The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Many companies are trying to make their websites safe from a new Internet bug called Heartbleed. It is like a hole in the security of websites that hackers can use to get private information. The bug was in security software used by most Internet sites. Millions of sites used the software after it became available on New Year's Eve, 2011. The bug was in it then but was only found last week. The big sites, like Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Amazon, etc., quickly made a patch to fix the bug. However, many small sites and thousands of apps are still at risk. It is still possible for hackers to access passwords and other confidential information. Hackers already broke into Canada's tax system and stole 900 passwords.

Internet security experts say more than a third of people who use the Android Jelly Bean OS are still waiting for a patch. Google has made all of its other services safe, such as Search, Gmail, YouTube and Play, but is working with its partners to create a fix for Jelly Bean. BlackBerry is also working to release a patch to its users later this week. Meanwhile, the man who accidentally created the bug spoke to reporters. He said: "I am responsible for the error because I wrote the code." He added: "Unfortunately, this mistake also slipped through the review process and therefore made its way into the released version." He said it was a "simple programming error".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2014/04/14/Android-devices-still-awaiting-Heartbleed-fix/5641397491826/
  • http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2456507,00.asp


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. INTERNET BUGS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Internet bugs. 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.

 

companies / security / private information / bug / last week / patch / apps / password / Android / partners / accidentally / responsible / code / review / programming / error

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

3. INTERNET DANGERS: Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Danger

How serious?

How worried are you?

What to do about it?

Phishing

 

 

 

Cyber-bullying

 

 

 

Viruses

 

 

 

Identity theft

 

 

 

File / Data loss

 

 

 

Online stalkers

 

 

 

4. BUG-FREE: Students A strongly believe there will be no Internet bugs in the future; Students B strongly believe there will always be bugs.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. CONFIDENTIAL: Rank these with your partner. Put the most confidential info at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • bank account details

  • e-mail password

  • date of birth

  • gaming passwords

  • credit card details

  • log-in password

  • private journal / diary

  • Facebook password

6. SECURITY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "security". 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 Heartbleed bug is five years old.

T / F

b.

Hackers can use the bug to get private information from websites.

T / F

c.

Heartbleed first appeared on the Internet on New Year's Eve, 2011.

T / F

d.

Hackers stole 9,000 passwords from Canada's tax system.

T / F

e.

Over a third of Android users are waiting for a patch to fix the bug.

T / F

f.

Google said the bug is not a danger to all of its online services.

T / F

g.

BlackBerry has sent a patch to all of its users.

T / F

h.

The man whose mistake created the bug said it was not a simple error.

T / F

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

1.

safe

a.

specialists

2.

hole

b.

repair

3.

information

c.

private

4.

fix

d.

secure

5.

confidential

e.

unintentionally

6.

experts

f.

details

7.

create

g.

mistake

8.

accidentally

h.

gap

9.

error

i.

edition

10.

version

j.

make

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

1.

trying to make their

a.

to fix the bug

2.

private

b.

software

3.

security

c.

for the error

4.

a patch

d.

of people

5.

thousands of apps are

e.

websites safe

6.

more than a third

f.

process

7.

the man who accidentally

g.

error

8.

I am responsible

h.

information

9.

the review

i.

created the bug

10.

a simple programming

j.

still at risk

GAP FILL

Many companies are trying to make their websites (1) ____________ from a new Internet bug called Heartbleed. It is like a (2) ____________ in the security of websites that hackers can use to get (3) ____________ information. The bug was in security software used by most Internet sites. Millions of sites used the software after it became (4) ____________ on New Year's Eve, 2011. The bug was in it then but was only found last week. The big sites, like Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Amazon, etc., (5) ____________ made a patch to fix the bug. However, many small sites and (6) ____________ of apps are still at risk. It is still possible for hackers to access passwords and other (7) ____________ information. Hackers already (8) ____________ into Canada's tax system and stole 900 passwords.

 

 

thousands
private
quickly
safe
broke
hole
confidential
available

Internet security (9) ____________ say more than a third of people who use the Android Jelly Bean OS are still waiting for a (10) ____________. Google has made all of its other services safe, such as Search, Gmail, YouTube and Play, but is working with its (11) ____________ to create a fix for Jelly Bean. BlackBerry is also working to (12) ____________ a patch to its (13) ____________ later this week. Meanwhile, the man who accidentally created the bug spoke to reporters. He said: "I am (14) ____________ for the error because I wrote the code." He added: "Unfortunately, this mistake also (15) ____________ through the review process and therefore made its way into the released version." He said it was a "simple programming (16) ____________ ".

