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* 26-page lesson
    (40 exercises)

 

* 2-page MINI
    lesson    (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA female)

* 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

  New coronavirus can spread among humans (14th May, 2013)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a new coronavirus strain could be passed from human to human. The virus, called nCoV-EMC, looks like an offshoot of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed 775 people and infected 8,273 between 2002-03. However, the WHO was quick to point out that the new strain isn't as virulent as SARS. The warning came after the 34th case worldwide came to light on Sunday. A man is in a "very serious but stable" condition in an intensive care unit in France. It is believed he contracted the virus while vacationing in Dubai in April. The new coronavirus has already claimed the lives of 18 people, 15 of the fatalities being in Saudi Arabia.


 

Coronavirus causes respiratory illnesses in both humans and animals. Unlike SARS, which spread from birds and animals to humans, the new strain could have mutated to spread between people. A WHO spokesman, Keiji Fukuda, told reporters in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday that the new virus posed an "important and major challenge" for those countries already affected and for the whole world. He stressed that while the new virus was not SARS, it was very worrying. He said: "Of most concern is the fact that the different clusters seen in multiple countries increasingly support the hypothesis that when there is close contact, this coronavirus can transmit from person to person".

Sources:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/2013512164333239266.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324216004578479220166561826.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus#Recent_discoveries_of_novel_human_coronaviruses


 
 

WARM-UPS

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

 

coronavirus / offshoot / syndrome / infected / virulent / worldwide / vacationing / illnesses / mutated / major challenge / clusters / hypothesis / person to person

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

3. PANDEMIC: What advice should governments give if there is a deadly global pandemic? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share often.

Advice re…

Advice

Why?

travel

 

 

medicine

 

 

food

 

 

large groups

 

 

becoming ill

 

 

health

 

 

4. SAFE: Students A strongly believe scientists can keep the world safe from deadly viruses; Students B strongly believe they can't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. CONCERNS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put your biggest concerns at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • virus pandemics
  • computer viruses
  • war
  • money
  • terrorism
  • the environment
  • your looks
  • your English

6. ILLNESS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'illness'. 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 WHO confirmed an old coronavirus spreads between humans.

T / F

b.

The new virus resembles a virus from 10 years ago called SARS.

T / F

c.

SARS killed over 8,000 people between 2002-2003.

T / F

d.

The new virus strain has caused the death of 18 Saudi Arabians.

T / F

e.

SARS spread to humans via both birds and animals.

T / F

f.

The new virus could have mutated to be contagious among humans.

T / F

g.

The WHO said the virus was a worry not just in places already affected.

T / F

h.

The WHO said the virus spreads without humans being in close contact.

T / F

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

1.

warned

a.

indicate

2.

point out

b.

presented

3.

virulent

c.

deaths

4.

claimed

d.

leads to

5.

fatalities

e.

transformed

6.

causes

f.

cautioned

7.

mutated

g.

group

8.

posed

h.

theory

9.

cluster

i.

taken

10.

hypothesis

j.

infectious

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

1.

a new coronavirus strain could be passed

a.

as virulent as SARS

2.

killed 775 people

b.

and major challenge

3.

the new strain isn't

c.

lives of 18 people

4.

in a very serious

d.

illnesses

5.

already claimed the

e.

from human to human

6.

respiratory

f.

contact

7.

the new strain

g.

in multiple countries

8.

the new virus posed an important

h.

but stable condition

9.

different clusters seen

i.

could have mutated

10.

when there is close

j.

and infected 8,273

 

GAP FILL

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a new coronavirus (1) ____________ could be passed from human to human. The virus, called nCoV-EMC, looks like an                     (2) ____________ of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed 775 people and (3) ____________ 8,273 between 2002-03. However, the WHO was quick to point out that the new strain isn't as (4) ____________ as SARS. The warning came after the 34th case worldwide came to (5) ____________ on Sunday. A man is in a "very serious but stable" condition in an intensive (6) ____________ unit in France. It is believed he contracted the virus while vacationing in Dubai in April. The new coronavirus has already (7) ____________ the lives of 18 people, 15 of the (8) ____________ being in Saudi Arabia.

