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Bolshoi Ballet director in acid attack (20th January, 2013)

The artistic director of Russia's Bolshoi Theatre is in hospital because someone threw acid in his face. Sergei Filin, 42, was attacked outside his apartment building as he was going home from work. Moscow police say the attacker was wearing a mask and that there were no witnesses. Mr Filin has severe burns on his face and doctors are battling to save his eyesight. A hospital spokesperson said Filin may have to go to a hospital in Belgium for more treatment. The police believe the attacker works for the Bolshoi Ballet. Filin has to make many decisions about who dances and who doesn't. Many performers and staff have criticized him for his tough management style.

The Bolshoi is a world-famous ballet company that was founded in 1776 by Moscow prosecutor Prince Pyotr Urusov. Russia's Empress Catherine II gave the Prince permission to organize theatre performances, masquerades, balls and other forms of entertainment for ten years. It rose to fame in the early 20th century because of the amazing technique and athleticism of its dancers. Today, it is the largest company in the world, with around 220 dancers. Mr Filin became the Bolshoi's principal dancer in 1990 and stayed in the position for nearly two decades. He became the company's artistic director in 2008. He won many awards, including the People's Artist of the Russian Federation award in 2001.

Sources:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/acid-attack-made-on-bolshoi-ballet-director/474188.html#ixzz2IOYcwDZp http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21076192 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolshoi_Ballet http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/acid-attack-made-on-bolshoi-ballet-director/474188.html#ixzz2IOYcwDZp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21076192
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolshoi_Ballet  

WARM-UPS

1. BALLET: Walk around the class and talk to other students about ballet. 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.

 

artistic / hospital / acid / attacked / witnesses / eyesight / treatment / decisions / world-famous / permission / entertainment / amazing technique / dancers / awards

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

3. ARTS: What can make these things more popular? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What you think of it

How to make it more popular

Ballet

 

 

Opera

 

 

Modern Art

 

 

Poetry

 

 

Origami

 

 

Yoga

 

 

4. BALLET: Students A strongly believe ballet is the most beautiful art form ever; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. DANCE: What's best? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • ballet
  • tap dancing
  • salsa
  • folk dancing
  • hip-hop
  • flamenco
  • tango
  • your own

6. BALLET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'ballet'. 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 director of a Russian ballet company threw acid on a dancer.

T / F

b.

Police know what the attacker's face looks like from video cameras.

T / F

c.

The victim may be moved from a Moscow hospital to one in Belgium.

T / F

d.

The director was popular with staff, who agreed with all his decisions.

T / F

e.

The Bolshoi Ballet first started in the 18th century.

T / F

f.

The Bolshoi Ballet didn't become world famous until the 20th century.

T / F

g.

The Bolshoi Ballet is the world's second largest ballet group.

T / F

h.

Sergei Filin was artistic director of the Bolshoi for nearly 20 years.

T / F

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

1.

attacked

a.

care

2.

witnesses

b.

skill

3.

severe

c.

hard

4.

treatment

d.

authorization

5.

tough

e.

bystanders

6.

founded

f.

role

7.

permission

g.

ambushed

8.

technique

h.

prizes

9.

position

i.

started

10.

awards

j.

very bad

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

1.

someone threw

a.

witnesses

2.

there were no

b.

Prince permission

3.

doctors are battling

c.

style

4.

make many decisions about who dances

d.

in 1776

5.

his tough management

e.

athleticism of its dancers

6.

founded

f.

to save his eyesight

7.

Catherine II gave the

g.

of entertainment

8.

other forms

h.

acid in his face

9.

the amazing technique and

i.

many awards

10.

He won

j.

and who doesn't

 

GAP FILL

The artistic (1) ____________ of Russia's Bolshoi Theatre is in hospital because someone threw (2) ____________ in his face. Sergei Filin, 42, was attacked outside his apartment building as he was going home from work. Moscow police say the attacker was (3) ____________ a mask and that there were no witnesses. Mr Filin has (4) ____________ burns on his face and doctors are battling to save his (5) ____________. A hospital spokesperson said Filin may have to go to a hospital in Belgium for more (6) ____________. The police believe the attacker works for the Bolshoi Ballet. Filin has to make many (7) ____________ about who dances and who doesn't. Many performers and staff have criticized him for his (8) ____________ management style.