 

release
slipped
patch
error
experts
responsible
partners
users

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Many companies are trying to make their ______

 

a.  websites safe
b.  websites surf
c.  websites serf
d.  websites save

2)

Millions of sites used the software after it became ______ New Year's Eve

 

a.  availability on
b.  avail a ball on
c.  available on
d.  avail able on

3)

quickly made a patch to ______

 

a.  nix the bug
b.  jinx the bug
c.  mix the bug
d.  fix the bug

4)

It is still possible for hackers to access passwords and other ______

 

a.  confidentially information
b.  confident shall information
c.  confidential information
d.  confidence all information

5)

Hackers already broke into Canada's ______

 

a.  tax systems
b.  taxes system
c.  taxes systems
d.  tax system

6)

BlackBerry is also working to release a ______

 

a.  match to its users
b.  batch to its users
c.  patch to its users
d.  hatch to its users

7)

the man who accidentally ______

 

a.  create it the bug
b.  create the bug
c.  creating the bug
d.  created the bug

8)

I am responsible for the error because I ______

 

a.  wrote the code
b.  write the code
c.  written the code
d.  rode the code

9)

Unfortunately, this mistake also slipped through the ______

 

a.  review process
b.  reviewer process
c.  reviews process
d.  reviewed process

10)

He said it was a "simple _______"

 

a.  program in error
b.  programming error
c.  programmer error
d.  programmed error

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Many companies (1) ___________________ their websites safe from a new Internet bug called Heartbleed. It (2) ___________________ the security of websites that hackers can use to get private information. The bug was in security software used by most Internet sites. Millions of sites used the software after it (3) ___________________ New Year's Eve, 2011. The bug was in it then but was only found last week. The big sites, like Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Amazon, etc., (4) ___________________ to fix the bug. However, many small sites and thousands of (5) ___________________. It is still possible for hackers to access passwords and other confidential information. Hackers (6) ___________________ Canada's tax system and stole 900 passwords.

Internet security (7) ___________________ than a third of people who use the Android Jelly Bean OS are still waiting for a patch. Google has made all of its (8) ___________________, such as Search, Gmail, YouTube and Play, but is working with its partners (9) ___________________ Jelly Bean. BlackBerry is also working to release a patch to its users later this week. Meanwhile, the man (10) ___________________ created the bug spoke to reporters. He said: "I (11) ___________________ the error because I wrote the code." He added: "Unfortunately, this mistake also slipped through the review process and therefore made its way into the released version." He said it was a "simple (12) ___________________".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What did the article say Heartbleed was like?

2.

How many sites used the infected software?

3.

In what year did Heartbleed appear?

4.

What did many sites quickly make?

5.

How many passwords did hackers steal?

6.

How many Jelly Bean users are waiting for a patch?

7.

Who is Google working with to create a patch?

8.

When will BlackBerry's patch be available?

9.

Why does the man who created the big say he is responsible?

10.

What kind of mistake did the man say he made?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What did the article say Heartbleed was like?

6.

How many Jelly Bean users are waiting for a patch?

 

a) a library
b) a hole
c) a monster
d) a headache

 

a) 42 million
b) just a few
c) more than a third
d) those with the green ones

2.

How many sites used the infected software?

7.

Who is Google working with to create a patch?

 

a) tens of thousands
b) hundreds of thousands
c) billions
d) millions

 

a) the World Wide Web
b) Facebook
c) the US Government
d) its partners

3.

In what year did Heartbleed appear?

8.

When will BlackBerry's patch be available?

 

a) 2011
b) 2012
c) 2013
d) 2014

 

a) later this week
b) tomorrow
c) next month
d) when the manager comes back

4.

What did many sites quickly make?

9.

Why does the man who created the big say he is responsible?

 

a) money
b) excuses
c) a patch
d) mistakes

 

a) he wrote the code
b) he knew it would be a problem
c) he did not report it
d) he was the chief bug-spotter

5.

How many passwords did hackers steal?

10.

What kind of mistake did the man say he made?

 

a) 9,000
b) 900
c) 90,000
d) 900,000

 

a) a huge one
b) a simple one
c) an unforgivable one
d) the kind anyone could make

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Bank account details

You think your bank account details are the most confidential. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): e-mail password, Facebook password or private journal.

