The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Over one billion people used Facebook last Monday. This is the first time the site has had this many visitors in one day. The CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, said it was an important achievement for his company. He posted on his own Facebook profile that: "We just passed an important milestone. For the first time ever, one billion people used Facebook in a single day." He said that on Monday, "one in seven people on Earth used Facebook to connect with their friends and family". He added that: "This was the first time we reached this milestone, and it's just the beginning of connecting the whole world." Mr Zuckerberg also said a connected world, "brings stronger relationships with those you love".

Zuckerberg created Facebook in 2004, while he was a student at Harvard University. The website quickly became one of the biggest sites in the world. Today, it has nearly 1.5 billion users and Zuckerberg thinks that number will grow. In October 2012, he announced that Facebook had one billion users who used the site at least once a month. Three years later, the site had one billion visitors in just one day. Zuckerberg said the company needs to grow a lot in countries where Facebook isn't so popular, such as in many African and Asian countries and some in Central and South America. Facebook has made Zuckerberg the ninth richest person in the world, at the age of 31.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34082393
  • http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/11829642/Facebook-sets-user-record-as-more-than-1bn-people-log-on-in-single-day.html
  • http://news.sky.com/story/1542868/one-billion-people-used-facebook-in-single-day


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. FACEBOOK: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Facebook. 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?

 

one billion / the first time / visitors / achievement / profile / single / connect / stronger / student / website / announced / countries / popular / ninth / richest / the age of 31

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

3. WEBSITES: How can these be made better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How important it is to you

How to make it better

Facebook

 

 

Google

 

 

News

 

 

Gaming

 

 

Weather

 

 

English study

 

 

4. SOCIAL NETWORKING: Students A strongly believe social networking does more harm than good; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. SITES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • BBC

  • BreakingNewsEnglish

  • Google

  • Apple

  • Weather.com

  • eBay

6. BILLION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "billion". 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.

A billion people visited Facebook in one day for the second time.

T / F

b.

Facebook's CEO said a billion visitors in a day wasn't so important.

T / F

c.

One in seven of Earth's population visited Facebook last Monday.

T / F

d.

Facebook's CEO said a connected world makes stronger relationships.

T / F

e.

Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook over 10 years ago.

T / F

f.

Facebook has just over two billion users today.

T / F

g.

Facebook had a billion users in October 2012.

T / F

h.

Mark Zuckerberg is one of the top five richest people in the world.

T / F

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

1.

CEO

a.

wrote

2.

important

b.

almost

3.

posted

c.

connections

4.

reached

d.

made

5.

relationships

e.

significant

6.

created

f.

well-liked

7.

nearly

g.

arrived at

8.

grow

h.

wealthiest

9.

popular

i.

Chief Executive Officer

10.

richest

j.

increase

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

1.

it was an

a.

seven people

2.

one in

b.

popular

3.

the first time we reached this

c.

whole world

4.

just the beginning of connecting the

d.

sites in the world

5.

stronger relationships with

e.

least once a month

6.

one of the biggest

f.

important achievement

7.

that number

g.

richest person

8.

used the site at

h.

those you love

9.

where Facebook isn't so

i.

will grow

10.

the ninth

j.

milestone

GAP FILL

Over one billion people used Facebook (1) ____________ Monday. This is the first time the site has had this (2) ____________ visitors in one day. The CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, said it was an important achievement for his company. He (3) ____________ on his own Facebook profile that: "We just passed an important milestone. For the first time (4) ___________, one billion people used Facebook in a single day." He said that on Monday, "one in (5) ____________ people on Earth used Facebook to connect with their friends and family". He added that: "This was the first time we (6) ____________ this milestone, and it's just the beginning of connecting the (7) ____________ world." Mr Zuckerberg also said a connected world, "brings stronger relationships with (8) ____________ you love".

 

 

posted
seven
last
whole
many
those
ever
reached

Zuckerberg (9) ____________ Facebook in 2004, while he was a student at Harvard University. The website (10) ____________ became one of the biggest sites in the world. Today, it has (11) ____________ 1.5 billion users and Zuckerberg thinks that (12) ____________ will grow. In October 2012, he announced that Facebook had one billion users who used the site at (13) ____________ once a month. Three years later, the site had one billion visitors in (14) ____________ one day. Zuckerberg said the company needs to grow a lot in countries where Facebook isn't so (15) ____________, such as in many African and Asian countries and some in Central and South America. Facebook has made Zuckerberg the (16) ____________ richest person in the world, at the age of 31.

