The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The Internet says the year 2014 will be the best year ever for most of us. This year will be the year when we all start making progress with our plans. It is a great time to finally get around to doing the things you keep putting off. In particular, 2014 is the perfect year to start exercising and getting in shape. It is also the right time to start eating healthier food. The Internet also found that 2014 is ideal for people to help other people, especially people they do not know. Millions of people around the world are in need. They do not have enough food to eat and the water they drink is often not clean. Many children cannot go to school or get medicine when they are sick. The year 2014 is the time to help these people more.

The Internet also hopes there will be happier stories in the news. People are tired of wars, mass shootings, bombs and bad leaders. We can all help to make sure there are happier stories in the news. There are many small things we can all do to make the world a better place. We can change our lifestyle a little to help the environment. This means recycling more and using electricity less. We can also start doing voluntary work in our local community. This will help the volunteers and the projects they work with. Some of the biggest problems in the world are because of leaders who care more about staying in power than helping their people. The Internet could help people change these leaders.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • The Internet
  • http://www. breakingnewsenglish.com/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. 2014: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about 2014. 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.

 

Internet / 2014 / making progress / putting things off / getting in shape / medicine / happier news stories / mass shootings / a better place / recycling / volunteers / power

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

3. RESOLUTIONS: What are your New Year's resolutions? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What?

Why?

Will you be successful?

English

 

 

 

Health

 

 

 

Money

 

 

 

Hobbies

 

 

 

Friends

 

 

 

Bad habits

 

 

 

4. THE BEST YEAR: Students A strongly believe 2014 will be the best year ever; Students B strongly believe it won't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. HAPPY NEWS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the happiest news stories at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • news about heroes

  • news about cats and dogs

  • happy economic news

  • happy news about children

  • happy ending stories

  • news about rescues

  • happy wedding news

  • happy sports news

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

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.

The Internet said 2014 would be the best year ever for all of us.

T / F

b.

The article says we will do things we didn't get round to doing before.

T / F

c.

The article says 2014 is the ideal year to help people we know.

T / F

d.

Millions of children worldwide are in need of education and medicine.

T / F

e.

The Internet said there would be fewer wars in 2014.

T / F

f.

We can help to make sure there are happier news stories.

T / F

g.

The article suggests we start doing voluntary work to help others.

T / F

h.

The article says world leaders have a problem with the Internet.

T / F

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

1.

ever

a.

at last

2.

plans

b.

adjust

3.

finally

c.

drugs

4.

ideal

d.

neighbourhood

5.

medicine

e.

perfect

6.

tired of

f.

in history

7.

sure

g.

control

8.

change

h.

goals

9.

community

i.

certain

10.

power

j.

fed up with

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

1.

the best year ever

a.

happier stories

2.

start making

b.

in shape

3.

get around to doing the things you keep

c.

they are sick

4.

start exercising and getting

d.

progress

5.

get medicine when

e.

staying in power

6.

People are tired

f.

for most of us

7.

make sure there are

g.

work

8.

make the world a

h.

putting off

9.

start doing voluntary

i.

better place

10.

leaders who care more about

j.

of wars

GAP FILL

The Internet says the year 2014 will be the best year ever for (1) ____________ of us. This year will be the year when we all start making (2) ____________ with our plans. It is a great time to finally get around to doing the things you keep (3) ____________ off. In particular, 2014 is the perfect year to start exercising and getting in (4) ____________. It is also the right time to start eating healthier food. The Internet also found that 2014 is (5) ____________ for people to help other people, especially people they do not know. Millions of people around the world are in (6) ____________. They do not have enough food to eat and the water they drink is often not (7) ____________. Many children cannot go to school or get (8) ____________ when they are sick. The year 2014 is the time to help these people more.

 

 

shape
medicine
putting
most
need
clean
progress
ideal

The Internet also hopes there will be (9) ____________ stories in the news. People are tired of wars, mass (10) ____________, bombs and bad leaders. We can all help to make sure there are happier stories in the news. There are many (11) ____________ things we can all do to make the world a better place. We can change our (12) ____________ a little to help the environment. This means (13) ____________ more and using electricity (14) ____________. We can also start doing voluntary work in our local (15) ____________. This will help the volunteers and the projects they work with. Some of the biggest problems in the world are because of leaders who care more about staying in (16) ____________ than helping their people. The Internet could help people change these leaders.

