Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Women In Combat

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* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(200 - 500 wpm)

* Gap-fill

U.S. allows women to fight in wars (26th January, 2013)

The Defense Secretary announced there was an important proviso to his new ruling – that women must be able to meet the military's standards, including physical ones. Army Sergeant Jeremy Grayson agreed, saying: "Women would have to be able to do the physical stuff that men do. They have to be able to pull their own weight." Another Army spokesman, Anthony Lemaitre, warned the public to be prepared to handle seeing women troops come home in body bags or with lost limbs. He said: "It's harder to see a mother or a daughter dead." There could now be up to 237,000 positions available for women that are currently off limits to them. The Army says the ruling will benefit the military in many ways.

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21172033
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/troops-accept-new-women-in-combat-policy-say-women-should-meet-same-standard-as-men/2013/01/24/e12f4cb8-6663-11e2-889b-f23c246aa446_story.html

WARM-UPS

1. WOMEN IN COMBAT: Walk around the class and talk to other students about women in combat. 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.

biggest reforms / American military / the front line / future wars / willingness / gender / proviso / standards / physical stuff / pull your own weight / troops / off limits

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

3. WOMEN: Why aren't there more women in these jobs? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Why so few?	Would they be better or worse than men?
National leader
Front line soldier
Master chef
Company CEO
Sports commentator
Construction worker

4. EQUALITY: Students A strongly believe women will be totally equal with men in the job market one day; Students B strongly believe f0fjn1qq. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. DAUGHTER'S JOB: What job would you like for your daughter? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

front line soldier
model
police officer
tax accountant

flight attendant
English teacher
software designer
store manager

6. MILITARY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'military'. 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 U.S. Secretary of State has announced important military reforms.	T / F
b.	Women will still not be able to fight on the front line.	T / F
c.	Leon Panetta said women have already been ready to die in combat.	T / F
d.	Panetta wants women to do any military job they are qualified to do.	T / F
e.	Mr Panetta said he would make the standards lower for female troops.	T / F
f.	A soldier said a woman must be able to carry her own weight.	T / F
g.	Another soldier said Americans must be ready to see female casualties.	T / F
h.	There could be almost a quarter of a million jobs open to women.	T / F

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

1.	announced	a.	removed
2.	lifted	b.	go after
3.	reinforces	c.	enthusiasm
4.	willingness	d.	deal with
5.	pursue	e.	things
6.	proviso	f.	declared
7.	stuff	g.	closed
8.	handle	h.	arms and legs
9.	limbs	i.	backs up
10.	off limits	j.	condition

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

1.	He has lifted the	a.	to fight
2.	on the front	b.	their own weight
3.	putting their lives	c.	available
4.	proving their willingness	d.	to his new ruling
5.	allow them to pursue	e.	line
6.	here was an important proviso	f.	limits to them
7.	be able to pull	g.	at risk
8.	handle seeing women troops come	h.	every avenue
9.	237,000 positions	i.	home in body bags
10.	that are currently off	j.	ban on women fighting

GAP FILL

The U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has announced one of the biggest (1) ____________ of the American military in decades. He has lifted the ban on women fighting on the (2) ____________ line in future wars. The new ruling (3) ____________ the fact that women have been putting their lives at risk for many years. Mr Panetta told reporters: "Female service members have (4) ____________ the reality of combat, proving their (5) ____________ to fight and, yes, to die to defend their fellow Americans." Panetta said many very able women soldiers have been (6) ____________ from doing a job they love because of their gender. He said: "We (7) ____________ it to them to allow them to pursue every avenue of military service for which they are (8) ____________ prepared and qualified."

faced
fully
reinforces
willingness
reforms
owe
front
prevented

The Defense Secretary announced there was an important (9) ____________ to his new ruling – that women must be able to meet the military's (10) ____________, including physical ones. Army Sergeant Jeremy Grayson agreed, saying: "Women would have to be able to do the physical (11) ____________ that men do. They have to be able to pull their own (12) ____________." Another Army spokesman, Anthony Lemaitre, warned the public to be prepared to (13) ____________ seeing women troops come home in body bags or with lost (14) ____________. He said: "It's harder to see a mother or a daughter dead." There could now be up to 237,000 positions available for women that are currently off (15) ____________ to them. The Army says the ruling will (16) ____________ the military in many ways.

