Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Free Trade

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* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA female)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(200 - 500 wpm)

* Gap-fill

EU and US free trade talks launched (15th February, 2013)

EU-US trade is presently worth around €455 billion / $613 billion a year. Estimates are that a trade deal could boost their annual GDP by 0.5%. Mr Barroso said: "A future deal between the world's two most important economic powers will be a game-changer, giving a strong boost to our economies on both sides of the Atlantic." He added: "These negotiations will set a standard…for the development of global trade rules." US President Barack Obama was equally enthusiastic about a deal, which he spoke about in his State of the Union address to the US Congress on Tuesday. He said an agreement would, "boost American exports, support American jobs and level the playing field in the growing markets of Asia".

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21439945
http://www.voanews.com/info/terms_of_use_privacy_policy/1363.html

WARM-UPS

1. FREE TRADE: Walk around the class and talk to other students about free trade. Change partners often and share your findings.

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

European Union / free trade / economic output / negotiations / telecommunications / boost / economic powers / a game-changer / enthusiastic / exports / growing markets

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. STICKING POINTS: What will be difficult when the EU and US negotiate? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Problems	Solutions
safety standards
salaries
agriculture
dollar-euro
CO2 emissions
tax

4. US-EU: Students A strongly believe the USA and EU will always be the most important economies; Students B strongly believe China and India will overtake them. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. ECONOMY: What's most important? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most important at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

jobs
low income tax
low inflation
priority on technology

low-interest loans
minimum bureaucracy
investment in infrastructure
no sales tax

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

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	The USA and EU have almost finished talks about a free trade deal.	T / F
b.	A US-EU trade deal would be the biggest the world has ever seen.	T / F
c.	There are very few things that might cause problems with the talks.	T / F
d.	European farmers will welcome any agreement with the Americans.	T / F
e.	A free trade deal could increase US-EU GDP by half a per cent.	T / F
f.	The EU chief said a deal would set an example for all global trade.	T / F
g.	US President Barack Obama isn't so sure about if a deal will be good.	T / F
h.	Obama said it would be better to have a deal with Asia.	T / F

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

1.	paving the way	a.	giants
2.	account for	b.	talks
3.	powerhouses	c.	increase
4.	forbids	d.	preparing
5.	involvement	e.	valued at
6.	worth	f.	mushrooming
7.	boost	g.	prohibits
8.	negotiations	h.	quidelines
9.	standard	i.	make up
10.	growing	j.	participation

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	begin formal	a.	American exports
2.	paving the	b.	blocs
3.	two trading	c.	standard
4.	rounds	d.	way
5.	sticking	e.	field
6.	presently worth	f.	enthusiastic
7.	set a	g.	talks
8.	equally	h.	around €455 billion
9.	boost	i.	of negotiations
10.	level the playing	j.	points

GAP FILL

The European Union and the USA will soon begin (1) ____________ talks on a free trade agreement, paving the way for the biggest trade (2) ____________ in history. The two trading (3) ____________ currently account for around half the world's economic (4) ____________. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said discussions could start by the end of June. The talks will involve (5) ____________ of negotiations on the many sticking points between the two economic powerhouses. Europe is likely to want greater (6) ____________ to many key American industries such as telecommunications and transport. The USA (7) ____________ foreign ownership of these. The USA will want more involvement in European agriculture, which may not (8) ____________ EU farmers.

rounds
forbids
blocs
access
formal
please
deal
output

EU-US trade is presently (9) ____________ around €455 billion / $613 billion a year. Estimates are that a trade deal could (10) ____________ their annual (11) ____________ by 0.5%. Mr Barroso said: "A future deal between the world's two most important economic (12) ____________ will be a game-changer, giving a strong boost to our economies on both sides of the Atlantic." He added: "These (13) ____________ will set a standard…for the development of global trade rules." US President Barack Obama was (14) ____________ enthusiastic about a deal, which he spoke about in his State of the Union (15) ____________ to the US Congress on Tuesday. He said an agreement would, "boost American exports, support American jobs and level the (16) ____________ field in the growing markets of Asia".

