The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The Czech Republic is planning to adopt a snappy short-form name to ensure it has an easier time at home and around the world. It wants to be officially known by the noun 'Czechia' instead of incorrectly by the adjective 'Czech'. Government officials say this more concise name will avoid confusion over what to call the country. They are tired of being called by erroneous names such as Czecho or Czechland. A foreign office spokesperson said: "Our hope is that this step will overcome the problems we face with distorting the name and that the correct terms will dissolve into general knowledge." The government will seek a formal change in the United Nations database of country names.

The Czech Republic government said it is following the example of what many countries around the world have done for decades. A spokesman said the Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of France are commonly known as Australia and France. The length of the three-word name, 'the Czech Republic,' already leads to short cuts being made. A leading beer maker states on its labels that its product is 'brewed in Plzen - Czech'. Some national sports teams drop the article 'the' and put just two words on their shirts - 'Czech Republic'. Foreign minister Lubomir Zaoralek said the name 'Czechia' is not widely popular but he said there seems to be no other alternative.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/15/europe/czech-republic-name-czechia/
  • http://www.dw.com/en/czech-republic-pushes-czechia-as-snappy-short-name/a-19190714
  • http://www.praguemonitor.com/2016/04/15/czechia-be-countrys-short-official-name-top-politicians-agree


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. COUNTRY NAMES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about country names. 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?

 

The Czech Republic / snappy / officially / adjective / government / problems / database / example / decades / length / short cuts / labels / sports teams / shirts / popular

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

3. NAME: What are the best names for these and why? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

 

What?

Why?

Country

 

 

Baby girl

 

 

Baby boy

 

 

Car

 

 

Cake

 

 

Song

 

 

4. CZECHIA: Students A strongly believe changing the name to Czechia is a great idea; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
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5. COUNTRIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best names at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Brazil

  • Japan

  • India

  • Canada

  • Vanuatu

  • Belize

  • Papua New Guinea

  • Switzerland

6. NAME: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "name". 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 government does not want to be called by the adjective 'Czech'.

T / F

b.

A spokesman said the new name might lead to more confusion.

T / F

c.

The Czech government hopes the new name will be general knowledge.

T / F

d.

The Czech government will ask the U.N. to change its country's name.

T / F

e.

The Czech government is following the lead of other countries.

T / F

f.

A beer maker says its beer is made in 'the Czech Republic'.

T / F

g.

Many Czech sports teams have three words on their shirts.

T / F

h.

The new name 'Czechia' is widely popular.

T / F

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

1.

adopt

a.

uncertainty

2.

ensure

b.

in favour

3.

confusion

c.

official

4.

overcome

d.

top

5.

formal

e.

take on

6.

spokesman

f.

omit

7.

leading

g.

get over

8.

drop

h.

see to it

9.

popular

i.

replacement

10.

alternative

j.

representative

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

1.

ensure it has an

a.

office spokesperson

2.

this more concise name

b.

'the'

3.

A foreign

c.

change

4.

general

d.

example

5.

The government will seek a formal

e.

easier time

6.

it is following the

f.

other alternative

7.

leads to short

g.

popular

8.

drop the article

h.

knowledge

9.

widely

i.

will avoid confusion

10.

there seems to be no

j.

cuts being made

GAP FILL

The Czech Republic is planning to adopt a (1) ____________ short-form name to ensure it has an easier time at home and around the world. It wants to be (2) ____________ known by the noun 'Czechia' instead of incorrectly by the (3) ____________ 'Czech'. Government officials say this more concise name will avoid (4) ____________ over what to call the country. They are tired of being called by (5) ____________ names such as Czecho or Czechland. A foreign office spokesperson said: "Our hope is that this step will overcome the problems we (6) ____________ with distorting the name and that the correct terms will dissolve into (7) ____________ knowledge." The government will seek a formal change in the United Nations (8) ____________ of country names.

 

 

erroneous
officially
general
snappy
database
confusion
face
adjective

The Czech Republic government said it is following the (9) ____________ of what many countries around the world have done for (10) ____________. A spokesman said the Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of France are (11) ____________ known as Australia and France. The length of the three-word name, 'the Czech Republic,' already leads to short (12) ____________ being made. A leading beer maker states on its labels that its product is '(13) ____________  in Plzen - Czech'. Some national sports teams drop the (14) ____________ 'the' and put just two words on their shirts - 'Czech Republic'. Foreign minister Lubomir Zaoralek said the name 'Czechia' is not widely (15) ____________ but he said there seems to be no other (16) ____________.