Role  B – E-mail password

You think your e-mail password is the most confidential. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): bank account details, Facebook password or private journal.

Role  C – Facebook password

You think your Facebook password is the most confidential. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): e-mail password, bank account details or private journal.

Role  D – Private journal / diary

You think your private journal is the most confidential. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  e-mail password, Facebook password or bank account details.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

heart

bleed

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • trying
  • private
  • 2011
  • last
  • big
  • possible
  • third
  • partners
  • later
  • created
  • slipped
  • simple

INTERNET BUGS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Internet bugs 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.

INTERNET BUGS 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 'computer bug'?

c)

Do you worry about computer bugs?

d)

What do you do to protect your computer and information?

e)

Do you think it's easy for hackers to guess your passwords?

f)

How bad would it be if people got your passwords?

g)

Do you think the Internet will ever be totally safe?

h)

What would happen if all Internet security broke?

i)

Has your computer ever had a computer virus?

j)

Do you have a lot of confidential information online?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What do you do to stay safe online?

c)

Do you feel comfortable shopping online with your credit card?

d)

How important is the Internet in your life?

e)

Have you ever had a problem because you forgot a password?

f)

Will hackers always be able to get confidential information?

g)

Which sites are most at risk from hackers?

h)

How do you think the man who accidentally made this bug feels?

i)

What do you think of the name "Heartbleed"?

j)

What would you like to ask an Internet security 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.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Many companies are trying to make their websites safe from a new Internet bug called Heartbleed. It is like a (1) ____ in the security of websites that hackers can use to get private information. The bug was in security software used by most Internet sites. Millions of sites used the software after it became (2) ____ on New Year's Eve, 2011. The bug was in it then but was (3) ____ found last week. The big sites, like Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Amazon, etc., (4) ____ made a patch to fix the bug. However, many small sites and thousands of apps are still (5) ____ risk. It is still possible for hackers to access passwords and other confidential information. Hackers already (6) ____ into Canada's tax system and stole 900 passwords.

Internet security (7) ____ say more than a third of people who use the Android Jelly Bean OS are still waiting for a patch. Google has made all of its other services safe, (8) ____ as Search, Gmail, YouTube and Play, but is working with its partners to create a fix for Jelly Bean. BlackBerry is also working to (9) ____ a patch to its users later this week. Meanwhile, the man who accidentally created the bug spoke to reporters. He said: "I am responsible (10) ____ the error because I wrote the code." He added: "Unfortunately, this mistake also (11) ____ through the review process and therefore made its way into the released version." He said it was a "(12) ____ programming error".

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

1.

(a)

whole

(b)

hall

(c)

hail

(d)

hole

2.

(a)

there

(b)

ready

(c)

use

(d)

available

3.

(a)

then

(b)

only

(c)

alone

(d)

sole

4.

(a)

fast

(b)

speedy

(c)

quickly

(d)

swift

5.

(a)

to

(b)

by

(c)

at

(d)

of

6.

(a)

broke

(b)

damaged

(c)

marred

(d)

smashed

7.

(a)

expats

(b)

experts

(c)

exports

(d)

expires

8.

(a)

such

(b)

like

(c)

similar

(d)

same

9.

(a)

free

(b)

release

(c)

let go

(d)

sell

10.

(a)

of

(b)

by

(c)

for

(d)

from

11.

(a)

stumbled

(b)

tripped

(c)

slipped

(d)

slid

12.

(a)

child's play

(b)

modest

(c)

easy

(d)

simple

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

a hole in the etusciyr of websites

2.

get eritapv information

3.

it became aaablveil on New Year's Eve

4.

a hactp to fix the bug

5.

possible for hackers to csscae passwords

6.

other eafntdoicnil information

Paragraph 2

7.

eerxtps say more than a third…

8.

actnldlaeciy created the bug

9.

I am slnbosirepe

10.

the wereiv process

11.

the released reosvni

12.

a simple programming rrreo

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

called Heartbleed. It is like a hole in the security of websites that hackers can use to get private

(    )

Internet security experts say

(    )

week. The big sites, like Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Amazon, etc., quickly made a patch to

(    )

after it became available on New Year's Eve, 2011. The bug was in it then but was only found last

(    )

fix the bug. However, many small sites and thousands of apps are still at risk. It is still possible for hackers to

(    )

more than a third of people who use the Android Jelly Bean OS are still waiting for a patch. Google has made all

(    )

access passwords and other confidential information. Hackers already broke into Canada's tax system and stole 900 passwords.