equally
powers
boost
address
negotiations
worth
playing
GDP

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	begin formal talks on a ______
	a. free trading agreement b. free trade agreeing c. free trade agreement d. free trade agreements
2)	______ for the biggest trade deal in history
	a. pave the way b. paves the way c. paving the way d. paved the way
3)	The talks will involve rounds of negotiations on ______
	a. the many sticker points b. the many stuck points c. the many sticking point d. the many sticking points
4)	Europe is likely to want greater access ______ American industries
	a. as many key b. of many key c. to many key d. to many keys
5)	The USA will want ______ European agriculture
	a. most involvement in b. more involvement on c. many involvement in d. more involvement in
6)	Estimates are that a trade deal could boost their ______
	a. annual GDP by 0.5% b. annual GDP from 0.5% c. annual GDP at 0.5% d. annual GDP up 0.5%
7)	giving ______ our economies on both sides of the Atlantic
	a. a strong boost to b. a strength boost to c. the strong boost to d. a strong booster to
8)	set a standard…for the development ______
	a. of global trade rules b. by global traders rules c. of global trade rules d. of global trade rule
9)	US President Barack Obama was equally ______
	a. unenthusiastic about a deal b. enthusiastic about a deal c. enthusiastically about a deal d. enthusiasm about a deal
10)	support American jobs and ______
	a. level the playing field b. flat the playing field c. uniform the playing field d. wreck the playing field

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The European Union and the USA (1) _______________________ talks on a free trade agreement, paving the way for the biggest trade deal in history. The two trading (2) _______________________ around half the world's economic output. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said discussions (3) _______________________ of June. The talks will involve rounds of negotiations on the (4) _______________________ between the two economic powerhouses. Europe is likely (5) ______________________ to many key American industries such as telecommunications and transport. The USA forbids foreign ownership of these. The USA will want more involvement in European agriculture, (6) _______________________ farmers.

EU-US trade is presently worth around €455 billion / $613 billion a year. Estimates are that a trade (7) _______________________ annual GDP by 0.5%. Mr Barroso said: "A future deal between the world's two most important economic powers (8) _______________________, giving a strong boost to our economies on both sides of the Atlantic." He added: "These negotiations (9) _______________________ the development of global trade rules." US President Barack Obama was (10) _______________________ a deal, which he spoke about in his State of the Union address to the US Congress on Tuesday. He said an (11) _______________________ American exports, support American jobs and (12) _______________________ in the growing markets of Asia".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	When will the trade talks begin?
2.	What could the talks pave the way for?
3.	How much of the world's economic output is from the EU and US?
4.	What two U.S. industries will the Europeans want access to?
5.	What would make EU farmers unhappy?
6.	By how much could EU/US GDP increase by?
7.	Who said a deal could be a game-changer?
8.	What could the negotiations set a standard for?
9.	How did Barack Obama feel about a deal?
10.	What did Barack Obama say an agreement would support?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	When will talks between the US and EU begin?	6.	By how much could EU-US GDP increase?
	a) in a year or two b) soon c) once differences have been resolved d) not for a while		a) 0.5% b) 2.5% c) 5% d) 50%
2.	How big could the trade deal be?	7.	What could the deal give to the two economies?
	a) one of the biggest b) average-to-large c) the biggest in history d) big		a) confidence b) better investment opportunities c) new markets d) a big lift
3.	What will the negotiations try to resolve?	8.	What did Mr Barroso say the negotiations might set?
	a) visa problems b) trade tariffs c) quality control d) sticking points		a) the clock back b) the table c) a standard for global trade rules d) the right tone for trading
4.	Why can't EU countries own US transport companies?	9.	How did Barack Obama feel about the talks?
	a) EU law forbids it b) it is forbidden under US law c) international law says it's not possible d) US shareholders would disagree		a) he expressed no opinion b) he was pessimistic c) he wasn't interested d) he was enthusiastic
5.	What might make EU farmers unhappy?	10.	What could be level because of the deal?
	a) American involvement in agriculture b) American competition c) subsidies d) genetically-modified food		a) the American recovery b) the playing field c) American jobs d) the EU-US trade balance

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Barack Obama

You think a free trade agreement with the European Union will be a great help for the whole world. Tell the others three reasons why. You think it would be better for America than trade deals with China, Russia or India. You are sure the deal will bring many jobs to the USA.

Role B – Jose Manuel Barroso

You think a trade agreement will be good for the EU. Tell the others three reasons why. You don't think it will help the world. Tell the others three reasons why. You believe a deal with China would benefit the EU more than a deal with the USA. Tell Barack Obama this.