 

'brewed
popular
decades
cuts
alternative
example
article
commonly

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

The Czech Republic is planning to adopt a snappy ______

 

a.  short-forms name
b.  short-formed name
c.  short-form name
d.  short-form names

2)

known by the noun 'Czechia' instead of incorrectly by ______

 

a.  the adjectives 'Czech'
b.  the adjectival 'Czech'
c.  the adjective 'Czech'
d.  the injective 'Czech'

3)

A foreign office spokesperson said: "Our hope is that this step will overcome the ______

 

a.  problems we face
b.  problems we head
c.  problems we skull
d.  problems we nose

4)

the name and that the correct terms will dissolve into ______

 

a.  generally knowledge
b.  generals knowledge
c.  general knowledgeable
d.  general knowledge

5)

The government will seek a formal change in the United Nations database ______

 

a.  of country names
b.  of country mains
c.  of country means
d.  of country gnomes

6)

the example of what many countries around the world have ______

 

a.  done four decades
b.  done for decades
c.  done from decades
d.  done of decades

7)

the three-word name, 'the Czech Republic,' already leads to short ______

 

a.  cats being made
b.  cuts being made
c.  cots being made
d.  caps being made

8)

A leading beer maker states on its labels that its product is ______

 

a.  brewed in Plzen
b.  brew din Plzen
c.  brew in Plzen
d.  brewed in Plzen

9)

Some national sports teams drop the article 'the' and put just two words ______

 

a.  in their shirts
b.  on their shirts
c.  on them shirts
d.  in them shirts

10)

the name 'Czechia' is not widely popular but he said there seems to be ______

 

a.  no others alternative
b.  no other alternative
c.  no other alternatives
d.  no others alternatives

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The Czech Republic is planning (1) ___________________ snappy short-form name (2) ___________________ an easier time at home and around the world. It wants to be officially known by the noun 'Czechia' instead of incorrectly (3) ___________________ 'Czech'. Government officials say this more concise name will avoid confusion over what to call the country. They are tired of being (4) ___________________ names such as Czecho or Czechland. A foreign office spokesperson said: "Our hope is that this step will overcome the problems (5) ___________________ distorting the name and that the correct terms will dissolve into general knowledge." The government will seek (6) ___________________ in the United Nations database of country names.

The Czech Republic government said it is following                                   (7) ___________________ what many countries around the world have done for decades. A spokesman said the Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of France are (8) ___________________ Australia and France. The length of the three-word name, 'the Czech Republic,' already leads to short (9) ___________________. A leading beer maker states on its labels that its product (10) ___________________ Plzen - Czech'. Some national sports teams (11) ___________________ 'the' and put just two words on their shirts - 'Czech Republic'. Foreign minister Lubomir Zaoralek said the name 'Czechia' is not widely popular but he said there                               (12) ___________________ no other alternative.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Where does the Czech Republic want to have an easier time?

2.

What will the more concise name avoid?

3.

What are Czech officials tired of their country being called?

4.

What do officials hope the name Czechia will become?

5.

Where is the database that the name Czechia will be changed in?

6.

Which two countries did the article cite as an example?

7.

What has had short cuts applied to it?

8.

Where did a beer maker write 'brewed in Plzen - Czech'?

9.

What did some national sports teams drop?

10.

What did the Czech foreign minister say about the name 'Czechia'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Where does the Czech Republic want to have an easier time?

6.

Which two countries did the article cite as an example?

 

a) the United Nations
b) at football matches
c) in Europe
d) at home and abroad

 

a) Latvia and Estonia
b) Australia and France
c) North and South Korea
d) Slovakia and Slovenia

2.

What will the more concise name avoid?

7.

What has had short cuts applied to it?

 

a) the United Nations
b) confusion
c) Czechs
d) extra expenses

 

a) Czech beer
b) the United Nations
c) Czech beef
d) the name 'the Czech Republic'

3.

What are Czech officials tired of their country being called?

8.

Where did a beer maker write 'brewed in Plzen - Czech'?

 

a) the United Nations
b) boring
c) erroneous names
d) a country

 

a) a label
b) a book
c) the United Nations
d) Prague

4.

What do officials hope the name Czechia will become?

9.

What did some national sports teams drop?

 

a) general knowledge
b) an Internet hit
c) popular
d) a success

 

a) the ball
b) a hint
c) the article 'the'
d) players

5.

Where is the database that the name Czechia will be changed in?

