incentive
close-cropped
warrant stocky
credentials conviction
fake raid
bankruptcy petition
1. A ___________________ is someone or something that is false and not real. 2. If you have a previous ___________________, you have been found guilty of a crime in the past. 3. A __________________ is a document signed by many people that asks someone in authority to do something. 4. A ___________________ person is one who is strong but not tall. 5. If your hair is ___________________, it is very short. 6. A ___________________ is an action by police officers in which they suddenly enter a place in order to arrest people or search for something. 7. ___________________ is a situation in which you admit officially that you have no money and cannot pay what you owe. 8. An ___________________ is something that makes you want to do something because you know you will benefit by doing it. 9. ____________________ are documents that prove who you are or show your qualifications. 10. A ____________________ is a document written by a judge that gives the police permission to do something, for example to arrest someone or search a house.
The headline at the beginning talks about a fake federal officer. Look at these statements and decide which of these things the fake cop did and which you think he didnt do. Then check your answers in the text. 1. He said he was from Washington. 2. He wore a police badge and carried federal ID and a gun. 3. He shot the local pharmacist. 4. He raided hundreds of houses looking for drugs. 5. He had real police documents to prove he was a cop. 6. He forced one woman into a psychiatric hospital when she refused to co-operate.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Advanced
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US town left red-faced after fake federal officer leads five-month war on drugs
Unemployed truck driver fools entire community Wrongly arrested citizens threaten lawsuits Ed Pilkington in New York July 2, 2008 1 When Bill Jakob, a federal officer specializing in drug enforcement, offered his services to a tiny town in Missouri that was struggling with a wave of methamphetamine use, the local officials couldnt believe their luck. Here was a man who was the image of the tough but reliable FBI agent stocky build, close-cropped hair, military boots and trousers and a determination to get results. He came sporting a badge, federal ID and a gun at his side. 2 He said he would not cost the local community of Gerald a penny he was a gift from the Drug Enforcement Agency in Washington to help the town clean up its drug problems. As an added incentive, he arrived in town driving an unmarked police car, equipped with siren and police radio, that he promised to leave behind him when the job was done. 3 There was only one problem: Sergeant Bill, as he came quickly to be known by the 1,200 townspeople of Gerald, was not a federal agent and never had been. He was in fact unemployed, a former truck driver with a criminal record who had fallen into debt and filed for bankruptcy. 4 But for almost five months, from the day he showed up in town in January, he built himself up to be the policing king of Gerald. He led the towns existing five officers in numerous raids against suspected drug users. Wearing a black T-shirt with Police emblazoned on it, he took part in the arrest of the local pharmacist and in a series of at least 17 raids. He cut corners, brushing aside demands for an arrest warrant with the boast that as a federal agent he didnt need one.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Advanced
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6 Two-word expressions
Match the words in the left-hand column with those from the right-hand column to make two-word expressions from the text. 1. criminal 2. added 3. arrest 4. security 5. federal 6. laughing 7. military 8. stocky a. warrant b. stock c. officer d. build e. record f. boots g. incentive h. clearance
7 Discussion
If you could fool a whole town into believing you were something you were not, what would you choose to be? What kind of things would you say or do to make them believe you?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Phrasal verbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. d f a e c b
6 Two-word expressions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. e g a h c b f d
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b b c a
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Fake federal officer leads war on drugs / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Choose the correct answers in teams. 1. What kind of painting is the Last Supper? an oil painting a fresco a watercolour a mosaic
2. Who painted the Last Supper? Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Raphael Botticelli
3. When was it painted? 1405 between 1600 and 1603 between 1494 and 1498 1560
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Elementary
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
2. Local officials, government workers and departments are often called the 3. Jesus twelve followers were called his 4. When someone has a 5. Something that is
_ p _ s t l _ s.
6. When something is 7. A 8.
V _ n d _ l _ s m is the act of deliberately damaging or destroying something. _ n _ - _ f f p _ r f _ r m _ n c _ is a show that will never be repeated. m _ n k is a man who lives in a religious community. _ _ d _ _ n c _.
9. A 10. A
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Teachers notes and tips: If possible, watch the video via the Guardian website or YouTube before teaching this lesson. Integrate the video into your lesson if you can. Copy and print out (or show on screen) the seven photos which are found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/ gallery/2008/jul/02/art?picture=335404629 Either as an additional starter or as an extension, ask the students to talk about what they see on each photo. Set an extra task for homework: ask the students to find out how they would go about booking tickets to see the Last Supper. Where and how would they buy them? How much do they cost? When can you go and see the Last Supper (every day or only at special times)? etc.
