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* 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

  U.S. to reduce use of drones (26th May, 2013)

U.S. President Barack Obama has outlined a new policy in the controversial use of drones to kill suspected terrorists. Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be controlled from the U.S. as well as from bases in or near war zones. Both the U.S. military and the CIA use drones in their operations. Around 800 drone strikes have taken place in Afghanistan in the past two years. The CIA's use of drones is shrouded in secrecy. Experts believe the agency has conducted around 350 drone strikes in Pakistan and fewer than 100 in Yemen and Somalia since 2004. Around 3,000 people have been killed by drones since 2004. The New America Foundation estimates that roughly 21 per cent of those killed were civilians.

 

President Obama said the U.S. would now only use drone strikes as a last resort, when there is a "continuing and imminent" threat to the American people, and that there must be "near certainty that no civilians will be killed or injured". Kenneth Roth from Human Rights Watch said: "A mere promise that the US will work within established guidelines that remain secret provides little confidence that [it] is complying with international law." Shahzad Akbar, a Pakistani lawyer working for drone victims' families, said: "The problem remains the same because there is no transparency and accountability for the CIA because it will remain inside the system and not be visible to outsiders."

Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pakistan-drones-20130525,0,5041819.story
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-lays-proposals-drones-guantanamo-bay/story?id=19243198#.UZ_lPOu2b80
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-new-drone-guidelines-still-leave-critics-with-unanswered-questions/2013/05/24/1c96f150-c4ad-11e2-9642-a56177f1cdf7_story.html

 

WARM-UPS

1. DRONES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about drones. 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.

 

new policy / controversial / war zones / military / secrecy / experts / CIA / civilians / last resort / imminent threat / human rights / guidelines / international law / system

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

3. UNMANNED / UNWOMANNED: Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good?

Advantages / Disadvantages

Drone

 

 

Tank

 

 

Passenger plane

 

 

Operating theatre

 

 

Classroom

 

 

Store

 

 

4. ROBOTS: Students A strongly believe all future walls will be fought with robots and drones; Students B strongly believe humans will always fight wars.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. REMOTE CONTROL: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • kitchen
  • bathroom
  • garden
  • toilet
  • laundry room
  • garage
  • living room
  • study

6. MILITARY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'military'. 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.

A U.S. general summarized the new policy regarding drones.

T / F

b.

Drones can only be controlled from near the battle zone.

T / F

c.

Drones have been used around 800 times in 2 years in Afghanistan.

T / F

d.

An organization said just over 20% of drone fatalities were civilian.

T / F

e.

Drones were used to bomb the last resort left in Afghanistan.

T / F

f.

From now, drones will only be used if it's certain no civilians will die.

T / F

g.

Human Rights Watch has little confidence in the new guidelines.

T / F

h.

A lawyer said it was a problem that the CIA's drones use is secretive.

T / F

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

1.

outlined

a.

openness

2.

controversial

b.

ordinary people

3.

shrouded

c.

carried out

4.

conducted

d.

final option

5.

civilians

e.

on the way

6.

last resort

f.

summarised

7.

imminent

g.

following

8.

established

h.

hidden

9.

complying with

i.

disputed

10.

transparency

j.

accepted

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

1.

the controversial

a.

aircraft

2.

suspected

b.

21 per cent of those

3.

unmanned

c.

international law

4.

shrouded

d.

terrorists

5.

roughly

e.

threat

6.

as a last

f.

established guidelines

7.

imminent

g.

use of drones

8.

work within

h.

and accountability

9.

complying with

i.

in secrecy

10.

no transparency

j.

resort

GAP FILL

U.S. President Barack Obama has (1) ____________ a new policy in the controversial use of drones to kill (2) ____________ terrorists. Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be controlled from the U.S. as well as from bases in or near war (3) ____________. Both the U.S. military and the CIA use drones in their (4) ____________. Around 800 drone strikes have taken place in Afghanistan in the past two years. The CIA's use of drones is shrouded in (5) ____________. Experts believe the agency has (6) ____________ around 350 drone strikes in Pakistan and (7) ____________ than 100 in Yemen and Somalia since 2004. Around 3,000 people have been killed by drones since 2004. The New America Foundation estimates that (8) ____________ 21 per cent of those killed were civilians.

