The Reading / Listening - Level 3

People in Britain will soon vote on whether or not to stay in or leave the European Union (EU). Newspapers have called it 'Brexit', which means Britain's, or British, exit. It is one of the biggest issues for Europe in decades. British people have very strong feelings about leaving and staying in the EU. A group of scientists has come together in support of staying in Europe. All of the 13 scientists are Nobel Prize winners. The group says leaving the EU would be a "key risk" to British science. A spokesman explained how important it was for science that Britain remained in Europe. He said: "Inside the EU, Britain helps steer the biggest scientific powerhouse in the world."

Another top British scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, said Brexit would be, "a disaster for UK science". Many other scientists agree, saying Britain would receive less money from the EU for research. They add that British scientists could no longer work as often or as closely with colleagues in European countries. Professor Hawking said many young European scientists come to Britain to work. He said this could slow down after a Brexit. However, many other scientists say Brexit would be better for British science. The campaign group Scientists For Britain says that the UK would not suffer financially from Brexit. It says the top two countries funded by an 80-billion-euro EU science programme are not EU members.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36505736
  • http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/06/10/13-nobel-laureates-urge-britain-to-stay-in-european-union/
  • http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-science-idUKKCN0YX05C


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. BREXIT: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Brexit. 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?

       Britain / vote / exit / issues / decades / scientists / support / risk / powerhouse /
       scientist / agree / colleagues / slow down / campaign / suffer / financially / members

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

3. STAY: Students A strongly believe the UK should stay in the EU; Students B strongly believe it should leave.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. COUNTRIES WITH ABBREVIATIONS: What do you know about these countries with abbreviated names? What are they? Talk about them with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • UK
  • USA
  • UAE
  • PNG
  • DPRK
  • NZ
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. VOTE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "vote". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. SCIENCE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important science at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • planetary science
  • chemistry
  • mathematics
  • physics
  • computer science
  • neuroscience
  • biology
  • political science

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. British people will soon vote whether or not to remain part of the EU.     T / F
  2. Thirteen UK scientists said the UK should stay in the EU.     T / F
  3. The scientists have all won a Nobel Prize.     T / F
  4. One scientist said he wanted Britain to make a science powerhouse.     T / F
  5. Professor Stephen Hawking said it was better for the UK to leave the EU. T / F
  6. Professor Hawking said fewer European scientists would work in the UK.  T / F
  7. The campaign group Scientists For Britain is anti-Brexit.     T / F
  8. The group Scientists For Britain said the UK would get no EU money.     T / F

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

  1. stay
  2. issues
  3. group
  4. risk
  5. steer
  6. top
  7. disaster
  8. colleagues
  9. suffer
  10. funded
  1. leading
  2. guide
  3. be affected by
  4. topics
  5. catastrophe
  6. remain
  7. collaborators
  8. danger
  9. financed
  10. collection

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

  1. vote on whether or
  2. the biggest issues for Europe
  3. people have very strong
  4. a key
  5. the biggest scientific powerhouse
  6. Another top
  7. Britain would receive less
  8. no longer work as often or as
  9. campaign
  10. the UK would not suffer
  1. feelings
  2. group
  3. in the world
  4. British scientist
  5. in decades
  6. closely with colleagues
  7. financially
  8. not to stay
  9. money from the EU
  10. risk to British science

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
decades
risk
whether
steer
support
remained
exit
winners

People in Britain will soon vote on (1) ____________ or not to stay in or leave the European Union (EU). Newspapers have called it 'Brexit', which means Britain's, or British, (2) ____________. It is one of the biggest issues for Europe in (3) ____________. British people have very strong feelings about leaving and staying in the EU. A group of scientists has come together in (4) ____________ of staying in Europe. All of the 13 scientists are Nobel Prize (5) ____________. The group says leaving the EU would be a "key (6) ____________ " to British science. A spokesman explained how important it was for science that Britain (7) ____________ in Europe. He said: "Inside the EU, Britain helps (8) ____________ the biggest scientific powerhouse in the world."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
slow
longer
top
funded
closely
suffer
disaster
group

Another (9) ____________ British scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, said Brexit would be, "a (10) ____________ for UK science". Many other scientists agree, saying Britain would receive less money from the EU for research. They add that British scientists could no (11) ____________ work as often or as (12) ____________ with colleagues in European countries. Professor Hawking said many young European scientists come to Britain to work. He said this could (13) ____________ down after a Brexit. However, many other scientists say Brexit would be better for British science. The campaign (14) ____________ Scientists For Britain says that the UK would not (15) ____________ financially from Brexit. It says the top two countries (16) ____________ by an 80-billion-euro EU science programme are not EU members.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  People in Britain will soon vote on whether or not to ______ leave
     a.  staying in or
     b.  stay in or
     c.  stay inner
     d.  stay in nor

2)  Newspapers have called it 'Brexit', which means Britain's, ______
     a.  or British, exits
     b.  or British, excite
     c.  or British, exit
     d.  or British, ex it

3)  It is one of the biggest issues for Europe ______
     a.  in decades
     b.  on decades
     c.  index aids
     d.  exit aids

4)  The group says leaving the EU would be a ______ British science
     a.  "key risky" to
     b.  "key risk" to
     c.  "key risk" too
     d.  "keys risk" to

5)  Inside the EU, Britain helps steer the biggest scientific powerhouse ______.
     a.  on the world
     b.  in the worlds
     c.  in a world
     d.  in the world