 

number
popular
created
just
quickly
ninth
nearly
least

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Over one billion people used Facebook ______

 

a.  lasted Monday
b.  lasts Monday
c.  lastly Monday
d.  last Monday

2)

For the first time ever, one billion people used Facebook ______

 

a.  in a singular day
b.  in a single day
c.  in a singles day
d.  in a singled day

3)

one in seven people on Earth used Facebook to connect with their ______

 

a.  friend and family
b.  friends and family
c.  friends and families
d.  friend and families

4)

This was the first time we reached this milestone, and it's ______

 

a.  justly the beginning
b.  just the beginning
c.  just a beginning
d.  just the begin in

5)

a connected world brings stronger relationships with ______

 

a.  those you love
b.  these you love
c.  those you lovely
d.  these you loved

6)

The website quickly became one of the biggest sites ______

 

a.  on the world
b.  in the world
c.  in a world
d.  in this world

7)

Today, it has nearly 1.5 billion users and Zuckerberg thinks that ______

 

a.  number will grown
b.  number will growing
c.  number will grow
d.  number will growth

8)

Facebook had one billion users who used the site at least ______

 

a.  twice a month
b.  once a month
c.  one a month
d.  once the month

9)

Zuckerberg said the company needs to grow a lot in countries where Facebook ______

 

a.  isn't so popular
b.  isn't that popular
c.  isn't such popular
d.  isn't those popular

10)

Facebook has made Zuckerberg the ninth richest person in the world, ______ 31

 

a.  at the age of
b.  at the year of
c.  at the old of
d.  at the aged of

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Over one billion people used Facebook last Monday. (1) ________________ time the site has had this many visitors in one day. The CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, (2) ___________________ important achievement for his company. He posted on his own Facebook profile that: "We (3) ___________________ important milestone. For the first time ever, one billion people used Facebook in a single day." He said that on Monday, "(4) ___________________ people on Earth used Facebook (5) ___________________ their friends and family". He added that: "This was the first time we reached this milestone, and it's just the beginning of connecting the whole world." Mr Zuckerberg also said a connected world, "brings stronger relationships (6) ___________________".

Zuckerberg created Facebook in 2004, (7) ___________________ student at Harvard University. The website quickly (8) ___________________ the biggest sites in the world. Today, it has nearly 1.5 billion users and Zuckerberg (9) ___________________ will grow. In October 2012, he announced that Facebook had one billion users who used the site at least once a month. Three years later, (10) ___________________ billion visitors in just one day. Zuckerberg said the company needs to grow a lot in countries where Facebook isn't so popular, (11) ___________________ African and Asian countries and some in Central and South America. Facebook has made Zuckerberg the ninth richest person in the world, (12) ___________________ 31.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

On what day of the week did a billion people use Facebook?

2.

What important thing did Mark Zuckerberg say Facebook had passed?

3.

How many people out of seven visited Facebook on that day?

4.

Who did Mark Zuckerberg say people are connecting with?

5.

For whom does a connected world bring stronger relationships?

6.

Where was Mark Zuckerberg studying when he created Facebook?

7.

How many users does Facebook have today?

8.

How many users visited Facebook at least once a month in Oct. 2012?

9.

What did Mark Zuckerberg say Facebook needed to do in Africa?

10.

Where is Mark Zuckerberg on the list of the world's richest people?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

On what day of the week did a billion people use Facebook?

6.

Where was Mark Zuckerberg studying when he created Facebook?

 

a) Sunday
b) Monday
c) Tuesday
d) Wednesday

 

a) at Harvard University
b) in bed
c) on a beach
d) at high school

2.

What important thing did Mark Zuckerberg say Facebook had passed?

7.

How many users does Facebook have today?

 

a) a giant rock
b) a million miles
c) a milestone
d) 10 years

 

a) 150 million
b) 1.5 million
c) 1.5 trillion
d) 1.5 billion

3.

How many people out of seven visited Facebook on that day?

8.

How many users visited Facebook at least once a month in Oct. 2012?

 

a) four
b) three
c) two
d) one

 

a) 2 billion
b) 1.5 billion
c) one billion
d) 7 billion

4.

Who did Mark Zuckerberg say people are connecting with?

9.

What did Mark Zuckerberg say Facebook needed to do in Africa?

 

a) students
b) friends and family
c) CEOs
d) the whole world

 

a) get more servers
b) start a campaign
c) translate
d) grow

5.

For whom does a connected world bring stronger relationships?

10.

Where is Mark Zuckerberg on the list of the world's richest people?