Role C – China trade minister

You think a trade deal between the USA and EU will be a disaster. Tell the others three reasons why. You think the EU should sign a deal with China instead. The EU and China would be the best trading blog in the world. You never want a deal with the USA. Tell Obama why.

Role D – EU/US worker

You think the trade talks are a total waste of time. Tell the others three reasons why. The talks will only guarantee the large salaries of a large number of negotiators and lawyers. A free trade deal will not make the lives of ordinary people better. You would rather create a deal with China.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'free' and 'trade'.

free

trade

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

soon
history
end
points
access
please

worth
annual
future
both
address
playing

FREE TRADE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about free trade in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

FREE TRADE DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the term 'free trade'?
c)	Do you think a free trade deal between the US and EU is good?
d)	What are the benefits of a free trade agreement?
e)	What free trade agreements do you know of that work well?
f)	What do American and European negotiators need to think about?
g)	What do you think the sticking points might be?
h)	What would European ownership of US telecommunications change?
i)	Why might EU farmers not be pleased with a free trade deal?
j)	Who will benefit most from the agreement?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What difference would a 0.5% increase in GDP make?
c)	Is the deal something to make other countries worry?
d)	Why has such an agreement never been signed before?
e)	What message would it send if no agreement could be reached?
f)	Why is a free trade deal important?
g)	Would it be good if the whole world signed a free trade agreement?
h)	What's the best thing to help world trade?
i)	Do you think the deal will boost exports and create jobs?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the negotiators?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

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

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

The European Union and the USA will soon begin (1) ____ talks on a free trade agreement, paving the way for the biggest trade deal in history. The two trading (2) ____ currently (3) ____ for around half the world's economic output. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said discussions could start by the end of June. The talks will involve rounds of negotiations on the many (4) ____ points between the two economic powerhouses. Europe is likely to want greater access to many key American industries such as telecommunications and transport. The USA (5) ____ foreign ownership of these. The USA will want more (6) ____ in European agriculture, which may not please EU farmers.

EU-US trade is presently worth around €455 billion / $613 billion a year. Estimates are that a trade deal could (7) ____ their annual GDP by 0.5%. Mr Barroso said: "A future deal between the world's two most important economic powers will be a (8) ____ -changer, giving a strong boost to our economies on both sides of the Atlantic." He added: "These negotiations will (9) ____ a standard…for the development of global trade rules." US President Barack Obama was (10) ____ enthusiastic about a deal, which he spoke about in his State of the Union (11) ____ to the US Congress on Tuesday. He said an agreement would, "boost American exports, support American jobs and level the playing (12) ____ in the growing markets of Asia".

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	formality	(b)	formalise	(c)	formal	(d)	formed
2.	(a)	blocs	(b)	pacts	(c)	axis	(d)	cliques
3.	(a)	account	(b)	bank	(c)	savings	(d)	consider
4.	(a)	sticking	(b)	glued	(c)	adhesive	(d)	cementing
5.	(a)	bids	(b)	forbids	(c)	inhibits	(d)	remits
6.	(a)	involves	(b)	involved	(c)	involving	(d)	involvement
7.	(a)	boast	(b)	bust	(c)	boost	(d)	burst
8.	(a)	play	(b)	pastime	(c)	match	(d)	game
9.	(a)	set	(b)	let	(c)	met	(d)	bet
10.	(a)	equally	(b)	equation	(c)	equated	(d)	equality
11.	(a)	mail	(b)	address	(c)	sermon	(d)	label
12.	(a)	pitch	(b)	table	(c)	field	(d)	imbalance

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	two trading osbcl
2.	involve rounds of ttsoieinagon
3.	greater sccsae
4.	key American usnideitsr
5.	The USA will want more tioneemvlnv
6.	European riuucaterlg
Paragraph 2
7.	presently orthw around €455 billion
8.	tssaeemti are that…
9.	he emenedltpov of global trade
10.	equally tshtuicsenai
11.	State of the Union rdsadse
12.	American xetpsro

