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Questions surrounding Malaysia plane crash (July 20, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

A Malaysian airplane was shot down over eastern Ukraine on Thursday evening. All 298 passengers and crew died in the tragedy. Malaysians are still in shock after the loss of another airplane that disappeared in March. There are many questions over who shot the plane above Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is blaming pro-Russian rebels from east Ukraine. The rebels are saying they do not have the technology to shoot down an airplane flying above 10,000 metres. They blame Ukraine for the tragedy. The plane was flying from Amsterdam, Holland to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Air traffic controllers told the pilot that the route above Ukrainian skies was safe, even though there was fighting on the ground.

All efforts are now on the investigation to find out what happened to the flight. There are many problems with this. The crash site near the village of Grabovo is in an area controlled by the rebels. There are worries that investigators will not get the airplane's black box. This will provide important information about the last moments of the flight. Experts say the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. A Ukrainian government spokesman said rebels used a Russian-made Buk missile launcher to shoot the plane. Rebel leader Alexander Borodai blamed the Ukrainian government. Since the crash, all air space above Ukraine has been closed. Planes already in the sky changed direction to go around Ukraine.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/south-east-asia/story/wrap-malaysia-airlines-jet-mh17-believed-shot-down-ukraine-295-dead-#sthash.SRH6cMNt.dpuf
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/breaking-passenger-plane-crashes-in-ukraine-near-russian-border/503647.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28357880

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. AIRPLANES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about airplanes. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

airplane / in shock / disappeared / blaming / rebels / tragedy / air traffic controllers / investigation / flight / crash site / black box / missile / spokesman / air space

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

3. INVESTIGATION: Students A strongly believe the United Nations should lead the investigation of the crash; Students B strongly believe Ukraine should. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. QUESTIONS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "questions". 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 article says the Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down.	T / F
b.	The government of Ukraine is blaming pro-Russian rebels.	T / F
c.	The rebels said they had weapons that could reach 10,000 metres.	T / F
d.	Air traffic controllers said the route the plane took was not safe.	T / F
e.	There should be few problems getting the investigation started.	T / F
f.	Investigators fear they might not get access to the black box.	T / F
g.	Ukraine said the missile that hit the plane was made in Russia.	T / F
h.	Planes are continuing to fly over eastern Ukraine.	T / F

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

1.	died	a.	vanished
2.	tragedy	b.	location
3.	disappeared	c.	secure
4.	above	d.	catastrophe
5.	safe	e.	course
6.	site	f.	concerns
7.	worries	g.	passed away
8.	moments	h.	specialists
9.	experts	i.	over
10.	direction	j.	seconds

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

1.	A Malaysian airplane was shot	a.	by the rebels
2.	All 298 passengers	b.	disappeared in March
3.	another airplane that	c.	skies was safe
4.	an airplane flying	d.	direction
5.	the route above Ukrainian	e.	down over eastern Ukraine
6.	All efforts are now	f.	moments of the flight
7.	in an area controlled	g.	above Ukraine
8.	the last	h.	and crew
9.	all air space	i.	on the investigation
10.	changed	j.	above 10,000 metres

GAP FILL

A Malaysian airplane was shot down over (1) ____________ Ukraine on Thursday evening. All 298 passengers and (2) ____________ died in the tragedy. Malaysians are still in (3) ____________ after the loss of another airplane that disappeared in March. There are many questions over who shot the plane above Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is blaming pro-Russian (4) ____________ from east Ukraine. The rebels are saying they do not have the (5) ____________ to shoot down an airplane flying above 10,000 metres. They (6) ____________ Ukraine for the tragedy. The plane was flying from Amsterdam, Holland to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Air traffic (7) ____________ told the pilot that the route above Ukrainian skies was safe, even though there was fighting on the (8) ____________.

rebels
controllers
crew
technology
eastern
ground
shock
blame

All efforts are now on the investigation to find out what happened to the (9) ____________. There are many problems with this. The crash site near the (10) ____________ of Grabovo is in an area (11) ____________ by the rebels. There are worries that investigators will not get the airplane's black box. This will provide important (12) ____________ about the last moments of the flight. Experts say the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air (13) ____________. A Ukrainian government spokesman said rebels used a Russian-made Buk missile (14) ____________ to shoot the plane. Rebel leader Alexander Borodai blamed the Ukrainian government. Since the crash, all air (15) ____________ above Ukraine has been closed. Planes already in the sky changed (16) ____________ to go around Ukraine.

