Breaking News English

Date: Aug 4, 2007
Downloads: Word Doc | PDF Doc | Listening
Audio: 2:05 - 245.9 - 16kbps
Online Test: Recreate the text in this online test.

1,000 IDEAS FOR ESL CLASSES: Breaking News English.com's e-Book

WARM-UPS

1. NORTH POLE: Walk around the class and talk to other students about the North Pole. Change partners often. After you finish, sit with your original partner(s) and share what you found out.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

sailors / North Pole / submarines / national flags / energy reserves / real estate / expeditions / polar ice / being trapped / creatures of the deep / world leaders

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

3. REAL ESTATE: In pairs / groups, talk about which nations should be allowed to have the rights to the places in this list:

The North Pole (Arctic) Antarctica cyberspace the moon space

4. ARCTIC ENERGY OPINIONS: In pairs / groups, discuss whether you agree or disagree with these opinions:

• No country has the right to take oil and gas reserves from the North Pole
• The Arctic Ocean should be divided equally between the bordering countries
• Money spent on oil exploration should be used for research into green energy
• We should find and use up all of Earth’s energy reserves
• Russia should get all the Arctic’s energy because it put its flag on the seabed
• Profits from Arctic Ocean oil should go to developing countries

5. I’M A SAILOR: You are a sailor. Last week you went to the seabed beneath the North Pole to sink your country’s flag. Your country can now claim all of the energy reserves there. Talk with the other “submariners in your class about the expedition and its dangers and joys.

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

7. QUICK DEBATE: Students A think Russia should get the territory because its flag is there. Students B think the opposite. Change partners often. Share your findings.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Look at the article’s headline and guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

a.	Russia planted its flag on the seabed beneath the Arctic Ocean.	T / F
b.	Russia wants to mine the rich gold reserves in the North Pole.	T / F
c.	Russia believes the Arctic is linked to Siberia.	T / F
d.	Five countries have borders that extend into the Arctic Circle.	T / F
e.	A submarine was trapped beneath the polar ice caps.	T / F
f.	The submarine hit the seabed hard, damaging its propeller.	T / F
g.	Sailors talk many photos of deep-sea creatures.	T / F
h.	Russia’s aim is to show it is physically linked to the North Pole.	T / F

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

1.	staked	a.	worry
2	extract	b.	free-for-all
3.	untapped	c.	beasts
4.	scramble	d.	voyage
5.	extends	e.	made
6.	expedition	f.	gloomy
7.	concern	g.	stretches
8.	murky	h.	take out
9.	creatures	i.	grounds
10.	reason	j.	unused

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one combination is possible):

1.	sailors dived deep below the North Pole	a.	stakes in the race
2	it has staked a	b.	reaches to the North Pole
3.	It has also raised the	c.	the north of their coastline
4.	the world’s largest source of	d.	in a submarine
5.	a 320 km economic zone around	e.	beneath the ice caps
6.	resurface at the ice hole	f.	reason for planting its flag
7.	a danger the sub might be trapped	g.	claim to the oil and gas riches
8.	what he saw in the murky	h.	untapped energy reserves
9.	Russia has good	i.	they dived through
10.	to show that our shelf	j.	depths

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Russian flag claims North Pole riches
 

Russian sailors dived __________ below the North Pole in a submarine on Thursday to __________ its national flag on the seabed. In doing so, it has staked a __________ to the oil and gas riches beneath the Arctic Ocean. It has also raised the __________ in the race among Arctic powers to extract the world’s largest source of __________ energy reserves. Russia wants to extend its territorial waters right up to the North Pole itself, which is sure to set a __________ for territory. Moscow claims the Arctic seabed and Siberia are linked by the same continental shelf. This would give Russia more than a million square kilometres of __________ Arctic real estate. Under international law, Canada, Norway, Russia, the United States and Denmark have a 320 km economic zone around the north of their coastline, much of which __________ into the Arctic Circle.		untapped claim prime plant stakes scramble deep extends
The leader of the flag-sinking __________ Artur Chilingarov, 67, said his main concern was not the icy or dark Arctic waters, but to __________ at the ice hole they dived through. The mini-submarine used was not strong enough to break through the __________ ice and there was a danger the sub might be trapped beneath the ice __________. Of the expedition, Chilingarov said: "It was a __________ landing." He also described what he saw in the murky depths: "There is yellowish gravel down here. No creatures of the __________ are visible," he said. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explained to world leaders that Russia has good __________ for planting its flag beneath the North Pole: "The aim of this expedition is not to stake Russia's claim but to show that our shelf __________ to the North Pole," he told reporters.		polar soft resurface reaches deep expedition caps reason

LISTENING

Listen and fill in the spaces.