 

a) those you love
b) lovers
c) love birds
d) technology lovers

 

a) 8th
b) 9th
c) 7th
d) 10th

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Facebook

You think Facebook is the most useful site. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their sites. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): the BBC, Breaking News English or Google.

Role  B – The BBC

You think the BBC is the most useful site. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their sites. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): Facebook, Breaking News English or Google.

Role  C – Breaking News English

You think Breaking News English is the most useful site. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their sites. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): the BBC, Facebook or Google.

Role  D – Google

You think Google is the most useful site. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their sites. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why):  the BBC, Breaking News English or Facebook.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

first

time

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • many
  • posted
  • passed
  • single
  • beginning
  • love
  • student
  • biggest
  • grow
  • once
  • grow
  • ninth

FACEBOOK SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Facebook 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.

FACEBOOK DISCUSSION

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

1)

What did you think when you read the headline?

2)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'Facebook'?

3)

Why do you think Facebook is so popular?

4)

How does Facebook compare to other social network sites?

5)

How long do you spend on social networks every day?

6)

What do you think about what you read?

7)

What would life be like without the Internet?

8)

How much does social media help make relationships stronger?

9)

What is your favourite social network, and why?

10)

Are there any dangers to using Facebook?

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

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

11)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

12)

What do you think of Facebook?

13)

What do you know about the boss of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg?

14)

How many more people do you think will use Facebook?

15)

Why is Facebook free?

16)

How safe or dangerous is it for young people to use Facebook?

17)

What would you do to make Facebook better?

18)

What will Facebook be like in 10 years from now?

19)

What do you think of the name 'Facebook'?

20)

What questions would you like to ask Mark Zuckerberg?

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

Over one billion people used Facebook last Monday. This is the first time the site has had (1) ____ many visitors in one day. The CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, said it was an important achievement (2) ____ his company. He posted on his own Facebook profile that: "We just (3) ____ an important milestone. For the first time ever, one billion people used Facebook in a (4) ____ day." He said that on Monday, "one in seven people on Earth used Facebook to connect with their friends and family". He (5) ____ that: "This was the first time we reached this milestone, and it's just the beginning of connecting the whole world." Mr Zuckerberg also said a connected world, "brings stronger relationships with (6) ____ you love".

Zuckerberg created Facebook in 2004, (7) ____ he was a student at Harvard University. The website quickly became one of the biggest sites in the world. Today, it has nearly 1.5 billion (8) ____ and Zuckerberg thinks that number will grow. In October 2012, he announced that Facebook had one billion users who used the site at (9) ____ once a month. Three years later, the site had one billion visitors in  (10) ____ one day. Zuckerberg said the company needs to grow a lot in countries where Facebook isn't (11) ____ popular, such as in many African and Asian countries and some in Central and South America. Facebook has made Zuckerberg the ninth richest person in the world, at the (12) ____ of 31.

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

1.

(a)

these

(b)

such

(c)

this

(d)

them

2.

(a)

for

(b)

as

(c)

by

(d)

on

3.

(a)

passed

(b)

past

(c)

parsed

(d)

pasted

4.

(a)

single

(b)

singular

(c)

singles

(d)

singularity

5.

(a)

multiplied

(b)

added

(c)

times

(d)

minus

6.

(a)

they

(b)

whose

(c)

them

(d)

those

7.

(a)

whichever

(b)

whose

(c)

while

(d)

which

8.

(a)

used

(b)

usages

(c)

uses

(d)

users

9.

(a)

least

(b)

lost

(c)

last

(d)

lest

10.

(a)

justly

(b)

just

(c)

justice

(d)

adjust

11.

(a)

such

(b)

so

(c)

then

(d)

them

12.

(a)

old

(b)

year

(c)

age

(d)

birthday

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

this many tvsioirs

2.

an atntrmipo achievement

3.

his own Facebook orelpfi

4.

we hdceaer this milestone

5.

inetccgnno the whole world

6.

stronger rsonsethiapil

Paragraph 2

7.