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	the world's economic output. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said discussions could start
( )	ownership of these. The USA will want more involvement in European agriculture, which may not please EU farmers.
( )	rules." US President Barack Obama was equally enthusiastic about a deal, which he spoke
( )	points between the two economic powerhouses. Europe is likely to want greater access to many
( )	the way for the biggest trade deal in history. The two trading blocs currently account for around half
( )	key American industries such as telecommunications and transport. The USA forbids foreign
( )	about in his State of the Union address to the US Congress on Tuesday. He said an agreement would,
( 1 )	The European Union and the USA will soon begin formal talks on a free trade agreement, paving
( )	sides of the Atlantic." He added: "These negotiations will set a standard…for the development of global trade
( )	"boost American exports, support American jobs and level the playing field in the growing markets of Asia".
( )	EU-US trade is presently worth around €455 billion / $613 billion a year. Estimates are that a trade deal could
( )	powers will be a game-changer, giving a strong boost to our economies on both
( )	by the end of June. The talks will involve rounds of negotiations on the many sticking
( )	boost their annual GDP by 0.5%. Mr Barroso said: "A future deal between the world's two most important economic

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	agreement on a Begin free formal trade talks.
2.	in history paving the way for the biggest trade deal.
3.	negotiations of rounds involve will talks The.
4.	access greater want to likely is Europe.
5.	these of ownership foreign forbids USA The.
6.	- EU billion €455 around worth presently is trade US.
7.	annual deal GDP could boost A their trade.
8.	strong our both A to on boost economies sides.
9.	for of standard development trade a the global Set.
10.	growing markets of Asia Level the playing field in the.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The European Union and the USA will soon begin formality / formal talks on a free trade agreement, paving / pavement the way for the biggest trade deal in history. The two trading blocks / blocs currently account / accounting for around half the world's economic output. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said discussions could start until / by the end of June. The talks will involve squares / rounds of negotiations on the many sticking points between the two economically / economic powerhouses. Europe is likely to want greater access to many key / lock American industries such as telecommunications and transport. The USA forgets / forbids foreign ownership of these. The USA will want more involvement in European agriculture, which may not please / thank EU farmers.

EU-US trade is presently worth / value around €455 billion / $613 billion a year. Estimates / Estimating are that a trade deal could boost their annual GDP / GOP by 0.5%. Mr Barroso said: "A future deal between the world's two most important economic powers will be a match-changer / game-changer, giving a strong boost to our economies on bother / both sides of the Atlantic." He added: "These negotiations will let / set a standard…for the development of global trade rules." US President Barack Obama was equated / equally enthusiastic about a deal, which he spoke about in his State of the Union address / mail to the US Congress on Tuesday. He said an agreement would, "boost American exports, support American jobs and destroy / level the playing field / pitch in the growing markets of Asia".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_ __r_p__n _n__n _nd th_ _S_ w_ll s__n b_g_n f_rm_l t_lks _n _ fr__ tr_d_ _gr__m_nt, p_v_ng th_ w_y f_r th_ b_gg_st tr_d_ d__l _n h_st_ry. Th_ tw_ tr_d_ng bl_cs c_rr_ntly _cc__nt f_r _r__nd h_lf th_ w_rld's _c_n_m_c __tp_t. __r_p__n C_mm_ss__n Pr_s_d_nt J_s_ M_n__l B_rr_s_ s__d d_sc_ss__ns c__ld st_rt by th_ _nd _f J_n_. Th_ t_lks w_ll _nv_lv_ r__nds _f n_g_t__t__ns _n th_ m_ny st_ck_ng p__nts b_tw__n th_ tw_ _c_n_m_c p_w_rh__s_s. __r_p_ _s l_k_ly t_ w_nt gr__t_r _cc_ss t_ m_ny k_y _m_r_c_n _nd_str__s s_ch _s t_l_c_mm_n_c_t__ns _nd tr_nsp_rt. Th_ _S_ f_rb_ds f_r__gn _wn_rsh_p _f th_s_. Th_ _S_ w_ll w_nt m_r_ _nv_lv_m_nt _n __r_p__n _gr_c_lt_r_, wh_ch m_y n_t pl__s_ __ f_rm_rs.