Russian flag claims North Pole riches

Russian sailors ____________________ North Pole in a submarine on Thursday to plant its national flag on the seabed. In doing so, _________________________ to the oil and gas riches beneath the Arctic Ocean. It has also raised the stakes in the race among Arctic powers to _________________________ source of untapped energy reserves. Russia wants to extend its territorial waters right up to the North Pole itself, which is sure _________________________ territory. Moscow claims the Arctic seabed and Siberia are linked by the same continental shelf. This would give Russia more than a million square kilometres _________________________. Under international law, Canada, Norway, Russia, the United States and Denmark have a 320 km economic zone around the north of their coastline, _________________________ the Arctic Circle.

The leader of the flag-sinking expedition Artur Chilingarov, 67, said his main concern _________________________ Arctic waters, but to resurface at the ice hole they dived through. The mini-submarine _________________________ enough to break through the polar ice and there was a danger the sub _________________________ the ice caps. Of the expedition, Chilingarov said: "It was a soft landing." He also described what he saw in the murky depths: "There is yellowish gravel down here. No _________________________ visible," he said. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explained to world leaders that Russia _________________________ flag beneath the North Pole: "The aim of this expedition _________________________ but to show that our shelf reaches to the North Pole," he told reporters.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionaries / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words ‘north’ and ‘pole’.

north

pole

• 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 exactly how these were used in the text:

plant raised source scramble prime zone

concern resurface soft creatures reason shelf

STUDENT NORTH POLE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about the NORTH POLE 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.

DISCUSSION

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

1. What did you think when you read the headline?
2. What springs to mind when you hear the words “the North Pole”?
3. Do you think countries can stake a claim to the North Pole?
4. Should Russia be allowed to mine the riches in the Arctic Ocean?
5. What do you think it’s like to dive beneath the North Pole in a submarine?
6. Do you think Russians should be proud their flag is the first to be planted beneath the North Pole?
7. How do you think other powers will react to Russia’s action?
8. Do you think the riches under the Arctic Circle should be mined?
9. Who do you think would win in a scramble for land in the Arctic?
10. How large are the stakes described in this article?

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

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

1. Did you like reading this article?
2. What are the dangers of being a submariner?
3. What do you think submariners would do if they were trapped beneath the ice?
4. What kinds of sea creatures are there deep below the oceans?
5. Do you think other world leaders will be happy with Russia’s actions?
6. Will Russia’s position be strengthened if Siberia is linked to the Arctic via an underwater shelf?
7. What do you think animals living in the North Pole would think of Russia’s action?
8. Do you think extracting the Arctic’s energy reserves will damage the area?
9. What questions would you like to ask Sergei Lavrov?
10. Did you like this discussion?

AFTER DISCUSSION: Join another partner / group and tell them what you talked about.

1. What was the most interesting thing you heard?
2. Was there a question you didn’t like?
3. Was there something you totally disagreed with?
4. What did you like talking about?
5. Which was the most difficult question?

LANGUAGE

CORRECT WORD: Put the correct words from a–d below in the article.

Russian flag claims North Pole riches

Russian sailors (1) ____ deep below the North Pole in a submarine on Thursday to (2) ____ its national flag on the seabed. In doing so, it has staked a claim to the oil and gas riches beneath the Arctic Ocean. It has also raised the (3) ____ in the race among Arctic powers to extract the world’s largest source of untapped energy reserves. Russia wants to extend its territorial waters (4) ____ up to the North Pole itself, which is sure to set a scramble for territory. Moscow claims the Arctic seabed and Siberia are linked by the same continental (5) ____. This would give Russia more than a million square kilometres of prime Arctic real estate. Under international law, Canada, Norway, Russia, the United States and Denmark have a 320 km economic zone around the north of their coastline, (6) ____ of which extends into the Arctic Circle.

The leader of the flag-sinking expedition Artur Chilingarov, 67, said his main (7) ____ was not the icy or dark Arctic waters, but to resurface at the ice hole they dived through. The mini-submarine used was not strong enough to break through the polar ice and there was a (8) ____ the sub might be trapped beneath the ice caps. Of the expedition, Chilingarov said: "It was a soft landing." He also described what he saw in the murky (9) ____: "There is yellowish gravel down here. No creatures of the (10) ____ are visible," he said. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explained to world leaders that Russia has (11) ____ reason for planting its flag beneath the North Pole: "The aim of this expedition is not to stake Russia's claim but to show that our shelf reaches (12) ____ the North Pole," he told reporters.