 

 

 

treatment
wearing
eyesight
tough
acid
decisions
director
severe

The Bolshoi is a world-famous ballet company that was (9) ____________ in 1776 by Moscow prosecutor Prince Pyotr Urusov. Russia's Empress Catherine II gave the Prince (10) ____________ to organize theatre performances, masquerades, balls and other (11) ____________ of entertainment for ten years. It rose to (12) ____________ in the early 20th century because of the amazing technique and (13) ____________ of its dancers. Today, it is the (14) ____________ company in the world, with around 220 dancers. Mr Filin became the Bolshoi's principal dancer in 1990 and stayed in the (15) ____________ for nearly two decades. He became the company's artistic director in 2008. He won many (16) ____________, including the People's Artist of the Russian Federation award in 2001.

 

 

awards
fame
permission
largest
founded
athleticism
forms
position

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

someone threw ______

 

a.  acid in his face
b.  acid on his face
c.  acid into his face
d.  acid inside his face

2)

the attacker was wearing a mask and that there ______

 

a.  was no witnesses
b.  were known witnesses
c.  were no witnesses
d.  was one witness

3)

doctors are battling ______

 

a.  to save his eye's sight
b.  to serve his eyesight
c.  to save this eyesight
d.  to save his eyesight

4)

Filin has to make many decisions about who dances ______

 

a.  and when doesn't
b.  and why doesn't
c.  and which doesn't
d.  and who doesn't

5)

staff have criticized him for his ______

 

a.  tough managing style
b.  tough man age meant stile
c.  tough management style
d.  tough management styles

6)

a world-famous ballet company that ______

 

a.  was funded in 1776
b.  was floundered in 1776
c.  were founded in 1776
d.  was founded in 1776

7)

theatre performances, masquerades, balls and other ______

 

a.  forms of entertainment
b.  forms of entertaining
c.  forms for entertainers
d.  form soft entertainment

8)

because of the amazing technique and ______

 

a.  athletics of its dancers
b.  athleticism for its dancers
c.  athleticism of its dancers
d.  athleticism of its dancer

9)

Today, it is the largest company in the world, ______.

 

a.  with around 212 dancers
b.  with around 220 dancers
c.  with around 222 dancers
d.  with around 200 dancers

10)

the People's Artist of the ______

 

a.  Russian Federation award
b.  Russian Federation awards
c.  Russian Federation awarded
d.  Russian Federation awarding

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

(1) __________________________ Russia's Bolshoi Theatre is in hospital because someone (2) __________________________. Sergei Filin, 42, was attacked outside his apartment building as he was going home from work. Moscow police say the attacker (3) __________________________ and that there were no witnesses. Mr Filin has severe burns on his face and doctors are battling (4) __________________________. A hospital spokesperson said Filin may have to go to a hospital in Belgium for more treatment. The police believe (5) __________________________ the Bolshoi Ballet. Filin has to make many decisions about who dances and who doesn't. Many performers and (6) __________________________ him for his tough management style.

The Bolshoi is a world-famous ballet company (7) _____________________ 1776 by Moscow prosecutor Prince Pyotr Urusov. Russia's Empress Catherine II gave the Prince (8) __________________________ theatre performances, masquerades, balls and other forms of entertainment for ten years. It (9) __________________________ early 20th century because of the amazing (10) __________________________ of its dancers. Today, it is the largest company in the world, with around 220 dancers. Mr Filin became the Bolshoi's (11) __________________________ and stayed in the position for nearly two decades. He became the company's artistic director in 2008. (12) __________________________, including the People's Artist of the Russian Federation award in 2001.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Where is the artistic director of Russia's Bolshoi Theatre?