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5: 6. The Last Supper has been reinvented by a British film director as a sound and light show. The Last Supper can be seen in a dining hall next to a church in Milan. Greenaway thinks the painting should belong to everyone. The audience thought the performance was fantastic. Greenaway thinks Leonardo da Vinci would have supported the show. Greenaway plans more sound and light shows around the world with other famous paintings.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Choose the correct answers in teams. 1. What kind of painting is the Last Supper? an oil painting Leonardo da Vinci 1405 Venice 460 x 880 cm 11 12 a fresco Michelangelo a watercolour a mosaic Botticelli 1560 2. Who painted the Last Supper? Raphael between 1494 and 1498 Milan 1200 x 400 cm 3. When was it painted? between 1600 and 1603 Rome The Vatican City 80 x 80 cm 13 14 46 x 80 cm 4. Where is the painting? 5. How big is the painting? 6. How many people are depicted in the painting?
Key words
Write the key words from the article into the sentences below. dignitaries authorities blaspheme masterpiece refectory permission enthusiasm one-off performance vandalism sacred
1. When you get ____________________, somebody in authority gives you the right to do something. 2. A ____________________ is an excellent painting, book, piece of music etc, or the best work of art that a particular artist, writer, musician etc has ever produced.
3. Local officials, government workers and departments are often called the ____________________. 4. A ____________________ is a large communal food hall. 5. Something that is ____________________ is considered to be holy or connected with God in a special way. 6. ____________________ is the act of deliberately damaging or destroying something. 7. A _____________________________ is a show that will never be repeated. 8. When someone does this they curse or say offensive things about religious beliefs: ____________________. 9. ____________________ are people who have an important official position, e.g. mayor or government minister. 10. ____________________ is the feeling of being very interested in something or excited by it.
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Intermediate
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the Italian authorities allowed Greenaway to take projectors, computers and speakers into the usually quiet and air-sealed refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where the image of Christ and his twelve apostles decorates an end wall. Inside the refectory, Greenaway unveiled his vision of one of Christianitys most sacred and fragile paintings, re-imagined for the laptop generation.
technical tricks to make Leonardos Christ appear like a three-dimensional hologram while the sun rose and set over his head. He turned the original colourful painting red, grey and black; dawn broke, dusk fell and by the end of the performance the apostles were behind the shadow of prison-like bars.
Vinci thought Greenaways work was cultural vandalism. But others think it may have saved The Last Suppers reputation from The Da Vinci Code, Dan Browns blockbuster novel.
happen. For 18 months the authorities refused permission as they were worried about possible damage to the painting and that Greenaway might blaspheme.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Intermediate
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Intermediate
Comprehension check
According to the article are these sentences True (T) or False (F)? 1. The Last Supper has been reinvented as a sound and light show by a British film director. 2. The Last Supper can be seen in a dining hall in Milan. 3. Greenaways Last Supper performance will be shown again in the Sistine Chapel. 4. Greenaway thinks the painting should belong to everyone. 5. The audience thought the performance was blasphemous. 6. Da Vinci painted the last supper in red, grey and black. 7. Peter Greenaway wrote the blockbuster novel, The Da Vinci Code. 8. Greenaway thinks da Vinci would have supported the new show.
4 Vocabulary
1. Complete these sentences with morning or evening. a) The sun rises in the _____________________ and sets in the _____________________. b) Dusk usually falls in the _____________________. c) Dawn breaks in the _____________________. 2. How many words can you add to the word wheels?
e.g
.s
r un
ise e
t gh ow i l h . .g s
sun
light
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
The Last Supper for the laptop generation Addiction to Internet is an illness
Level 2 KEY
1 Warmer: The Last Supper quiz
Teachers tip: award each team two points for a correct answer or if there are no correct answers, give one point to the team with the closest answer.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. a fresco (although many call it a false fresco as it was painted on a dry wall) Leonardo da Vinci between 1494 and 1498 In a refectory adjoining the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. 460 x 880 cm 13: Jesus and his 12 apostles
Intermediate
4 Vocabulary
1. a) morning / evening b) evening (note: sometimes late afternoon) c) morning
Teachers notes: If possible, watch the video via the Guardian website or YouTube before teaching this lesson. Integrate the video into your lesson if you can. Copy and print out (or show on screen) the seven photos which are found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/ gallery/2008/jul/02/art?picture=335404629 Either as an additional starter or as an extension, ask the students to talk about what they see on each photo. Set an extra task for homework: ask the students to find out how they would go about booking tickets to see the Last Supper. Where and how would they buy them? How much do they cost? When can you go and see the Last Supper (every day or only at special times)? etc.
2 Key words
1. permission 2. masterpiece 3. authorities 4. refectory 5. sacred 6. vandalism 7. one-off performance 8. blaspheme 9. dignitaries 10. enthusiasm
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. True True False True False False False True
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Try to answer these questions in teams. 1. What kind of painting is the Last Supper? 2. Who painted the Last Supper? 3. When was it painted? 4. Where is the painting? 5. How big is the painting? 6. How many people are depicted in the painting?