Zuckerberg dtecera Facebook in 2004

8.

at aetls once a month

9.

the mpynoac needs to grow

10.

where Facebook isn't so orpalpu

11.

nlCaert and South America

12.

the hntin richest person

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

grow. In October 2012, he announced that Facebook had one billion users who used the site at least

(    )

Earth used Facebook to connect with their friends and family". He added that: "This was the first

1  )

Over one billion people used Facebook last Monday. This is the first time the site has had this many visitors in one

(    )

once a month. Three years later, the site had one billion visitors in just one day. Zuckerberg said the company needs

(    )

ever, one billion people used Facebook in a single day." He said that on Monday, "one in seven people on

(    )

African and Asian countries and some in Central and South America. Facebook has

(    )

to grow a lot in countries where Facebook isn't so popular, such as in many

(    )

day. The CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, said it was an important achievement for his company. He posted

(    )

on his own Facebook profile that: "We just passed an important milestone. For the first time

(    )

Zuckerberg created Facebook in 2004, while he was a student at Harvard University. The website quickly became

(    )

time we reached this milestone, and it's just the beginning of connecting the whole world." Mr Zuckerberg also

(    )

one of the biggest sites in the world. Today, it has nearly 1.5 billion users and Zuckerberg thinks that number will

(    )

said a connected world, "brings stronger relationships with those you love".

(    )

made Zuckerberg the ninth richest person in the world, at the age of 31.

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

Over   used   people   Monday   billion   last   one   Facebook   .  

2.

visitors   The   first   time   the   site   has   had   this   many   .  

3.

achievement   It   for   was   his   an   company   important   .  

4.

in   on   Facebook   One   people   used   connect   seven   Earth   to   .  

5.

first   reached   the   we   milestone   was   time   this   This   .  

6.

of   sites   website   one   biggest   The   became   the   quickly   .  

7.

5   billion   users   Today   ,   it   has   nearly   1   .  

8.

site   who   One   a   at  used   billion  month  least   the  users  once  .

9.

the   to   lot   said   needs   a   Zuckerberg   company   grow   .  

10.

made   richest   has   ninth   Facebook   the   Zuckerberg   person   .  

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Over one billion people used / usage Facebook last Monday. This is the first time the site has had this / these many visitors in one day. The CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, said it was an importance / important achievement for his company. He posted in / on his own Facebook profile that: "We just passed an important grindstone / milestone. For the first time ever, one billion people used Facebook in a singles / single day." He said that on Monday, "one by / in seven people on Earth used Facebook to connect / connection with their friends and family". He added that: "This was the first time we / us reached this milestone, and it's just the beginning of connecting the whole world." Mr Zuckerberg also said a connected world, "brings stronger / strength relationships with those you love".

Zuckerberg created Facebook in 2004, which / while he was a student at Harvard University. The website quickly / quick became one of the biggest sites in the world. Today, it has nearly / nears 1.5 billion users and Zuckerberg thinks that number will grow / growth. In October 2012, he announced that Facebook had one billion users who / whose used the site at least once a month. Three years late / later, the site had one billion visitors in just one / once day. Zuckerberg said the company needs to grow a lot in countries / country where Facebook isn't such / so popular, such as in many African and Asian countries and some in Central and South America. Facebook has made Zuckerberg the ninth richer / richest person in the world, at the age of 31.

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)

_v_r _n_ b_ll__n p__pl_ _s_d F_c_b__k l_st M_nd_y. Th_s _s th_ f_rst t_m_ th_ s_t_ h_s h_d th_s m_ny v_s_t_rs _n _n_ d_y. Th_ C__ _f F_c_b__k, M_rk Z_ck_rb_rg, s__d _t w_s _n _mp_rt_nt _ch__v_m_nt f_r h_s c_mp_ny. H_ p_st_d _n h_s _wn F_c_b__k pr_f_l_ th_t: "W_ j_st p_ss_d _n _mp_rt_nt m_l_st_n_. F_r th_ f_rst t_m_ _v_r, _n_ b_ll__n p__pl_ _s_d F_c_b__k _n _ s_ngl_ d_y." H_ s__d th_t _n M_nd_y, "_n_ _n s_v_n p__pl_ _n __rth _s_d F_c_b__k t_ c_nn_ct w_th th__r fr__nds _nd f_m_ly". H_ _dd_d th_t: "Th_s w_s th_ f_rst t_m_ w_ r__ch_d th_s m_l_st_n_, _nd _t's j_st th_ b_g_nn_ng _f c_nn_ct_ng th_ wh_l_ w_rld." Mr Z_ck_rb_rg _ls_ s__d _ c_nn_ct_d w_rld, "br_ngs str_ng_r r_l_t__nsh_ps w_th th_s_ y__ l_v_".