 

community
happier
recycling
small
power
shootings
less
lifestyle

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

2014 will be the best year ever for ______

 

a.  most of we
b.  most of us
c.  most of all
d.  most of as

2)

This year will be the year when we all start ______

 

a.  making pro grass
b.  making progresses
c.  making progression
d.  making progress

3)

finally get around to doing the things you ______

 

a.  keep putting off
b.  keep put tin on
c.  keep put in off
d.  keep putting on

4)

Millions of people around the world ______

 

a.  are in needy
b.  are in needs
c.  are in needed
d.  are in need

5)

Many children cannot go to school or get medicine when ______

 

a.  they are sickly
b.  they are sickness
c.  they are sick
d.  they are sicker

6)

People are tired of wars, mass shootings, bombs and ______

 

a.  bad leader
b.  badly leaders
c.  bad leaders
d.  badly leader

7)

There are many small things we can all do to make the world ______

 

a.  a better place
b.  a bitter place
c.  a butter place
d.  a batter place

8)

This means recycling more and using ______

 

a.  electricity lesser
b.  electricity lessen
c.  electricity less
d.  electricity lesson

9)

This will help the volunteers and the projects ______

 

a.  they work wither
b.  they work without
c.  they work within
d.  they work with

10)

leaders who care more about ______

 

a.  staying an power
b.  staying in power
c.  staying on power
d.  staying an power

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The Internet says the year 2014 will be the best year (1) ___________________. This year will be the year when we all start making progress with our plans. It is a great time to (2) ___________________ to doing the things you (3) ___________________. In particular, 2014 is the perfect year to start exercising and (4) ___________________. It is also the right time to start eating healthier food. The Internet also found that 2014 is ideal for people to help other people, especially people they do not know. Millions of people around the (5) ___________________. They do not have enough food to eat and the water they drink is often not clean. Many children cannot go to school (6) ___________________ when they are sick. The year 2014 is the time to help these people more.

The Internet also hopes there will (7) ___________________ in the news. People are tired of wars, (8) ___________________, bombs and bad leaders. We can all help to make sure there are happier stories in the news. There are many small things we can all do to make the (9) ___________________. We can change our lifestyle a little to help the environment. This means recycling more and (10) ___________________. We can also start doing voluntary work in our local community. This will help the volunteers and the projects they work with. Some of (11) ___________________ in the world are because of leaders who care more about staying in power than helping their people. The Internet could help people (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

For whom will 2014 be the best year ever?

2.

What things will we get round to doing?

3.

What in particular is 2014 a good year for?

4.

What did the Internet say 2014 was ideal for?

5.

What do many children not have?

6.

What kind of stories does the Internet hope for?

7.

What did the article say about electricity?

8.

Where does the article suggest we do voluntary work?

9.

Who causes some of the world's biggest problems?

10.

What do some world leaders care most about?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

For whom will 2014 be the best year ever?

6.

What kind of stories does the Internet hope for?

 

a) rich people
b) most of us
c) Asians and Africans
d) everyone

 

a) never-ending ones
b) big ones
c) happier ones
d) ones online

2.

What things will we get round to doing?

7.

What did the article say about electricity?

 

a) our dreams
b) round things
c) odd jobs
d) things we keep putting off

 

a) it's a miracle
b) it's expensive
c) be careful near water
d) we should use it less

3.

What in particular is 2014 a good year for?

8.

Where does the article suggest we do voluntary work?

 

a) exercising
b) wine
c) to be a horse
d) saving money

 

a) in our local community
b) online
c) overseas
d) in Antarctica

4.

What did the Internet say 2014 was ideal for?

9.

Who causes some of the world's biggest problems?

 

a) studying English
b) going o vacation
c) helping people
d) starting a new business

 

a) some world leaders
b) football hooligans
c) bankers
d) motorists

5.

What do many children not have?

10.

What do some world leaders care most about?

 

a) iPads
b) education and medicine
c) dreams
d) money

 

a) their people
b) staying in power
c) the price of oil
d) their national sports teams

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Voluntary work

You think doing voluntary work is the most important thing we should do in 2014. 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): studying English, getting in shape or saving money.

Role  B – Study English

You think studying English is the most important thing we should do in 2014. 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): doing voluntary work, getting in shape or saving money.

