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U.S. rock group banned from Russia (6th August, 2013)

A rock group from the USA have been banned from performing at a music festival in Russia after a band member stuffed the Russian flag inside his pants. Jared Hasselhoff, the bass player with the band Bloodhound Gang, was filmed pushing the flag into the front of his pants and pulling it out the back. The band were performing at a concert in the Ukrainian city of Odessa on July 31st. Hasselhoff grabbed the flag and yelled to the crowd, "Don't tell Putin," before his stunt. His antics led Russia's Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky to describe the band as "idiots" and banned them from playing their scheduled slot at Russia's Kubana music festival this week. Hasselhoff later apologised for his actions.


 

The band are still in Russia and may face criminal charges. Alexander Tkachyov, the governor of the region holding the festival, tweeted: "For such pranks they should be behind bars." Russian lawmaker Vladimir Markin told reporters: "A crime defined by Article 329 of the Russian Criminal Code is the defiling of the Russian state flag. This crime has been committed and this is a premeditated offense." He added: "We will do our best to identify and bring to court every person involved." A comment posted on the Voice of Russia website called Hasselhoff's actions an "unpardonable and inexcusable criminal act" that breached Russian laws and insulted Russians worldwide.

Try Level 4 or Level 5

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23560474 http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130803/182565516/Russian-Lawmakers-Seek-Tough-Punishment-for-US-Rockers-Over-Flag-Desecration.html http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_08_04/Americas-Bloodhound-Gang-cut-short-stay-in-Russia-over-flag-incident-7511/



 

WARM-UPS

1. NATIONAL FLAGS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about national flags. 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.

 

rock group / banned / music festival / national flag / performing / idiots / apologized / criminal charges / be behind bars / premeditated / identify / unpardonable / insulted

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

3. NATIONAL: How important are these? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

National…

How important?

Why?

flag

 

 

anthem

 

 

cuisine

 

 

borders

 

 

flower

 

 

sports teams

 

 

4. RESPECT: Students A strongly believe people should respect flags from other nations; Students B strongly believe flags are not important.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. PRIDE: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the times you feel most proud of your flag at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • at the Olympics
  • as a tattoo
  • at an environmental summit
  • in space
  • going into your country
  • at a national celebration
  • at the United Nations
  • on a soldier's uniform

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

An American rock band have been banned from singing in Russia.

T / F

b.

The bass player put Russia's flag in his pants at a concert in Moscow.

T / F

c.

Russia's Culture Minister said the band members were idiots.

T / F

d.

The bass player has yet to apologise for what he did.

T / F

e.

It's possible the band could go to court over what happened.

T / F

f.

A Russian governor said the band should go to prison.

T / F

g.

It is not a crime to disrespect the Russian flag.

T / F

h.

A post on a Russian website urged Russians to forgive the band.

T / F

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

1.

banned

a.

broke

2.

stuffed

b.

fools

3.

yelled

c.

timetabled

4.

idiots

d.

crime

5.

scheduled

e.

come up against

6.

face

f.

in prison

7.

behind bars

g.

prohibited

8.

offense

h.

slandered

9.

breached

i.

pushed

10.

insulted

j.

cried out

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

1.

banned from performing

a.

holding the festival

2.

the bass

b.

offense

3.

describe the band

c.

slot

4.

playing their scheduled

d.

at a music festival

5.

Hasselhoff later apologised

e.

behind bars

6.

face criminal

f.

player with the band

7.

the governor of the region

g.

inexcusable criminal act

8.

For such pranks they should be

h.

for his actions

9.

this is a premeditated

i.

charges

10.

an unpardonable and

j.

as "idiots"

 

GAP FILL

A rock group from the USA have been banned from (1) ____________ at a music festival in Russia after a band member (2) ____________ the Russian flag inside his pants. Jared Hasselhoff, the bass player with the band Bloodhound Gang, was (3) ____________ pushing the flag into the front of his pants and pulling it out the back. The band were performing at a concert in the Ukrainian city of Odessa on July 31st. Hasselhoff (4) ____________ the flag and yelled to the crowd, "Don't tell Putin," before his (5) ____________. His antics led Russia's Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky to describe the band as "(6) ____________ " and banned them from playing their (7) ____________ slot at Russia's Kubana music festival this week. Hasselhoff later (8) ____________ for his actions.