weight
benefit
proviso
stuff
limbs
standards
limits
handle

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	One of the biggest reforms of the American ______.
	a. military in many decades b. military in decades c. military in a decade d. military on decades
2)	women have been putting their ______ years
	a. lives at risk for many b. life at risk for many c. lives to risk for many d. livelihoods at risk for many
3)	proving their willingness to fight and, ______ their fellow Americans
	a. always, to die to defend b. no, to die to defend c. maybe, to die to defend d. yes, to die to defend
4)	many very able women soldiers have been prevented from doing a job they love ______
	a. because of a gender b. due to of their gender c. because of that gender d. because of their gender
5)	We owe it to them to allow them to ______ of military service
	a. pursue every street b. peruse every avenue c. pursue all avenues d. pursue every avenue
6)	The Defense Secretary announced there was ______ to his new ruling
	a. an important provision b. an important providing c. an important proviso d. an important provider
7)	women must be able to meet the military's standards, ______.
	a. inclusive of physical ones b. including a physical one c. included physical ones d. including physical ones
8)	They have to be able to ______
	a. pull their own weight b. carry a donkey c. shoot to kill d. handle many things
9)	be prepared to handle seeing women troops come home in body bags or ______
	a. with lost limb b. with lost rims c. with lost limbs d. with lost lambs
10)	The Army says the ruling will ______ in many ways
	a. benefits the military b. be beneficial to the military c. benefit the military d. benefit a military

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has announced one of the biggest reforms of the American (1) ______________________ . He has lifted the ban on women (2) ______________________ in future wars. The new ruling reinforces the fact that women have been putting their lives at risk for many years. Mr Panetta told reporters: "Female service members have (3) ______________________, proving their willingness to fight and, yes, to (4) ______________________ Americans." Panetta said many very able women soldiers have been prevented from doing a job they love because of their gender. He said: "We (5) ______________________ them to (6) ______________________ military service for which they are fully prepared and qualified."

The Defense Secretary announced there was (7) ______________________ his new ruling – that women must be able to (8) _____________________, including physical ones. Army Sergeant Jeremy Grayson agreed, saying: "Women would have to be able to do the physical stuff that men do. They have to be able to (9) ______________________." Another Army spokesman, Anthony Lemaitre, warned the public (10) _________________ seeing women troops come home in body (11) ______________________. He said: "It's harder to see a mother or a daughter dead." There could now be up to 237,000 positions available for women (12) ___________________ to them. The Army says the ruling will benefit the military in many ways.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What is Leon Panetta's job?
2.	What has Leon Panetta lifted?
3.	For how long have women been putting lives at risk?
4.	What are women prepared to die for?
5.	What does Leon Panetta want women to pursue?
6.	What is Leon Panetta's important condition?
7.	What did a soldier say female soldiers would have to pull?
8.	What must the U.S. public be prepared for?
9.	How many military jobs could there be for women?
10.	In how many ways did the Army say the ruling could benefit the Army?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What is Leon Panetta's job?	6.	What is Panetta's condition regarding women and what they must do?
	a) White House Chief of Staff b) U.S. Secretary of Defense c) U.S. Homeland Secretary d) U.S. Secretary of Attack		a) be able to meet the military's standards b) must not be allowed to shoot to kill c) can serve for only 10 years d) women must be able to run a marathon with a rifle
2.	What has Leon Panetta lifted?	7.	What did a soldier say women must pull?
	a) weights b) too many heavy army backpacks c) the ban on women fighting on the front line d) the cover off a new Army jeep		a) the trigger of a machine gun b) a muscle c) a jeep d) their own weight
3.	What have women been putting at risk?	8.	What must the U.S. public be prepared to do?
	a) their savings b) their investments c) their careers d) their lives		a) see women get taken hostage b) see women become generals c) see women return in body bags d) see women on the front line
4.	Whom have female troops been willing to die for?	9.	How many new jobs for women could there be?
	a) their fellow women soldiers b) their fellow Americans c) Americans who follow them d) Americans they follow		a) 277,000 b) 217,000 c) 273,000 d) 237,000
5.	What has stopped women doing the jobs in the military they want to do?	10.	Why couldn't women do the jobs before?
	a) gender b) bosses c) men d) their ability		a) they weren't strong enough b) they were off limits c) they didn't exist d) they didn't want to

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Leon Panetta

You think it is OK for women to fight on the front line. Tell the others three reasons why. You think women can do exactly the same job as men. You don't agree that protecting a country is only a man's job. You think your new ruling will make your country stronger.

Role B – Long-time soldier

You totally disagree with women serving on the front line. Tell the others three reasons why. You saw many bad things in your time as a soldier. You don't think women should see those things or put their lives at risk. There are many military women can do without fighting on the front line.