Key words
Skim-read the article to find words that mean the following. 1. heavenly: _______________________ (para 1) 2. officials / government workers and departments: _______________________ (para 2) 3. a large communal food hall: _______________________ (para 2) 4. give someone away, expose someone: _______________________ (para 2) 5. forefront, up-to-date, most modern: _______________________ (para 3) 6. curse, say offensive things about religious beliefs: _______________________ (para 5) 7. turning point, important: _______________________ (para 6) 8. the time after the invention of computers: _______________________ (para 7) 9. people and institutions connected with education: _______________________ (para 7) 10. outer sex organs: _______________________ (para 8)
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Advanced
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10 Greenaway plans to repeat the performance on Las Meninas by Velzquez, Picassos Guernica, Monets Waterlilies and a Jackson Pollock in New York. His ultimate ambition, though, is to work with Michelangelos Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 02/07/08
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4 Vocabulary
How many words can you find in the article that can be used to talk about or describe light? Make example sentences of your own for each of these words.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Advanced
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Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
4 Vocabulary
(suggestions) glint, blaze, celestial (light), radiant, colourful, shadow
Teachers notes: If possible, watch the video yourself via the Guardian website or YouTube before teaching this lesson. Integrate the video into your lesson if its technically possible. Copy and print out (or show on screen) the seven photos which are found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/ gallery/2008/jul/02/art?picture=335404629 Either as an additional starter or as an extension, ask the students to talk about what they see on each photo. Set an extra task for homework: ask the students to find out how they would go about seeing the Last Supper. Where and how would they buy the tickets? How much do they cost? When can you go and see the Last Supper (every day or only at special times)? How would they get there? etc.
2 Key words
1. celestial 2. authorities 3. refectory 4. betray 5. cutting-edge 6. blaspheme 7. pivotal 8. post-digital 9. academia 10. genitals
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. b d c c c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / The Last Supper for the laptop generation / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. coroner prosecutor deception jury defraud deny charge fraud money laundering bankruptcy
1. A ____________________ is an official statement accusing someone of committing a crime. 2. ____________________ is a situation in which you officially admit that you have no money and cannot pay what you owe. 3. A ____________________ is a group of people, usually 12, who judge a court case. 4. A ____________________ is a lawyer whose job is to prove in court that someone accused of a crime is guilty. 5. ____________________ is the act of tricking someone by telling them something that is not true. 6. A ____________________ is someone whose job is to decide officially how someone died, especially if they died in a sudden or violent way. 7. When you say that you did not do something that someone has accused you of doing, you ____________________ it. 8. __________________ is the act of hiding money obtained from illegal activities by putting it into legal businesses. 9. If you ____________________ someone you get money from them in a dishonest way. 10. ____________________ is the crime of getting money from someone by tricking them.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How much money was involved in the fraud? 2. How many children did Anne and John Darwin have? 3. How much money did the Darwins want to borrow from the bank? 4. How much money did Anne Darwin have in Panama (in money, land and property)? 5. How much did Anne Darwin pay for the land in Panama? 6. When did John Darwin disappear?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Elementary
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Darwin trial: Missing canoeists wife played her part in 250,000 fraud with aplomb, court told
Couple devised plot to escape debts, jury hears Anne Darwin will claim coercion as part of defence Helen Carter July 15, 2008 1 A court in the north of England has heard how a woman helped her husband to fake his own death. The prosecution says that Anne Darwin told insurance companies, a coroner and her own sons that her husband had died in a canoeing accident. Anne Darwin and her husband, John, owed a lot of money and were also facing an increase in payments for a bank loan when she took part in the 250,000 fraud. 2 The jury heard that the couples sons, Mark and Anthony, believed their father was dead after their mother told them: I think Ive lost him. Hes gone. Darwin denies six charges of deception and nine charges of money laundering. 3 In March 2002, the Darwins bank refused to lend them 20,000 and they were facing bankruptcy. Six days later, prison officer John Darwin disappeared into the sea in a canoe. Anne Darwin phoned the police to report that her husband was missing, but she had in fact just driven him to the local railway station, the prosecutor, Andrew Robertson, told the court. Less than a month later her husband, who had grown his hair and a beard, was secretly living at another house they owned. 4 The prosecution says that Darwin defrauded various insurance companies by telling them that her husband was dead when he was very much alive and well. Robertson said she told police, their sons and the coroner that her husband had drowned. Robertson added: Anne Darwin clearly thought nothing of lying to her sons and telling them that their own father was lost at sea and dead. Mark said that his whole world fell apart. He felt he had not just lost a father, but his best friend.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008
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NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Elementary
a. was living in another house they owned. b. she didnt go to bed for days. c. had drowned in March 2002. d. was John Darwins. e. the land she bought in Panama was very cheap. f. drove her husband to the local railway station.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Elementary
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6 Word building
Complete the table with words from the text.