Z_ck_rb_rg cr__t_d F_c_b__k _n 2004, wh_l_ h_ w_s _ st_d_nt _t H_rv_rd _n_v_rs_ty. Th_ w_bs_t_ q__ckly b_c_m_ _n_ _f th_ b_gg_st s_t_s _n th_ w_rld. T_d_y, _t h_s n__rly 1.5 b_ll__n _s_rs _nd Z_ck_rb_rg th_nks th_t n_mb_r w_ll gr_w. _n _ct_b_r 2012, h_ _nn__nc_d th_t F_c_b__k h_d _n_ b_ll__n _s_rs wh_ _s_d th_ s_t_ _t l__st _nc_ _ m_nth. Thr__ y__rs l_t_r, th_ s_t_ h_d _n_ b_ll__n v_s_t_rs _n j_st _n_ d_y. Z_ck_rb_rg s__d th_ c_mp_ny n__ds t_ gr_w _ l_t _n c__ntr__s wh_r_ F_c_b__k _sn't s_ p_p_l_r, s_ch _s _n m_ny _fr_c_n _nd _s__n c__ntr__s _nd s_m_ _n C_ntr_l _nd S__th _m_r_c_. F_c_b__k h_s m_d_ Z_ck_rb_rg th_ n_nth r_ch_st p_rs_n _n th_ w_rld, _t th_ _g_ _f 31.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

over one billion people used facebook last monday this is the first time the site has had this many visitors in one day the ceo of facebook mark zuckerberg said it was an important achievement for his company he posted on his own facebook profile that "we just passed an important milestone for the first time ever one billion people used facebook in a single day" he said that on monday "one in seven people on earth used facebook to connect with their friends and family" he added that "this was the first time we reached this milestone and it's just the beginning of connecting the whole world" mr zuckerberg also said a connected world "brings stronger relationships with those you love"

zuckerberg created facebook in 2004 while he was a student at harvard university the website quickly became one of the biggest sites in the world today it has nearly 1.5 billion users and zuckerberg thinks that number will grow in october 2012 he announced that facebook had one billion users who used the site at least once a month three years later the site had one billion visitors in just one day zuckerberg said the company needs to grow a lot in countries where facebook isn't so popular such as in many african and asian countries and some in central and south america facebook has made zuckerberg the ninth richest person in the world at the age of 31

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

OveronebillionpeopleusedFacebooklastMonday.Thisisthefirsttimeth
esitehashadthismanyvisitorsinoneday.TheCEOofFacebook,MarkZu
ckerberg,saiditwasanimportantachievementforhiscompany.Hepost
edonhisownFacebookprofilethat:"Wejustpassedanimportantmilest
one.Forthefirsttimeever,onebillionpeopleusedFacebookinasingleda
y."HesaidthatonMonday,"oneinsevenpeopleonEarthusedFacebookt
oconnectwiththeirfriendsandfamily".Headdedthat:"Thiswasthefirst
timewereachedthismilestone,andit'sjustthebeginningofconnectingt
hewholeworld."MrZuckerbergalsosaidaconnectedworld,"bringsstro
ngerrelationshipswiththoseyoulove".ZuckerbergcreatedFacebookin
2004,whilehewasastudentatHarvardUniversity.Thewebsitequicklyb
ecameoneofthebiggestsitesintheworld.Today,ithasnearly1.5billion
usersandZuckerbergthinksthatnumberwillgrow.InOctober2012,he
announcedthatFacebookhadonebillionuserswhousedthesiteatleasto
nceamonth.Threeyearslater,thesitehadonebillionvisitorsinjustoned
ay.ZuckerbergsaidthecompanyneedstogrowalotincountrieswhereF
acebookisn'tsopopular,suchasinmanyAfricanandAsiancountriesand
someinCentralandSouthAmerica.FacebookhasmadeZuckerbergthe
ninthrichestpersonintheworld,attheageof31.

FREE WRITING

Write about Facebook for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

What are the pros and cons of social networking? What laws are needed? Why?

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

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

4. MORE SOCIAL NETWORKS: Write a magazine article about there being more and more social networks. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

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 Facebook. Ask him/her three questions about Facebook. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

CEO

a.

Chief Executive Officer

2

important

b.

significant

3.

posted

c.

wrote

4.

reached

d.

arrived at

5.

relationships

e.

connections

6.

created

f.

made

7.

nearly

g.

almost

8.

grow

h.

increase

9.

popular

i.

well-liked

10.

richest

j.

wealthiest

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

A Monday

2.

A milestone

3.

One

4.

Family and friends

5.

Loved ones

6.

Harvard University

7.

1.5 billion

8.

One billion

9.

Grow

10.

Ninth

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

a

7.

d

8.

c

9.

d

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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