1  )

Many companies are trying to make their websites safe from a new Internet bug

(    )

for the error because I wrote the code." He added: "Unfortunately, this mistake also slipped

(    )

information. The bug was in security software used by most Internet sites. Millions of sites used the software

(    )

of its other services safe, such as Search, Gmail, YouTube and Play, but is working with its

(    )

through the review process and therefore made its way into the released version." He said it was a "simple programming error".

(    )

partners to create a fix for Jelly Bean. BlackBerry is also working to release a patch to its users later

(    )

this week. Meanwhile, the man who accidentally created the bug spoke to reporters. He said: "I am responsible

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

make     Companies     their     are     websites     trying     safe     to.    

2.

websites     like     in     of     is     hole     security     It     a     the.    

3.

sites     Internet     most     by     used     software     Security.    

4.

of     apps     are     still     at     risk    Small    sites    and    thousands.    

5.

to     still     hackers     passwords     is     for     access     It    possible.    

6.

partners     to     create    a    fix    Google    is     working    with     its.    

7.

created     accidentally     who     man     The     bug     the.    

8.

for   responsible   am    I   code   the    wrote   I   because   error   the.

9.

mistake     review     also     process     slipped     through    This    the.    

10.

simple     said     programming     it     error     was     a     He.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Many companies are trying to make their websites safety / safe from a new Internet bug called Heartbleed. It is like a whole / hole in the security of websites that hackers can use to get / put private information. The bug was in security software used by most Internet sites. Millions of sites used the software after it became use / available on New Year's Eve, 2011. The bug was in it then / that but was only found last week. The big sites, like Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Amazon, etc., quickly / speedy made a patch to fix the bug. However, many / much small sites and thousands of apps are still at risky / risk. It is still possible for hackers to excess / access passwords and other confidential information. Hackers already broke into Canada's tax system and stole / steals 900 passwords.

Internet security expats / experts say more than a third of people who use the Android Jelly Bean OS are still waited / waiting for a patch. Google has made all of its other / another services safe, such as Search, Gmail, YouTube and Play, but is working with its partners to create affix / a fix for Jelly Bean. BlackBerry is also working to release a pitch / patch to its users later this week. Meanwhile, the man who accidentally / accidents created the bug spoke to reporters. He said: "I am responsibility / responsible for the terror /  error because I wrote the code." He added: "Unfortunately, this mistake also slipped through / though the review process and therefore made its way into the released version / venison." He said it was a "simple programming error".

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)

M_ny c_mp_n__s _r_ try_ng t_ m_k_ th__r w_bs_t_s s_f_ fr_m _ n_w _nt_rn_t b_g c_ll_d H__rtbl__d. _t _s l_k_ _ h_l_ _n th_ s_c_r_ty _f w_bs_t_s th_t h_ck_rs c_n _s_ t_ g_t pr_v_t_ _nf_rm_t__n. Th_ b_g w_s _n s_c_r_ty s_ftw_r_ _s_d by m_st _nt_rn_t s_t_s. M_ll__ns _f s_t_s _s_d th_ s_ftw_r_ _ft_r _t b_c_m_ _v__l_bl_ _n N_w Y__r's _v_, 2011. Th_ b_g w_s _n _t th_n b_t w_s _nly f__nd l_st w__k. Th_ b_g s_t_s, l_k_ G__gl_, Y_h__, Y__T_b_, _m_z_n, _tc., q__ckly m_d_ _ p_tch t_ f_x th_ b_g. H_w_v_r, m_ny sm_ll s_t_s _nd th__s_nds _f _pps _r_ st_ll _t r_sk. _t _s st_ll p_ss_bl_ f_r h_ck_rs t_ _cc_ss p_ssw_rds _nd _th_r c_nf_d_nt__l _nf_rm_t__n. H_ck_rs _lr__dy br_k_ _nt_ C_n_d_'s t_x syst_m _nd st_l_ 900 p_ssw_rds.