10.

What did the Czech foreign minister say about the name 'Czechia'?

 

a) the IMF
b) Brussels
c) the United Nations
d) Prague

 

a) it would change the country
b) it wasn't popular
c) nothing
d) it was great

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Japan

You think Japan is the best country name. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their names aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these names (and why): India, Switzerland or Papua New Guinea.

Role  B – India

You think India is the best country name. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their names aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these names (and why): Japan, Switzerland or Papua New Guinea.

Role  C – Switzerland

You think Switzerland is the best country name. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their names aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these names (and why): India, Japan or Papua New Guinea.

Role  D – Papua New Guinea

You think Papua New Guinea is the best country name. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their names aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these names (and why):  India, Switzerland or Japan.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

noun

 

adjective

 

 

  • 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:

  • snappy
  • noun
  • avoid
  • hope
  • general
  • database
  • example
  • known
  • cuts
  • national
  • two
  • other

COUNTRY NAMES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about country names 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.

COUNTRY NAMES 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 'country'?

3)

What do you think about what you read?

4)

What do you know about your country's name?

5)

What country names do you really like?

6)

What do you think of the name 'Czechia'?

7)

How important is it for a country to have a 'snappy' name?

8)

What country names are confusing?

9)

What is the difference between England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom?

10)

Which name is better, USA or United States of America?

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

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 your country's name?

13)

Could the Czech government have chosen a better name?

14)

How do you feel when you hear your country's name?

15)

What do you know about the history of your country's name?

16)

What country names do you think are most romantic?

17)

Would there be any alternative name to your country?

18)

Why do so many countries include the word 'republic' in their name?

19)

What is the difference between Holland and the Netherlands?

20)

What would you like to ask the Czech foreign minister?

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

The Czech Republic is planning to adopt a (1) ____ short-form name to ensure it has an easier time at home and around the world. It wants to be officially known by the noun 'Czechia' (2) ____ of incorrectly by the adjective 'Czech'. Government officials say this more (3) ____ name will avoid confusion over what to call the country. They are tired of being called by (4) ____ names such as Czecho or Czechland. A foreign office spokesperson said: "Our hope is that this step will overcome the problems we face (5) ____ distorting the name and that the correct terms will dissolve into general knowledge." The government will seek a formal change in the United Nations (6) ____ of country names.

The Czech Republic government said it is following the (7) ____ of what many countries around the world have done for decades. A spokesman said the Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of France are (8) ____ known as Australia and France. The length of the three-word name, 'the Czech Republic,' already leads to short (9) ____ being made. A leading beer maker states on its labels that its product is 'brewed in Plzen - Czech'. Some national sports teams drop the (10) ____ 'the' and put just two words on their shirts - 'Czech Republic'. Foreign minister Lubomir Zaoralek said the name 'Czechia' is not (11) ____ popular but he said there seems to be no (12) ____ alternative.

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

1.

(a)

nappy

(b)

snappy

(c)

nippy

(d)

snippy

2.

(a)

prefer

(b)

instead

(c)

rather

(d)

belong

3.

(a)

contains

(b)

consensus

(c)

consent

(d)

concise

4.

(a)

error

(b)

erroneous

(c)

err

(d)

erroneously

5.

(a)

as

(b)

with

(c)

so

(d)

at

6.

(a)

base

(b)

data

(c)

database

(d)

bases

7.

(a)

compartment

(b)

answer

(c)

example

(d)

role

8.

(a)

common

(b)

commons

(c)

commonly

(d)

commoner

9.

(a)

clots

(b)

cots

(c)

cats

(d)

cuts

10.

(a)

article

(b)

noun

(c)

adjective

(d)

verb

11.

(a)

widely

(b)

widen

(c)

widens

(d)

widened

12.

(a)

alternatively

(b)

alternate

(c)

alternative

(d)

alter

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

focilyifal known by the noun 'Czechia'

2.

say this more ienoccs name

3.

being called by nourerose names

4.

gtdsiirnto the name

5.

dsiolvse into general knowledge

6.

the United Nations baadtase

Paragraph 2

7.

The Czech Republic tnmveogenr

8.

done for cededsa

9.

ynlomomc known as Australia

10.

wbrdee in Plzen

11.

not widely loaurpp

12.

there seems to be no other evitarealtn

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

around the world. It wants to be officially known by the noun 'Czechia' instead of incorrectly by the

(    )

decades. A spokesman said the Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of France are commonly known

(    )

office spokesperson said: "Our hope is that this step will overcome the problems we

(    )

widely popular but he said there seems to be no other alternative.