 

 

claimed
infected
light
strain
care
offshoot
fatalities
virulent

Coronavirus causes (9) ____________ illnesses in both humans and animals. Unlike SARS, which spread from birds and animals to humans, the new strain could have (10) ____________ to spread between people. A WHO spokesman, Keiji Fukuda, told reporters in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday that the new virus         (11) ____________ an "important and (12) ____________ challenge" for those countries already affected and for the whole world. He (13) ____________ that while the new virus was not SARS, it was very worrying. He said: "Of most concern is the fact that the different (14) ____________ seen in multiple countries increasingly (15) ____________ the hypothesis that when there is close contact, this coronavirus can (16) ____________ from person to person".

 

major
support
mutated
clusters
respiratory
transmit
posed
stressed

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

a new coronavirus ______ passed from human to human

 

a.  stain could be
b.  strains could be
c.  strain could be
d.  strained could be

2)

the WHO was quick to point out that the new strain isn't ______

 

a.  as virulent as SARS
b.  as virulence as SARS
c.  as viral as SARS
d.  as violent as SARS

3)

The warning came after the 34th case worldwide ______ Sunday

 

a.  came through light on
b.  came two lights on
c.  came too light on
d.  came to light on

4)

A man is in a "very serious but stable" condition in an ______

 

a.  intensively care unit
b.  intensive careful unit
c.  intensive care unit
d.  intensive care units

5)

The new coronavirus has already claimed the lives of 18 people, 15 of ______ Saudi Arabia.

 

a.  the fatality is being in
b.  the fatalities be in an
c.  the fatalities being in
d.  the fatal ties being in

6)

Coronavirus ______ in both humans and animals.

 

a.  causes respiratory illnesses
b.  causes respiration illnesses
c.  causes respiratory illness
d.  cause respiratory illnesses

7)

the new strain could ______ spread between people

 

a.  have mutated too
b.  have mutated to
c.  have mutation to
d.  have mutant ad to

8)

the new virus posed an "important ______"

 

a.  and major challenge
b.  and major challenges
c.  and major challenged
d.  and major challenging

9)

He stressed that ______ was not SARS, it was very worrying

 

a.  while a new virus
b.  while the new virus
c.  while this new virus
d.  while that new virus

10)

different clusters seen in multiple countries increasingly ______

 

a.  support the hypothesis
b.  support the hypotheses
c.  support the hypothetical
d.  support the hypothesises

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a new coronavirus strain (1) _______________________ to human. The virus, called nCoV-EMC, (2) _______________________ the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed 775 people (3) _______________________ 2002-03. However, the WHO was quick to point out that the new strain isn't as virulent as SARS. The warning (4) _______________________ worldwide came to light on Sunday. A man is in a "very serious but stable" condition in an intensive care unit (5) _______________________ in France. It is believed he contracted the virus while vacationing in Dubai in April. The new coronavirus has (6) _______________________ of 18 people, 15 of the fatalities being in Saudi Arabia.

Coronavirus causes (7) _______________________ both humans and animals. Unlike SARS, which spread from birds and animals to humans, the new strain could have (8) _______________________ people. A WHO spokesman, Keiji Fukuda, told reporters in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday that (9) _______________________ "important and major challenge" for those countries already affected and for the whole world. He stressed (10) _______________________ was not SARS, it was very worrying. He said: "Of most concern (11) _______________________ different clusters seen in multiple countries increasingly support the hypothesis that (12) __________________________, this coronavirus can transmit from person to person".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What did the WHO warn of?

2.

How many people did SARS infect and kill?

3.

How is the man in a French hospital doing?

4.

How did the man in France contract the virus?

5.

