The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Tempers can get hot even in the freezing conditions on Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. So hot, in fact, that fights break out among climbers. One brawl erupted last April between climbers from Europe and local Sherpas. The free-for-all happened at 7,470m, 1,400m below the summit. It started over an argument about how to fix mountaineering ropes on the slopes. The dispute was resolved without anyone suffering serious injuries. With Everest becoming more and more crowded, Nepalese officials are attempting to nip any more trouble in the bud by deploying a team of security guards. The nine-person team will be ready to deal with any alpine altercations before the climbing season begins in April.

An official from Nepal's tourism ministry told the Himalayan Times website that last year's skirmish raised concerns about the safety and security of climbers on the mountain, especially given that law enforcement officers were days away. He said: "We will open an office at the base camp with a team of government officials, including the army and police personnel. This will make it easy to resolve any conflict." He added: "The presence of security officials at the base camp will give a psychological feeling to climbers that they are safe." He said the security officers could also assist with "medical help, rescues or anything else", adding: "We want to make things easier for climbers."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26285028
  • http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Mt+Everest+security++to+be+tightened&NewsID=406738
  • http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/nepal-to-overhaul-everest-security-after-brawl-official_913197.html


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. MOUNT EVEREST: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Mount Everest. 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.

 

tempers / freezing conditions / fights / climbers / summit / slopes / trouble / season / tourism / safety / mountain / personnel / psychological / medical help / anything else

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

3. SECURITY GUARDS: Where do we need them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Needed?

Why?

What they'd do:

On Mt. Everest

 

 

 

Shopping malls

 

 

 

My front door

 

 

 

Parks

 

 

 

Trains and buses

 

 

 

Museums

 

 

 

4. NO CLIMBING: Students A strongly believe climbing on Mt. Everest should be stopped; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
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5. TEMPER: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that make you angriest at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • politicians

  • rudeness

  • customer service

  • TV shows

  • global warming

  • neighbours

  • English

  • places with no wi-fi

6. SAFETY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "safety". 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.

Tempers get hotter in freezing conditions than anywhere else.

T / F

b.

The article mentioned a fight between Europeans and local sherpas.

T / F

c.

The Nepalese are planting trees that are in bud on Mt. Everest.

T / F

d.

A 90-person security team will protect Everest's climbers from April.

T / F

e.

Nepal's tourism authorities aren't worried about the safety of climbers.

T / F

f.

A government office will open at Everest's base camp.

T / F

g.

Soldiers and police will help keep the peace among climbers.

T / F

h.

The security guards will also help with things like first-aid.

T / F

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

1.

conditions

a.

sorted out

2.

brawl

b.

help

3.

resolved

c.

arguments

4.

deploying

d.

group

5.

altercations

e.

conditions

6.

concerns

f.

situations

7.

team

g.

existence

8.

presence

h.

fight

9.

assist

i.

worries

10.

things

j.

sending

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

1.

Tempers can get hot even in

a.

ministry

2.

The free-for-all

b.

in the bud

3.

nip any more trouble

c.

enforcement officers

4.

deploying a

d.

happened at 7,470m

5.

ready to deal with any alpine

e.

with medical help

6.

Nepal's tourism

f.

the freezing conditions

7.

raised

g.

any conflict

8.

law

h.

team of security guards

9.

resolve

i.

concerns about…

10.

assist

j.

altercations

GAP FILL

Tempers can get hot even in the (1) ____________ conditions on Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. So hot, in (2) ____________, that fights break out among climbers. One brawl erupted last April between climbers from Europe and local Sherpas. The (3) ____________-for-all happened at 7,470m, 1,400m below the (4) ____________. It started over an argument about how to fix mountaineering ropes on the slopes. The dispute was (5) ____________ without anyone suffering serious injuries. With Everest becoming more and more crowded, Nepalese officials are attempting to (6) ____________ any more trouble in the bud by deploying a team of security guards. The nine-person team will be ready to (7) ____________ with any alpine altercations before the climbing (8) ____________ begins in April.

 

 

nip
fact
season
freezing
free
resolved
deal
summit

An official from Nepal's tourism (9) ____________ told the Himalayan Times website that last year's skirmish (10) ____________ concerns about the safety and security of climbers on the mountain, especially given that law (11) ____________ officers were days away. He said: "We will open an office at the base camp with a team of government officials, including the army and police (12) ____________. This will make it easy to resolve any (13) ____________." He added: "The presence of security officials at the base camp will give a (14) ____________ feeling to climbers that they are safe." He said the security officers could also (15) ____________ with "medical help, rescues or anything else", adding: "We want to make (16) ____________ easier for climbers."