 

 

stunt
scheduled
grabbed
stuffed
idiots
performing
apologised
filmed

The band are still in Russia and may face criminal (9) ____________. Alexander Tkachyov, the governor of the (10) ____________ holding the festival, tweeted: "For such pranks they should be behind (11) ____________." Russian lawmaker Vladimir Markin told reporters: "A crime (12) ____________ by Article 329 of the Russian Criminal Code is the defiling of the Russian (13) ____________ flag. This crime has been committed and this is a premeditated offense." He added: "We will do our best to identify and bring to court every person (14) ____________." A comment posted on the Voice of Russia website called Hasselhoff's actions an "unpardonable and (15) ____________ criminal act" that breached Russian laws and (16) ____________ Russians worldwide.

 

defined
insulted
region
involved
charges
inexcusable
bars
state

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

A rock group from the USA have been banned from ______ music festival

 

a.  performance at a
b.  perform in at a
c.  performing at a
d.  performances at a

2)

filmed pushing the flag into the front of his pants and pulling ______

 

a.  it in the back
b.  it out the back
c.  it from the back
d.  it over the back

3)

yelled to the crowd, "Don't tell Putin," ______

 

a.  before his stint
b.  before his stunt
c.  before his stand
d.  before his stunts

4)

describe the band as "idiots" and banned them from playing ______

 

a.  their scheduled slot
b.  their scheduled spot
c.  their scheduled slop
d.  their scheduled clot

5)

Hasselhoff later apologised ______

 

a.  for his actions
b.  of his actions
c.  from his actions
d.  over his actions

6)

The band are still in Russia and may ______

 

a.  face criminal charge
b.  face criminal charges
c.  face criminal charging
d.  face criminal chargers

7)

For such pranks they should ______

 

a.  be behind bars
b.  be behind pipes
c.  be behind tubes
d.  be behind rods

8)

This crime has been committed and this is ______

 

a.  a premeditated defense
b.  a premeditated offense
c.  a premeditated of fence
d.  a premeditated offensive

9)

an unpardonable ______ criminal act

 

a.  and in ex-usable
b.  and an excuses ball
c.  and inexcusable
d.  and inaccessible

10)

breached Russian laws and ______

 

a.  insulted Russians worldwide
b.  insults Russians worldwide
c.  insulting Russians worldwide
d.  insult Russians worldwide

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A rock group from the USA have (1) ___________________ performing at a music festival in Russia after a band (2) ___________________ Russian flag inside his pants. Jared Hasselhoff, the bass player with the band Bloodhound Gang, (3) ___________________ the flag into the front of his pants and pulling it out the back. The band were performing at a concert in the Ukrainian city of Odessa on July 31st. Hasselhoff grabbed the flag and yelled to the crowd, "Don't tell Putin," (4) ___________________. His antics led Russia's Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky to describe (5) ___________________ and banned them from playing (6) ___________________ at Russia's Kubana music festival this week. Hasselhoff later apologised for his actions.

The band are still in Russia and may (7) ___________________. Alexander Tkachyov, the governor (8) ___________________ the festival, tweeted: "For such pranks they should (9) ___________________." Russian lawmaker Vladimir Markin told reporters: "A crime defined by Article 329 of the Russian Criminal Code is the defiling of the Russian state flag. This crime has been committed and this is a (10) ___________________." He added: "We will do our best to identify and bring to court (11) ___________________." A comment posted on the Voice of Russia website called Hasselhoff's actions an "unpardonable and (12) ___________________ " that breached Russian laws and insulted Russians worldwide.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What instrument did Hasselhoff play?

2.

In which city were the band performing?

3.