2.

Where was Sergei Filin attacked?

3.

What was the attacker wearing?

4.

How many witnesses were there?

5.

Why did staff criticize him?

6.

When was the ballet company first founded?

7.

For how many years did Prince Pyotr Urusov to organize ballets?

8.

When did the Bolshoi Ballet become world-famous?

9.

How many dancers does the company have?

10.

When did Filin become the company's artistic director?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What is Sergei Filin's job?

6.

When was the Bolshoi Ballet founded?

 

a) doctor
b) ballet dancer
c) artistic director
d) artist and sculptor

 

a) 1775
b) 1776
c) 1777
d) 1778

2.

Where had Filin been just before he was attacked?

7.

Who let Prince Pyotr Urusov put on ballets?

 

a) work
b) the gym
c) at a dance lesson
d) a bar

 

a) Empress Catherine II
b) Empress Catherine III
c) Empress Catherine IV
d) Empress Catherine V

3.

What was the attacker wearing?

8.

When did the Bolshoi Ballet become world-famous?

 

a) a mask
b) a baseball cap
c) a fur hat
d) a face stocking

 

a) in the mid 20th century
b) in the late 19th century
c) in the early 20th century
d) in the mid 20th century

4.

What are doctors trying to save?

9.

For how long was Filin the principal dancer?

 

a) money
b) Filin's eyesight
c) time
d) Filin's life

 

a) 10 years
b) a decade
c) 12 years
d) nearly 20 years

5.

Who does the police think attacked Filin?

10.

When did he win a top Russian prize?

 

a) someone he met on Facebook
b) a past girlfriend
c) someone who hates ballet
d) a Bolshoi Ballet worker

 

a) 2001
b) 2002
c) 2003
d) 2004

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Ballet expert

You think ballet is the greatest art form in human history. Tell the others three reasons why. You think everyone should see a few ballets every year. You think it will make everyone more intelligent. You also think everyone should take ballet lessons in elementary school.

Role  B – Hip-hop dancer

You think ballet is only for rich people. You think hip-hop is the best form of dance in human history. Tell the others three reasons why. You think everyone should take hip-hop lessons in elementary school. It's a great form of exercise and today's kids love it.

Role  C – Ballet dancer

You think ballet is the greatest art form in human history. Tell the others three reasons why. You hate hip-hop. Tell the others three reasons why. BUT… ballet is vey tough. You have to practice for many hours a day. It's also painful. Parents usually make their children do ballet.

Role  D – Folk dance teacher

You think everyone should learn the folk dances of their country. Tell the others three reasons why. You think ballet doesn't teach children much and is for rich kids. Hip-hop is just noise and will not be popular in 20 years. Folk dances are an important part of a country's culture.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

acid

attack

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • threw
  • home
  • mask
  • save
  • Belgium
  • tough
  • 1776
  • II
  • 20th
  • 220
  • 1990
  • 2001

BALLET SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about ballet 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.

BALLET 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 'ballet'?

c)

What do you think about the attack on Sergei Filin?

d)

What would it be like for a ballet director never to see again?

e)

What do you think of ballet?

f)

Which is better, ballet or hip-hop? Why?

g)

Who do you think attacked Mr Filin and why?

h)

How will the attack change Mr Filin's life?

i)

How tough do you think it is being a ballet dancer?

j)

How much competition is there among ballet dancers?

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

BALLET DISCUSSION

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What do you know about the Bolshoi Ballet?

c)

Is it important people look at ballet?

d)

What three adjectives best describe ballet?

e)

What's your favourite dance form?

f)

Do you like dancing? Why/Why not?

g)

What do you think of the fitness and athleticism of ballet dancers?

h)

What punishment should the attacker get?

i)

What advice would you give to Sergei Filin?

j)

What questions would you like to ask a ballet expert?

