Mysteries and Conspiracies

Agatha Christie, a famous mystery novel author, once famously said, "The simplest explanation is
always the most likely." However, when something shocking or catastrophic happens in our lives,
simple explanations just aren't enough. We crave deeper reasons and meanings, and sometimes we
create our own. Conspiracy theories can attract a wide array of people, from vehement
supporters to those who just like a good story. Whether they're somewhat believable or completely
ridiculous, the most popular conspiracy theories are fascinating.

Some of the most popular conspiracy theories revolve around the deaths of John F. Kennedy,
Princess Diana, and Elvis. There are some other popular theories about 9/11, Global Warming, and
Alien Invasions.
However, one of the wackiest theories says that most world leaders are actually shape-shifting
reptilians from a different planet who start wars and are responsible for horrific events like 9/11 in
order to promote fear and hatred, which gives them strength. Oh, and they're seven feet tall. Can
you believe it?

Vocabulary
1. Mystery A. a belief that a secret organization/group is responsible for an unexplained event
2. Catastrophic B. showing very strong feelings or opinions
3. Crave C. more than a little but not very
4. Conspiracy Theory D. extremely interesting
5. Wide array E. something unexplainable because not enough is known about it
6. Vehement F. centered on/around, focused on, to be concerned with
7. Somewhat G. silly in an exciting or amusing way, crazy
8. Fascinating H. the ability to change one's physical appearance
9. Revolve around I. a large number, a variety
10. Invasion J. to have an extremely strong desire for something
11. Wacky K. a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, suffering, or death
12. Shape-shifting L. a type of animal, such as a snake or lizard
13. Reptilian M. when an army enters another by force country to take control of it
 Special Topic: Mysteries, Conspiracies, and Other Strange Things
1) Vocabulary OPEN: What was the strangest or most frightening thing that has ever happened to you?
1. Mystery E A. a belief that a secret organization/group is responsible for an unexplained event
2. Catastrophic K B. showing very strong feelings or opinions
3. Crave J C. more than a little but not very
4. Conspiracy Theory A D. extremely interesting
5. Wide array I E. something unexplainable because not enough is known about it
6. Vehement B F. centered on/around, focused on, to be concerned with
7. Somewhat C G. silly in an exciting or amusing way, crazy
8. Fascinating D H. the ability to change one's physical appearance
9. Revolve around F I. a large number, a variety
10. Invasion M J. to have an extremely strong desire for something
11. Wacky G K. a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, suffering, or death
12. Shape-shifting H L. a type of animal, such as a snake or lizard
13. Reptilian L M. when an army enters another by force country to take control of it
Mysteries and Conspiracies
Agatha Christie, a famous mystery novel author, once famously said, "The simplest explanation is
always the most likely." However, when something shocking or catastrophic happens in our lives,
simple explanations just aren't enough. We crave deeper reasons and meanings, and sometimes we
create our own. Conspiracy theories can attract a wide array of people, from vehement supporters
to those who just like a good story. Whether they're somewhat believable or completely ridiculous,
the most popular conspiracy theories are fascinating.
Some of the most popular conspiracy theories revolve around the deaths of John F. Kennedy,
Princess Diana, and Elvis. There are some other popular theories about 9/11, Global Warming, and
Alien Invasions.
However, one of the wackiest theories says that most world leaders are actually shape-shifting
reptilians from a different planet who start wars and are responsible for horrific events like 9/11 in
order to promote fear and hatred, which gives them strength. Oh, and they're seven feet tall. Can you
believe it?
2) Questions Answer these questions with your partner.
1. What is this article about?
2. What are conspiracy theories? What kind of people believe in them? Do you believe in any?
3.What are some popular conspiracy theories mentioned? Which have you heard of before?
4. Do you know about any other conspiracies or mysteries? Talk about it.
 Special Topic: Mysteries, Conspiracies, and Other Strange Things
1) Vocabulary
1. Mystery A. a belief that a secret organization/group is responsible for an unexplained event
2. Catastrophic B. showing very strong feelings or opinions
3. Crave C. more than a little but not very
4. Conspiracy Theory D. extremely interesting
5. Wide array E. something unexplainable because not enough is known about it
6. Vehement F. centered on/around, focused on, to be concerned with
7. Somewhat G. silly in an exciting or amusing way, crazy
8. Fascinating H. the ability to change one's physical appearance
9. Revolve around I. a large number, a variety
10. Invasion J. to have an extremely strong desire for something
11. Wacky K. a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, suffering, or death
12. Shape-shifting L. a type of animal, such as a snake or lizard
13. Reptilian M. when an army enters another by force country to take control of it
Mysteries and Conspiracies
Agatha Christie, a famous mystery novel________,once famously said, "The simplest explanation is
always______________." However, when something shocking or catastrophic happens in our lives,
simple explanations just aren't enough. We crave deeper________and_________, and sometimes we
create our own. Conspiracy theories can attract a wide array of people, from vehement_________
to those who just like a good story. Whether they're somewhat believable or___________________,
the most popular conspiracy theories are fascinating.
Some of the most popular conspiracy theories revolve around the ___________of John F. Kennedy,
Princess Diana, and Elvis. There are some other popular theories about 9/11, _______________, and
Alien Invasions.
However, one of the wackiest theories says that most______________________are actually shape-
shifting reptilians from a different planet who_________wars and are______________for horrific
events like 9/11 in order to___________fear and hatred, which gives them strength. Oh, and
they're_____________. Can you believe it?
2) Questions Answer these questions with your partner.
1. What is this article about?
2. What are conspiracy theories? What kind of people believe in them? What's your opinion?
3. What are some popular conspiracy theories mentioned? Which have you heard of before?
4. Do you know about any other conspiracies or mysteries? Talk about it.
3) Free Discussion- Talk about these questions with your partner.
1. If you could have just one special power what power would you choose? Why?
2. In many countries people believe in ghosts, spirits and dragons. Why do you think these beliefs
are so common? What are some beliefs in Korea?
3. Have you ever felt that you already knew someone the first time you met them? Have you ever
visited a city for the first time and felt you were there before? Do you ever experience Dj Vu?