 

 

secrecy
fewer
suspected
operations
outlined
roughly
conducted
zones

President Obama said the U.S. would now only use drone strikes as a last (9) ____________, when there is a "continuing and  (10) ____________" threat to the American people, and that there must be "near (11) ____________ that no civilians will be killed or injured". Kenneth Roth from Human Rights Watch said: "A (12) ____________ promise that the US will work within established guidelines that remain secret provides little          (13) ____________ that [it] is (14) ____________ with international law." Shahzad Akbar, a Pakistani lawyer working for drone victims' families, said: "The problem remains the same because there is no (15) ____________ and accountability for the CIA because it will remain (16) ____________ the system and not be visible to outsiders."

 

transparency
imminent
confidence
inside
resort
mere
complying
certainty

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

a new policy in the controversial use of drones to ______

 

a.  kill suspecting terrorists
b.  kill unsuspected terrorists
c.  kill suspicious terrorists
d.  kill suspected terrorists

2)

controlled from the U.S. as well as from bases in ______

 

a.  or nearly war zones
b.  or near war zones
c.  or nearby war zones
d.  or nearer war zones

3)

Both the U.S. military and the CIA use drones ______

 

a.  in there operations
b.  in they're operations
c.  in their operations
d.  in these operations

4)

The CIA's use of drones is ______

 

a.  shrouded on secrecy
b.  shrouded in secrecy
c.  shrouded by secrecy
d.  shrouded with secrecy

5)

The New America Foundation estimates that roughly 21 per cent of those ______

 

a.  killed were civilian
b.  killed were civil yams
c.  killed weren't civilians
d.  killed were civilians

6)

Obama said the U.S. would now only use drone strikes as a last resort

 

a.  as a last resort
b.  as a lost resort
c.  as a least resort
d.  as a list resort

7)

when there is a "______" threat to the American people

 

a.  continue in and imminent
b.  continued and imminent
c.  continuing and imminent
d.  continual and imminent

8)

the US will work within established guidelines ______

 

a.  that remains secret
b.  that remainder secret
c.  that remaining secret
d.  that remain secret

9)

provides little confidence that [it] is ______ law

 

a.  complying with international
b.  comply in with international
c.  compliant with international
d.  complies with international

10)

The problem remains the same because ______

 

a.  there is no transparent sea
b.  there is no transparencies
c.  there is no transparencies
d.  there is no transparency

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

U.S. President Barack Obama (1) __________________ in the controversial use of drones to kill suspected terrorists. Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be controlled from the U.S. (2) __________________ in or near war zones. Both the U.S. military and the CIA use drones in their operations. Around 800 drone (3) __________________ place in Afghanistan in the past two years. The CIA's use of drones (4) __________________. Experts believe (5) ___________________ around 350 drone strikes in Pakistan and fewer than 100 in Yemen and Somalia since 2004. Around 3,000 people have been killed by drones since 2004. The New America Foundation estimates that roughly 21 per cent of (6) ____________________.

President Obama said the U.S. (7) __________________ drone strikes as a last resort, when there is a "continuing and imminent" threat to the American people, and that there must be "(8) __________________ civilians will be killed or injured". Kenneth Roth from Human Rights Watch said: "A (9) __________________ US will work within established guidelines that remain secret provides little confidence (10) __________________ with international law." Shahzad Akbar, a Pakistani lawyer working for drone victims' families, said: "The problem (11) __________________ because there is no transparency and accountability for the CIA because it will remain inside the system and not (12) __________________."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What is controversial?

2.

Which country has seen 800 drone strikes?

3.

What is the CIA use of drones cloaked in?

4.

How many people have drone strikes killed since 2004?

5.

What percentage of drone-strike fatalities might be civilian?

6.

When will the U.S. use drones from now?

7.