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

The (1) ____ director of Russia's Bolshoi Theatre is in hospital because someone (2) ____ acid in his face. Sergei Filin, 42, was attacked outside his apartment building as he was going home from work. Moscow police say the attacker was wearing a mask and that there were no (3) ____. Mr Filin has (4) ____ burns on his face and doctors are battling to save his eyesight. A hospital spokesperson said Filin may have to go to a hospital in Belgium for more (5) ____. The police believe the attacker works for the Bolshoi Ballet. Filin has to make many decisions about who dances and who doesn't. Many performers and staff have criticized him (6) ____ his tough management style.

The Bolshoi is a world-famous ballet company that was (7) ____ in 1776 by Moscow prosecutor Prince Pyotr Urusov. Russia's Empress Catherine II gave the Prince permission (8) ____ organize theatre performances, masquerades, balls and other (9) ____ of entertainment for ten years. It rose to fame in the early 20th century because of the amazing technique and (10) ____ of its dancers. Today, it is the largest company in the world, with around 220 dancers. Mr Filin became the Bolshoi's principal dancer in 1990 and stayed in the (11) ____ for nearly two decades. He became the company's artistic director in 2008. He won many awards, (12) ____ the People's Artist of the Russian Federation award in 2001.

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

1.

(a)

artistic

(b)

artistry

(c)

artisan

(d)

arts

2.

(a)

throwing

(b)

thrown

(c)

threw

(d)

throws

3.

(a)

people

(b)

observers

(c)

witnesses

(d)

judges

4.

(a)

trouble

(b)

flame

(c)

hardly

(d)

severe

5.

(a)

treatment

(b)

treatable

(c)

treats

(d)

treated

6.

(a)

of

(b)

for

(c)

by

(d)

at

7.

(a)

founders

(b)

founder

(c)

founding

(d)

founded

8.

(a)

of

(b)

to

(c)

at

(d)

by

9.

(a)

parts

(b)

series

(c)

forms

(d)

games

10.

(a)

athletic

(b)

athletes

(c)

athletics

(d)

athleticism

11.

(a)

roll

(b)

move

(c)

place

(d)

position

12.

(a)

includes

(b)

including

(c)

included

(d)

inclusion

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

astriict director

2.

apartment gudibnil

3.

there were no itsessnew

4.

esvree burns on his face

5.

go to a hospital in Belgium for more etaetrntm

6.

Filin has to make many soisnceid

Paragraph 2

7.

fdunode in 1776

8.

gave the Prince oipsesrnim

9.

amazing uniqeetch

10.

tistcilhame of its dancers

11.

for nearly two saeddce.

12.

He won many srwaad

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

threw acid in his face. Sergei Filin, 42, was attacked outside his apartment building as he was going

(    )

dances and who doesn't. Many performers and staff have criticized him for his tough management style.

(    )

The Bolshoi is a world-famous ballet company that was founded in 1776 by Moscow prosecutor

(    )

performances, masquerades, balls and other forms of entertainment for ten years. It rose to

(    )

Prince Pyotr Urusov. Russia's Empress Catherine II gave the Prince permission to organize theatre

(    )

dancers. Today, it is the largest company in the world, with around 220 dancers. Mr Filin became the Bolshoi's principal

(    )

eyesight. A hospital spokesperson said Filin may have to go to a hospital in Belgium for more treatment. The police

(    )

dancer in 1990 and stayed in the position for nearly two decades. He became the company's artistic director

(    )

witnesses. Mr Filin has severe burns on his face and doctors are battling to save his

(    )

fame in the early 20th century because of the amazing technique and athleticism of its

1  )

The artistic director of Russia's Bolshoi Theatre is in hospital because someone

(    )

believe the attacker works for the Bolshoi Ballet. Filin has to make many decisions about who

(    )

in 2008. He won many awards, including the People's Artist of the Russian Federation award in 2001.

(    )

home from work. Moscow police say the attacker was wearing a mask and that there were no

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

because     acid     face     hospital     threw    his    In    someone     in.    

2.

attacker     say     a    was    Moscow    mask    the    police     wearing.    