1.	(a)	dived	(b)	diving	(c)	divers	(d)	dives
2.	(a)	flower	(b)	branch	(c)	seed	(d)	plant
3.	(a)	steak	(b)	stake	(c)	stakes	(d)	steaks
4.	(a)	left	(b)	right	(c)	so	(d)	down
5.	(a)	door	(b)	shelf	(c)	case	(d)	table
6.	(a)	whole	(b)	few	(c)	many	(d)	much
7.	(a)	concept	(b)	consent	(c)	concern	(d)	concert
8.	(a)	danger	(b)	dangers	(c)	dangerous	(d)	dangerously
9.	(a)	widths	(b)	lengths	(c)	depths	(d)	heights
10.	(a)	low	(b)	high	(c)	shallow	(d)	deep
11.	(a)	good	(b)	well	(c)	fine	(d)	excellent
12.	(a)	for	(b)	to	(c)	with	(d)	by

WRITING: 

Write about the North Pole for 10 minutes. Correct your partner’s paper.

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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 more information about the North Pole. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. NORTH POLE POSTER: Make a poster about the different animals and sea life of the North Pole. Show your poster to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all find out similar things?

4. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about the effects mining for oil and gas in the North Pole might have on the environment. Include imaginary interviews with consumers and company executives.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Which article was best and why?

5. LETTER: Write a letter to Russia’s foreign minister. Ask him three questions about the planting of the flag. Give him three suggestions about how to keep the Arctic environment in perfect condition. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a. T

b. F

c. T

d. T

e. F

f. F

g. F

h. T

SYNONYM MATCH:

1.	staked	a.	made
2	extract	b.	take out
3.	untapped	c.	unused
4.	scramble	d.	free-for-all
5.	extends	e.	stretches
6.	expedition	f.	voyage
7.	concern	g.	worry
8.	murky	h.	gloomy
9.	creatures	i.	beasts
10.	reason	j.	grounds

PHRASE MATCH:

1.	sailors dived deep below the North Pole	a.	in a submarine
2	it has staked a	b.	claim to the oil and gas riches
3.	It has also raised the	c.	stakes in the race
4.	the world’s largest source of	d.	untapped energy reserves
5.	a 320 km economic zone around	e.	the north of their coastline
6.	resurface at the ice hole	f.	they dived through
7.	a danger the sub might be trapped	g.	beneath the ice caps
8.	what he saw in the murky	h.	depths
9.	Russia has good	i.	reason for planting its flag
10.	to show that our shelf	j.	reaches to the North Pole

GAP FILL:

Russian flag claims North Pole riches

Russian sailors dived deep below the North Pole in a submarine on Thursday to plant its national flag on the seabed. In doing so, it has staked a claim to the oil and gas riches beneath the Arctic Ocean. It has also raised the stakes in the race among Arctic powers to extract the world’s largest source of untapped energy reserves. Russia wants to extend its territorial waters right up to the North Pole itself, which is sure to set a scramble for territory. Moscow claims the Arctic seabed and Siberia are linked by the same continental shelf. This would give Russia more than a million square kilometres of prime Arctic real estate. Under international law, Canada, Norway, Russia, the United States and Denmark have a 320 km economic zone around the north of their coastline, much of which extends into the Arctic Circle.

The leader of the flag-sinking expedition Artur Chilingarov, 67, said his main concern was not the icy or dark Arctic waters, but to resurface at the ice hole they dived through. The mini-submarine used was not strong enough to break through the polar ice and there was a danger the sub might be trapped beneath the ice caps. Of the expedition, Chilingarov said: "It was a soft landing." He also described what he saw in the murky depths: "There is yellowish gravel down here. No creatures of the deep are visible," he said. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explained to world leaders that Russia has good reason for planting its flag beneath the North Pole: "The aim of this expedition is not to stake Russia's claim but to show that our shelf reaches to the North Pole," he told reporters.

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - a

2 - d

3 - c

4 - b

5 - b

6 - d

7 - c

8 - a

9 - c

10 - d

11 - a

12 - b

 

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

• Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

• You can download a free sample PDF showing various parts of my book,
  "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".