Breaking News English

Date: April 29, 2007
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WARM-UPS

1. COLD WAR: Walk around the class and talk to other students about the Cold War. Find out what they know. Change partners often. After you finish, sit with your original partner(s) and share your information.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

echoes / blunt warnings / missiles / shields / retaliation / radar / shapes / keys / persuasion / threats / nuclear arsenals / counter measures / NATO / enemies

Have a chat about the topics you liked. For more conversation, change topics and partners frequently.

3. THE LUKE WARM WAR: With your partner(s), explain what happens in these imaginary wars. Change partners and explain again. Who has the best ideas?

• the lukewarm war
• the Internet war
• the blue war
• the twenty-first century war
• the war of the pillows
• fast food war

4. PUTIN OPINIONS: Discuss these opinions about Vladimir Putin:

• Putin is Russia’s best leader ever.
• Putin is correct to mistrust the USA.
• Vladimir Putin is a role model to the world for ending communism in Russia.
• Vladimir Putin should be tried for war crimes.
• Vladimir Putin is nowhere near as dangerous as George W. Bush.
• The world needs leaders like Vladimir Putin.
• Vladimir Putin is __________________________________.
• Vladimir Putin is __________________________________.

5. QUICK DEBATE: Have this quick debate with your partner(s). Students A think Russia and the USA will never be good friends; students B think Russia and the US will be very good friends in 2020. Change partners and topics every two minutes.

6. MISSILES: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with missiles. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Look at the article’s headline and guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

a.	Vladimir Putin has revived an ancient Russian language.	T / F
b.	Putin warned the USA about the possibility of mutual destruction.	T / F
c.	The USA wants to put missiles near Russia’s border with Poland.	T / F
d.	Russia will soon pull out of an important disarmament treaty.	T / F
e.	Condoleezza Rice has endless amounts of patience for Mr. Putin.	T / F
f.	The missiles are designed to protect Europe against rogue states.	T / F
g.	Russia’s foreign minister said Mr. Putin is being paranoid.	T / F
h.	The foreign minister said NATO would soon start a war with Russia.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

a.	blunt	story line
b.	revived	foe
c.	scenario	vital
d.	retaliate	absurd
e.	key	strike back
f.	persuade	straightforward
g.	ludicrous	indifferent
h.	arsenal	brought back
i.	unconcerned	weapons
j.	enemy	win over

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one combination is possible):

a.	Putin gave a very blunt	his threats might take
b.	the East-West	attempts to persuade Russia
c.	Russia would retaliate	in maintaining European security
d.	Putin did not specify what shape	up to our borders
e.	…which has been key	"mutual destruction" scenario
f.	America has made repeated	Europe from rogue states
g.	lost her	warning to the United States
h.	the missile shield was to protect	with “counter measures”
i.	Sergei Lavrov added a	patience with Mr. Putin
j.	NATO is creeping	touch of paranoia

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

US missiles - Putin revives Cold War speak
 

In ________ of the Cold War, Russian president Vladimir Putin gave a very blunt ________ to the United States against going ahead with plans to build an anti-missile shield on Russia’s borders. Putin angrily told the USA that its military expansion ________ the threat of the East-West "mutual destruction" scenario. He said: "The threat of causing ________ damage and even destruction increases many times." He promised the White House that Russia would ________ with “counter measures” to prevent America placing 10 missiles in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic. Putin did not ________ what shape his threats might take. Some experts believe Russia could ________ from a key disarmament treaty, which has been ________ in maintaining European security since the end of the last century.		retaliate key revived specify mutual echoes withdraw warning
America has made ________ attempts to persuade Russia its plans in no way threaten Russia’s security. Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, ________ her patience with Mr. Putin and described his fears that 10 missiles could endanger Russia's nuclear arsenal as "________ ". She said the primary ________ for the missile shield was to protect Europe from rogue states launching missiles at it. Putin remains unconvinced and retaliated, saying: “The systems will control Russian territory up to the Urals if we do not ________ counter measures - and we will do this." His foreign minister Sergei Lavrov added a ________ of paranoia by suggesting NATO was planning a war against Russia: "We cannot be ________ by the fact that NATO … is ________ up to our borders [and that] they are still looking for an enemy," he said.		touch lost creeping motive repeated take ludicrous unconcerned

LISTENING

Listen and fill in the spaces.