3.

believe     works    Bolshoi    police    attacker    the    The     the     for.    

4.

decisions     dances     has    many    who    Filin    make     about     to.    

5.

criticized     management     him     for     Staff     his     have     tough.    

6.

A   1776    in   founded   was    that    company   ballet   world-famous.    

7.

entertainment     Balls     other     of     and     forms.    

8.

early     to     the     century     rose     in     20th     It     fame.    

9.

the    dancer    became     principal    1990    Filin    Bolshoi's    in    Mr.    

10.

He     director     became     in     the     2008     company's     artistic.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The artistic / artistry director of Russia's Bolshoi Theatre is in hospital because someone throws / threw acid in his face. Sergei Filin, 42, was attacked outside his apartment build / building as he was going home from work. Moscow police say the attacker was wearing a / the mask and that there were no witnesses / witness. Mr Filin has severe burnt / burns on his face and doctors are battling / battled to save his eyesight. A hospital spokesperson said Filin may have to go to a hospitality / hospital in Belgium for more treatment. The police believe the attacker / attack works for the Bolshoi Ballet. Filin has to make many decisions about who dances and who doesn't / does. Many performers and staff have criticized him for his tough management style.

The Bolshoi is a world-famous ballet company that was founding / founded in 1776 by Moscow prosecutor Prince Pyotr Urusov. Russia's Empress Catherine II gave / made the Prince permission for / to organize theatre performances, masquerades, balls and other formed / forms of entertainment for ten years. It rose / tulip to fame in the early 20th century because of the amazing technical / technique and athleticism / athletes of its dancers. Today, it is the largest company in the world, with around 220 dancers. Mr Filin became the Bolshoi's principle / principal dancer in 1990 and stayed / staid in the position for nearly two decades. He became the company's artistic director in 2008. He won much / many awards, including the People's Artist of the Russian Federation award in 2001.

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_ _rt_st_c d_r_ct_r _f R_ss__'s B_lsh__ Th__tr_ _s _n h_sp_t_l b_c__s_ s_m__n_ thr_w _c_d _n h_s f_c_. S_rg__ F_l_n, 42, w_s _tt_ck_d __ts_d_ h_s _p_rtm_nt b__ld_ng _s h_ w_s g__ng h_m_ fr_m w_rk. M_sc_w p_l_c_ s_y th_ _tt_ck_r w_s w__r_ng _ m_sk _nd th_t th_r_ w_r_ n_ w_tn_ss_s. Mr F_l_n h_s s_v_r_ b_rns _n h_s f_c_ _nd d_ct_rs _r_ b_ttl_ng t_ s_v_ h_s _y_s_ght. _ h_sp_t_l sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d F_l_n m_y h_v_ t_ g_ t_ _ h_sp_t_l _n B_lg__m f_r m_r_ tr__tm_nt. Th_ p_l_c_ b_l__v_ th_ _tt_ck_r w_rks f_r th_ B_lsh__ B_ll_t. F_l_n h_s t_ m_k_ m_ny d_c_s__ns _b__t wh_ d_nc_s _nd wh_ d__sn't. M_ny p_rf_rm_rs _nd st_ff h_v_ cr_t_c_z_d h_m f_r h_s t__gh m_n_g_m_nt styl_.

