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* 26-page lesson
    (40 exercises)

 

* 2-page MINI
    lesson

* MP3 (British)

* MP3 (N. America)

* MP3 (20 Qs)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation -
    (10 sentences)

* Speed Read
    (4 speeds)

* Jumble 1

* Jumble 2

* No spaces

* Text jumble

* Gap-fill

* The/An/A Gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Initials

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

Indian repatriates 3,700 prisoners in UAE (5th July, 2013)

An Indian businessman in the UAE has helped repatriate nearly 3,700 prisoners trapped in a legal limbo in the United Arab Emirates. The ex-prisoners are from various nations including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. They had all served their sentences but remained in UAE jails because they lacked the money to pay off the debts that led to their imprisonment, and could not afford the air ticket home. Firoz G. Merchant, 54, owner of the Pure Gold jewellery company, has spent about 3.7 million dirham ($1,000,000) to secure the prisoners' release. He plans to help out another 1,000 inmates later this year. Mr Merchant said he only helps people who were sentenced over unpaid debts.


 

Philanthropist Mr Merchant said he was inspired to start helping release prisoners following the UAE's economic downturn in 2010. Thousands of construction workers were laid off and were left saddled with debt from education loans, credit cards and unpaid housing rent. He recalled: "There were a lot of people behind bars, especially labourers….It opened my eyes that this is my duty." He added that it was important for him to ensure the men returned home in time for Ramadan, which starts in the UAE this year on July 10th. He told reporters: "Ramadan is the month for giving, so I want to put greater effort into getting these prisoners back to their own countries...and reunited with their families."

Sources:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/indian-trader-helps-free-inmates-in-uae-jails/1136585/
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/indian-businessman-writes-off-dh1-5m-debt-for-hundreds-of-uae-prisoners#ixzz2Y1YFEDRh


 

WARM-UPS

1. PHILANTHROPY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about philanthropy. 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.

 

businessman / legal limbo / ex-prisoners / jails / lacked / debts / air ticket home / philanthropist / inspired / economic downturn / education loan / Ramadan / reunited

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

3. GIVING: How can we encourage greater charity from these people? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How to make them give (more)?

How much more?

World leaders

 

 

Sports stars

 

 

Internet billionaires

 

 

Office workers

 

 

University students

 

 

Company CEOs

 

 

4. DEBT: Students A strongly believe people should never get in debt for any reason; Students B strongly believe debt is unavoidable in today's world.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. PRISON: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the things you think would be worst at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • the cell
  • other prisoners
  • the food
  • prison bars
  • the stigma
  • boredom
  • not seeing family
  • the shower room

6. IMPRISONMENT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'imprisonment'. 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 businessman living in India has helped Emirati prisoners in the UAE.

T / F

b.

The prisoners have all served their sentences.

T / F

c.

The businessman will repatriate 10,000 more later this year.

T / F

d.

All of the prisoners were sentenced because they owed money.

T / F

e.

The UAE's economic woes inspired the businessman to act.

T / F

f.

The businessman felt sorry for labourers who lost their jobs.

T / F

g.

The ex-prisoners won't get home until after Ramadan.

T / F

h.

The businessman said he wants to bring prisoners' families to the UAE.

T / F

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

1.

businessman

a.

prison terms

2.

limbo

b.

remembered

3.

sentences

c.

pay for

4.

afford

d.

burdened

5.

secure

e.

energy

6.

inspired

f.

entrepreneur

7.

saddled

g.

in prison

8.

recalled

h.

uncertainty

9.

behind bars

i.

motivated

10.

effort

j.

guarantee

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

1.

3,700 prisoners trapped in a

a.

to their imprisonment

2.

They had all served

b.

downturn

3.

pay off the debts that led

c.

bars

4.

secure the

d.

legal limbo

5.

sentenced over

e.

time for Ramadan

6.

economic

f.

their sentences

7.