How many fatalities have there been and where are they?

6.

How does the new virus differ from SARS?

7.

How could the new strain have arisen?

8.

What did Mr Fukuda want to make people aware of?

9.

Which countries face a challenge?

10.

What hypothesis seems to be supported?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What did the WHO warn of?

6.

How does the virus differ from SARS?

 

a) to wash our hands regularly
b) not to live near chickens
c) person-to-person infection
d) thousands of deaths

 

a) it's identical
b) it can pass from person to person
c) it causes a fever
d) there's no hope of recovery

2.

How many did SARS infect and kill?

7.

How could the new strain have arisen?

 

a) it infected over 8,000 and killed 775
b) it infected fewer than 8,000 and killed 775
c) it infected 775 and killed 8,273
d) it infected fewer than 800 and killed fewer than 8,000

 

a) after an accident in a research lab
b) it's a long-lost prehistoric strain
c) it has always been with is
d) it could have mutated

3.

How is the man in the French hospital?

8.

What did Mr Fukuda want to make people aware of?

 

a) he's up and about
b) he's near to a full recovery
c) his vital signs are deteriorating
d) he's in a serious but stable condition

 

a) that wearing a mask eliminates any risk
b) that nCoV-EMC isn't SARS
c) that travelling could be dangerous
d) not to get too close to people

4.

How did the man get the virus?

9.

Which countries face a challenge?

 

a) after eating chicken
b) while on holiday in the UAE
c) he was researching the virus
d) no one knows

 

a) every country
b) Saudi Arabia and the UAE
c) only France
d) those in the northern hemisphere

5.

How many fatalities have there been and where are they?

10.

What hypothesis seems to be supported?

 

a) 775 worldwide
b) 80, 50 in Dubai
c) 18, 15 in Saudi Arabia
d) 3 in France

 

a) that viruses spread among humans
b) the nCoV-EMC hypothesis
c) the WHO / SARS hypothesis
d) that being near people can spread
    the virus

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Coronavirus worrier

You think the coronavirus is the biggest threat to people's health. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why they are wrong to worry about their health concern. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): sodas, a lack of exercise or fast food.

Role  B – Worried about sodas

You think sodas are the biggest threat to people's health. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why they are wrong to worry about their health concern. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the coronavirus, a lack of exercise or fast food.

Role  C – Worried about lack of exercise

You think a lack of exercise is the biggest threat to people's health. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why they are wrong to worry about their health concern. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): sodas, the coronavirus or fast food.

Role  D – Fast food worrier

You think fast food is the biggest threat to people's health. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why they are wrong to worry about their health concern. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): sodas, the coronavirus or fast food.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

virus

spread

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • warned
  • looks
  • point
  • light
  • unit
  • claimed
  • both
  • mutated
  • posed
  • whole
  • fact
  • close

VIRUSES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about viruses 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.

VIRUSES 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 'virus'?

c)

How much do you worry when you hear about the spread of viruses?

d)

How big a problem would it be if the coronavirus spread worldwide?

e)

What would governments do if the virus started killing thousands?

f)

What would you do if the virus was spreading in your country?

g)

How do you think the SARS virus was contained?

h)

Do you have confidence that scientists can provide vaccines for viruses?

i)

What do you know about the new coronavirus strain?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Is infection among humans as dangerous as animal to human infection?

c)

What is being reported about the coronavirus in your country's press?

d)

What challenges does the virus pose to the world?

e)

What is a virus?

f)

When should governments start issuing health warnings and advice?

g)

Would you start avoiding people if the virus spread?

h)

How do new viruses keep appearing?

i)

What questions would you like to ask a virus 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 World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a new coronavirus strain could be passed from human to human. The virus, called nCoV-EMC, looks like an (1) ____ of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed 775 people and (2) ____ 8,273 between 2002-03. However, the WHO was quick to point (3) ____ that the new strain isn't as (4) ____ as SARS. The warning came after the 34th case worldwide came to light on Sunday. A man is in a "very serious but stable" condition in an (5) ____ care unit in France. It is believed he contracted the virus while vacationing in Dubai in April. The new coronavirus has already claimed the lives of 18 people, 15 of the fatalities (6) ____ in Saudi Arabia.