Role  C – Get in shape

You think getting in shape is the most important thing we should do in 2014. 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): studying English, doing voluntary work or saving money.

Role  D – Save money

You think saving money is the most important thing we should do in 2014. 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): studying English, getting in shape or doing voluntary work.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

New

Year

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • making
  • finally
  • perfect
  • ideal
  • enough
  • get
  • tired
  • help
  • lifestyle
  • less
  • projects
  • power

2014 SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about 2014 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.

2014 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 'New Year'?

c)

How was 2013 for you?

d)

What do you look forward to about New Year celebrations?

e)

What New Year's resolutions do you have? Will you keep them?

f)

What could happen for this year to be the best ever?

g)

What things did you put off doing last year?

h)

Will you start helping others more this year?

i)

How can we help those in need?

j)

What is your biggest aim this year (and why)?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What do you think 2014 will be like?

c)

Do you think there will be more happier stories this year?

d)

Why is the news full of bad stories?

e)

Can you change your lifestyle to make the world a better place?

f)

What have been the best and worst years of your life?

g)

Will you do voluntary work in 2014?

h)

What will the world's biggest problems be in 2014?

i)

What do you want world leaders to do this year?

j)

What questions would you like to ask a world leader about 2014?

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.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The Internet says the year 2014 will be the best year ever for most of us. This year will be the year when we all start (1) ____ progress with our plans. It is a great time to finally get around to doing the things you keep putting (2) ____. In particular, 2014 is the perfect year to start exercising and getting (3) ____ shape. It is also the right time to start eating healthier food. The Internet also found that 2014 is (4) ____ for people to help other people, especially people they do not know. Millions of people around the world are in (5) ____. They do not have enough food to eat and the water they drink is often not clean. Many children cannot go to school or (6) ____ medicine when they are sick. The year 2014 is the time to help these people more.

The Internet also hopes there will be happier stories in the news. People are tired (7) ____ wars, mass (8) ____, bombs and bad leaders. We can all help to make sure there are happier stories in the news. There are many small things we can all do to make the world a better place. We can change our (9) ____ a little to help the environment. This means recycling more and using electricity (10) ____. We can also start doing voluntary work in our (11) ____ community. This will help the volunteers and the projects they work with. Some of the biggest problems in the world are because of leaders who care more about staying (12) ____ power than helping their people. The Internet could help people change these leaders.

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

1.

(a)

maker

(b)

made

(c)

makes

(d)

making

2.

(a)

down

(b)

up

(c)

on

(d)

off

3.

(a)

on

(b)

in

(c)

to

(d)

as

4.

(a)

idealism

(b)

ideally

(c)

ideal

(d)

idea

5.

(a)

needless

(b)

necessary

(c)

need

(d)

needed

6.

(a)

get

(b)

make

(c)

drink

(d)

better

7.

(a)

at

(b)

of

(c)

as

(d)

in

8.

(a)

shootings

(b)

shots

(c)

shoots

(d)

shot at

9.

(a)

living

(b)

lifestyle

(c)

livelihood

(d)

lively

10.

(a)

fewer

(b)

smaller

(c)

less

(d)

more

11.

(a)

vocal

(b)

focal

(c)

local

(d)

yokel

12.

(a)

to

(b)

of

(c)

up

(d)

in

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

start making rrspesgo with our plans

2.

yilafln get around to doing the things

3.

In ilurraatcp, 2014 is the perfect year

4.

edila for people to help other people

5.

eiesaycllp people they do not know

6.

get ieinmcde when they are sick

Paragraph 2

7.

mass nhsitosgo

8.

change our etesfilyl

9.

start doing vyanurotl work

10.

local mctoiumyn

11.

the lnrvueoset and the projects they work with

12.

problems in the world are because of dsralee

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

The Internet also hopes there will be happier stories in the news. People are tired of wars, mass

(    )

people around the world are in need. They do not have enough food to eat and the water they drink is often not

(    )

shootings, bombs and bad leaders. We can all help to make sure there are happier stories in the

(    )

clean. Many children cannot go to school or get medicine when they are sick. The year 2014 is the time to help these people more.

(    )

news. There are many small things we can all do to make the world a better place. We can change our lifestyle a little to help

(    )

and getting in shape. It is also the right time to start eating healthier food. The Internet also found that 2014 is ideal

(    )

work in our local community. This will help the volunteers and the projects they work

(    )

power than helping their people. The Internet could help people change these leaders.