Who did Hasselhoff ask people not to tell?

4.

How did Russia's Culture Minister describe the band?

5.

What music festival were the band scheduled to play at?

6.

What could happen to the band now?

7.

Where did a regional governor say the band should be?

8.

What does Article 329 say?

9.

What kind of offense did a lawmaker say the crime was?

10.

Who was insulted, according to a website comment?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What instrument did the band member play?

6.

What could happen to the band now?

 

a) cello
b) saxophone
c) drums
d) bass

 

a) they could sign a new record deal
b) they could face criminal charges
c) they could split up
d) they could sell more records

2.

In which city were the band performing?

7.

Where did a regional governor say the band should be?

 

a) Moscow
b) Odessa
c) St Petersburg
d) Vladivostok

 

a) in Hollywood
b) on stage
c) on an airplane
d) in prison

3.

Who did Hasselhoff ask people not to tell?

8.

What does Article 329 say?

 

a) Barack Obama
b) anyone
c) Vladimir Putin
d) the lead singer

 

a) that disrespecting Russia's flag is a crime
b) singers cannot use bad language
c) it defines Russia's Criminal Code
d) that defiling the flag means 10 years in prison

4.

How did Russia's Culture Minister describe the band?

9.

What kind of offense did a lawmaker say the crime was?

 

a) as "idiots"
b) as "imbeciles"
c) as "fools"
d) as "morons"

 

a) a serious one
b) a petty one
c) a premeditated one
d) an unforgivable one

5.

What music festival were the band scheduled to play at?

10.

Who was insulted, according to a website comment?

 

a) Vladivostok Summer Sounds
b) Woodstock
c) Kubana
d) Moscow Rock Festival

 

a) Vladimir Putin
b) Russians worldwide
c) the festival organisers
d) members of the concert audience

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – National flag

You think the national flag is most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the national anthem, the national sports team or the national cuisine.

Role  B – National anthem

You think the national anthem is most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the national flag, the national sports team or the national cuisine.

Role  C – National sports team

You think the national sports team is most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the national anthem, the national flag or the national cuisine.

Role  D – National cuisine

You think the national cuisine is most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the national anthem, the national sports team or the national flag.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

music

festival

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • stuffed
  • filmed
  • concert
  • yelled
  • idiots
  • actions
  • face
  • region
  • defined
  • offense
  • court
  • insulted

NATIONAL FLAGS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about national flags 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.

NATIONAL FLAGS 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 'flag'?

c)

How important is your national flag to you?

d)

What do you know about the history of your flag?

e)

What do you think of Jared Hasselhoff's actions?

f)

How would you feel if someone did that to your flag?

g)

Would it be different if a Russian did that to their flag?

h)

Why do you think Hasselhoff did what he did?

i)

Is it right to ban the band from performing in Russia?

j)

How far will Hasselhoff's apologies go?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Should the ban face criminal charges?

c)

Should the band be behind bars?

d)

How does your flag make you feel?

e)

Do bands have a responsibility to behave when in other countries?

f)

What do you think of people burning flags from other countries on the news?

g)

Besides your own, what's the best flag in the world?

h)

How will Hasselhoff's actions affect the band's image ?

i)

Was what Hasselhoff did "unpardonable and inexcusable"?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Jared Hasselhoff?

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

A rock group from the USA have been banned from performing at a music festival in Russia after a band member (1) ____ the Russian flag inside his pants. Jared Hasselhoff, the bass player with the band Bloodhound Gang, was (2) ____ pushing the flag into the front of his pants and pulling it out the back. The band were performing at a concert in the Ukrainian city of Odessa on July 31st. Hasselhoff grabbed the flag and (3) ____ to the crowd, "Don't tell Putin," before his stunt. His (4) ____ led Russia's Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky to describe the band as "(5) ____" and banned them from playing their scheduled (6) ____ at Russia's Kubana music festival this week. Hasselhoff later apologised for his actions.