Coronavirus causes (7) ____ illnesses in both humans and animals. Unlike SARS, which spread from birds and animals to humans, the new strain could have         (8) ____ to spread between people. A WHO spokesman, Keiji Fukuda, told reporters in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday that the new virus (9) ____ an "important and major challenge" for those countries already (10) ____ and for the whole world. He stressed that while the new virus was not SARS, it was very     (11) ____. He said: "Of most concern is the fact that the different clusters seen in multiple countries (12) ____ support the hypothesis that when there is close contact, this coronavirus can transmit from person to person".

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

1.

(a)

offshore

(b)

shore off

(c)

offshoot

(d)

shoot off

2.

(a)

infected

(b)

infection

(c)

infects

(d)

infect

3.

(a)

out

(b)

up

(c)

down

(d)

at

4.

(a)

virulent

(b)

flappable

(c)

ceramic

(d)

updating

5.

(a)

accidental

(b)

intensive

(c)

extensive

(d)

experimental

6.

(a)

happened

(b)

are

(c)

were

(d)

being

7.

(a)

perspiring

(b)

preparatory

(c)

respiratory

(d)

excruciating

8.

(a)

coagulated

(b)

consummated

(c)

percolated

(d)

mutated

9.

(a)

posed

(b)

posted

(c)

postured

(d)

supposed

10.

(a)

affected

(b)

affects

(c)

affective

(d)

affectation

11.

(a)

worries

(b)

worrying

(c)

worried

(d)

worry

12.

(a)

heightened

(b)

upped

(c)

increasingly

(d)

affirmed

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

looks like an ffoosoth

2.

Severe Acute Respiratory rmenydSo

3.

the new strain isn't as tvrenuli

4.

an enitnsvei care unit

5.

while cagantionvi in Dubai

6.

15 of the asfleitati

Paragraph 2

7.

lslessien in both humans and animals

8.

…could have tamdtue

9.

depos an important and major challenge

10.

countries already aeetffdc

11.

different utsclsre seen in multiple countries

12.

support the hisetshpoy

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

passed from human to human. The virus, called nCoV-EMC, looks like an offshoot

(    )

concern is the fact that the different clusters seen in multiple countries increasingly support

(    )

spokesman, Keiji Fukuda, told reporters in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday that the new virus posed an "important

(    )

the hypothesis that when there is close contact, this coronavirus can transmit from person to person".

(    )

between 2002-03. However, the WHO was quick to point out that the new strain isn't as virulent as SARS. The warning came

(    )

coronavirus has already claimed the lives of 18 people, 15 of the fatalities being in Saudi Arabia.

(    )

Coronavirus causes respiratory illnesses in both humans and animals. Unlike SARS, which spread

(    )

after the 34th case worldwide came to light on Sunday. A man is in a "very serious but stable" condition in an intensive care

(    )

and major challenge" for those countries already affected and for the whole world. He stressed that

1  )

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a new coronavirus strain could be

(    )

unit in France. It is believed he contracted the virus while vacationing in Dubai in April. The new

(    )

while the new virus was not SARS, it was very worrying. He said: "Of most

(    )

of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed 775 people and infected 8,273

(    )

from birds and animals to humans, the new strain could have mutated to spread between people. A WHO

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

virulent as isn't strain new the that out point to Quick.

2.

34th case worldwide came to light on Sunday After the.

3.

condition is very stable man a but A in serious.

4.

the Dubai virus while He vacationing contracted in.

5.

claimed of already lives people has the 18 Coronavirus.

6.

and illnesses animals in both Causes humans respiratory.