_nt_rn_t s_c_r_ty _xp_rts s_y m_r_ th_n _ th_rd _f p__pl_ wh_ _s_ th_ _ndr__d J_lly B__n _S _r_ st_ll w__t_ng f_r _ p_tch. G__gl_ h_s m_d_ _ll _f _ts _th_r s_rv_c_s s_f_, s_ch _s S__rch, Gm__l, Y__T_b_ _nd Pl_y, b_t _s w_rk_ng w_th _ts p_rtn_rs t_ cr__t_ _ f_x f_r J_lly B__n. Bl_ckB_rry _s _ls_ w_rk_ng t_ r_l__s_ _ p_tch t_ _ts _s_rs l_t_r th_s w__k. M__nwh_l_, th_ m_n wh_ _cc_d_nt_lly cr__t_d th_ b_g sp_k_ t_ r_p_rt_rs. H_ s__d: "_ _m r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r th_ _rr_r b_c__s_ _ wr_t_ th_ c_d_." H_ _dd_d: "_nf_rt_n_t_ly, th_s m_st_k_ _ls_ sl_pp_d thr__gh th_ r_v__w pr_c_ss _nd th_r_f_r_ m_d_ _ts w_y _nt_ th_ r_l__s_d v_rs__n." H_ s__d _t w_s _ "s_mpl_ pr_gr_mm_ng _rr_r".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

many companies are trying to make their websites safe from a new internet bug called heartbleed it is like a hole in the security of websites that hackers can use to get private information the bug was in security software used by most internet sites millions of sites used the software after it became available on new year's eve 2011 the bug was in it then but was only found last week the big sites like google yahoo youtube amazon etc quickly made a patch to fix the bug however many small sites and thousands of apps are still at risk it is still possible for hackers to access passwords and other confidential information hackers already broke into canada's tax system and stole 900 passwords

internet security experts say more than a third of people who use the android jelly bean os are still waiting for a patch google has made all of its other services safe such as search gmail youtube and play but is working with its partners to create a fix for jelly bean blackberry is also working to release a patch to its users later this week meanwhile the man who accidentally created the bug spoke to reporters he said "i am responsible for the error because i wrote the code" he added "unfortunately this mistake also slipped through the review process and therefore made its way into the released version" he said it was a "simple programming error"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ManycompaniesaretryingtomaketheirwebsitessafefromanewInt
ernetbugcalledHeartbleed.Itislikeaholeinthesecurityofwebsitest
hathackerscanusetogetprivateinformation.Thebugwasinsecurity
softwareusedbymostInternetsites.Millionsofsitesusedthesoftwar
eafteritbecameavailableonNewYear'sEve,2011.Thebugwasinitth
enbutwasonlyfoundlastweek.Thebigsites,likeGoogle,Yahoo,You
Tube,Amazon,etc.,quicklymadeapatchtofixthebug.However,ma
nysmallsitesandthousandsofappsarestillatrisk.Itisstillpossiblefor
hackerstoaccesspasswordsandotherconfidentialinformation.Hac
kersalreadybrokeintoCanada'staxsystemandstole900passwords
.Internetsecurityexpertssaymorethanathirdofpeoplewhousethe
AndroidJellyBeanOSarestillwaitingforapatch.Googlehasmadeall
ofitsotherservicessafe,suchasSearch,Gmail,YouTubeandPlay,bu
tisworkingwithitspartnerstocreateafixforJellyBean.BlackBerryis
alsoworkingtoreleaseapatchtoitsuserslaterthisweek.Meanwhile,
themanwhoaccidentallycreatedthebugspoketoreporters.Hesaid:
"IamresponsiblefortheerrorbecauseIwrotethecode."Headded:"U
nfortunately,thismistakealsoslippedthroughthereviewprocessan
dthereforemadeitswayintothereleasedversion."Hesaiditwasa"si
mpleprogrammingerror".

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

The Internet is not a safe place. 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 Heartbleed bug. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. INTERNET BUGS: Make a poster about Internet bugs. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. HEARTBLEED: Write a magazine article about Heartbleed. Include imaginary interviews with people who think it is very dangerous and people who think it is not dangerous and will disappear very soon.

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 Internet bugs. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can protect our computers and information. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

safe

a.

secure

2.

hole

b.

gap

3.

information

c.

details

4.

fix

d.

repair

5.

confidential

e.

private

6.

experts

f.

specialists

7.

create

g.

make

8.

accidentally

h.

unintentionally

9.

error

i.

mistake

10.

version

j.

edition

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

A hole in Internet security

2.

Millions

3.

2011

4.

A patch

5.

900

6.

Over a third

7.

Its partners

8.

Later this week

9.

He wrote the code

10.

A simple programming error

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

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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