Role C – Woman soldier

You love your job. Tell the others three reasons why. You are better at soldiering than many men. You think it's unfair you could not fight on the front line. Wars have changed and the risk to all soldiers has reduced. All women should be allowed to defend their country.

Role D – Anti-war campaigner

You think armies are crazy. Tell the others three reasons why. You disagree with all the others. No country should have an army. That would end all wars and millions of lives could be saved. You think the money spent on the military should be used to promote peace.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

front

line

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:

biggest
ban
risk
fellow
love
owe

important
meet
stuff
warned
lost
benefit

WOMEN IN COMBAT SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about 26th January 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.

WOMEN IN COMBAT 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 'war'?
c)	What do you think of female soldiers?
d)	Should women be allowed to fight on the front line?
e)	Why do men in government tell women they cannot fight in combat?
f)	Would you fight to defend your country?
g)	What would enemy soldiers think about fighting women?
h)	What do you think of soldiers who are ready to die to protect their fellow citizens?
i)	Do you think you would be a good soldier?
j)	How important is this new ruling?

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

WOMEN IN COMBAT DISCUSSION

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Do you think all countries will allow their women to fight one day?
c)	How difficult is it for a woman to do exactly the same as men?
d)	Do you always pull your own weight?
e)	How would people's view of war change if they saw many women in body bags?
f)	How different would you feel if your daughter went to the front line than if your son did?
g)	Are there extra dangers for women soldiers?
h)	What could women do on the front line better than men?
i)	How might the new ruling benefit the U.S. military?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Leon Panetta?

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 U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has (1) ____ one of the biggest reforms of the American military in decades. He has (2) ____ the ban on women fighting on the front line in future wars. The new ruling reinforces the fact that women have been putting their lives (3) ____ risk for many years. Mr Panetta told reporters: "Female service members have (4) ____ the reality of combat, proving their willingness to fight and, yes, to die to defend their (5) ____ Americans." Panetta said many very able women soldiers have been prevented from doing a job they love because of their gender. He said: "We (6) ____ it to them to allow them to pursue every avenue of military service for which they are fully prepared and qualified."

The Defense Secretary announced there was an important (7) ____ to his new ruling – that women must be able to meet the military's (8) ____, including physical ones. Army Sergeant Jeremy Grayson agreed, saying: "Women would have to be able to do the physical stuff that men do. They have to be able to (9) ____ their own weight." Another Army spokesman, Anthony Lemaitre, warned the public to be prepared to (10) ____ seeing women troops come home in body bags or with lost (11) ____. He said: "It's harder to see a mother or a daughter dead." There could now be up to 237,000 positions available for women that are currently (12) ____ limits to them. The Army says the ruling will benefit the military in many ways.

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

1.	(a)	announced	(b)	announcement	(c)	announcing	(d)	announcer
2.	(a)	lifted up	(b)	lifting	(c)	lifted	(d)	lifted off
3.	(a)	on	(b)	by	(c)	at	(d)	of
4.	(a)	headed	(b)	stomached	(c)	backed	(d)	faced
5.	(a)	fellow	(b)	follow	(c)	fallow	(d)	felled
6.	(a)	lend	(b)	owe	(c)	due	(d)	borrow
7.	(a)	device	(b)	advice	(c)	revising	(d)	proviso
8.	(a)	union	(b)	standards	(c)	conform	(d)	uniform
9.	(a)	measure	(b)	lose	(c)	pull	(d)	put on
10.	(a)	wheel	(b)	handle	(c)	knob	(d)	button
11.	(a)	combs	(b)	bombs	(c)	tombs	(d)	limbs
12.	(a)	up	(b)	off	(c)	out	(d)	in

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the American irlyiatm
2.	The new ruling rrcnesefio the fact
3.	proving their sngleiiwnls
4.	because of their nrdgee
5.	allow them to rspueu every avenue
6.	fully prepared and qfauidile
Paragraph 2
7.	an important iroospv
8.	do the lhpisyac stuff
9.	pull their own hwtegi
10.	lost bilms
11.	mother or a ehgadtru
12.	237,000 positions laiabalve