What must be almost certain before a drone is used?

8.

Which organization talked about a "mere promise"?

9.

Who does Shahzad Akbar represent?

10.

Why did Shahzad Akbar say there is still a problem?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What is controversial?

6.

When will the U.S. use drones from now?

 

a) suspected terrorists
b) the use of drones
c) drones built in Afghanistan
d) outlined policies

 

a) as a last resort
b) every day
c) after every suicide bomb
d) when Pakistan asks

2.

Which country has seen 800 drone strikes?

7.

What must be almost certain before a drone is used?

 

a) Yemen
b) Somalia
c) Pakistan
d) Afghanistan

 

a) that the missiles work
b) that Pakistan's leaders agree
c) that no civilians die or get injured
d) that no pilot is needed to fly it

3.

What is the CIA use of drones cloaked in?

8.

Which organization talked about a "mere promise"?

 

a) secrecy
b) cloth
c) rumours
d) red

 

a) Human Rights Watch
b) the CIA
c) the FBI
d) Pakistan's secret service

4.

How many people have drone strikes killed since 2004?

9.

Who does Shahzad Akbar represent?

 

a) about 2,000
b) roughly 2,500
c) Around 3,000
d) 3,500, give or take a few dozen

 

a) drone victims' families
b) the Pakistan government
c) the CIA
d) himself

5.

What percentage of drone-strike fatalities might be civilian?

10.

Why did Shahzad Akbar say there is still a problem?

 

a) slightly over half
b) about 21%
c) almost none
d) no one knows for sure

 

a) Pakistan strongly opposes the use of
    drones
b) drones are still being used
c) drones do not work
d) there is no transparency and
    accountability for the CIA

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – President Obama

You think drones are a necessary part of the war on terror. Tell the others three reasons why. You think accidental civilian deaths are tragic but cannot stop the use of drones. The CIA's use of drones must stay secret – you cannot tell the others why.

Role  B – Pacifist

You are shocked that the USA is using drones. Tell the others three reasons why. You think any loss of civilian life is totally unacceptable. It is the same as murder. The CIA's secrecy means Obama's new "openness" is a big lie. Tell everyone the world needs to know when the CIA uses drones.

Role  C – CIA boss

You think drones are one of the greatest military resources ever. Tell the others three reasons why. Drones greatly reduce the loss of life as no pilot is needed. You cannot say anything about operations because it could endanger the success of the battle with terrorists.

Role  D – Pakistani villager

You hate the drones that fly over your village. Tell the others three reasons why. President Obama and the CIA boss have no idea about the terror drones bring to normal people. You are furious that drones have killed people close to you who were ordinary people with families. Ask for drone strikes to stop.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

war

zone

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • new
  • bases
  • past
  • secrecy
  • fewer
  • 21
  • last
  • threat
  • near
  • promise
  • lawyer
  • system

DRONES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about drones 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.

DRONES 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 word 'drone'?

c)

Why do you think the unmanned aircraft are called "drones"?

d)

What do you think of the use of drones?

e)

Is it better to use drones or warplanes with pilots?

f)

Should the families of civilians killed by drones get compensation?

g)

Do you think all wars will be fought using drones and robots one day?

h)

What happens when all countries have drones?

i)

Would you use a passenger jet that was pilotless?

j)

What do you think of 21% of fatalities being civilian?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Is President Obama's message clear about drones as a last resort?

c)

What options need to be exhausted before the last resort is reached?

d)

How unacceptable is "near certainty" of no civilian casualties?

e)

What part does international law play in the fighting of a war?

f)

How much confidence do you have in the USA's use of drones?

g)

Would transparency put soldiers' lives at risk?

h)

What is the alternative to drones?

i)

Where will we be with this story in ten years from now?

j)

What questions would you like to ask President Obama?