US missiles - Putin revives Cold War speak

In __________ Cold War, Russian president Vladimir Putin gave a very blunt warning to the United States against _______________ plans to build an anti-missile shield on Russia’s borders. Putin _______________ USA that its military expansion revived the threat of the East-West "mutual destruction" scenario. He said: "The _______________ mutual damage and even destruction increases many times." He promised the White House that Russia _______________ “counter measures” to prevent America placing 10 missiles in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic. Putin did not specify ____________________ might take. Some experts believe Russia could withdraw from a key disarmament treaty, _______________ in maintaining European security since the end of the last century.

America has ___________________ to persuade Russia its plans in no way threaten Russia’s security. Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, __________________ Mr. Putin and described his fears that 10 missiles could endanger Russia's nuclear arsenal as "ludicrous". She said the primary _______________ shield was to protect Europe _______________ launching missiles at it. Putin remains unconvinced and retaliated, saying: “The systems will control Russian territory up to the Urals if we do not take counter measures - and we will do this." His foreign minister Sergei Lavrov _______________ paranoia by suggesting NATO was planning a war against Russia: "We cannot be unconcerned _______________ NATO … is creeping up to our borders [and that] they are _________________ enemy," he said.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionaries / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words ‘cold’ and ‘war’.

• Share your findings with your partners.
• Make questions using the words you found.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

• Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. STUDENT “COLD WAR” SURVEY: In pairs / groups, write down questions about the Cold War and Russia-US relations.

• Ask other classmates your questions and note down their answers.
• Go back to your original partner / group and compare your findings.
• Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

6. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall exactly how these were used in the text:

echoes ahead revived promised shape since

repeated patience ludicrous measures touch creeping

DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1. What did you think when you read the headline?
2. What do you know about the Cold War?
3. Are you interested in international relations?
4. Do you like Russia’s president Vladimir Putin?
5. What do you think will happen to Russia after Putin?
6. Do you think America needs to put the 10 missiles so close to Russia?
7. Do you think Russia or the USA will back down first?
8. What counter measures do you think Putin is thinking about?
9. Do you think America should send extra troops to protect the missiles?
10. Is it possible Russia and America might go to war over this issue?

---------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1. Did you like reading this article?
2. Why do you think Russia does not believe or trust America?
3. Do you think Putin’s concerns are “ludicrous”?
4. What rogue states might attack Europe?
5. Do you think Russia’s foreign minister is paranoid in suggesting NATO is preparing for war against Russia?
6. Do you think NATO is really looking for an enemy?
7. What do you think the outcome of this crisis will be?
8. What do you think Polish and Czech people think about this standoff?
9. What questions would you like to ask Mr. Putin about this issue?
10. Did you like this discussion?

AFTER DISCUSSION: Join another partner / group and tell them what you talked about.

1. What was the most interesting thing you heard?
2. Was there a question you didn’t like?
3. Was there something you totally disagreed with?
4. What did you like talking about?
5. Which was the most difficult question?

SPEAKING

COUNTER MEASURES:

Write down five bad things another country might do to your country. Ask three different students for advice on the counter measures your country should take.

The bad things	Student 1	Student 2	Student 3
1. ______________
2. ______________
3. ______________
4. ______________
5. ______________

With your partner(s), talk about the consequences of each counter measure. Decide on the best one for each of the bad things.

Make a presentation to the class about your decisions and how you arrived at them.

LANGUAGE

CORRECT WORD: Put the correct words from a–d below in the article.

US missiles - Putin revives Cold War speak

In (1) ____ of the Cold War, Russian president Vladimir Putin gave a very
(2) ____ warning to the United States against going ahead with plans to build an anti-missile shield on Russia’s borders. Putin angrily told the USA that its military expansion revived the (3) ____ of the East-West "mutual destruction" scenario. He said: "The threat of causing mutual damage and (4) ____ destruction increases many times." He promised the White House that Russia would retaliate with “(5) ____ measures” to prevent America placing 10 missiles in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic. Putin did not specify what shape his threats might take. Some experts believe Russia could withdraw from a key disarmament treaty, which has been
(6) ____ in maintaining European security since the end of the last century.