The band are still in Russia and may (7) ____ criminal charges. Alexander Tkachyov, the governor of the region (8) ____ the festival, tweeted: "For such pranks they should be behind (9) ____." Russian lawmaker Vladimir Markin told reporters: "A crime defined by Article 329 of the Russian Criminal Code is the (10) ____ of the Russian state flag. This crime has been committed and this is a premeditated offense." He added: "We will do our best to identify and bring to court every person (11) ____." A comment posted on the Voice of Russia website called Hasselhoff's actions an "unpardonable and inexcusable criminal act" that (12) ____ Russian laws and insulted Russians worldwide.

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

1.

(a)

stuffed

(b)

staffed

(c)

stiffed

(d)

stifled

2.

(a)

filming

(b)

recording

(c)

filmed

(d)

recorded

3.

(a)

yearned

(b)

yelped

(c)

talked

(d)

yelled

4.

(a)

attics

(b)

antics

(c)

antibiotics

(d)

antiques

5.

(a)

idioms

(b)

idiot

(c)

idiocy

(d)

idiots

6.

(a)

aperture

(b)

niche

(c)

slot

(d)

slit

7.

(a)

head

(b)

face

(c)

body

(d)

back

8.

(a)

holding

(b)

bearing

(c)

occupying

(d)

detaining

9.

(a)

bars

(b)

tubes

(c)

pipes

(d)

rods

10.

(a)

refilling

(b)

unfailing

(c)

defiling

(d)

exfoliating

11.

(a)

involving

(b)

involves

(c)

involvement

(d)

involved

12.

(a)

broached

(b)

breached

(c)

beached

(d)

bleached

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

banned from iermrfgpno

2.

ftsfdue the Russian flag inside his pants

3.

at a tconrec in the Ukrainian city of Odessa

4.

describe the band as "isoidt"

5.

playing their euscdedhl slot

6.

Hasselhoff later adsgeliopo (UK) / azioegdpol (USA)

Paragraph 2

7.

face riimcanl charges

8.

the eogrin holding the festival

9.

finlidge of the Russian state flag

10.

a premeditated esnfeof

11.

becalxenusi criminal act

12.

eacrdhbe Russian laws

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

pulling it out the back. The band were performing at a concert in the Ukrainian city of Odessa on July 31st. Hasselhoff grabbed

(    )

lawmaker Vladimir Markin told reporters: "A crime defined by Article 329 of the Russian Criminal Code is the defiling

(    )

after a band member stuffed the Russian flag inside his pants. Jared Hasselhoff, the bass

(    )

of the region holding the festival, tweeted: "For such pranks they should be behind bars." Russian

(    )

offense." He added: "We will do our best to identify and bring to court every person involved." A comment

(    )

led Russia's Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky to describe the band as "idiots" and banned them from playing their scheduled

1  )

A rock group from the USA have been banned from performing at a music festival in Russia

(    )

the flag and yelled to the crowd, "Don't tell Putin," before his stunt. His antics

(    )

slot at Russia's Kubana music festival this week. Hasselhoff later apologised for his actions.

(    )

of the Russian state flag. This crime has been committed and this is a premeditated

(    )

posted on the Voice of Russia website called Hasselhoff's actions an "unpardonable and

(    )

The band are still in Russia and may face criminal charges. Alexander Tkachyov, the governor

(    )

inexcusable criminal act" that breached Russian laws and insulted Russians worldwide.

(    )

player with the band Bloodhound Gang, was filmed pushing the flag into the front of his pants and

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

a     in     Banned    at    festival    performing    music    Russia    from.    

2.

band    the   inside   A   stuffed   flag    pants   member   Russian    his.

3.

concert    in    the    Ukrainian   city   of    Odessa   Performing   at     a.    

4.

yelled     crowd     grabbed     and     the    Hasselhoff    flag    to    the.    

5.

scheduled     slot     Banned     .     them     from     playing     their

6.

still   are   band   The   charges   criminal   face   may  and   Russia   in.

7.

be     For     should     they     bars     pranks     behind     such.    