4) Rank Rank these things from 1 (most likely to exist) to 8 (impossible!). Use each number once.
____ Ghosts ____Demons/Angels ____Fairies ____UFOS/Aliens

____ Vampires ____Zombies ____Sea/Mountain Monsters ____ESP

Now, talk to your partner about your thoughts.
Ask: Which do you think is most likely to exist? Why? / Which are less likely to exist? Why?
Which could never exist? Why?
Talk More: What are some amazing creatures or beings not listed here? Describe one.

5) More Mysteries Try to match these mysterious events with the description.
Area 51 It's 2,000 miles off the coast of Tahiti and is famous for its
numerous large stone statues. Researches have no idea
how the stones were moved or why they were constructed.
The Bermuda
Triangle It's located in the Atlantic Ocean, near Florida and Puerto Rico.
Many planes, boats, and people have vanished without a trace in this area.

Easter Island According to Scottish folklore, a strange creature lives in this place. It
was first sighted in 1933, and many people have claimed to have seen it
since. It is supposed to have the appearance of a dragon or dinosaur.
Atlantis
It's located in Nevada, USA. This very secretive place is famous for testing new
aircrafts, but many conspiracies say this is the home of UFOs and aliens.

The Nazca Lines This is believed to be the lost island home of an advanced society. Legend says
it was sunk by an earthquake, and that its people had advance technology.
Some believe this place is also the home of mermaids.
Loch Ness
These are located in a desert in Peru and they look like ancient crop circles.
They are believed to have been created around 400AD and show hundreds of
different pictures including sharks, monkeys, lizards, etc. No one is really sure
who created them or why they were created.

7) Discuss these places with your partner.

Why are these places mysterious? What do you think a good explanation could be for each one? Can
you think of more mysterious places? What do you think is the most mysterious place in Korea?