7.

virus important challenge new an major The posed and.

8.

affected world and for Countries the already whole.

9.

seen clusters different The countries multiple in.

10.

that contact when there The is hypothesis close.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a new coronavirus strain could / should be passed from human to human. The virus, called nCoV-EMC, looks like an offshore / offshoot of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed 775 people and infections / infected 8,273 between 2002-03. However, the WHO was quick to point at / out that the new strain isn't as violent / virulent as SARS. The warning came after the 34th case / cause worldwide came to light / lightning on Sunday. A man is in a "very serious but staple / stable" condition in an intensive care unit in France. It is believed he constructed / contracted the virus while vacationing in Dubai in April. The new coronavirus has already claimed the lives of 18 people, 15 of the fatalities being / were in Saudi Arabia.

Coronavirus cases / causes respiratory illnesses in both humans and animals. Unlike SARS, which spread / spared from birds and animals to humans, the new strain could have mated / mutated to spread between people. A WHO spokesman, Keiji Fukuda, told reporters in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday that the new virus posed / posted an "important and major / minor challenge" for those countries already affective / affected and for the whole world. He stressed that when / while the new virus was not SARS, it was very worrying. He said: "Of most worry / concern is the fact that the different clusters seen in multiple / multiply countries increasingly support the hypothesis that when there is close / closed contact, this coronavirus can transmit from person to person".

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_ W_rld H__lth _rg_n_s_t__n (WH_) h_s w_rn_d th_t _ n_w c_r_n_v_r_s str__n c__ld b_ p_ss_d fr_m h_m_n t_ h_m_n. Th_ v_r_s, c_ll_d nC_V-_MC, l__ks l_k_ _n _ffsh__t _f th_ S_v_r_ _c_t_ R_sp_r_t_ry Syndr_m_ (S_RS), wh_ch k_ll_d 775 p__pl_ _nd _nf_ct_d 8,273 b_tw__n 2002-03. H_w_v_r, th_ WH_ w_s q__ck t_ p__nt __t th_t th_ n_w str__n _sn't _s v_r_l_nt _s S_RS. Th_ w_rn_ng c_m_ _ft_r th_ 34th c_s_ w_rldw_d_ c_m_ t_ l_ght _n S_nd_y. _ m_n _s _n _ "v_ry s_r___s b_t st_bl_" c_nd_t__n _n _n _nt_ns_v_ c_r_ _n_t _n Fr_nc_. _t _s b_l__v_d h_ c_ntr_ct_d th_ v_r_s wh_l_ v_c_t__n_ng _n D_b__ _n _pr_l. Th_ n_w c_r_n_v_r_s h_s _lr__dy cl__m_d th_ l_v_s _f 18 p__pl_, 15 _f th_ f_t_l_t__s b__ng _n S__d_ _r_b__.

C_r_n_v_r_s c__s_s r_sp_r_t_ry _lln_ss_s _n b_th h_m_ns _nd _n_m_ls. _nl_k_ S_RS, wh_ch spr__d fr_m b_rds _nd _n_m_ls t_ h_m_ns, th_ n_w str__n c__ld h_v_ m_t_t_d t_ spr__d b_tw__n p__pl_. _ WH_ sp_k_sm_n, K__j_ F_k_d_, t_ld r_p_rt_rs _n th_ S__d_ c_p_t_l R_y_dh _n S_nd_y th_t th_ n_w v_r_s p_s_d _n "_mp_rt_nt _nd m_j_r ch_ll_ng_" f_r th_s_ c__ntr__s _lr__dy _ff_ct_d _nd f_r th_ wh_l_ w_rld. H_ str_ss_d th_t wh_l_ th_ n_w v_r_s w_s n_t S_RS, _t w_s v_ry w_rry_ng. H_ s__d: "_f m_st c_nc_rn _s th_ f_ct th_t th_ d_ff_r_nt cl_st_rs s__n _n m_lt_pl_ c__ntr__s _ncr__s_ngly s_pp_rt th_ hyp_th_s_s th_t wh_n th_r_ _s cl_s_ c_nt_ct, th_s c_r_n_v_r_s c_n tr_nsm_t fr_m p_rs_n t_ p_rs_n".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the world health organisation (who) has warned that a new coronavirus strain could be passed from human to human the virus called ncov-emc looks like an offshoot of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (sars) which killed 775 people and infected 8273 between 2002-03 however the who was quick to point out that the new strain isn't as virulent as sars the warning came after the 34th case worldwide came to light on sunday a man is in a "very serious but stable" condition in an intensive care unit in france it is believed he contracted the virus while vacationing in dubai in april the new coronavirus has already claimed the lives of 18 people 15 of the fatalities being in saudi arabia