 

psychological
personnel
raised
things
ministry
conflict
assist
enforcement

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Tempers can get hot even in ______

 

a.  the freezing conditions
b.  the frozen conditions
c.  the freeze in conditions
d.  the free zing conditions

2)

The free-for-all happened at 7,470m, 1,400m ______

 

a.  below the summits
b.  above the summit
c.  above the summits
d.  below the summit

3)

It started over an argument about how to fix mountaineering ______

 

a.  ropes on the slope
b.  ropes on the slips
c.  ropes on the slopes
d.  ropes on the slip

4)

Nepalese officials are attempting to nip any more ______

 

a.  trouble in the bad
b.  trouble in the bed
c.  trouble in the bud
d.  trouble in the bid

5)

The nine-person team will be ready to deal with ______

 

a.  any alpine altar key shuns
b.  any alpine altercations
c.  any alpine alterations
d.  any alpine alternations

6)

An official from Nepal's ______

 

a.  tourist ministry
b.  tourism ministry
c.  tourists' ministry
d.  touristic ministry

7)

especially given that law enforcement officers ______

 

a.  were days always
b.  were days a way
c.  were days away
d.  were days anyway

8)

a team of government officials, including the army ______

 

a.  and police personal
b.  and police person all
c.  and police purse on all
d.  and police personnel

9)

The presence of security officials at the base camp will give ______

 

a.  a psychopathical feeling
b.  a psychological feeling
c.  a psychology feeling
d.  a psychologically feeling

10)

the security officers could also assist with "medical help, rescues ______

 

a.  and nothing else
b.  or any things else
c.  or anything else
d.  and anything else

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Tempers can (1) ___________________ freezing conditions on Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. So hot, in fact, that fights break out among climbers. One (2) ___________________ April between climbers from Europe and local Sherpas. The (3) ___________________ at 7,470m, 1,400m below the summit. It started over an argument about how to fix mountaineering (4) ___________________. The dispute was resolved without anyone suffering serious injuries. With Everest becoming more and more crowded, Nepalese officials are (5) ___________________ more trouble in the bud by deploying a team of security guards. The nine-person team will be ready to deal with (6) ___________________ before the climbing season begins in April.

An official from Nepal's (7) ___________________ the Himalayan Times website that last year's (8) ___________________ about the safety and security of climbers on the mountain, especially given that law enforcement officers were days away. He said: "We (9) ___________________ at the base camp with a team of government officials, including the army and police personnel. This will make it (10) ___________________ conflict." He added: "The (11) ___________________ officials at the base camp will give a psychological feeling to climbers that they are safe." He said the security officers could also assist with "medical help, (12) ___________________ else", adding: "We want to make things easier for climbers."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

In what conditions did the article say tempers can get hot?

2.

When did a fight erupt between Sherpas and Europeans?

3.

How far below Everest's summit did the fight happen?

4.

What was the fight about?

5.

What happens in April?

6.

With whom did the fight raise concerns?

7.

How close were the nearest law enforcement officials?

8.

Where will the new government office be?

9.

What will the security team make it easier to do?

10.

What does Nepal's tourism ministry want to do for climbers?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

In what conditions did the article say tempers can get hot?

6.

With whom did the fight raise concerns?

 

a) heatwaves
b) freezing conditions
c) good conditions
d) challenging ones

 

a) Nepal's government
b) a famous mountaineer
c) the local yaks
d) India

2.

When did a fight erupt between Sherpas and Europeans?

7.

How close were the nearest law enforcement officials?

 

a) a few months ago
b) last week
c) New Year's Eve
d) last April

 

a) 872 metres
b) they were right there
c) days away
d) about a 3-hour drive away

3.

How far below Everest's summit did the fight happen?

8.

Where will the new government office be?

 

a) 1,400 metres
b) 14,000 metres
c) 1.4 metres
d) 14 metres

 

a) Everest base camp
b) Kathmandu
c) at Nepal's tourism ministry
d) at the summit

4.

What was the fight about?

9.

What will the security team make it easier to do?

 

a) which route to take
b) food
c) ropes
d) a glove

 

a) resolve any conflict
b) get a climbing permit
c) arrest people
d) reach the top

5.

What happens in April?

10.

What does Nepal's tourism ministry want to do for climbers?

 

a) the World Ice Festival
b) the climbing season starts
c) the snow melts
d) it's Everest's 10,000th birthday

 

a) give them a certificate
b) take their photos
c) give them free soup
d) make things easier

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Politicians

You think politicians cause the most anger. Tell the others three reasons why. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these to cause anger (and why): rudeness, customer service or English.