(    )

with. Some of the biggest problems in the world are because of leaders who care more about staying in

(    )

doing the things you keep putting off. In particular, 2014 is the perfect year to start exercising

1  )

The Internet says the year 2014 will be the best year ever for most of us. This year will be the

(    )

the environment. This means recycling more and using electricity less. We can also start doing voluntary

(    )

for people to help other people, especially people they do not know. Millions of

(    )

year when we all start making progress with our plans. It is a great time to finally get around to

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

best   will   the   The  year  be   year  Internet   ever  the   2014   says.   

2.

start    plans    making    progress    We    with    all    our.   

3.

perfect    year    to    start   exercising   and   getting   in   shape   The.   

4.

is    The    often    water    not    they    clean    drink.   

5.

to    time    the    is    2014    year    The    more   people   these   help.   

6.

will    stories    Internet    there    happier    The    hopes    be    also.   

7.

make    to    help    all    can   We   stories   happier   are   there   sure.   

8.

voluntary    doing    start    also    can    We    work.   

9.

in    care    power    more    about    Leaders    staying    who.   

10.

people    The    change    Internet    these    could    leaders    help.   

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The Internet says the year 2014 will be the best year even / ever for most of us. This year will be the year when we all start made / making progress with our plans. It is a great time to finally / final get around to doing the things you keep put / putting off. In particular, 2014 is the perfect year to start exercising and getting in / on shape. It is also the right times / time to start eating healthier food. The Internet also found that 2014 is ideally / ideal for people to help other people, especially / special people they do not know. Millions of people around the world are in needed / need. They do not have enough food to eat and the water they drink is often not clean. Many children cannot go to school or get drug / medicine when they are sick. The year 2014 is the time to help these people more.

The Internet also hopes there / their will be happier stories in the news. People are tired of / for wars, mass shootings, bombs and bad leader / leaders. We can all help to make sure there are happier stories in the news. There are many small things we can all / every do to make the world a better place. We can change our living / lifestyle a little to help the environment. This means cycling / recycling more and using electricity less. We can also start doing / making voluntary work in our local community. This will help the volunteers and the projects they work by / with. Some of the biggest problems in the world are because of leaders who care more about / around staying in power than helping their people. The Internet could help people change them / these leaders.

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

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

Th_ _nt_rn_t s_ys th_ y__r 2014 w_ll b_ th_ b_st y__r _v_r f_r m_st _f _s. Th_s y__r w_ll b_ th_ y__r wh_n w_ _ll st_rt m_k_ng pr_gr_ss w_th __r pl_ns. _t _s _ gr__t t_m_ t_ f_n_lly g_t _r__nd t_ d__ng th_ th_ngs y__ k__p p_tt_ng _ff. _n p_rt_c_l_r, 2014 _s th_ p_rf_ct y__r t_ st_rt _x_rc_s_ng _nd g_tt_ng _n sh_p_. _t _s _ls_ th_ r_ght t_m_ t_ st_rt __t_ng h__lth__r f__d. Th_ _nt_rn_t _ls_ f__nd th_t 2014 _s _d__l f_r p__pl_ t_ h_lp _th_r p__pl_, _sp_c__lly p__pl_ th_y d_ n_t kn_w. M_ll__ns _f p__pl_ _r__nd th_ w_rld _r_ _n n__d. Th_y d_ n_t h_v_ _n__gh f__d t_ __t _nd th_ w_t_r th_y dr_nk _s _ft_n n_t cl__n. M_ny ch_ldr_n c_nn_t g_ t_ sch__l _r g_t m_d_c_n_ wh_n th_y _r_ s_ck. Th_ y__r 2014 _s th_ t_m_ t_ h_lp th_s_ p__pl_ m_r_.