Th_ B_lsh__ _s _ w_rld-f_m__s b_ll_t c_mp_ny th_t w_s f__nd_d _n 1776 by M_sc_w pr_s_c_t_r Pr_nc_ Py_tr _r_s_v. R_ss__'s _mpr_ss C_th_r_n_ __ g_v_ th_ Pr_nc_ p_rm_ss__n t_ _rg_n_z_ th__tr_ p_rf_rm_nc_s, m_sq__r_d_s, b_lls _nd _th_r f_rms _f _nt_rt__nm_nt f_r t_n y__rs. _t r_s_ t_ f_m_ _n th_ __rly 20th c_nt_ry b_c__s_ _f th_ _m_z_ng t_chn_q__ _nd _thl_t_c_sm _f _ts d_nc_rs. T_d_y, _t _s th_ l_rg_st c_mp_ny _n th_ w_rld, w_th _r__nd 220 d_nc_rs. Mr F_l_n b_c_m_ th_ B_lsh__'s pr_nc_p_l d_nc_r _n 1990 _nd st_y_d _n th_ p_s_t__n f_r n__rly tw_ d_c_d_s. H_ b_c_m_ th_ c_mp_ny's _rt_st_c d_r_ct_r _n 2008. H_ w_n m_ny _w_rds, _ncl_d_ng th_ P__pl_'s _rt_st _f th_ R_ss__n F_d_r_t__n _w_rd _n 2001.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the artistic director of russia's bolshoi theatre is in hospital because someone threw acid in his face sergei filin 42 was attacked outside his apartment building as he was going home from work moscow police say the attacker was wearing a mask and that there were no witnesses mr filin has severe burns on his face and doctors are battling to save his eyesight a hospital spokesperson said filin may have to go to a hospital in belgium for more treatment the police believe the attacker works for the bolshoi ballet filin has to make many decisions about who dances and who doesn't many performers and staff have criticized him for his tough management style

the bolshoi is a world-famous ballet company that was founded in 1776 by moscow prosecutor prince pyotr urusov russia's empress catherine ii gave the prince permission to organize theatre performances masquerades balls and other forms of entertainment for ten years it rose to fame in the early 20th century because of the amazing technique and athleticism of its dancers today it is the largest company in the world with around 220 dancers mr filin became the bolshoi's principal dancer in 1990 and stayed in the position for nearly two decades he became the company's artistic director in 2008 he won many awards including the people's artist of the russian federation award in 2001

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheartisticdirectorofRussia'sBolshoiTheatreisinhospitalbecausesomeonethrew
acidinhisface.SergeiFilin,42,wasattackedoutsidehisapartmentbuildingashewas
goinghomefromwork.Moscowpolicesaytheattackerwaswearingamaskandthat
therewerenowitnesses.MrFilinhassevereburnsonhisfaceanddoctorsarebattlingto
savehiseyesight.AhospitalspokespersonsaidFilinmayhavetogotoahospitalin
Belgiumformoretreatment.ThepolicebelievetheattackerworksfortheBolshoiBallet.
Filinhastomakemanydecisionsaboutwhodancesandwhodoesn't.Manyperformer
sandstaffhavecriticizedhimforhistoughmanagementstyle.TheBolshoiisaworld-
famousballetcompanythatwasfoundedin1776byMoscowprosecutorPrincePyotr
Urusov.Russia'sEmpressCatherineIIgavethePrincepermissiontoorganizetheat
reperformances,masquerades,ballsandotherformsofentertainmentforten
years.Itrosetofameintheearly20thcenturybecauseoftheamazingtechniqueand
athleticismofitsdancers.Today,itisthelargestcompanyintheworld,witharound
220dancers.MrFilinbecametheBolshoi'sprincipaldancerin1990andstayedin
thepositionfornearlytwodecades.Hebecamethecompany'sartisticdirectorin
2008.Hewonmanyawards,includingthePeople'sArtistoftheRussianFederation
awardin2001.

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Everyone should know the history of ballet and go to see many ballets.  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 the Bolshoi Ballet. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. ATTACKED: Write a magazine article about the attack on Sergei Filin. 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 an expert on ballet. Ask him/her three questions about ballet. 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.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

attacked

a.

ambushed

2.

witnesses

b.

bystanders

3.

severe

c.

very bad

4.

treatment

d.

care

5.

tough

e.

hard

6.

founded

f.

started

7.

permission

g.

authorization

8.

technique

h.

skill

9.

position

i.

role

10.

awards

j.

prizes

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

In hospital in Moscow

2.

Outside his apartment building

3.

A mask

4.

None

5.

For his tough management

6.

1776

7.

10

8.

In the early 20th century

9.

220

10.

1990

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

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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