8.

every     and     person     bring     involved     to     court     Identify.    

9.

comment     the     Russia     A     on     of     posted     Voice    website.    

10.

Russians     insulted     and     laws     Russian    Breached    worldwide.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A rock group from the USA have been banned from performing at a music festival in Russia after / following a band member stuffed the Russian flag inside his pants. Jared Hasselhoff, the bass / bassist player with the band Bloodhound Gang, was filmed / filming pushing the flag into the front of his pants and pulling it outside / out the back. The band were performing at a concert in the Ukrainian city for / of Odessa on July 31st. Hasselhoff grabbed the flag and yelled / talked to the crowd, "Don't tell Putin," before his strut / stunt. His antiquities / antics led Russia's Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky to describe the band as "idiots" and banned them from playing their scheduled slot / slit at Russia's Kubana music festival this week. Hasselhoff later / lately apologised for his actions.

The band are still in Russia and may face / head criminal charges. Alexander Tkachyov, the governor of the regional / region holding the festival, tweeted: "For such planks / pranks they should be behind bars / bar." Russian lawmaker Vladimir Markin told reporters: "A crime / criminal defined by Article 329 of the Russian Criminal Code is the refiling / defiling of the Russian state flag. This crime / criminal has been committed and this is a premeditated offense." He added: "We will do our best to identity / identify and bring to court every person involved / involvement." A comment posted on the Voice of Russia website called Hasselhoff's actions an "unpardonable and inexcusable criminal act" that bleached / breached Russian laws and insulted Russians worldwide.

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)

_ r_ck gr__p fr_m th_ _S_ h_v_ b__n b_nn_d fr_m p_rf_rm_ng _t _ m_s_c f_st_v_l _n R_ss__ _ft_r _ b_nd m_mb_r st_ff_d th_ R_ss__n fl_g _ns_d_ h_s p_nts. J_r_d H_ss_lh_ff, th_ b_ss pl_y_r w_th th_ b_nd Bl__dh__nd G_ng, w_s f_lm_d p_sh_ng th_ fl_g _nt_ th_ fr_nt _f h_s p_nts _nd p_ll_ng _t __t th_ b_ck. Th_ b_nd w_r_ p_rf_rm_ng _t _ c_nc_rt _n th_ _kr__n__n c_ty _f _d_ss_ _n J_ly 31st. H_ss_lh_ff gr_bb_d th_ fl_g _nd y_ll_d t_ th_ cr_wd, "D_n't t_ll P_t_n," b_f_r_ h_s st_nt. H_s _nt_cs l_d R_ss__'s C_lt_r_ M_n_st_r Vl_d_m_r M_d_nsky t_ d_scr_b_ th_ b_nd _s "_d__ts" _nd b_nn_d th_m fr_m pl_y_ng th__r sch_d_l_d sl_t _t R_ss__'s K_b_n_ m_s_c f_st_v_l th_s w__k. H_ss_lh_ff l_t_r _p_l_g_s_d f_r h_s _ct__ns.

Th_ b_nd _r_ st_ll _n R_ss__ _nd m_y f_c_ cr_m_n_l ch_rg_s. _l_x_nd_r Tk_chy_v, th_ g_v_rn_r _f th_ r_g__n h_ld_ng th_ f_st_v_l, tw__t_d: "F_r s_ch pr_nks th_y sh__ld b_ b_h_nd b_rs." R_ss__n l_wm_k_r Vl_d_m_r M_rk_n t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "_ cr_m_ d_f_n_d by _rt_cl_ 329 _f th_ R_ss__n Cr_m_n_l C_d_ _s th_ d_f_l_ng _f th_ R_ss__n st_t_ fl_g. Th_s cr_m_ h_s b__n c_mm_tt_d _nd th_s _s _ pr_m_d_t_t_d _ff_ns_." H_ _dd_d: "W_ w_ll d_ __r b_st t_ _d_nt_fy _nd br_ng t_ c__rt _v_ry p_rs_n _nv_lv_d." _ c_mm_nt p_st_d _n th_ V__c_ _f R_ss__ w_bs_t_ c_ll_d H_ss_lh_ff's _ct__ns _n "_np_rd_n_bl_ _nd _n_xc_s_bl_ cr_m_n_l _ct" th_t br__ch_d R_ss__n l_ws _nd _ns_lt_d R_ss__ns w_rldw_d_.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a rock group from the usa have been banned from performing at a music festival in russia after a band member stuffed the russian flag inside his pants jared hasselhoff the bass player with the band bloodhound gang was filmed pushing the flag into the front of his pants and pulling it out the back the band were performing at a concert in the ukrainian city of odessa on july 31st hasselhoff grabbed the flag and yelled to the crowd "don't tell putin" before his stunt his antics led russia's culture minister vladimir medinsky to describe the band as "idiots" and banned them from playing their scheduled slot at russia's kubana music festival this week hasselhoff later apologised for his actions