Th_ _nt_rn_t _ls_ h_p_s th_r_ w_ll b_ h_pp__r st_r__s _n th_ n_ws. P__pl_ _r_ t_r_d _f w_rs, m_ss sh__t_ngs, b_mbs _nd b_d l__d_rs. W_ c_n _ll h_lp t_ m_k_ s_r_ th_r_ _r_ h_pp__r st_r__s _n th_ n_ws. Th_r_ _r_ m_ny sm_ll th_ngs w_ c_n _ll d_ t_ m_k_ th_ w_rld _ b_tt_r pl_c_. W_ c_n ch_ng_ __r l_f_styl_ _ l_ttl_ t_ h_lp th_ _nv_r_nm_nt. Th_s m__ns r_cycl_ng m_r_ _nd _s_ng _l_ctr_c_ty l_ss. W_ c_n _ls_ st_rt d__ng v_l_nt_ry w_rk _n __r l_c_l c_mm_n_ty. Th_s w_ll h_lp th_ v_l_nt__rs _nd th_ pr_j_cts th_y w_rk w_th. S_m_ _f th_ b_gg_st pr_bl_ms _n th_ w_rld _r_ b_c__s_ _f l__d_rs wh_ c_r_ m_r_ _b__t st_y_ng _n p_w_r th_n h_lp_ng th__r p__pl_. Th_ _nt_rn_t c__ld h_lp p__pl_ ch_ng_ th_s_ l__d_rs.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the internet says the year 2014 will be the best year ever for most of us this year will be the year when we all start making progress with our plans it is a great time to finally get around to doing the things you keep putting off in particular 2014 is the perfect year to start exercising and getting in shape it is also the right time to start eating healthier food the internet also found that 2014 is ideal for people to help other people especially people they do not know millions of people around the world are in need they do not have enough food to eat and the water they drink is often not clean many children cannot go to school or get medicine when they are sick the year 2014 is the time to help these people more

the internet also hopes there will be happier stories in the news people are tired of wars mass shootings bombs and bad leaders we can all help to make sure there are happier stories in the news there are many small things we can all do to make the world a better place we can change our lifestyle a little to help the environment this means recycling more and using electricity less we can also start doing voluntary work in our local community this will help the volunteers and the projects they work with some of the biggest problems in the world are because of leaders who care more about staying in power than helping their people the internet could help people change these leaders

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheInternetsaystheyear2014willbethebestyeareverformostofus.Thisyearw
illbetheyearwhenweallstartmakingprogresswithourplans.Itisagreattimetofi
nallygetaroundtodoingthethingsyoukeepputtingoff.Inparticular,2014isthe
perfectyeartostartexercisingandgettinginshape.Itisalsotherighttimetostart
eatinghealthierfood.TheInternetalsofoundthat2014isidealforpeopletohelpo
therpeople,especiallypeopletheydonotknow.Millionsofpeoplearoundthewor
ldareinneed.Theydonothaveenoughfoodtoeatandthewatertheydrinkisoften
notclean.Manychildrencannotgotoschoolorgetmedicinewhentheyaresick.T
heyear2014isthetimetohelpthesepeoplemore.TheInternetalsohopestherew
illbehappierstoriesinthenews.Peoplearetiredofwars,massshootings,bombs
andbadleaders.Wecanallhelptomakesuretherearehappierstoriesinthenews.
Therearemanysmallthingswecanalldotomaketheworldabetterplace.Wecanc
hangeourlifestylealittletohelptheenvironment.Thismeansrecyclingmoreand
usingelectricityless.Wecanalsostartdoingvoluntaryworkinourlocalcommuni
ty.Thiswillhelpthevolunteersandtheprojectstheyworkwith.Someofthebigge
stproblemsintheworldarebecauseofleaderswhocaremoreaboutstayinginpo
werthanhelpingtheirpeople.TheInternetcouldhelppeoplechangetheseleade
rs.

FREE WRITING

Write about 2014 for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

More good things happened than bad things in 2013.  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 predictions for 2014. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. 2014 PREDICTIONS: Make a poster about 2014 and what you predict will happen. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. 2014: Write a magazine article about the year 2014. Include imaginary interviews with people who will be important in 2014.

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 2014 expert. Ask him/her three questions about 2014. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

ever

a.

in history

2.

plans

b.

goals

3.

finally

c.

at last

4.

ideal

d.

perfect

5.

medicine

e.

drugs

6.

tired of

f.

fed up with

7.

sure

g.

certain

8.

change

h.

adjust

9.

community

i.

neighbourhood

10.

power

j.

control

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Most of us

2.

The things we keep putting off

3.

Exercising and getting in shape

4.

For people to help other people

5.

Schools or medicine

6.

Happier ones

7.

We should use it less

8.

In our local community

9.

Some world leaders

10.

Staying I'm power

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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