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	fight and, yes, to die to defend their fellow Americans." Panetta said many very able
( )	ruling reinforces the fact that women have been putting their lives at risk for many years. Mr Panetta told
( )	agreed, saying: "Women would have to be able to do the physical stuff that men do. They have to be able to pull
( )	to see a mother or a daughter dead." There could now be up to 237,000 positions
( )	reporters: "Female service members have faced the reality of combat, proving their willingness to
( )	in decades. He has lifted the ban on women fighting on the front line in future wars. The new
( )	seeing women troops come home in body bags or with lost limbs. He said: "It's harder
( )	available for women that are currently off limits to them. The Army says the ruling will benefit the military in many ways.
( )	The Defense Secretary announced there was an important proviso to his new ruling – that women must be
( )	women soldiers have been prevented from doing a job they love because of their gender. He said: "We owe
( )	able to meet the military's standards, including physical ones. Army Sergeant Jeremy Grayson
( 1 )	The U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has announced one of the biggest reforms of the American military
( )	it to them to allow them to pursue every avenue of military service for which they are fully prepared and qualified."
( )	their own weight." Another Army spokesman, Anthony Lemaitre, warned the public to be prepared to handle

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	of military of reforms American One biggest the the.
2.	has women lifted fighting the ban He on.
3.	risk Putting for their many lives years at.
4.	doing from Prevented love they job a.
5.	qualified for are and Service they prepared which fully.
6.	was proviso new There important his an to ruling.
7.	be able to pull their own weight They have to.
8.	home Seeing in women body troops bags come.
9.	currently for are limits available that off Positions women.
10.	many The benefit in will military ways ruling the.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has announced one of the biggest reformers / reforms of the American military in decadence / decades. He has lifted the ban / banning on women fighting on the front line in future wars. The new ruling reinforcement / reinforces the fact that women have been putting their lives at / to risk for many years. Mr Panetta told reporters: "Female service members have headed / faced the reality of combat, proving their willingness to fight and, yes, to die to defend their fellow / fallow Americans." Panetta said many very able women soldiers have been prevented for / from doing a job they love because of their gender. He said: "We owe / lend it to them to allow them to pursue every avenue of military service for which they are filled / fully prepared and qualified."

The Defense Secretary announced there was an important providing / proviso to his new ruling – that women must be able to meet / seek the military's standards, including physicality / physical ones. Army Sergeant Jeremy Grayson agreed, saying: "Women would have to be able to do the physical stuff / staff that men do. They have to be able to push / pull their own weight / height." Another Army spokesman, Anthony Lemaitre, warned the public to be prepared to button / handle seeing women troops come home in body bags or with fallen / lost limbs. He said: "It's harder to see a mother or a daughter dead." There could now be up to 237,000 positions available for women that are currently out / off limits to them. The Army says the ruling will benefit / sake the military in many ways.

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_ _.S. S_cr_t_ry _f D_f_ns_ L__n P_n_tt_ h_s _nn__nc_d _n_ _f th_ b_gg_st r_f_rms _f th_ _m_r_c_n m_l_t_ry _n d_c_d_s. H_ h_s l_ft_d th_ b_n _n w_m_n f_ght_ng _n th_ fr_nt l_n_ _n f_t_r_ w_rs. Th_ n_w r_l_ng r__nf_rc_s th_ f_ct th_t w_m_n h_v_ b__n p_tt_ng th__r l_v_s _t r_sk f_r m_ny y__rs. Mr P_n_tt_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "F_m_l_ s_rv_c_ m_mb_rs h_v_ f_c_d th_ r__l_ty _f c_mb_t, pr_v_ng th__r w_ll_ngn_ss t_ f_ght _nd, y_s, t_ d__ t_ d_f_nd th__r f_ll_w _m_r_c_ns." P_n_tt_ s__d m_ny v_ry _bl_ w_m_n s_ld__rs h_v_ b__n pr_v_nt_d fr_m d__ng _ j_b th_y l_v_ b_c__s_ _f th__r g_nd_r. H_ s__d: "W_ _w_ _t t_ th_m t_ _ll_w th_m t_ p_rs__ _v_ry _v_n__ _f m_l_t_ry s_rv_c_ f_r wh_ch th_y _r_ f_lly pr_p_r_d _nd q__l_f__d."