missile
space
controlled
direction
information
launcher
flight
village

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	A Malaysian airplane was shot down over ______
	a. easterly Ukraine b. eastern Ukraine c. east in Ukraine d. east and Ukraine
2)	All 298 passengers and crew died ______
	a. on the tragedy b. and the tragedy c. in the tragedy d. an the tragedy
3)	The Ukrainian government is blaming ______
	a. pro-Russian rebels b. pre-Russian rebels c. par-Russian rebels d. pry-Russian rebels
4)	they do not have the technology to shoot down an airplane ______ metres
	a. fly in above 10,000 b. flying in above 10,000 c. flies above 10,000 d. flying above 10,000
5)	Air traffic controllers told the pilot that the route above Ukrainian ______
	a. sky was safer b. skies was safe c. skies were safe d. skies was safer
6)	All efforts are now on the investigation to find out what ______
	a. happening to the flight b. happened to the flight c. happened for the flight d. happened to the flights
7)	The crash site near the village of Grabovo is in an area ______
	a. controlled by the rebellions b. controlled by the rebellious c. controlled by the rebels d. controlled by the rebel
8)	There are worries that investigators will not get the ______
	a. airplane black box b. airplanes black box c. airplanes' black box d. airplane's black box
9)	Experts say the plane was shot down by a ______
	a. surfaced-to-air missile b. surface-to-air missile c. surfaces-to-air missile d. surfacing-to-air missile
10)	Planes already in the sky changed direction to ______
	a. go around Ukraine b. go abound Ukraine c. go round Ukraine d. go a round Ukraine

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A Malaysian airplane was (1) ___________________ eastern Ukraine on Thursday evening. All 298 passengers and crew died in the tragedy. Malaysians are (2) ___________________ the loss of another airplane that disappeared in March. There are many questions over who shot the plane above Ukraine. The Ukrainian government (3) ___________________ rebels from east Ukraine. The rebels are saying they do not have the technology to shoot down an airplane (4) ___________________ metres. They blame Ukraine for the tragedy. The plane was flying from Amsterdam, Holland to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (5) ___________________ told the pilot that the route above Ukrainian skies was safe, even though (6) ___________________ the ground.

All efforts are now on the investigation to find (7) ___________________ to the flight. There are many problems with this. The crash site near the village of Grabovo (8) ___________________ by the rebels. There are worries that investigators will not get the airplane's black box. This will provide important information about (9) ___________________ of the flight. Experts say the plane was shot down by a (10) ___________________. A Ukrainian government spokesman said rebels used a Russian-made Buk missile launcher (11) ___________________. Rebel leader Alexander Borodai blamed the Ukrainian government. Since the crash, all air space above Ukraine has been closed. Planes (12) ___________________ changed direction to go around Ukraine.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	In which part of Ukraine did the plane come down?
2.	When did Malaysia Airlines lose another airplane?
3.	What did the rebels say they do not have the technology for?
4.	Who do the rebels blame for the tragedy?
5.	What did air traffic controllers say was safe?
6.	What does the article say there are "many problems" with?
7.	What are people worried that investigators will not get?
8.	Who said the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile?
9.	Who is Alexander Borodai?
10.	What has happened to the air space above Ukraine?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	In which part of Ukraine did the plane come down?	6.	What does the article say there are "many problems" with?
	a) western b) northern c) southern d) eastern		a) the political situation b) finding out what happened c) getting to Ukraine d) the black box
2.	When did Malaysia Airlines lose another airplane?	7.	What are people worried that investigators will not get?
	a) February b) March c) April d) May		a) answers b) help from Ukraine c) access to the crash site d) the black box
3.	What did the rebels say they do not have the technology for?	8.	Who said the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile?
	a) do the investigation b) to track a plane on radar c) to shoot down a plane d) find the black box		a) experts b) the airline c) rebels d) the United Nations
4.	Who do the rebels blame for the tragedy?	9.	Who is Alexander Borodai?
	a) Ukraine b) no one c) themselves d) other rebels		a) an air traffic controller b) a witness c) a rebel leader d) an investigator
5.	What did air traffic controllers say was safe?	10.	What has happened to the air space above Ukraine?
	a) the crash site b) flying c) the sky above Ukraine d) the airplane		a) it has been declared unsafe b) it has been closed c) it has been made smaller d) it's still open

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

black

box

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:

eastern
shock
questions
technology
flying
ground

happened
village
worries
moments
launcher
direction

AIRPLANES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about airplanes 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.