Role  B – Rudeness

You think rudeness causes the most anger. Tell the others three reasons why. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these to cause anger (and why): politicians, customer service or English.

Role  C – Customer Service

You think customer service causes the most anger. Tell the others three reasons why. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these to cause anger (and why): rudeness, politicians or English.

Role  D – English

You think English causes the most anger. Tell the others three reasons why. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these to cause anger (and why): rudeness, customer service or politicians.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

security

 

guard

 

 

  • 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:

  • hot
  • last
  • fix
  • serious
  • bud
  • April
  • concerns
  • law
  • open
  • feeling
  • help
  • easier

MOUNT EVEREST SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Mount Everest 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.

MOUNT EVEREST 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 'Mt. Everest'?

c)

What kind of person does it take to climb Mt. Everest?

d)

What do you think of fights happening so near the summit?

e)

How would a climber feel if they got injured in a fight and had to end their climb

f)

Do you have a hot temper?

g)

Should people be allowed to climb Mt. Everest?

h)

What other problems do climbers cause that you are aware of?

i)

Is it a good idea to send security guards to Everest?

j)

Should people who fight on Everest be banned from the mountain?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

How dangerous do you think it is to climb Mt. Everest?

c)

Give three reasons for why you would or would not climb Everest?

d)

How effective do you think the security team will be?

e)

What might the job requirements of an Everest security guard be?

f)

Do you think climbers will feel safe with the team there?

g)

Do you think there'll be a mall on Everest one day?

h)

What would you worry about if you climbed Everest?

i)

What do you know about Mount Everest?

j)

What questions would you like to ask a climber who has scaled Everest?

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

Tempers can get hot (1) ____ in the freezing conditions on Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. So hot, in fact, that fights (2) ____ out among climbers. One brawl erupted last April between climbers from Europe and local Sherpas. The (3) ____-for-all happened at 7,470m, 1,400m below the summit. It started over an argument about how to fix mountaineering ropes on the slopes. The dispute was (4) ____ without anyone suffering serious injuries. With Everest becoming more and more crowded, Nepalese officials are attempting to (5) ____ any more trouble in the bud by deploying a team of security guards. The nine-person team will be ready to deal with any alpine (6) ____ before the climbing season begins in April.

An official from Nepal's tourism ministry told the Himalayan Times website that last year's (7) ____ raised concerns about the safety and security of climbers on the mountain, especially (8) ____ that law enforcement officers were days away. He said: "We will open an office at the base camp with a team of government officials, including the army and police (9) ____. This will make it easy to resolve (10) ____ conflict." He added: "The presence of security officials at the base camp will give a psychological feeling to climbers that they are safe." He said the security officers could also assist (11) ____ "medical help, rescues or anything else", adding: "We want to make (12) ____ easier for climbers."

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

1.

(a)

evening

(b)

event

(c)

even

(d)

evens

2.

(a)

break

(b)

turn

(c)

come

(d)

reach

3.

(a)

free

(b)

lottery

(c)

punch

(d)

pain

4.

(a)

resolved

(b)

revealed

(c)

reveled

(d)

revolved

5.

(a)

tip

(b)

nip

(c)

rip

(d)

sip

6.

(a)

altar stations

(b)

alternations

(c)

alterations

(d)

altercations

7.

(a)

blemish

(b)

radish

(c)

skirmish

(d)

skittish

8.

(a)

taken

(b)

done

(c)

been

(d)

given

9.

(a)

personnel

(b)

team

(c)

soldiers

(d)

officer

10.

(a)

such

(b)

any

(c)

many

(d)

whole

11.

(a)

at

(b)

with

(c)

for

(d)

to

12.

(a)

all

(b)

whole

(c)

things

(d)

them

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

the freezing sinoiontdc on Mount Everest

2.

One brawl pdteeru last April

3.

The erfe-rfo-lla happened at 7,470m

4.

The dispute was deeslovr

5.

edylngiop a team of security guards

6.

deal with any alpine eoitntcaarsl

Paragraph 2

7.

last year's mshiksri raised concerns

8.

law nofeeermntc officers

9.

police onrepslen

10.

security floiicafs

11.

give a lglocashyicop feeling to climbers

12.

medical help, essrecu or anything else

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

1  )

Tempers can get hot even in the freezing conditions on Mount Everest, the world's

(    )

highest mountain. So hot, in fact, that fights break out among climbers. One brawl

(    )

slopes. The dispute was resolved without anyone suffering serious injuries. With Everest becoming more and more

(    )

crowded, Nepalese officials are attempting to nip any more trouble in the bud by deploying a team

(    )

erupted last April between climbers from Europe and local Sherpas. The free-for-all happened at 7,470m,

(    )

of security guards. The nine-person team will be ready to deal with any alpine altercations before the climbing season begins in April.