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

U.S. President Barack Obama has (1) ____ a new policy in the controversial use of drones to kill suspected terrorists. Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be controlled from the U.S. as well as from (2) ____ in or near war zones. Both the U.S. military and the CIA use drones in their (3) ____. Around 800 drone strikes have taken place in Afghanistan in the past two years. The CIA's use of drones is shrouded (4) ____ secrecy. Experts believe the agency has (5) ____ around 350 drone strikes in Pakistan and fewer than 100 in Yemen and Somalia since 2004. Around 3,000 people have been killed by drones since 2004. The New America Foundation estimates that (6) ____ 21 per cent of those killed were civilians.

President Obama said the U.S. would now only use drone strikes as a last (7) ____, when there is a "continuing and (8) ____" threat to the American people, and that there must be "near certainty that no civilians will be killed or injured". Kenneth Roth from Human Rights Watch said: "A (9) ____ promise that the US will work within established guidelines that remain secret provides (10) ____ confidence that [it] is complying with international law." Shahzad Akbar, a Pakistani lawyer working for drone victims' families, said: "The problem (11) ____ the same because there is no transparency and accountability for the CIA because it will remain inside the system and not be (12) ____ to outsiders."

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

1.

(a)

measured

(b)

outlined

(c)

ruled

(d)

sharpened

2.

(a)

barns

(b)

bases

(c)

bays

(d)

basis

3.

(a)

performances

(b)

surgeries

(c)

conduct

(d)

operations

4.

(a)

of

(b)

in

(c)

on

(d)

at

5.

(a)

retracted

(b)

inspected

(c)

redacted

(d)

conducted

6.

(a)

rough

(b)

roughness

(c)

roughly

(d)

roughed up

7.

(a)

resort

(b)

hotel

(c)

spa

(d)

hostel

8.

(a)

cement

(b)

prostrate

(c)

imminent

(d)

pressure

9.

(a)

here

(b)

fear

(c)

tear

(d)

mere

10.

(a)

little

(b)

few

(c)

small

(d)

tiny

11.

(a)

remains

(b)

remaining

(c)

remainder

(d)

remain

12.

(a)

visible

(b)

invisible

(c)

invisibility

(d)

indivisible

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

the eltcvaoinrsor use of drones

2.

pusctedse terrorists

3.

the U.S. liytmira

4.

shrouded in escecry

5.

uhlorgy 21 per cent

6.

those killed were nalciisvi

Paragraph 2

7.

emintimn threat

8.

there must be near raceiyttn

9.

hlsiadebset guidelines

10.

lympgicno with international law

11.

there is no ycntraprnsae

12.

vilesib to outsiders

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

resort, when there is a "continuing and imminent" threat to the American people, and that there must be "near

(    )

President Obama said the U.S. would now only use drone strikes as a last

(    )

secrecy. Experts believe the agency has conducted around 350 drone strikes in Pakistan and fewer than 100 in

(    )

complying with international law." Shahzad Akbar, a Pakistani lawyer working for drone

(    )

bases in or near war zones. Both the U.S. military and the CIA use drones in their operations. Around 800 drone

(    )

victims' families, said: "The problem remains the same because there is no transparency and

(    )

strikes have taken place in Afghanistan in the past two years. The CIA's use of drones is shrouded in

(    )

certainty that no civilians will be killed or injured". Kenneth Roth from Human Rights Watch said: "A mere

1  )

Yemen and Somalia since 2004. Around 3,000 people have been killed by drones

(    )

promise that the US will work within established guidelines that remain secret provides little confidence that [it] is

(    )

since 2004. The New America Foundation estimates that roughly 21 per cent of those killed were civilians.

(    )

terrorists. Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be controlled from the U.S. as well as from

(    )

accountability for the CIA because it will remain inside the system and not be visible to outsiders."

(    )

U.S. President Barack Obama has outlined a new policy in the controversial use of drones to kill suspected

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

use     suspected     of     terrorists    drones    to    Controversial     kill.    

2.

U.S.    the    from    controlled    be    can    that    aircraft   Unmanned.

3.

use     .     in     shrouded     secrecy     drones     of    is    CIA's     The

4.

3,000     people     have     been     killed     by     drones     Around.    

5.