AIRPLANES DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	Do you worry about flying?
c)	Why would anyone want to shoot down a passenger plane?
d)	Should planes not fly across war zones?
e)	What should Malaysia Airlines do to help the families?
f)	How can we remember the passengers and crew?
g)	Why are both sides blaming each other?
h)	How does this tragedy change things in Ukraine?
i)	What do you know about the fighting in Ukraine?
j)	Can airlines have technology to protect airplanes from missiles?

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

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

a)	How long do you think the investigation will take?
b)	What should or will happen to those who did this?
c)	What kind of information will the black box show?
d)	Do you think the plane was shot down by accident?
e)	Will this tragedy make you more worried about flying?
f)	What do you worry about most when you are on a plane?
g)	Are you worried terrorists could start shooting planes?
h)	Should investigators from the USA go to the crash site?
i)	What is your message for the families?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Ukraine's leader?

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

A Malaysian airplane was shot down over (1) ____ Ukraine on Thursday evening. All 298 passengers and crew died in the tragedy. Malaysians are still (2) ____ shock after the loss of another airplane that disappeared in March. There are many questions over who shot the plane above Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is (3) ____ pro-Russian rebels from east Ukraine. The rebels are saying they do not have the technology to shoot down an airplane (4) ____ above 10,000 metres. They blame Ukraine for the (5) ____. The plane was flying from Amsterdam, Holland to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Air traffic controllers told the pilot that the route above Ukrainian skies was safe, even (6) ____ there was fighting on the ground.

All efforts are now on the investigation to find out what happened to the flight. There are many problems with (7) ____. The crash site near the village of Grabovo is in an area controlled (8) ____ the rebels. There are worries that investigators will not get the airplane's black box. This will provide important information about the last moments (9) ____ the flight. Experts say the plane was shot down by a surface-to-(10) ____ missile. A Ukrainian government spokesman said rebels used a Russian-made Buk missile launcher to shoot the plane. Rebel leader Alexander Borodai blamed the Ukrainian government. (11) ____ the crash, all air space above Ukraine has been closed. Planes already in the sky changed (12) ____ to go around Ukraine.

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

1.	(a)	east	(b)	eastern	(c)	easterly	(d)	south-east
2.	(a)	on	(b)	in	(c)	at	(d)	of
3.	(a)	blame	(b)	blamed	(c)	blames	(d)	blaming
4.	(a)	flight	(b)	flying	(c)	flies	(d)	flights
5.	(a)	tragical	(b)	tragically	(c)	tragic	(d)	tragedy
6.	(a)	through	(b)	thought	(c)	though	(d)	thorough
7.	(a)	this	(b)	them	(c)	these	(d)	then
8.	(a)	on	(b)	of	(c)	by	(d)	in
9.	(a)	in	(b)	as	(c)	by	(d)	of
10.	(a)	air	(b)	sky	(c)	space	(d)	target
11.	(a)	Since	(b)	For	(c)	When	(d)	By
12.	(a)	direction	(b)	way	(c)	around	(d)	height

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	shot down over tanesre Ukraine
2.	All 298 esseprasgn and crew
3.	another airplane that deeaprsadpi
4.	they do not have the ogoelcynth
5.	They blame Ukraine for the yeatdgr
6.	the utroe above Ukrainian skies
Paragraph 2
7.	All freftso are now on the investigation
8.	an area nlroeodtlc by the rebels
9.	This will edpvori important information
10.	the last neotmsm of the flight
11.	a ucerfsa-to-air missile
12.	changed icedritno