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 deceive defend disappear insure pay lend
noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. deception defence disappearance insurance payment loan
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. c f b e a d
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. coroner prosecutor deception jury defraud deny charge claim money laundering bankruptcy
1. If you _____________________ someone you get money from them in a dishonest way. 2. ___________________ is the act of hiding money obtained from illegal activities by putting it into legal businesses. 3. A _____________________ is a group of people, usually 12, who judge a court case. 4. A ____________________ is a lawyer whose job is to prove in court that someone accused of a crime is guilty. 5. _____________________ is a situation in which you officially admit that you have no money and cannot pay what you owe. 6. A _____________________ is an official statement accusing someone of committing a crime. 7. If you ____________________ something is true, you say it is true even though there may be no definite proof. 8. _____________________ is the act of tricking someone by telling them something that is not true. 9. When you say that you did not do something that someone has accused you of doing, you _____________________ it. 10. A _____________________ is someone whose job is to decide officially how someone died, especially if they died in a sudden or violent way.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How much money was involved in the fraud? 2. How much money did the Darwins try to borrow from the bank? 3. How much money did Anne Darwin have in Panama (in money, land and property)? 4. How much did Anne Darwin pay for the land in Panama? 5. When did John Darwin disappear? 6. How many years passed before the fraud was discovered?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Intermediate
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Darwin trial: Missing canoeists wife played her part in 250,000 fraud with aplomb, court told
Couple devised plot to escape debts, jury hears Anne Darwin will claim coercion as part of defence Helen Carter July 15, 2008 1 A court in the north of England has heard how a woman helped her husband to fake his own death by convincing insurers, a coroner and the couples own sons that he had died in a canoe accident. Anne Darwin, 56, and her husband, John, were deep in debt and were facing an increase in payments on a loan when she took part in the 250,000 fraud the court was told. 2 The jury heard that the couples sons, Mark and Anthony, believed their father was dead after their weeping mother told them: I think Ive lost him. Hes gone. Darwin denies six charges of deception and nine charges of money laundering. 3 In March 2002, their bank refused to lend the Darwins 20,000 and they were facing bankruptcy. Six days later prison officer John Darwin disappeared into the sea in a canoe. When Anne Darwin phoned the police to report her husband missing, she had in fact just dropped him off at a railway station, the prosecutor, Andrew Robertson, told the court. Within a month, her husband, who had grown his hair and a beard, was secretly living at another house they owned. The jury was also told that he even registered at the local library under a false name, John Jones. 4 The prosecution claims that Darwin defrauded various insurance companies by convincing them that her husband was dead when he was very much alive and well. Robertson said she told police, their sons and the coroner that her husband had drowned. Robertson added: Anne Darwin clearly thought nothing of lying to her sons in this way and convincing them that their own father was lost at sea and dead. According
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Intermediate
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Eskimo roll. A press release was issued to local media six months later in which Darwin said: When he went missing I stayed up all night. I didnt go to bed for days. It was a nightmare and its still going on. I feel very much in limbo. People die, have a funeral, they have a headstone, theres something to mark the fact they existed on this earth, but without a body I dont know how we can mark Johns life.
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. In March 2002 John Darwin drowned in a canoeing accident. 2. The Darwins children knew John Darwin was alive. 3. Anne Darwin claims her husband forced her to lie about his death. 4. The Darwins had money problems. 5. The prosection claims that the Darwins used the insurance money to buy property in Panama. 6. The original idea of the fraud was probably Anne Darwins.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Intermediate
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6 Word building
Complete the table with words from the text.
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 deceive defend pretend persist disappear insure pay lend
noun
7 Discussion
Think of different ways that people can fake their own death. Which way do you think would be the most convincing?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. deception defence pretence persistence disappearance insurance payment loan
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F F T T T F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. coroner prosecutor deception jury defraud money laundering coercion juror allegedly charge
1. A ____________________ is a group of people, usually 12, who judge a court case. 2. A ____________________ is a member of a jury. 3. A ____________________ is an official statement accusing someone of committing a crime. 4. ____________________ is the act of tricking someone by telling them something that is not true. 5. ____________________ is the use of force or threats to make someone do something. 6. ____________________ is the act of hiding money obtained from illegal activities by putting it into legal businesses. 7. A ____________________ is someone whose job is to decide officially how someone died, especially if they died in a sudden or violent way. 8. A ____________________ is a lawyer whose job is to prove in court that someone accused of a crime is guilty. 9. If you ____________________ someone you get money from them in a dishonest way. 10. If someone _______________________does something, another person says they have done it even though this has not been proved.