…and were left saddled

g.

with their families

8.

a lot of people behind

h.

unpaid debts

9.

returned home in

i.

prisoners' release

10.

reunited

j.

with debt

 

GAP FILL

An Indian businessman in the UAE has helped repatriate nearly 3,700 prisoners trapped in a legal (1) ____________ in the United Arab Emirates. The ex-prisoners are from (2) ____________ nations including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. They had all (3) ____________ their sentences but remained in UAE jails because they lacked the money to pay (4) ____________ the debts that led to their imprisonment, and could not (5) ____________ the air ticket home. Firoz G. Merchant, 54, owner of the Pure Gold jewellery company, has spent about 3.7 million dirham ($1,000,000) to (6) ____________ the prisoners' release. He plans to help out another 1,000 (7) ____________ later this year. Mr Merchant said he only helps people who were sentenced over (8) ____________ debts.

 

 

secure
served
unpaid
limbo
afford
various
inmates
off

Philanthropist Mr Merchant said he was (9) ____________ to start helping release prisoners following the UAE's economic (10) ____________ in 2010. Thousands of construction workers were laid off and were left (11) ____________ with debt from education loans, credit cards and unpaid housing rent. He recalled: "There were a lot of people behind (12) ____________, especially labourers….It opened my eyes that this is my duty." He added that it was important for him to (13) ____________ the men returned home in (14) ____________ for Ramadan, which starts in the UAE this year on July 10th. He told reporters: "Ramadan is the month for giving, so I want to put greater (15) ____________ into getting these prisoners back to their own countries...and (16) ____________ with their families."

 

effort
saddled
time
inspired
ensure
downturn
reunited
bars

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

repatriate nearly 3,700 prisoners trapped in ______

 

a.  a legal limb beau
b.  a legal lingo
c.  a legally in bow
d.  a legal limbo

2)

They had all served their sentences but ______

 

a.  remain in UAE jails
b.  remaining in UAE jails
c.  remained in UAE jails
d.  remains in UAE jails

3)

they lacked the money to pay off the debts that led ______

 

a.  to their in prison meant
b.  to their imprisonment
c.  to their imprison meant
d.  to their imprisoned men

4)

He plans to help out another ______

 

a.  1,000 inmates later
b.  1,000 intimates later
c.  1,000 in mates later
d.  1,000 mates in later

5)

he only helps people who were sentenced ______

 

a.  over unpaid debts
b.  other unpaid debts
c.  owe the unpaid debts
d.  overly unpaid debts

6)

start helping release prisoners following the ______

 

a.  UAE's economics downturn
b.  UAE's economical downturn
c.  UAE's economically downturn
d.  UAE's economic downturn

7)

Thousands of construction workers ______

 

a.  were laid off
b.  were paid off
c.  were raid off
d.  were made off

8)

______ debt from education loans, credit cards and unpaid housing rent

 

a.  left saddled which
b.  left saddled with
c.  left saddled wish
d.  left saddled without

9)

There were a lot of people behind bars, ______

 

a.  especial labourers
b.  especially labourers
c.  and spatially labourers
d.  and special labourers

10)

getting these prisoners back to their own countries...______ their families

 

a.  and reunions with
b.  and reuniting with
c.  and reunites with
d.  and reunited with

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

An Indian businessman in the UAE has helped repatriate nearly 3,700 prisoners (1) ______________________ in the United Arab Emirates. The ex-prisoners are (2) _________________________ Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. They had all served their sentences but remained in UAE jails because they lacked the money (3) ______________________ that led to their imprisonment, and (4) ______________________ ticket home. Firoz G. Merchant, 54, owner of the Pure Gold jewellery company, has spent about 3.7 million dirham ($1,000,000) (5) ______________________ release. He plans to (6) ______________________ inmates later this year. Mr Merchant said he only helps people who were sentenced over unpaid debts.

Philanthropist Mr Merchant said he was inspired to start helping release prisoners following the UAE's (7) ______________________. Thousands of construction workers were laid off (8) ______________________ debt from education loans, credit cards and unpaid housing rent. He recalled: "There were a lot (9) ______________________, especially labourers….It opened my eyes that this is my duty." He added that it was important for him to ensure the men (10) ______________________ Ramadan, which starts in the UAE this year on July 10th. He told reporters: "Ramadan is the month for giving, so I want to (11) ______________________ getting these prisoners back to their own countries... (12) ______________________ families."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

In what kind of situation were the prisoners trapped?