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	down an airplane flying above 10,000 metres. They blame Ukraine for the tragedy. The plane was flying
( )	moments of the flight. Experts say the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. A Ukrainian government
( )	leader Alexander Borodai blamed the Ukrainian government. Since the crash, all air
( )	spokesman said rebels used a Russian-made Buk missile launcher to shoot the plane. Rebel
( )	crew died in the tragedy. Malaysians are still in shock after the loss of another airplane that disappeared
( )	this. The crash site near the village of Grabovo is in an area controlled by the rebels. There are worries
( )	above Ukrainian skies was safe, even though there was fighting on the ground.
( )	All efforts are now on the investigation to find out what happened to the flight. There are many problems with
( )	space above Ukraine has been closed. Planes already in the sky changed direction to go around Ukraine.
( )	blaming pro-Russian rebels from east Ukraine. The rebels are saying they do not have the technology to shoot
( 1 )	A Malaysian airplane was shot down over eastern Ukraine on Thursday evening. All 298 passengers and
( )	in March. There are many questions over who shot the plane above Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is
( )	from Amsterdam, Holland to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Air traffic controllers told the pilot that the route
( )	that investigators will not get the airplane's black box. This will provide important information about the last

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	evening eastern Ukraine Shot on down Thursday over.
2.	died tragedy 298 crew the All and in passengers.
3.	shock Malaysians after are the still loss in.
4.	the down Have shoot to airplane technology an.
5.	was skies Ukrainian above route The safe.
6.	black not box get the Investigators airplane's will.
7.	of about the the flight last moments Information.
8.	down by a surface - to - air missile Shot.
9.	has air been space closed above Ukraine All.
10.	changed sky the in already Planes direction.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A Malaysian airplane was shot / shoot down over eastern Ukraine on Thursday evening. All 298 passengers and crews / crew died in the tragedy. Malaysians are still in / on shock after the loss of another / other airplane that disappeared in March. There are many questions / questioning over who shot the plane above Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is blaming pro-Russian rebels / rebellions from east Ukraine. The rebels are saying they do not have the technology to shoot down an airplane flights / flying above 10,000 metres. They blame Ukraine for / from the tragedy. The plane was flying from Amsterdam, Holland to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Air traffic controllers told / tell the pilot that the route above Ukrainian skies was safe, even though there was fighting in / on the ground.

All efforts are now on the investigating / investigation to find out what happened to the flight. There are many problems with these / this. The crash site near the village of Grabovo is in an area / region controlled by the rebels. There are worrying / worries that investigators will not get the airplane's black box. This will provide / provides important information about the last moments of the flight. Experts / Expert say the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. A Ukrainian government spokesman said rebels used / using a Russian-made Buk missile launches / launcher to shoot the plane. Rebel leader Alexander Borodai blamed the Ukrainian government. Since the crash, all air spacing / space above Ukraine has been closed. Planes already in the sky changed direction / directing to go around Ukraine.

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_l_ys__n __rpl_n_ w_s sh_t d_wn _v_r __st_rn _kr__n_ _n Th_rsd_y _v_n_ng. _ll 298 p_ss_ng_rs _nd cr_w d__d _n th_ tr_g_dy. M_l_ys__ns _r_ st_ll _n sh_ck _ft_r th_ l_ss _f _n_th_r __rpl_n_ th_t d_s_pp__r_d _n M_rch. Th_r_ _r_ m_ny q__st__ns _v_r wh_ sh_t th_ pl_n_ _b_v_ _kr__n_. Th_ _kr__n__n g_v_rnm_nt _s bl_m_ng pr_-R_ss__n r_b_ls fr_m __st _kr__n_. Th_ r_b_ls _r_ s_y_ng th_y d_ n_t h_v_ th_ t_chn_l_gy t_ sh__t d_wn _n __rpl_n_ fly_ng _b_v_ 10,000 m_tr_s. Th_y bl_m_ _kr__n_ f_r th_ tr_g_dy. Th_ pl_n_ w_s fly_ng fr_m _mst_rd_m, H_ll_nd t_ K__l_ L_mp_r, M_l_ys__. __r tr_ff_c c_ntr_ll_rs t_ld th_ p_l_t th_t th_ r__t_ _b_v_ _kr__n__n sk__s w_s s_f_, _v_n th__gh th_r_ w_s f_ght_ng _n th_ gr__nd.