1. How much did Anne and John Darwin need to borrow from the bank? 2. What, according to Anne Darwin, had happened to her husband? 3. Who was John Jones? 4. How much did the Darwins pay for their property in Panama? 5. Where did they get the money to pay for the property? 6. How long was it before the fraud came to light?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Darwin trial: Missing canoeists wife played her part in 250,000 fraud with aplomb, court told
Couple devised plot to escape debts, jury hears Anne Darwin will claim coercion as part of defence Helen Carter July 15, 2008 1 A woman helped her husband to fake his own death by convincing insurers, a coroner and the couples own sons that he had died in a canoe accident, a court has been told. Anne Darwin, 56, and her husband, John, were deep in debt and facing an increase in payments on a loan when she took part in the 250,000 fraud the court was told. 2 The jury heard that the couples sons, Mark and Anthony, believed their father was dead after their weeping mother told them: I think Ive lost him. Hes gone. Darwin denies six deception charges and nine of money laundering. 3 In March 2002, six days after they were refused a 20,000 bank loan and were facing bankruptcy, prison officer John Darwin disappeared into the sea in a canoe. When Anne Darwin phoned the police to report her husband missing, she had in fact just dropped him off at a railway station, Andrew Robertson, prosecuting, told the court. Within a month, her husband, who had grown his hair and a beard, was secretly living at a neighbouring property they owned. The jury was told that he was an avid reader who could not resist registering at the library, under a false name: John Jones. 4 Darwin, it is claimed, defrauded various insurance companies by convincing them that her husband was dead when he was very much alive and well. Robertson said she told police, their sons and the coroner that her husband had drowned. Robertson added: Anne Darwin clearly thought nothing of lying to her sons in this way and convincing them that their own father was lost at sea and dead. According to Mark, his whole world had fallen apart. He felt he had not just lost a father, but his best friend.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Advanced
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Advanced
10 The prosecution said of Darwin: It is clear that at no stage in the following five-and-a-half years before this fraud came to light did Anne Darwins nerve ever fail her. The trial continues.
Guardian News & Media 2008 First published in The Guardian, 15/07/08
on the part of Anne Darwin to see it through. In a statement to police following her husbands disappearance, she said that he was an experienced canoeist but unable to perform an Eskimo roll. A press release was issued to local media six months later in which Darwin was quoted as saying: When he went missing I stayed up all night. I didnt go to bed for days. It was a nightmare and its still going on. I feel very much in limbo. People die, have a funeral, they have a headstone, theres something to mark the fact they existed on this earth, but without a body I dont know how we can mark Johns life.
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. How did John and Anne Darwins children react to the news that he was dead? a. They didnt believe it. b. They were very distressed. c. They reported it to the police. 2. What part did Anne Darwin allegedly play in the deception? a. A very minor role. It was her husbands idea. b. An important role. She was just as involved as her husband. c. The main role. She planned and executed the whole thing. 3. What is Anne Darwins defence in court? a. She says her husband forced her to do it. b. She claims she really believed he was dead. c. She says he was an experienced canoeist but was unable to roll a canoe. 4. Where, according to the prosecution, was John Darwin during most of the five-and-a-half years? a. In Panama. b. Living in a property very near Anne Darwins house. c. Hiding somewhere abroad.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Compound nouns
Match the words in the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make compound nouns from the text. 1. bank a. price 2. insurance 3. prison 4. estate 5. nature 6. market 7. press 8. head b. stone c. reserve d. company e. agent f. release g. loan h. officer
6 Discussion
Imagine that you would like to pretend that you have died in order to claim life insurance money. How would you fake your own death?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
5 Compound nouns
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. g d h e c a f b
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b b a b
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Missing canoeists wife played her part in fraud / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. airship neat sway inflammable float gondola dull decade smooth
gentle
1. If something is _____________________, it is boring or not interesting. 2. A _____________________ is the part fixed to a balloon or an airship that people travel in. 3. A _____________________ is a period of ten years. 4. An _____________________ is an aircraft without wings that is filled with gas and has an engine. 5. When something _____________________ in the air, it is lighter than air and moves slowly through it. 6. A _____________________ movement does not use or need much force or effort. 7. To _____________________ means to move or swing gently from side to side. 8. A _____________________ flight does not shake or frighten you. 9. If something is _____________________, it burns easily. 10. If something is _____________________, it is carefully arranged and looks nice.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. At what height does the airship fly? 2. How fast does it fly? 3. How many passengers does it carry? 4. How much does a 45-minute flight cost? 5. How long has Fritz Guenther been flying airships? 6. What gas is used to fill the airship?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
a. if the weather is bad. b. it is the best way of flying. c. costs more than a return plane ticket to Florida. d. airships were filled with inflammable gases. e. are the most interesting things that you see. f. it is like being in a boat on the water.
4 Compound nouns
Match the nouns from the left-hand column with those in the right-hand column to make words from the text. 1. swimming 2. tennis 3. cricket 4. plane 5. one-hour 6. operations 7. street 8. passenger a. map b. ticket c. manager d. trip e. pitch f. pool g. flight h. court
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Elementary
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6 Adjectives
Complete these adjectives from the text. 1. e __ p __ n __ __ v __ 2. g __ __ t l __ 3. s __ o o t __ 4. r __ l __ x __ ng 5. w __ n d __ 6. i__ f __ a m __ a b l __
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Compound nouns
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. f h e b g c a d
5 Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1,000 feet above the ground a 45-minute trip for five hours a day the first time in 90 years before the Second World War to see the sights of London
6 Adjectives
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. expensive gentle smooth relaxing windy inflammable
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. e c b f a d
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. airship glitter landmark cancel hover sway glide decade
inflammable gondola
1. To _____________________ means to move or swing gently from side to side. 2. If you _____________________ an arrangement, you say that it will not now take place. 3. To _____________________ means to move in a smooth and easy way with no noise. 4. If something is _____________________, it burns easily. 5. A _____________________ is a period of ten years. 6. To _____________________ means to remain in the same position in the air. 7. An _____________________ is an aircraft without wings that is filled with gas and has an engine. 8. A _____________________ is the part fixed to a balloon or an airship that people travel in. 9. To _____________________ means to shine with a lot of small, quick flashes of light. 10. A _____________________ is a famous building or object that you can see and recognize easily.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. At what height does the airship fly? 2. How fast does it fly? 3. How many passengers does it carry? 4. How much does a one-hour flight cost? 5. How long is the airship? 6. What gas is used to fill the airship?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Word building
Complete the table with words from the text.