21     of     were     Roughly     cent     killed     per     those     civilians.    

6.

use    The    drone   US    strikes   as    a   last    would   resort     only.    

7.

no    civilians    will    be    killed    or   injured    Near   certainty    that.    

8.

confidence     little     provide     secret     remain     that     Guidelines.    

9.

There    transparency    for    no    accountability   CIA    is    and    the.    

10.

be     visible     It    will    remain    inside    the    system     and     not.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

U.S. President Barack Obama has outlined / lined a new policy in the controversial used / use of drones to kill suspected terrorists. Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be controlled / controlling from the U.S. as well as from basis / bases in or near war zones. Both the U.S. military and the CIA use drones in their operatives / operations. Around 800 drone strikes have taken / given place in Afghanistan in the past two years. The CIA's use of drones is shrouded / shredded in secrecy. Experts believe the agency has conducted / conductive around 350 drone strikes in Pakistan and fewer than 100 in Yemen and Somalia since / for 2004. Around 3,000 people have been killed by drones since 2004. The New America Foundation estimates that roughly 21 per cent of those killed were civil / civilians.

President Obama said the U.S. would now / not only use drone strikes as a least / last resort, when there is a "continuing and impotent / imminent" threat to the American people, and that there must be "near certainly / certainty that no civilians will be killed or injury / injured". Kenneth Roth from Human Rights Watch said: "A mere / here promise that the US will work within / wither established guidelines that remain secret provides little confidence that [it] is complying / complaint with international law." Shahzad Akbar, a Pakistani lawyer working for drone victims' families, said: "The problem remains / remaining the same because there is no transparency and accountability for the CIA because it will remain inside the system and not be invisible / visible to outsiders."

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)

_.S. Pr_s_d_nt B_r_ck _b_m_ h_s __tl_n_d _ n_w p_l_cy _n th_ c_ntr_v_rs__l _s_ _f dr_n_s t_ k_ll s_sp_ct_d t_rr_r_sts. Dr_n_s _r_ _nm_nn_d __rcr_ft th_t c_n b_ c_ntr_ll_d fr_m th_ _.S. _s w_ll _s fr_m b_s_s _n _r n__r w_r z_n_s. B_th th_ _.S. m_l_t_ry _nd th_ C__ _s_ dr_n_s _n th__r _p_r_t__ns. _r__nd 800 dr_n_ str_k_s h_v_ t_k_n pl_c_ _n _fgh_n_st_n _n th_ p_st tw_ y__rs. Th_ C__'s _s_ _f dr_n_s _s shr__d_d _n s_cr_cy. _xp_rts b_l__v_ th_ _g_ncy h_s c_nd_ct_d _r__nd 350 dr_n_ str_k_s _n P_k_st_n _nd f_w_r th_n 100 _n Y_m_n _nd S_m_l__ s_nc_ 2004. _r__nd 3,000 p__pl_ h_v_ b__n k_ll_d by dr_n_s s_nc_ 2004. Th_ N_w _m_r_c_ F__nd_t__n _st_m_t_s th_t r__ghly 21 p_r c_nt _f th_s_ k_ll_d w_r_ c_v_l__ns.

Pr_s_d_nt _b_m_ s__d th_ _.S. w__ld n_w _nly _s_ dr_n_ str_k_s _s _ l_st r_s_rt, wh_n th_r_ _s _ "c_nt_n__ng _nd _mm_n_nt" thr__t t_ th_ _m_r_c_n p__pl_, _nd th_t th_r_ m_st b_ "n__r c_rt__nty th_t n_ c_v_l__ns w_ll b_ k_ll_d _r _nj_r_d". K_nn_th R_th fr_m H_m_n R_ghts W_tch s__d: "_ m_r_ pr_m_s_ th_t th_ _S w_ll w_rk w_th_n _st_bl_sh_d g__d_l_n_s th_t r_m__n s_cr_t pr_v_d_s l_ttl_ c_nf_d_nc_ th_t [_t] _s c_mply_ng w_th _nt_rn_t__n_l l_w." Sh_hz_d _kb_r, _ P_k_st_n_ l_wy_r w_rk_ng f_r dr_n_ v_ct_ms' f_m_l__s, s__d: "Th_ pr_bl_m r_m__ns th_ s_m_ b_c__s_ th_r_ _s n_ tr_nsp_r_ncy _nd _cc__nt_b_l_ty f_r th_ C__ b_c__s_ _t w_ll r_m__n _ns_d_ th_ syst_m _nd n_t b_ v_s_bl_ t_ __ts_d_rs."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