Th_ D_f_ns_ S_cr_t_ry _nn__nc_d th_r_ w_s _n _mp_rt_nt pr_v_s_ t_ h_s n_w r_l_ng – th_t w_m_n m_st b_ _bl_ t_ m__t th_ m_l_t_ry's st_nd_rds, _ncl_d_ng phys_c_l _n_s. _rmy S_rg__nt J_r_my Gr_ys_n _gr__d, s_y_ng: "W_m_n w__ld h_v_ t_ b_ _bl_ t_ d_ th_ phys_c_l st_ff th_t m_n d_. Th_y h_v_ t_ b_ _bl_ t_ p_ll th__r _wn w__ght." _n_th_r _rmy sp_k_sm_n, _nth_ny L_m__tr_, w_rn_d th_ p_bl_c t_ b_ pr_p_r_d t_ h_ndl_ s___ng w_m_n tr__ps c_m_ h_m_ _n b_dy b_gs _r w_th l_st l_mbs. H_ s__d: "_t's h_rd_r t_ s__ _ m_th_r _r _ d__ght_r d__d." Th_r_ c__ld n_w b_ _p t_ 237,000 p_s_t__ns _v__l_bl_ f_r w_m_n th_t _r_ c_rr_ntly _ff l_m_ts t_ th_m. Th_ _rmy s_ys th_ r_l_ng w_ll b_n_f_t th_ m_l_t_ry _n m_ny w_ys.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the us secretary of defense leon panetta has announced one of the biggest reforms of the american military in decades he has lifted the ban on women fighting on the front line in future wars the new ruling reinforces the fact that women have been putting their lives at risk for many years mr panetta told reporters "female service members have faced the reality of combat proving their willingness to fight and yes to die to defend their fellow americans" panetta said many very able women soldiers have been prevented from doing a job they love because of their gender he said "we owe it to them to allow them to pursue every avenue of military service for which they are fully prepared and qualified"

the defense secretary announced there was an important proviso to his new ruling – that women must be able to meet the military's standards including physical ones army sergeant jeremy grayson agreed saying "women would have to be able to do the physical stuff that men do they have to be able to pull their own weight" another army spokesman anthony lemaitre warned the public to be prepared to handle seeing women troops come home in body bags or with lost limbs he said "it's harder to see a mother or a daughter dead" there could now be up to 237000 positions available for women that are currently off limits to them the army says the ruling will benefit the military in many ways

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheU.S.SecretaryofDefenseLeonPanettahasannouncedoneofthebiggestreforms
oftheAmericanmilitaryindecades.Hehasliftedthebanonwomenfightingonthefront
lineinfuturewars.Thenewrulingreinforcesthefactthatwomenhavebeenputting
theirlivesatriskformanyyears.MrPanettatoldreporters:"Femaleservicemembers
havefacedtherealityofcombat,provingtheirwillingnesstofightand,yes,todieto
defendtheirfellowAmericans."Panettasaidmanyveryablewomensoldiershave
beenpreventedfromdoingajobtheylovebecauseoftheirgender.Hesaid:"Weowe
ittothemtoallowthemtopursueeveryavenueofmilitaryserviceforwhichtheyare
fullypreparedandqualified."TheDefenseSecretaryannouncedtherewasan
importantprovisotohisnewruling–thatwomenmustbeabletomeetthemilitary's
standards,includingphysicalones.ArmySergeantJeremyGraysonagreed,saying:
"Womenwouldhavetobeabletodothephysicalstuffthatmendo.Theyhavetobeable
topulltheirownweight."AnotherArmyspokesman,AnthonyLemaitre,warnedthe
publictobepreparedtohandleseeingwomentroopscomehomeinbodybagsorwith
lostlimbs.Hesaid:"It'shardertoseeamotheroradaughterdead."Therecouldnow
beupto237,000positionsavailableforwomenthatarecurrentlyofflimitstothem.
TheArmysaystherulingwillbenefitthemilitaryinmanyways.

FREE WRITING

Write about women in combat for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

It is a man's job to protect women and children. Women should never fight on the front line. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 women in combat. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. WOMEN IN COMBAT: Make a poster about women in combat. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. FRONT LINE: Write a magazine article about women fighting on the front line. 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 Leon Panetta. Ask him three questions about women on the front line. Give him three of your opinions. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	announced	a.	removed
2.	lifted	b.	go after
3.	reinforces	c.	enthusiasm
4.	willingness	d.	deal with
5.	pursue	e.	things
6.	proviso	f.	declared
7.	stuff	g.	closed
8.	handle	h.	arms and legs
9.	limbs	i.	backs up
10.	off limits	j.	condition

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The U.S. Secretary of Defense
2.	The ban on women fighting on the front line
3.	Many years
4.	To protect their fellow Americans
5.	Every avenue of military service
6.	That women must be able to meet the military's standards
7.	Their own weight
8.	Women in body bags or with lost limbs
9.	Up to 237,000
10.	Many

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

10.

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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Breaking News English

* 26-page lesson (40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation - (10 sentences)

* Speed Reading (200 - 500 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson
(PDF)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(200 - 500 wpm)