2.

How far through their prison terms are the men?

3.

What can't the men afford to do?

4.

What is the philanthropist's occupation?

5.

Who specifically does the philanthropist help?

6.

When did the philanthropist first feel inspired to help?

7.

What happened to thousands of labourers in 2010?

8.

What loans did the article mention?

9.

When did the philanthropist want the men home by?

10.

Who does he want the workers to be with?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

In what kind of situation were the prisoners trapped?

6.

When did the philanthropist first feel inspired to help?

 

a) a perilous one
b) a state of legal uncertainty
c) a business situation
d) one without food

 

a) July 10th
b) last year
c) 2010
d) Ramadan

2.

How far through their prison terms are the men?

7.

What happened to thousands of labourers in 2010?

 

a) just started
b) half way through
c) a few months to go
d) all the way through

 

a) they took out education loans
b) the got a pay raise
c) they met the philanthropist
d) they lost their jobs

3.

What can't the men afford to do?

8.

What loans did the article mention?

 

a) buy an air ticket
b) work in the UAE again
c) buy the philanthropist a gift
d) the limbo

 

a) education loans
b) bad loans
c) cheap loans
d) car loans

4.

What is the philanthropist's occupation?

9.

When did the philanthropist want the men home by?

 

a) CEO of a charity
b) prison owner
c) jewellery company owner
d) construction company boss

 

a) Ramadan
b) the end of the year
c) the middle of next month
d) no special time

5.

Who specifically does the philanthropist help?

10.

Who does he want the workers to be with?

 

a) anyone in prison
b) men with debts
c) construction workers
d) 1,000 inmates

 

a) him
b) their families
c) labourers
d) each other

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Poor university students

You think poor university students are most deserving of charity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their projects don't need so much money. Also, tell the others which is the least deserving of these (and why): elderly homeless, medical research or the World Wildlife Fund.

Role  B – Elderly homeless

You think elderly homeless are most deserving of charity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their projects don't need so much money. Also, tell the others which is the least deserving of these (and why): poor university students, medical research or the World Wildlife Fund.

Role  C – Medical research

You think medical research is most deserving of charity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their projects don't need so much money. Also, tell the others which is the least deserving of these (and why): elderly homeless, poor university students or the World Wildlife Fund.

Role  D – World Wildlife Fund

You think the World Wildlife Fund is most deserving of charity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their projects don't need so much money. Also, tell the others which is the least deserving of these (and why): elderly homeless, medical research or poor university students.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

serve

sentence

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • legal
  • various
  • remained
  • afford
  • spent
  • 1,000
  • inspired
  • laid
  • bars
  • eyes
  • Ramadan
  • families

PHILANTHROPY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about philanthropy 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.

PHILANTHROPY 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 'debt'?

c)

Have you had good / bad / any experiences with debt?

d)

What do you think of Mr Merchant's actions?

e)

What do you think being in legal limbo in the UAE would be like?

f)

Should there be a system to find funds to repatriate such prisoners?

g)

Wouldn't it be cheaper for the UAE to send the men home rather than keep them in prison?

h)

Would you give to a charity to help men such as those in the article?

i)

What three adjectives best describe Mr Merchant (and why)?

j)

What do you think of Mr Merchant's policy to only help debtors?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Shakespeare said, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be". Do you agree?

c)

Is it fair to imprison someone for being unable to repay a car loan?

d)

How can we encourage more philanthropy in the world?

e)

Do you prefer news like this or news of war, protests and spying?

f)

How dangerous is it to take out loans and use credit cards?

g)

Is it the duty of all of us to give regularly to charity (or volunteer)?

h)

What difference has Mr Merchant made to people's lives?

i)

Why are some rich people so philanthropic and others so mean?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Mr Merchant?