(    )

enforcement officers were days away. He said: "We will open an office at the base camp with a team of government officials,

(    )

"The presence of security officials at the base camp will give a psychological

(    )

An official from Nepal's tourism ministry told the Himalayan Times website that last year's skirmish raised

(    )

1,400m below the summit. It started over an argument about how to fix mountaineering ropes on the

(    )

help, rescues or anything else", adding: "We want to make things easier for climbers."

(    )

concerns about the safety and security of climbers on the mountain, especially given that law

(    )

including the army and police personnel. This will make it easy to resolve any conflict." He added:

(    )

feeling to climbers that they are safe." He said the security officers could also assist with "medical

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

the     get     in     conditions     can    even    freezing    Tempers    hot.    

2.

about     ropes     how     to     An     fix     argument    mountaineering.

3.

was     dispute     The     suffering     anyone     without     resolved.    

4.

any     in     nip     trouble     bud     to     more     the     Attempting.    

5.

with     deal     to     Ready     altercations     alpine     any.    

6.

skirmish     safety     raised     concerns     Last     about    year's    the.    

7.

office    will   team   camp   at   open   with   the    an    We    a    base.    

8.

presence     officials     base     The     security     the     of    at    camp.

9.

they   are    safe   Give   a   psychological   feeling   to   climbers   that.    

10.

officers    assist    help    security    also    medical    The   could    with.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Tempers can get hot even in the froze / freezing conditions on Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. So hot, in factual / fact, that fights break out among climbers. One crawl / brawl erupted last April between climbers from Europe and local Sherpas. The free-for-all / wherewithal happened at 7,470m, 1,400m below / above the summit. It started over / under an argument about how to fix mountaineering ropes on the slopes. The dispute was resolved without anyone suffering seriously / serious injuries. With Everest becoming more and more crowdsourced / crowded, Nepalese officials are attempting to nip / nap any more trouble in the bud by deploying a team of security guards. The nine-person team will be ready to deal with any alpine alterations / altercations before the climbing season begins in April.

An official from Nepal's tourism ministry / minstrel told the Himalayan Times website that last year's skirmish upped / raised concerns about the safety and security of climbers on the mountain, particular / especially given that law enforcement officers were days in / away. He said: "We will open an office at the base / basic camp with a team of government officials, including the army and police personnel. This will make it easy to revolve / resolve any conflict." He added: "The presents / presence of security officials at the base camp will give a pathological / psychological feeling to climbers that they are safe." He said the security officers could also resist / assist with "medical help, rescues or anything else", adding: "We want to make all / things easier for climbers."

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)

T_mp_rs c_n g_t h_t _v_n _n th_ fr__z_ng c_nd_t__ns _n M__nt _v_r_st, th_ w_rld's h_gh_st m__nt__n. S_ h_t, _n f_ct, th_t f_ghts br__k __t _m_ng cl_mb_rs. _n_ br_wl _r_pt_d l_st _pr_l b_tw__n cl_mb_rs fr_m __r_p_ _nd l_c_l Sh_rp_s. Th_ fr__-f_r-_ll h_pp_n_d _t 7,470m, 1,400m b_l_w th_ s_mm_t. _t st_rt_d _v_r _n _rg_m_nt _b__t h_w t_ f_x m__nt__n__r_ng r_p_s _n th_ sl_p_s. Th_ d_sp_t_ w_s r_s_lv_d w_th__t _ny_n_ s_ff_r_ng s_r___s _nj_r__s. W_th _v_r_st b_c_m_ng m_r_ _nd m_r_ cr_wd_d, N_p_l_s_ _ff_c__ls _r_ _tt_mpt_ng t_ n_p _ny m_r_ tr__bl_ _n th_ b_d by d_pl_y_ng _ t__m _f s_c_r_ty g__rds. Th_ n_n_-p_rs_n t__m w_ll b_ r__dy t_ d__l w_th _ny _lp_n_ _lt_rc_t__ns b_f_r_ th_ cl_mb_ng s__s_n b_g_ns _n _pr_l.