America has made repeated attempts to persuade Russia its plans (7) ____ no way threaten Russia’s security. Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, (8) ____ her patience with Mr. Putin and described his fears that 10 missiles could endanger Russia's nuclear arsenal as "ludicrous". She said the primary motive for the missile shield was to protect Europe from (9) ____ states launching missiles at it. Putin remains unconvinced and retaliated, saying: “The systems will control Russian territory up to the Urals if we do not (10) ____ counter measures - and we will do this." His foreign minister Sergei Lavrov added a (11) ____ of paranoia by suggesting NATO was planning a war against Russia: "We cannot be unconcerned by the fact that NATO … is (12) ____ up to our borders [and that] they are still looking for an enemy," he said.

1.	(a)	echoed	(b)	echoing	(c)	echo	(d)	echoes
2.	(a)	blunt	(b)	bluntly	(c)	blunts	(d)	blunted
3.	(a)	threaten	(b)	treaty	(c)	threat	(d)	treat
4.	(a)	evens	(b)	even	(c)	odd	(d)	odds
5.	(a)	counting	(b)	count	(c)	counter	(d)	counters
6.	(a)	key	(b)	lock	(c)	keyhole	(d)	padlock
7.	(a)	under	(b)	an	(c)	in	(d)	on
8.	(a)	left behind	(b)	forgot	(c)	lost	(d)	mislaid
9.	(a)	naughty	(b)	rogue	(c)	rascal	(d)	rat
10.	(a)	request	(b)	receive	(c)	buy	(d)	take
11.	(a)	pouch	(b)	trash	(c)	torch	(d)	touch
12.	(a)	crept	(b)	creeping	(c)	creepy	(d)	creepy crawly

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find more information about the Cold War. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CONFLICTS POSTER: Make a poster about different conflicts around the world. How are they different? Show your poster to your class in the next lesson. Vote on the best one(s).

4. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about the standoff between Russia and the USA. In particular, write about the events that might happen over the next month. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Which article was best and why?

5. LETTER: Write a letter to Russia’s president Putin. Ask him three questions about why he mistrusts the USA. Give him three pieces of advice about how to deal with the USA. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a. F

b. T

c. T

d. F

e. F

f. T

g. F

h. F

SYNONYM MATCH:

a.	blunt	straightforward
b.	revived	brought back
c.	scenario	story line
d.	retaliate	strike back
e.	key	vital
f.	persuade	win over
g.	ludicrous	absurd
h.	arsenal	weapons
i.	unconcerned	indifferent
j.	enemy	foe

PHRASE MATCH:

a.	Putin gave a very blunt	warning to the United States
b.	the East-West	"mutual destruction" scenario
c.	Russia would retaliate	with “counter measures”
d.	Putin did not specify what shape	his threats might take
e.	…which has been key	in maintaining European security
f.	America has made repeated	attempts to persuade Russia
g.	lost her	patience with Mr. Putin
h.	the missile shield was to protect	Europe from rogue states
i.	Sergei Lavrov added a	touch of paranoia
j.	NATO is creeping	up to our borders

GAP FILL:

US missiles - Putin revives Cold War speak

In echoes of the Cold War, Russian president Vladimir Putin gave a very blunt warning to the United States against going ahead with plans to build an anti-missile shield on Russia’s borders. Putin angrily told the USA that its military expansion revived the threat of the East-West "mutual destruction" scenario. He said: "The threat of causing mutual damage and even destruction increases many times." He promised the White House that Russia would retaliate with “counter measures” to prevent America placing 10 missiles in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic. Putin did not specify what shape his threats might take. Some experts believe Russia could withdraw from a key disarmament treaty, which has been key in maintaining European security since the end of the last century.

America has made repeated attempts to persuade Russia its plans in no way threaten Russia’s security. Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, lost her patience with Mr. Putin and described his fears that 10 missiles could endanger Russia's nuclear arsenal as "ludicrous". She said the primary motive for the missile shield was to protect Europe from rogue states launching missiles at it. Putin remains unconvinced and retaliated, saying: “The systems will control Russian territory up to the Urals if we do not take counter measures - and we will do this." His foreign minister Sergei Lavrov added a touch of paranoia by suggesting NATO was planning a war against Russia: "We cannot be unconcerned by the fact that NATO … is creeping up to our borders [and that] they are still looking for an enemy," he said.

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - d

2 - a

3 - c

4 -b

5 - c

6 -a

7 - c

8 -c

9 -b

10 - d

11 -d

12 - b

 

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