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

An Indian businessman in the UAE has helped repatriate nearly 3,700 prisoners trapped in a legal (1) ____ in the United Arab Emirates. The ex-prisoners are from various nations including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. They had all (2) ____ their sentences but remained in UAE jails because they lacked the money to pay (3) ____ the debts that led to their (4) ____, and could not afford the air ticket home. Firoz G. Merchant, 54, owner of the Pure Gold jewellery company, has spent about 3.7 million dirham ($1,000,000) to (5) ____ the prisoners' release. He plans to help out another 1,000 inmates later this year. Mr Merchant said he only helps people who were sentenced (6) ____ unpaid debts.

Philanthropist Mr Merchant said he was inspired to start helping (7) ____ prisoners following the UAE's economic downturn in 2010. Thousands of construction workers were (8) ____ off and were left (9) ____ with debt from education loans, credit cards and unpaid housing rent. He recalled: "There were a lot of people behind  (10) ____, especially labourers….It opened my eyes that this is my duty." He added that it was important for him to ensure the men (11) ____ home in time for Ramadan, which starts in the UAE this year on July 10th. He told reporters: "Ramadan is the month for giving, so I want to put greater effort into getting these prisoners back to their own countries...and (12) ____ with their families."

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

1.

(a)

hula

(b)

salsa

(c)

limbo

(d)

break

2.

(a)

served

(b)

serviced

(c)

severed

(d)

servitude

3.

(a)

off

(b)

up

(c)

on

(d)

in

4.

(a)

imprisonment

(b)

in prison

(c)

imprison

(d)

inmates

5.

(a)

secrete

(b)

secret

(c)

seclude

(d)

secure

6.

(a)

around

(b)

under

(c)

through

(d)

over

7.

(a)

release

(b)

released

(c)

releasing

(d)

releases

8.

(a)

held

(b)

taken

(c)

put

(d)

laid

9.

(a)

saddled

(b)

booted

(c)

blanketed

(d)

bridled

10.

(a)

blocks

(b)

bars

(c)

rods

(d)

bricks

11.

(a)

returnee

(b)

returned

(c)

returning

(d)

returns

12.

(a)

reunited

(b)

untied

(c)

reunified

(d)

revitalised

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

from ivsuoar nations

2.

They had all evsdre their sentences

3.

pay off the tedbs

4.

could not foafdr the air ticket home

5.

ersuce the prisoners' release

6.

another 1,000 emanits

Paragraph 2

7.

ohtlrpspitniha Mr Merchant

8.

irtnnousotcc workers

9.

this is my dytu

10.

nrseue the men returned home

11.

greater fotrfe

12.

enedutir with their families

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

bars, especially labourers….It opened my eyes that this is my duty." He added that it was important

(    )

out another 1,000 inmates later this year. Mr Merchant said he only helps people who were sentenced over unpaid debts.

(    )

effort into getting these prisoners back to their own countries...and reunited with their families."

(    )

limbo in the United Arab Emirates. The ex-prisoners are from various nations including

(    )

loans, credit cards and unpaid housing rent. He recalled: "There were a lot of people behind

1  )

An Indian businessman in the UAE has helped repatriate nearly 3,700 prisoners trapped in a legal

(    )

Philanthropist Mr Merchant said he was inspired to start helping release prisoners following the UAE's economic

(    )

for him to ensure the men returned home in time for Ramadan, which starts in the UAE this

(    )

spent about 3.7 million dirham ($1,000,000) to secure the prisoners' release. He plans to help

(    )

jails because they lacked the money to pay off the debts that led to their imprisonment, and could not

(    )

afford the air ticket home. Firoz G. Merchant, 54, owner of the Pure Gold jewellery company, has

(    )

downturn in 2010. Thousands of construction workers were laid off and were left saddled with debt from education

(    )

Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. They had all served their sentences but remained in UAE

(    )

year on July 10th. He told reporters: "Ramadan is the month for giving, so I want to put greater

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

limbo    legal    a    in   trapped   prisoners   3,700   nearly   Repatriate.    

2.

to     the     the     pay     They     debts     money     lacked     off.    

3.

prisoners'    about    the    $1,000,000    Spent    secure    to    release.    