the band are still in russia and may face criminal charges alexander tkachyov the governor of the region holding the festival tweeted "for such pranks they should be behind bars" russian lawmaker vladimir markin told reporters "a crime defined by article 329 of the russian criminal code is the defiling of the russian state flag this crime has been committed and this is a premeditated offense" he added "we will do our best to identify and bring to court every person involved" a comment posted on the voice of russia website called hasselhoff's actions an "unpardonable and inexcusable criminal act" that breached russian laws and insulted russians worldwide

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ArockgroupfromtheUSAhavebeenbannedfromperformingatamusicfestival
inRussiaafterabandmemberstuffedtheRussianflaginsidehispants.JaredHa
sselhoff,thebassplayerwiththebandBloodhoundGang,wasfilmedpushingth
eflagintothefrontofhispantsandpullingitouttheback.Thebandwereperformi
ngataconcertintheUkrainiancityofOdessaonJuly31st.Hasselhoffgrabbedth
eflagandyelledtothecrowd,"Don'ttellPutin,"beforehisstunt.HisanticsledRu
ssia'sCultureMinisterVladimirMedinskytodescribethebandas"idiots"andba
nnedthemfromplayingtheirscheduledslotatRussia'sKubanamusicfestivalth
isweek.Hasselhofflaterapologisedforhisactions.ThebandarestillinRussiaan
dmayfacecriminalcharges.AlexanderTkachyov,thegovernoroftheregionho
ldingthefestival,tweeted:"Forsuchprankstheyshouldbebehindbars."Russia
nlawmakerVladimirMarkintoldreporters:"AcrimedefinedbyArticle329ofthe
RussianCriminalCodeisthedefilingoftheRussianstateflag.Thiscrimehasbee
ncommittedandthisisapremeditatedoffense."Headded:"Wewilldoourbestt
oidentifyandbringtocourteverypersoninvolved."AcommentpostedontheVo
iceofRussiawebsitecalledHasselhoff'sactionsan"unpardonableandinexcus
ablecriminalact"thatbreachedRussianlawsandinsultedRussiansworldwide.

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

People should take great pride in their own national flag and respect the flags of other nations.   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 news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. NATIONAL FLAGS: Make a poster about national flags. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. BLOODHOUND GANG: Write a magazine article about this band. Include imaginary interviews with people who are shocked at their antics and those who think they are OK.

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 the bass player. Ask him/her three questions about his actions. Give him/her three pieces of advice for concerts in other countries. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

banned

a.

prohibited

2.

stuffed

b.

pushed

3.

yelled

c.

cried out

4.

idiots

d.

fools

5.

scheduled

e.

timetabled

6.

face

f.

come up against

7.

behind bars

g.

in prison

8.

offense

h.

crime

9.

breached

i.

broke

10.

insulted

j.

slandered

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Bass

2.

Odessa

3.

(Vladimir) Putin

4.

As "idiots"

5.

Kubana

6.

They may face criminal charges

7.

In prison

8.

That defiling Russia's flag is a crime

9.

A premeditated one

10.

Russians worldwide

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

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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