__-_S tr_d_ _s pr_s_ntly w_rth _r__nd €455 b_ll__n / $613 b_ll__n _ y__r. _st_m_t_s _r_ th_t _ tr_d_ d__l c__ld b__st th__r _nn__l GDP by 0.5%. Mr B_rr_s_ s__d: "_ f_t_r_ d__l b_tw__n th_ w_rld's tw_ m_st _mp_rt_nt _c_n_m_c p_w_rs w_ll b_ _ g_m_-ch_ng_r, g_v_ng _ str_ng b__st t_ __r _c_n_m__s _n b_th s_d_s _f th_ _tl_nt_c." H_ _dd_d: "Th_s_ n_g_t__t__ns w_ll s_t _ st_nd_rd…f_r th_ d_v_l_pm_nt _f gl_b_l tr_d_ r_l_s." _S Pr_s_d_nt B_r_ck _b_m_ w_s _q__lly _nth_s__st_c _b__t _ d__l, wh_ch h_ sp_k_ _b__t _n h_s St_t_ _f th_ _n__n _ddr_ss t_ th_ _S C_ngr_ss _n T__sd_y. H_ s__d _n _gr__m_nt w__ld, "b__st _m_r_c_n _xp_rts, s_pp_rt _m_r_c_n j_bs _nd l_v_l th_ pl_y_ng f__ld _n th_ gr_w_ng m_rk_ts _f _s__".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the european union and the usa will soon begin formal talks on a free trade agreement paving the way for the biggest trade deal in history the two trading blocs currently account for around half the world's economic output european commission president jose manuel barroso said discussions could start by the end of june the talks will involve rounds of negotiations on the many sticking points between the two economic powerhouses europe is likely to want greater access to many key american industries such as telecommunications and transport the usa forbids foreign ownership of these the usa will want more involvement in european agriculture which may not please eu farmers

eu-us trade is presently worth around €455 billion / $613 billion a year estimates are that a trade deal could boost their annual gdp by 05% mr barroso said "a future deal between the world's two most important economic powers will be a game-changer giving a strong boost to our economies on both sides of the atlantic" he added "these negotiations will set a standard…for the development of global trade rules" us president barack obama was equally enthusiastic about a deal which he spoke about in his state of the union address to the us congress on tuesday he said an agreement would "boost american exports support american jobs and level the playing field in the growing markets of asia"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheEuropeanUnionandtheUSAwillsoonbeginformaltalksonafreetrade
agreement,pavingthewayforthebiggesttradedealinhistory.Thetwotrading
blocscurrentlyaccountforaroundhalftheworld'seconomicoutput.European
CommissionPresidentJoseManuelBarrososaiddiscussionscouldstartbytheendof
June.Thetalkswillinvolveroundsofnegotiationsonthemanystickingpoints
betweenthetwoeconomicpowerhouses.Europeislikelytowantgreateraccessto
manykeyAmericanindustriessuchastelecommunicationsandtransport.TheUSA
forbidsforeignownershipofthese.TheUSAwillwantmoreinvolvementinEuropean
agriculture,whichmaynotpleaseEUfarmers.EU-UStradeispresentlywortharound
€455billion/$613billionayear.Estimatesarethatatradedealcouldboosttheir
annualGDPby0.5%.MrBarrososaid:"Afuturedealbetweentheworld'stwomost
importanteconomicpowerswillbeagame-changer,givingastrongboosttoour
economiesonbothsidesoftheAtlantic."Headded:"Thesenegotiationswillseta
standard…forthedevelopmentofglobaltraderules."USPresidentBarackObama
wasequallyenthusiasticaboutadeal,whichhespokeaboutinhisStateoftheUnion
addresstotheUSCongressonTuesday.Hesaidanagreementwould,"boost
Americanexports,supportAmericanjobsandleveltheplayingfieldinthegrowing
marketsofAsia".

FREE WRITING

Write about free trade for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

A free trade agreement between the USA and Europe would be bad for the world. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 out more about free trade. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. FREE TRADE: Make a poster about free trade. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. EU-US: Write a magazine article about a free trade deal between America and Europe. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso or US President Barack Obama. Ask him three questions about the free trade talks. Give him three pieces of advice on what to talk about. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	paving the way	a.	preparing
2.	account for	b.	make up
3.	powerhouses	c.	giants
4.	forbids	d.	prohibits
5.	involvement	e.	participation
6.	worth	f.	valued at
7.	boost	g.	increase
8.	negotiations	h.	talks
9.	standard	i.	quality
10.	growing	j.	mushrooming

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Soon
2.	The biggest trade deal in history
3.	Around half
4.	Telecommunications and transport
5.	American involvement in European agriculture
6.	By 0.5%
7.	Jose Manuel Barroso
8.	The development of global trade rules
9.	He was enthusiastic
10.	American jobs

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

10.

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Breaking News English

* 26-page lesson (40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA female)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation - (10 sentences)

* Speed Reading (200 - 500 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI
lesson (PDF)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(200 - 500 wpm)