4.

inmates     this     Help     another     later     year     out     1,000.    

5.

over     sentenced     were     who     People     debts     unpaid.    

6.

prisoners     to     start     He     helping     was     release     inspired.    

7.

off     laid     were     workers     construction     of     Thousands.    

8.

saddled     Left     loans     education     from     debt     with.    

9.

my     this     duty     opened     that     my     It     eyes     is.    

10.

back     into     getting     Put     these     greater     prisoners     effort.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

An Indian businessman in the UAE has helped repatriate nearly 3,700 prisoners trapped in a legal / legally limbo in the United Arab Emirates. The ex-prisoners are from variety / various nations including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. They had all severed / served their sentences but remained / remanded in UAE jails because they lacked the money to pay up / off the debts that led / lead to their imprisonment, and could not afford the air / fare ticket home. Firoz G. Merchant, 54, owner of the Pure Gold jewellery company, has spent about 3.7 million dirham ($1,000,000) to rescue / secure the prisoners' release. He plans to help out another 1,000 inmates / mates later this year. Mr Merchant said he only helps people who were sentenced over unpaid debtors / debts.

Philanthropist Mr Merchant said he was inspirational / inspired to start helping release prisoners following / followed the UAE's economic downturn in 2010. Thousands of construction workers were laid / lain off and were left saddled with / for debt from education loans, credit cards and unpaid housing / housed rent. He recalled: "There were a lot of people behind rods / bars, especially labourers….It opened my eyes that this is my dutiful / duty." He added that it was important for him to ensure / insure the men returned home in time for Ramadan, which starts in the UAE this year on July 10th. He told reporters: "Ramadan is the month for gift / giving, so I want to put greater effort into getting these prisoners back to their own countries...and reunited / reunion with their families."

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)

_n _nd__n b_s_n_ssm_n _n th_ ___ h_s h_lp_d r_p_tr__t_ n__rly 3,700 pr_s_n_rs tr_pp_d _n _ l_g_l l_mb_ _n th_ _n_t_d _r_b _m_r_t_s. Th_ _x-pr_s_n_rs _r_ fr_m v_r___s n_t__ns _ncl_d_ng B_ngl_d_sh, _nd__, _nd_n_s__ _nd P_k_st_n. Th_y h_d _ll s_rv_d th__r s_nt_nc_s b_t r_m__n_d _n ___ j__ls b_c__s_ th_y l_ck_d th_ m_n_y t_ p_y _ff th_ d_bts th_t l_d t_ th__r _mpr_s_nm_nt, _nd c__ld n_t _ff_rd th_ __r t_ck_t h_m_. F_r_z G. M_rch_nt, 54, _wn_r _f th_ P_r_ G_ld j_w_ll_ry c_mp_ny, h_s sp_nt _b__t 3.7 m_ll__n d_rh_m ($1,000,000) t_ s_c_r_ th_ pr_s_n_rs' r_l__s_. H_ pl_ns t_ h_lp __t _n_th_r 1,000 _nm_t_s l_t_r th_s y__r. Mr M_rch_nt s__d h_ _nly h_lps p__pl_ wh_ w_r_ s_nt_nc_d _v_r _np__d d_bts.

Ph_l_nthr_p_st Mr M_rch_nt s__d h_ w_s _nsp_r_d t_ st_rt h_lp_ng r_l__s_ pr_s_n_rs f_ll_w_ng th_ ___'s _c_n_m_c d_wnt_rn _n 2010. Th__s_nds _f c_nstr_ct__n w_rk_rs w_r_ l__d _ff _nd w_r_ l_ft s_ddl_d w_th d_bt fr_m _d_c_t__n l__ns, cr_d_t c_rds _nd _np__d h__s_ng r_nt. H_ r_c_ll_d: "Th_r_ w_r_ _ l_t _f p__pl_ b_h_nd b_rs, _sp_c__lly l_b__r_rs…._t _p_n_d my _y_s th_t th_s _s my d_ty." H_ _dd_d th_t _t w_s _mp_rt_nt f_r h_m t_ _ns_r_ th_ m_n r_t_rn_d h_m_ _n t_m_ f_r R_m_d_n, wh_ch st_rts _n th_ ___ th_s y__r _n J_ly 10th. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "R_m_d_n _s th_ m_nth f_r g_v_ng, s_ _ w_nt t_ p_t gr__t_r _ff_rt _nt_ g_tt_ng th_s_ pr_s_n_rs b_ck t_ th__r _wn c__ntr__s..._nd r__n_t_d w_th th__r f_m_l__s."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