_ll _ff_rts _r_ n_w _n th_ _nv_st_g_t__n t_ f_nd __t wh_t h_pp_n_d t_ th_ fl_ght. Th_r_ _r_ m_ny pr_bl_ms w_th th_s. Th_ cr_sh s_t_ n__r th_ v_ll_g_ _f Gr_b_v_ _s _n _n _r__ c_ntr_ll_d by th_ r_b_ls. Th_r_ _r_ w_rr__s th_t _nv_st_g_t_rs w_ll n_t g_t th_ __rpl_n_'s bl_ck b_x. Th_s w_ll pr_v_d_ _mp_rt_nt _nf_rm_t__n _b__t th_ l_st m_m_nts _f th_ fl_ght. _xp_rts s_y th_ pl_n_ w_s sh_t d_wn by _ s_rf_c_-t_-__r m_ss_l_. _ _kr__n__n g_v_rnm_nt sp_k_sm_n s__d r_b_ls _s_d _ R_ss__n-m_d_ B_k m_ss_l_ l__nch_r t_ sh__t th_ pl_n_. R_b_l l__d_r _l_x_nd_r B_r_d__ bl_m_d th_ _kr__n__n g_v_rnm_nt. S_nc_ th_ cr_sh, _ll __r sp_c_ _b_v_ _kr__n_ h_s b__n cl_s_d. Pl_n_s _lr__dy _n th_ sky ch_ng_d d_r_ct__n t_ g_ _r__nd _kr__n_.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a malaysian airplane was shot down over eastern ukraine on thursday evening all 298 passengers and crew died in the tragedy malaysians are still in shock after the loss of another airplane that disappeared in march there are many questions over who shot the plane above ukraine the ukrainian government is blaming pro-russian rebels from east ukraine the rebels are saying they do not have the technology to shoot down an airplane flying above 10000 metres they blame ukraine for the tragedy the plane was flying from amsterdam holland to kuala lumpur malaysia air traffic controllers told the pilot that the route above ukrainian skies was safe even though there was fighting on the ground

all efforts are now on the investigation to find out what happened to the flight there are many problems with this the crash site near the village of grabovo is in an area controlled by the rebels there are worries that investigators will not get the airplane's black box this will provide important information about the last moments of the flight experts say the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile a ukrainian government spokesman said rebels used a russian-made buk missile launcher to shoot the plane rebel leader alexander borodai blamed the ukrainian government since the crash all air space above ukraine has been closed planes already in the sky changed direction to go around ukraine

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AMalaysianairplanewasshotdownovereasternUkraineonThursday
evening.All298passengersandcrewdiedinthetragedy.Malaysiansa
restillinshockafterthelossofanotherairplanethatdisappearedinMar
ch.TherearemanyquestionsoverwhoshottheplaneaboveUkraine.T
heUkrainiangovernmentisblamingpro-RussianrebelsfromeastU
kraine.Therebelsaresayingtheydonothavethetechnologytoshootd
ownanairplaneflyingabove10,000metres.TheyblameUkraineforth
etragedy.TheplanewasflyingfromAmsterdam,HollandtoKualaLum
pur,Malaysia.AirtrafficcontrollerstoldthepilotthattherouteaboveU
krainianskieswassafe,eventhoughtherewasfightingontheground.
Alleffortsarenowontheinvestigationtofindoutwhathappenedtothef
light.Therearemanyproblemswiththis.Thecrashsitenearthevillage
ofGrabovoisinanareacontrolledbytherebels.Thereareworriesthati
nvestigatorswillnotgettheairplane'sblackbox.Thiswillprovideimpo
rtantinformationaboutthelastmomentsoftheflight.Expertssaythe
planewasshotdownbyasurface-to-airmissile.AUkrainiangove
rnmentspokesmansaidrebelsusedaRussian-madeBukmissilela
unchertoshoottheplane.RebelleaderAlexanderBorodaiblamedthe
Ukrainiangovernment.Sincethecrash,allairspaceaboveUkraineha
sbeenclosed.Planesalreadyintheskychangeddirectiontogoaround
Ukraine.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

It is safer to travel by airplane than by car or train. 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 airplanes. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. 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.

5. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on airplanes. Ask him/her three questions about airplane safety. Give him/her three of your idea on hos to make airplanes safer. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	died	a.	passed away
2.	tragedy	b.	catastrophe
3.	disappeared	c.	vanished
4.	above	d.	over
5.	safe	e.	secure
6.	site	f.	location
7.	worries	g.	concerns
8.	moments	h.	seconds
9.	experts	i.	specialists
10.	direction	j.	course

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Eastern Ukraine
2.	March
3.	To shoot down a plane at 10,000 metres
4.	Ukraine
5.	The sky above Ukraine
6.	Finding out what happened
7.	The black box
8.	Experts
9.	A rebel leader
10.	It has been closed

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

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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Questions surrounding Malaysia plane crash (July 20, 2014)

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