_n _ff_c__l fr_m N_p_l's t__r_sm m_n_stry t_ld th_ H_m_l_y_n T_m_s w_bs_t_ th_t l_st y__r's sk_rm_sh r__s_d c_nc_rns _b__t th_ s_f_ty _nd s_c_r_ty _f cl_mb_rs _n th_ m__nt__n, _sp_c__lly g_v_n th_t l_w _nf_rc_m_nt _ff_c_rs w_r_ d_ys _w_y. H_ s__d: "W_ w_ll _p_n _n _ff_c_ _t th_ b_s_ c_mp w_th _ t__m _f g_v_rnm_nt _ff_c__ls, _ncl_d_ng th_ _rmy _nd p_l_c_ p_rs_nn_l. Th_s w_ll m_k_ _t __sy t_ r_s_lv_ _ny c_nfl_ct." H_ _dd_d: "Th_ pr_s_nc_ _f s_c_r_ty _ff_c__ls _t th_ b_s_ c_mp w_ll g_v_ _ psych_l_g_c_l f__l_ng t_ cl_mb_rs th_t th_y _r_ s_f_." H_ s__d th_ s_c_r_ty _ff_c_rs c__ld _ls_ _ss_st w_th "m_d_c_l h_lp, r_sc__s _r _nyth_ng _ls_", _dd_ng: "W_ w_nt t_ m_k_ th_ngs __s__r f_r cl_mb_rs."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

tempers can get hot even in the freezing conditions on mount everest, the world's highest mountain. so hot, in fact, that fights break out among climbers. one brawl erupted last april between climbers from europe and local sherpas. the free-for-all happened at 7,470m, 1,400m below the summit. it started over an argument about how to fix mountaineering ropes on the slopes. the dispute was resolved without anyone suffering serious injuries. with everest becoming more and more crowded, nepalese officials are attempting to nip any more trouble in the bud by deploying a team of security guards. the nine-person team will be ready to deal with any alpine altercations before the climbing season begins in april.

an official from nepal's tourism ministry told the himalayan times website that last year's skirmish raised concerns about the safety and security of climbers on the mountain, especially given that law enforcement officers were days away. he said: "we will open an office at the base camp with a team of government officials, including the army and police personnel. this will make it easy to resolve any conflict." he added: "the presence of security officials at the base camp will give a psychological feeling to climbers that they are safe." he said the security officers could also assist with "medical help, rescues or anything else", adding: "we want to make things easier for climbers."

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TemperscangethoteveninthefreezingconditionsonMountEverest,theworld'sh
ighestmountain.Sohot,infact,thatfightsbreakoutamongclimbers.Onebrawler
uptedlastAprilbetweenclimbersfromEuropeandlocalSherpas.Thefree-for-allh
appenedat7,470m,1,400mbelowthesummit.Itstartedoveranargumentabout
howtofixmountaineeringropesontheslopes.Thedisputewasresolvedwithouta
nyonesufferingseriousinjuries.WithEverestbecomingmoreandmorecrowded,
Nepaleseofficialsareattemptingtonipanymoretroubleinthebudbydeployingat
eamofsecurityguards.Thenine-personteamwillbereadytodealwithanyalpine
altercationsbeforetheclimbingseasonbeginsinApril.AnofficialfromNepal'stour
ismministrytoldtheHimalayanTimeswebsitethatlastyear'sskirmishraisedcon
cernsaboutthesafetyandsecurityofclimbersonthemountain,especiallygivent
hatlawenforcementofficersweredaysaway.Hesaid:"Wewillopenanofficeatthe
basecampwithateamofgovernmentofficials,includingthearmyandpoliceperso
nnel.Thiswillmakeiteasytoresolveanyconflict."Headded:"Thepresenceofsecu
rityofficialsatthebasecampwillgiveapsychologicalfeelingtoclimbersthattheya
resafe."Hesaidthesecurityofficerscouldalsoassistwith"medicalhelp,rescuesor
anythingelse",adding:"Wewanttomakethingseasierforclimbers."

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

People should never be allowed to climb special mountains like Everest. 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 Mount Everest. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MOUNT EVEREST: Make a poster about Mount Everest. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. SECURITY: Write a magazine article about having security guards on Mount Everest. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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

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

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a mountain-climbing expert. Ask him/her three questions about Mount Everest. Give him/her three of your opinions on climbing 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
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  • 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

conditions

a.

situations

2.

brawl

b.

fight

3.

resolved

c.

sorted out

4.

deploying

d.

sending

5.

altercations

e.

arguments

6.

concerns

f.

worries

7.

team

g.

group

8.

presence

h.

existence

9.

assist

i.

help

10.

things

j.

conditions

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Freezing conditions

2.

Last April

3.

1,400 metres

4.

Mountaineering ropes

5.

The mountain-climbing season begins

6.

Nepal's tourism ministry

7.

Days away

8.

At base camp

9.

Resolve any conflict

10.

Make things easier

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

a

10.

d

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

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

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