us president barack obama has outlined a new policy in the controversial use of drones to kill suspected terrorists drones are unmanned aircraft that can be controlled from the us as well as from bases in or near war zones both the us military and the cia use drones in their operations around 800 drone strikes have taken place in afghanistan in the past two years the cia's use of drones is shrouded in secrecy experts believe the agency has conducted around 350 drone strikes in pakistan and fewer than 100 in yemen and somalia since 2004 around 3000 people have been killed by drones since 2004 the new america foundation estimates that roughly 21 per cent of those killed were civilians

president obama said the us would now only use drone strikes as a last resort when there is a "continuing and imminent" threat to the american people and that there must be "near certainty that no civilians will be killed or injured" kenneth roth from human rights watch said "a mere promise that the us will work within established guidelines that remain secret provides little confidence that [it] is complying with international law" shahzad akbar a pakistani lawyer working for drone victims' families said "the problem remains the same because there is no transparency and accountability for the cia because it will remain inside the system and not be visible to outsiders"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

U.S.PresidentBarackObamahasoutlinedanewpolicyinthecontroversialuseof
dronestokillsuspectedterrorists.Dronesareunmannedaircraftthatcanbe
controlledfromtheU.S.aswellasfrombasesinornearwarzones.BoththeU.S.mili
taryandtheCIAusedronesintheiroperations.Around800dronestrikeshavetaken
placeinAfghanistaninthepasttwoyears.TheCIA'suseofdronesisshroudedinsecr
ecy.Expertsbelievetheagencyhasconductedaround350dronestrikesinPakista
nandfewerthan100inYemenandSomaliasince2004.Around3,000peoplehaveb
eenkilledbydronessince2004.TheNewAmericaFoundationestimatesthatroug
hly21percentofthosekilledwerecivilians.PresidentObamasaidtheU.S.wouldno
wonlyusedronestrikesasalastresort,whenthereisa"continuingandimminent"th
reattotheAmericanpeople,andthattheremustbe"nearcertaintythatnocivilians
willbekilledorinjured".KennethRothfromHumanRightsWatchsaid:"Amerepro
misethattheUSwillworkwithinestablishedguidelinesthatremainsecretprovid
eslittleconfidencethat[it]iscomplyingwithinternationallaw."ShahzadAkbar,a
Pakistanilawyerworkingfordronevictims'families,said:"Theproblemremains
thesamebecausethereisnotransparencyandaccountabilityfortheCIAbecaus
eitwillremaininsidethesystemandnotbevisibletooutsiders."

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Drones cause too many civilian deaths and should be banned.   Discuss.

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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 drones. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. DRONES: Make a poster about drones. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. DRONE STRIKES: Write a magazine article about drone strikes. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them.

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 a military expert. Ask him/her three questions about drones. Give him/her three of your opinions on them. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

outlined

a.

summarised

2.

controversial

b.

disputed

3.

shrouded

c.

hidden

4.

conducted

d.

carried out

5.

civilians

e.

ordinary people

6.

last resort

f.

final option

7.

imminent

g.

on the way

8.

established

h.

accepted

9.

complying with

i.

following

10.

transparency

j.

openness

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

The use of drones to kill suspected terrorists

2.

Afghanistan

3.

Secrecy

4.

Around 3,000

5.

About 21%

6.

As a last resort

7.

That no civilians will be killed or injured

8.

Human Rights Watch

9.

Drone victims' families

10.

There is no transparency and accountability for the CIA

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

a

10.

d

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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