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 experience fly intend impress
noun
improvement
7 Discussion
Compare travelling by plane with travelling by airship. Which do you prefer? Why?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. during the next six weeks a half-hour flight 1,000 feet above the ground the first time in 90 years for five hours a day a return plane ticket to Florida
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. intention impression improve experience flight license cancel permit
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F F F T T F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. landmark sway comparable grounded soothing conglomerate dull serene hover decade
1. A __________________ is a period of ten years. 2. __________________ means calm or peaceful. 3. If something is __________________, it makes you feel more calm and relaxed and less nervous, worried or upset. 4. If something is __________________ to something else, it is fairly similar to it, so it is reasonable to compare them. 5. A __________________ is a large business organization that was formed when several different businesses joined together. 6. A __________________ is a famous building or object that you can see and recognize easily. 7. If something is described as __________________, it is boring or not interesting. 8. To __________________ means to move or swing gently from side to side. 9. If an aircraft is __________________, it is prevented from flying for some reason. 10. To __________________ means to remain in the same position in the air.
Decide whether these sentences are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. Modern airships are filled with inflammable gases. 2. The airship Hindenburg crashed just after the Second World War. 3. The London street map is known as the A-Z. 4. Airships can fly in wet and windy weather. 5. A one-hour trip over London in an airship will cost more than a return plane ticket to Florida. 6. Airships fly at just 100 feet above the ground.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Advanced
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3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. What is the most striking thing about the view from the airship? a. The great landmarks of London. b. The small details like back gardens, tennis courts and dog walkers. c. The River Thames, glittering in the sun. 2. What is the main advantage of the airship trip compared to one in a helicopter? a. It is quieter. b. It is cheaper. c. It is more soothing. 3. Why was the airship grounded in Cologne for five days? a. Because it was waiting for a lift across the Channel. b. Because the weather was bad. c. Because the pilot was in East Germany. 4. Why is the modern-day airship safer than the old pre-war airships? a. Because it is only 75 metres long. b. Because it flies at only 1000 feet above the ground. c. Because it is filled with helium not inflammable gas.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Advanced
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
5 Prefixes
Match the expressions with their definitions. 1. pre-book 2. pre-war 3. pro-rata 4. co-pilot 5. overhead 6. outdated a. above your head b. assistant pilot c. old and no longer suitable for modern purposes or situations d. calculated according to the individual situation e. from a time before a particular war f. make a reservation in advance
7 Discussion
What are the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by airship?
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Advanced
Advanced
5 Prefixes
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. f e d b a c
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b a b c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Poetry in motion: over London by airship / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. nerd trial hacker delay extradition sympathizer bail fry appeal sophisticated
1. A ___________________ is someone who uses a computer to connect to other peoples computers illegally. 2. An ___________________ is a formal request to a court of law to change its decision. 3. To __________________ someone is an American expression meaning to kill someone using the electric chair. 4. A terrorist ___________________ is someone who supports terrorists. 5. A ___________________ is the process of examining a case in a court of law and deciding whether someone is guilty or innocent. 6. ___________________ is the process of sending a criminal back to the country where a crime was committed for a trial. 7. ___________________ is money that is given to a court as a guarantee when someone is allowed to stay out of prison until their trial. 8. If you are ___________________, you know and understand a lot about a subject. 9. If you ___________________ something, you make it late or slow it down. 10. A ____________________ is a boring person who is excessively interested in technical subjects, especially computers.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How many computers did Gary McKinnon hack into? 2. What was Gary McKinnons codename? 3. How much damage did he cause? 4. How much time could he spend in prison? 5. Where is the European court of human rights? 6. When did he hack into the US government computers?