an indian businessman in the uae has helped repatriate nearly 3700 prisoners trapped in a legal limbo in the united arab emirates the ex-prisoners are from various nations including bangladesh india indonesia and pakistan they had all served their sentences but remained in uae jails because they lacked the money to pay off the debts that led to their imprisonment and could not afford the air ticket home firoz g merchant 54 owner of the pure gold jewellery company has spent about 37 million dirham ($1000000) to secure the prisoners' release he plans to help out another 1000 inmates later this year mr merchant said he only helps people who were sentenced over unpaid debts

philanthropist mr merchant said he was inspired to start helping release prisoners following the uae's economic downturn in 2010 thousands of construction workers were laid off and were left saddled with debt from education loans credit cards and unpaid housing rent he recalled "there were a lot of people behind bars especially labourers…it opened my eyes that this is my duty" he added that it was important for him to ensure the men returned home in time for ramadan which starts in the uae this year on july 10th he told reporters "ramadan is the month for giving so i want to put greater effort into getting these prisoners back to their own countriesand reunited with their families"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AnIndianbusinessmanintheUAEhashelpedrepatriatenearly3,700prisoners
trappedinalegallimbointheUnitedArabEmirates.Theex-prisonersarefrom
variousnationsincludingBangladesh,India,IndonesiaandPakistan.Theyhad
allservedtheirsentencesbutremainedinUAEjailsbecausetheylackedthemoney
topayoffthedebtsthatledtotheirimprisonment,andcouldnotaffordtheairticket
home.FirozG.Merchant,54,ownerofthePureGoldjewellerycompany,hasspent
about3.7milliondirham($1,000,000)tosecuretheprisoners'release.Heplans
tohelpoutanother1,000inmateslaterthisyear.MrMerchantsaidheonlyhelps
peoplewhoweresentencedoverunpaiddebts.PhilanthropistMrMerchantsaidhe
wasinspiredtostarthelpingreleaseprisonersfollowingtheUAE'seconomic
downturnin2010.Thousandsofconstructionworkerswerelaidoffandwereleft
saddledwithdebtfromeducationloans,creditcardsandunpaidhousingrent.He
recalled:"Therewerealotofpeoplebehindbars,especiallylabourers….Itopened
myeyesthatthisismyduty."Headdedthatitwasimportantforhimtoensurethe
menreturnedhomeintimeforRamadan,whichstartsintheUAEthisyearon
July10th.Hetoldreporters:"Ramadanisthemonthforgiving,soIwanttoput
greatereffortintogettingtheseprisonersbacktotheirowncountries...and
reunitedwiththeirfamilies."

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Giving to charity regularly is a moral duty for anyone with money.   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 this story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. REPATRIATED: Write a magazine article about one of the repatriated prisoners. Include imaginary interviews with him and with Mr Merchant.

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 philanthropist. Ask him/her three questions about philanthropy. Give him/her three of your ideas on who to help. 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

T

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

businessman

a.

entrepreneur

2.

limbo

b.

uncertainty

3.

sentences

c.

prison terms

4.

afford

d.

pay for

5.

secure

e.

guarantee

6.

inspired

f.

motivated

7.

saddled

g.

burdened

8.

recalled

h.

remembered

9.

behind bars

i.

in prison

10.

effort

j.

energy

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

A legal limbo

2.

All they way

3.

Clear their debts and buy an air ticket

4.

He owns a jewelry company

5.

Men sentenced over unpaid debts

6.

2010

7.

They lost their jobs

8.

Education loans

9.

Ramadan

10.

Their families

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

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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