(    )

cuts being made. A leading beer maker states on its labels that its product is 'brewed in Plzen - Czech'. Some national

1  )

The Czech Republic is planning to adopt a snappy short-form name to ensure it has an easier time at home and

(    )

The Czech Republic government said it is following the example of what many countries around the world have done for

(    )

shirts - 'Czech Republic'. Foreign minister Lubomir Zaoralek said the name 'Czechia' is not

(    )

call the country. They are tired of being called by erroneous names such as Czecho or Czechland. A foreign

(    )

as Australia and France. The length of the three-word name, 'the Czech Republic,' already leads to short

(    )

seek a formal change in the United Nations database of country names.

(    )

face with distorting the name and that the correct terms will dissolve into general knowledge." The government will

(    )

adjective 'Czech'. Government officials say this more concise name will avoid confusion over what to

(    )

sports teams drop the article 'the' and put just two words on their

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

adopt   short   name   to   snappy   form   Planning   a   -   .  

2.

and   home   at   time   easier   an   has   It   world   the   around   .  

3.

more   This   confusion   avoid   will   name   concise   .  

4.

tired   called   names   are   being   erroneous   They   of   by   .  

5.

will   U.N.   change   seek   The   in   a   government   the   formal   .

6.

around   the   What   world   many   have   countries   done   .  

7.

name   word   -  three   the  of  length   The   Republic'   Czech   'the   .  

8.

is   product   its   that   labels   its   on   States   Plzen'   in   'brewed   .  

9.

sports   'the'   teams   drop   Some   the   national   article   .   

10.

other   He   seems   no   there   be   alternative   said   to   .  

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The Czech Republic is planning to adopt / adapt a snappy short-form name to ensure it has an easier time at home and abound / around the world. It wants to be officially known / knowing by the noun 'Czechia' instead of incorrectly by the adjective 'Czech'. Government officials say this more concisely / concise name will avoid confusion / confusing over what to call the country. They are tired of being called by erroneous / error names such as Czecho or Czechland. A foreign office / official spokesperson said: "Our hope is that this step will overcome the problems we head / face with distorting the name and that the correct terms will resolve / dissolve into general knowledge." The government will seek a formal change in the United Nations database of / at country names.

The Czech Republic government said it is following / followed the example of what many countries around the world have done for decadence / decades. A spokesman said the Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of France are commonly / common known as Australia and France. The length / long of the three-word name, 'the Czech Republic,' already leads to short / long cuts being made. A loading / leading beer maker states / starts on its labels that its product is 'brewed in Plzen - Czech'. Some national sports teams drop / droop the article 'the' and put just two words on their shirts - 'Czech Republic'. Foreign ministry / minister Lubomir Zaoralek said the name 'Czechia' is not widely popular but he said there seems / seams to be no other alternative.

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_ Cz_ch R_p_bl_c _s pl_nn_ng t_ _d_pt _ sn_ppy sh_rt-f_rm n_m_ t_ _ns_r_ _t h_s _n __s__r t_m_ _t h_m_ _nd _r__nd th_ w_rld. _t w_nts t_ b_ _ff_c__lly kn_wn by th_ n__n 'Cz_ch__' _nst__d _f _nc_rr_ctly by th_ _dj_ct_v_ 'Cz_ch'. G_v_rnm_nt _ff_c__ls s_y th_s m_r_ c_nc_s_ n_m_ w_ll _v__d c_nf_s__n _v_r wh_t t_ c_ll th_ c__ntry. Th_y _r_ t_r_d _f b__ng c_ll_d by _rr_n___s n_m_s s_ch _s Cz_ch_ _r Cz_chl_nd. _ f_r__gn _ff_c_ sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d: "__r h_p_ _s th_t th_s st_p w_ll _v_rc_m_ th_ pr_bl_ms w_ f_c_ w_th d_st_rt_ng th_ n_m_ _nd th_t th_ c_rr_ct t_rms w_ll d_ss_lv_ _nt_ g_n_r_l kn_wl_dg_." Th_ g_v_rnm_nt w_ll s__k _ f_rm_l ch_ng_ _n th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns d_t_b_s_ _f c__ntry n_m_s.