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Elementary
CA
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Bumbling nerd who broke into Pentagon computers loses battle against extradition
British hacker could face 70-year jail term in US Hope that European court will overturn Lords ruling Bobbie Johnson, technology correspondent July 31, 2008 1 A British computer nerd who broke into the Pentagons computer systems said he was disappointed and angry after a British court decided that he could be extradited to the United States. Gary McKinnon who the American authorities called the worlds most dangerous hacker could face trial in the US for his actions, but he has said he will continue to fight in the European courts. 2 Im very disappointed and very angry, but not too surprised, he said. I think I might have more success in Europe than I do in my own country. McKinnon said the British authorities had delayed his extradition by two weeks to allow him time to appeal to a higher court. After that, it could be two years before the case comes to court. Right now Id be quite happy with a two-year delay, he said. Its better than being put on a plane and sent to the US today. 3 He said the case had caused him terrible problems in the six years since he was arrested. His bail conditions prevented him from using the Internet, so his previous work in IT is almost impossible and employers just dont want to hire him. Ive lost two jobs because of this my bosses didnt want to be associated with the publicity in this case, he said. 4 Mr McKinnon hacked into 97 US military computers soon after the attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon in 2001, using the codename Solo. American officials say he broke into systems belonging to the department of defence, the US armed forces and even Nasa causing $700,000 (354,000) damage and putting American national security in danger. 5 If he is extradited to the US, McKinnon could spend up to 70 years in prison. McKinnons
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a. want to stop his extradition to the United States. b. not too surprised at the courts decision. c. so the Americans could make an example of him. d. the hacking happened in Britain. e. he hacked into 97 US military computers. f. he wanted to find evidence of the existence of aliens.
4 Chunks
Rearrange these words to make phrases from the text. Check your answers in the text. 1. year a delay two 2. in to prison up years 70 3. human the of European rights court 4. from IT an worker London unemployed north 5. a just nerd computer 6. in not as laws America as strict the
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Elementary
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Word building
Complete the table using words from the text.
verb
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. hack apply exist defend sympathize extradite
noun
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Elementary
4 Chunks
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. a two-year delay up to 70 years in prison the European court of human rights an unemployed IT worker from north London just a computer nerd not as strict as the laws in America
5 Prepositions
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. after into from with to for up up
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. hacker/hacking application existence defence sympathizer extradition
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. e d f b a c
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Elementary
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. nerd lenient hacker intolerable extradition appeal bail endanger bumbling disproportionate
1. __________________ is money that is given to a court as a guarantee when someone is allowed to stay out of prison until their trial. 2. __________________ is the process of sending a criminal back to the country where a crime was committed for a trial. 3. A ________________ is a boring person who is excessively interested in technical subjects, especially computers. 4. If something is __________________, it is impossible to bear or deal with. 5. If something is __________________, it is much bigger (or smaller) than it should be. 6. A __________________ is someone who uses a computer to connect to other peoples computers illegally. 7. If you __________________ something, you put it in a position where it might be harmed. 8. A __________________ person is one who behaves in a way that is confused an not properly organized. 9. An __________________ is a formal request to a court of law to change its decision. 10. If a law is __________________, it punishes someone less severely than it could.
Look in the text and find the following information as quickly as possible. 1. How many computers did Gary McKinnon hack into? 2. How much damage did he cause? 3. How much time could he spend in prison? 4. When did he hack into the US government computers? 5. Where is the European court of human rights? 6. What was Gary McKinnons codename?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Bumbling nerd who broke into Pentagon computers loses battle against extradition
British hacker could face 70-year jail term in US Hope that European court will overturn Lords ruling Bobbie Johnson, technology correspondent July 31, 2008 1 A British hacker who broke into the Pentagons computer systems said he was disappointed and angry after a British court rejected his appeal against extradition to the US. Gary McKinnon called the worlds most dangerous hacker by the American authorities could face trial in the US for his actions, but he has said he will continue fighting his case in the European courts. 2 Im very disappointed and very angry, but not too surprised, he told the Guardian. I think I might have more chance in Europe than I do in my own country. McKinnon said the Home Office had delayed extraditing him by two weeks to allow him time to lodge a higher appeal. After that, the case could take two years to reach the courts. Right now Id be quite glad of a two-year delay, he said. Its better than being handed over to US marshals and being put on a plane straight away. 3 He said the case had caused him terrible problems in the six years since he was arrested. His bail conditions prevented him from using the Internet, so his previous work in IT is almost impossible and potential employers dont want to hire him. Ive lost two jobs because of this my bosses just didnt want to be associated with the publicity, he said. 4 The 42-year-old hacked into 97 computers belonging to the US military soon after the attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon in 2001, using the codename Solo. American officials say he broke into systems belonging to the department of defence, the US armed forces and even Nasa causing $700,000 (354,000) damage and endangering national security. 5 If he is extradited, McKinnon faces up to 70 years in prison and his lawyers have argued that he
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008
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British legal procedures. That argument was rejected by the court, which said that allowing his appeal would endanger the extradition process. In a written judgment the court said: The difference between the American system and our own is not perhaps as great as Mr McKinnons argument suggests. 10 Computer security experts said it was unlikely US prosecutors would give up their
3 Comprehension check
Are these statements True (T) or False (F) according to the text? 1. Gary McKinnon hacked into US government computers to steal military secrets. 2. Mr McKinnon believed the CIA was hiding information about the existence of aliens. 3. He was very careful not to leave any traces on the computers he hacked into. 4. His lawyers believe the trial should be in the UK because the crime was committed there. 5. They believe the US government wants to make an example of him. 6. The court believed that the extradition process would not be endangered if they allowed Mr McKinnons appeal.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Intermediate
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
1. hack __________________ 2. break __________________ 3. cover __________________ 4. give __________________ 5. hand __________________ 6. deal __________________
6 Word building
Complete the table with words from the text.