coronavirus causes respiratory illnesses in both humans and animals unlike sars which spread from birds and animals to humans the new strain could have mutated to spread between people a who spokesman keiji fukuda told reporters in the saudi capital riyadh on sunday that the new virus posed an "important and major challenge" for those countries already affected and for the whole world he stressed that while the new virus was not sars it was very worrying he said "of most concern is the fact that the different clusters seen in multiple countries increasingly support the hypothesis that when there is close contact this coronavirus can transmit from person to person"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO)haswarnedthatanewcoronavirusstraincould
bepassedfromhumantohuman.Thevirus,callednCoV-EMC,lookslikeanoffshootof
theSevereAcuteRespiratorySyndrome(SARS),whichkilled775peopleandinfected
8,273between2002-03.However,theWHOwasquicktopointoutthatthenew
strainisn'tasvirulentasSARS.Thewarningcameafterthe34thcaseworldwidecame
tolightonSunday.Amanisina"veryseriousbutstable"conditioninanintensivecare
unitinFrance.ItisbelievedhecontractedtheviruswhilevacationinginDubaiinApril.
Thenewcoronavirushasalreadyclaimedthelivesof18people,15ofthefatalities
beinginSaudiArabia.Coronaviruscausesrespiratoryillnessesinbothhumansand
animals.UnlikeSARS,whichspreadfrombirdsandanimalstohumans,thenewstrain
couldhavemutatedtospreadbetweenpeople.AWHOspokesman,KeijiFukuda,told
reportersintheSaudicapitalRiyadhonSundaythatthenewvirusposedan"important
andmajorchallenge"forthosecountriesalreadyaffectedandforthewholeworld.He
stressedthatwhilethenewviruswasnotSARS,itwasveryworrying.Hesaid:"Of
mostconcernisthefactthatthedifferentclustersseeninmultiplecountries
increasinglysupportthehypothesisthatwhenthereisclosecontact,thiscorona
viruscantransmitfrompersontoperson".

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

If there is a major person-to-person virus, all international travel should be banned until a solution can be found.   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 viruses. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. PERSON-TO-PERSON: Write a magazine article about the potential spread of the coronavirus from person to person. Include imaginary interviews with doctors and worried citizens.

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 virus. Ask him/her three questions about the coronavirus. Give him/her three of your opinions on how to stop it spreading. 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

T

c

F

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

warned

a.

cautioned

2.

point out

b.

indicate

3.

virulent

c.

infectious

4.

claimed

d.

taken

5.

fatalities

e.

deaths

6.

causes

f.

leads to

7.

mutated

g.

transformed

8.

posed

h.

presented

9.

cluster

i.

group

10.

hypothesis

j.

theory

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

The virus passing between humans

2.

It killed 775 and infected 8,273

3.

He's in a very serious but stable condition

4.

While on holiday in Dubai

5.

18, 15 in Saudi Arabia

6.

It spreads from person to person

7.

It could have mutated

8.

That the new coronavirus isn't SARS

9.

Every country

10.

That close contact among people can spread the virus

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

d

4.

b

5.

c

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

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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