Th_ Cz_ch R_p_bl_c g_v_rnm_nt s__d _t _s f_ll_w_ng th_ _x_mpl_ _f wh_t m_ny c__ntr__s _r__nd th_ w_rld h_v_ d_n_ f_r d_c_d_s. _ sp_k_sm_n s__d th_ C_mm_nw__lth _f __str_l__ _nd th_ R_p_bl_c _f Fr_nc_ _r_ c_mm_nly kn_wn _s __str_l__ _nd Fr_nc_. Th_ l_ngth _f th_ thr__-w_rd n_m_, 'th_ Cz_ch R_p_bl_c,' _lr__dy l__ds t_ sh_rt c_ts b__ng m_d_. _ l__d_ng b__r m_k_r st_t_s _n _ts l_b_ls th_t _ts pr_d_ct _s 'br_w_d _n Plz_n - Cz_ch'. S_m_ n_t__n_l sp_rts t__ms dr_p th_ _rt_cl_ 'th_' _nd p_t j_st tw_ w_rds _n th__r sh_rts - 'Cz_ch R_p_bl_c'. F_r__gn m_n_st_r L_b_m_r Z__r_l_k s__d th_ n_m_ 'Cz_ch__' _s n_t w_d_ly p_p_l_r b_t h_ s__d th_r_ s__ms t_ b_ n_ _th_r _lt_rn_t_v_.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the czech republic is planning to adopt a snappy short-form name to ensure it has an easier time at home and around the world it wants to be officially known by the noun 'czechia' instead of incorrectly by the adjective 'czech' government officials say this more concise name will avoid confusion over what to call the country they are tired of being called by erroneous names such as czecho or czechland a foreign office spokesperson said "our hope is that this step will overcome the problems we face with distorting the name and that the correct terms will dissolve into general knowledge" the government will seek a formal change in the united nations database of country names

the czech republic government said it is following the example of what many countries around the world have done for decades a spokesman said the commonwealth of australia and the republic of france are commonly known as australia and france the length of the three-word name 'the czech republic' already leads to short cuts being made a leading beer maker states on its labels that its product is 'brewed in plzen - czech' some national sports teams drop the article 'the' and put just two words on their shirts - 'czech republic' foreign minister lubomir zaoralek said the name 'czechia' is not widely popular but he said there seems to be no other alternative

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheCzechRepublicisplanningtoadoptasnappyshort-formnametoen
sureithasaneasiertimeathomeandaroundtheworld.Itwantstobeoffici
allyknownbythenoun'Czechia'insteadofincorrectlybytheadjective'C
zech'.Governmentofficialssaythismoreconcisenamewillavoidconfusi
onoverwhattocallthecountry.Theyaretiredofbeingcalledbyerroneou
snamessuchasCzechoorCzechland.Aforeignofficespokespersonsaid
:"Ourhopeisthatthisstepwillovercometheproblemswefacewithdistor
tingthenameandthatthecorrecttermswilldissolveintogeneralknowle
dge."ThegovernmentwillseekaformalchangeintheUnitedNationsdat
abaseofcountrynames.TheCzechRepublicgovernmentsaiditisfollowi
ngtheexampleofwhatmanycountriesaroundtheworldhavedoneforde
cades.AspokesmansaidtheCommonwealthofAustraliaandtheRepubl
icofFrancearecommonlyknownasAustraliaandFrance.Thelengthofth
ethree-wordname,'theCzechRepublic,'alreadyleadstoshortcutsbe
ingmade.Aleadingbeermakerstatesonitslabelsthatitsproductis'brew
edinPlzen-Czech'.Somenationalsportsteamsdropthearticle'the'an
dputjusttwowordsontheirshirts-'CzechRepublic'.ForeignministerLu
bomirZaoraleksaidthename'Czechia'isnotwidelypopularbuthesaidt
hereseemstobenootheralternative.

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

A country's name should is a valuable brand. 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 country names. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. COUNTRY NAMES: Make a poster about your country's name. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. CZECHIA: Write a magazine article about the new name Czechia. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on country names. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your thoughts on the new name of Czechia. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

adopt

a.

take on

2.

ensure

b.

see to it

3.

confusion

c.

uncertainty

4.

overcome

d.

get over

5.

formal

e.

official

6.

spokesman

f.

representative

7.

leading

g.

top

8.

drop

h.

omit

9.

popular

i.

in favour

10.

alternative

j.

replacement

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

At home and around the world

2.

Confusion

3.

Erroneous names

4.

General knowledge

5.

The United Nations

6.

Australia and France

7.

The name ‘the Czech Republic’

8.

On the label of its products

9.

The article ‘the’

10.

It wasn’t widely popular

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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