verb
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 extradite appeal apply exist defend prosecute argue employ
noun
7 Discussion
Should hacking be classified as a crime?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Intermediate
5 Phrasal verbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. into into up up over with
6 Word building
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. extradition appeal application existence defence prosecutor argument employer
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. F T F T T F
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Intermediate
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
Key words
Fill the gaps in the sentences using these key words from the text. hacker nerd extradition lenient naive appellant bail contention disproportionate intolerable
1. If something is ___________________, it is much bigger (or smaller) than it should be. 2. If something is ___________________, it is impossible to bear or deal with. 3. If a law is ___________________, it punishes someone less severely than it could. 4. A ___________________ person is one who lacks experience of life and tends to believe things too easily. 5. An ___________________ is someone who appeals against the decision of a court of law. 6. ___________________ is money that is given to a court as a guarantee when someone is allowed to stay out of prison until their trial. 7. ___________________ is the process of sending a criminal back to the country where a crime was committed for a trial. 8. A ___________________ is an opinion or statement that something is true. 9. A ___________________ is someone who uses a computer to connect to other peoples computers illegally. 10. A ____________ is a boring person who is excessively interested in technical subjects, especially computers.
Decide whether these sentences are True (T) or False (F). Then check your answers in the text. 1. The Pentagon is the home of the US governments department of defence. 2. The European court of human rights is in Brussels. 3. The attacks on the Word Trade Centre and the Pentagon took place in 2002. 4. The UK has much tougher computer crime laws than the USA. 5. One UK pound is worth approximately two US dollars. 6. Terrorist suspects held at Guantanamo Bay are known as enemy combatants.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Advanced
CA
P H
N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Bumbling nerd who broke into Pentagon computers loses battle against extradition
British hacker could face 70-year jail term in US Hope that European court will overturn Lords ruling Bobbie Johnson, technology correspondent July 31, 2008 1 A British hacker who broke into the Pentagons computer systems said he was disappointed and angry after the House of Lords yesterday dismissed his appeal against extradition to the US. Gary McKinnon called the worlds most dangerous hacker by the American authorities could face trial in the US for his actions, but vowed to continue fighting his case in the European courts. 2 Im very disappointed and very angry, but not too surprised, he told the Guardian. It might be naive of me but, perversely, I think I might have more chance in Europe than I do in my own country. McKinnon said the Home Office had delayed extraditing him by two weeks to allow him time to lodge a higher appeal. After that, the case could take two years to reach the courts. Right now Id be quite glad of a two-year delay, he said. Its better than being handed over to US marshals and being put on a plane straight away. He said the case had proved devastating in the six years since he was arrested. With his bail conditions barring him from using the Internet, his previous work in IT is near-impossible, while potential employers are scared off. Ive lost two jobs because of this my bosses just didnt want to be associated with the publicity, he said. 3 The 42-year-old hacked into 97 computers belonging to the US military shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon in 2001, using the codename Solo. American officials claim he infiltrated systems belonging to the department of defence, the US armed forces and even Nasa causing $700,000 (354,000) damage and threatening national security. 4 If extradited, McKinnon faces up to 70 years in prison and his lawyers have argued that he could even be given enemy combatant status,
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008
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for his co-operation constituted an unfair derailment of British legal procedures. That contention was rejected by the law lords, who said that granting the appeal would endanger the integrity of the extradition process. In the written judgment they said: The difference between the American system and our own is not perhaps so stark as the appellants argument suggests. 9 Computer security experts said it was unlikely US prosecutors would give up their pursuit. The
3 Comprehension check
Choose the best answer according to the text. 1. Gary McKinnon hacked into thousands of US government computers a. ... in order to show how easy it was to do so. b. ... in order to prove the CIA was hiding evidence about the existence of aliens. c. ... in order to protest about the treatment of prisoners at Guantnamo Bay. 2. Mr McKinnons lawyers believe that a. ... the US government wants to make an example of him. b. ... the European courts will be fairer than the British ones. c. ... his appeal will endanger the integrity of the extradition process. 3. Mr McKinnon describes himself as a. ... a thoroughly professional computer expert. b. ... a clumsy amateur. c. ... an enemy combatant. 4. Why do Mr McKinnons lawyers argue that he should be tried in Britain? a. Because they believe he will receive a more lenient sentence. b. Because the actual offences were committed in Britain. c. Because they believe he will not receive a fair trial in the USA.
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Advanced
CA
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N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
6 Phrasal verbs
Complete the phrasal verbs from the text using these particles. into up with over off up
7 Discussion
Do you think hackers like Gary McKinnon should be prosecuted? Why? Why not?
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D
Advanced
3 Comprehension check
1. 2. 3. 4. b a b b
6 Phrasal verbs
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. off with up up over into
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2008 NEWS LESSONS / Bumbling nerd loses battle against extradition / Advanced
CA O N T O FR BE C O DO O M W P W N IA EB LO B SI A L TE DE E D