6)  Another top British scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, said Brexit ______
     a.  would be a disastrous
     b.  would been a disaster
     c.  would be the disaster
     d.  would be a disaster

7)  other scientists agree, saying Britain would receive less money from ______
     a.  the EU for research
     b.  the EU four research
     c.  the EU for researchers
     d.  the EU from research

8) British scientists could no longer work as often or as closely ______
     a.  with colleagues
     b.  with colleges
     c.  with collages
     d.  with colleague

9)  Scientists For Britain says that the UK would not ______
     a.  suffers financially
     b.  surfer financially
     c.  suffer financially
     d.  suffer financial

10)  the top two countries funded by an 80-billion-euro EU science programme are ______
     a.  non EU members
     b.  not EU members
     c.  knot EU members
     d.  not EU member

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

People in Britain (1) ___________________ whether or not to stay in or leave the European Union (EU). Newspapers have called it 'Brexit', which means Britain's, or British, exit. It (2) ___________________ issues for Europe in decades. British people have (3) ___________________ about leaving and staying in the EU. A group of scientists has come together (4) ___________________ staying in Europe. All of the 13 scientists are Nobel Prize winners. The group says leaving the EU would (5) ___________________ to British science. A spokesman explained how important it was for science that Britain remained in Europe. He said: "Inside the EU, Britain helps steer the biggest (6) ___________________ in the world."

Another top British scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, said Brexit would (7) ___________________ UK science". Many other scientists agree, saying Britain would (8) ___________________ from the EU for research. They add that British scientists could no longer work as (9) __________________ with colleagues in European countries. Professor Hawking said many young European scientists come to Britain to work. He (10) ___________________ down after a Brexit. However, many other scientists say Brexit would be better for British science. The (11) ___________________ Scientists For Britain says that the UK would not (12) ___________________ from Brexit. It says the top two countries funded by an 80-billion-euro EU science programme are not EU members.

Comprehension questions

  1. Where has Britain's vote been one of the biggest issues in decades?
  2. What kind of feelings do British people have?
  3. How many Nobel Prize winners formed a group to support staying?
  4. What did Nobel Prize winners say leaving the EU would be a key risk to?
  5. What kind of powerhouse did a spokesperson talk about?
  6. What did Professor Stephen Hawking say Brexit would be for UK science?
  7. What did scientists say Britain would receive less of?
  8. Who did Professor Hawking say came to Britain to work?
  9. What is 'Scientists For Britain'?
  10. How much money is in an EU fund for a science programme?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where has Britain's vote been one of the biggest issues in decades?
a) London
b) in Europe
c) New Zealand
d) Albania

2) What kind of feelings do British people have?
a) confused ones
b) mutual ones
c) mixed ones
d) strong ones

3) How many Nobel Prize winners formed a group to support staying?
a) 13
b) 12
c) 14
d) 11

4) What did Nobel Prize winners say leaving the EU would be a key risk to?
a) feelings
b) groups
c) UK science
d) Nobel Prizes

5) What kind of powerhouse did a spokesperson talk about?
a) a coal one
b) a scientific one
c) an electric one
d) an old one

6) What did Professor Stephen Hawking say Brexit would be for UK science?
a) a disaster
b) a godsend
c) a good thing
d) a nightmare

7) What did scientists say Britain would receive less of?
a) science
b) Nobel Prizes
c) money
d) support

8) Who did Professor Hawking say came to Britain to work?
a) young European scientists
b) Nobel Prize winners
c) football players
d) anyone and everyone

9) What is 'Scientists For Britain'?
a) a campaign group
b) a political party
c) a magazine
d) a football team

10) How much money is in an EU fund for a science programme?
a) 18,000,000 euros
b) 80,000,000 euros
c) 18 billion euros
d) 80 billion euros

Science role play

Role A — Computer science

You think computer science is the most important science. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their sciences. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): biology, mathematics or planetary science.

Role B — Biology

You think biology is the most important science. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their sciences. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): computer science, mathematics or planetary science.

Role C — Mathematics

You think mathematics is the most important science. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their sciences. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): biology, computer science or planetary science.

Role D — Planetary science

You think planetary science is the most important science. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their sciences. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  biology, mathematics or computer science.

Brexit role play

Role A —UK soccer club owner

You think Brexit would be a disaster for English football, especially the Premier League. Hundreds of top players would not get a work permit to play for UK clubs. No UK club would ever win the Champions League. Tell the hotel owner and farmer they are wrong.

Role B — UK farmer

You think Brexit is better for the UK. You think food from British farms would sell better around the world. There are too many rules for farmers in Europe. Food prices would be cheaper if the UK left the EU. Tell the scientist and soccer club owner they are wrong.

Role C — UK hotel owner

You think you would make more money if the UK left the EU. It would be more expensive for British people to holiday in Europe so they will stay in UK hotels. Other people will like Britain's greater independence. Tell the scientist and soccer club owner they are wrong.

Role D — UK scientist

You think the UK should stay in the EU because science will be better. You need to work with European colleagues. You need research money from the EU. More European scientists will come to work in the UK. Tell the hotel owner and farmer they are wrong and why Brexit would be a disaster.

After reading / listening

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

'stay'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'leave'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • top
    • add
    • often
    • better
    • suffer
    • members soon
    • means
    • strong
    • 13
    • key
    • help

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - UK leaving Europe is bad for science

    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 'Brexit'?
    3. What do you know about Brexit?
    4. Do you think it is better for the UK to leave or stay in the EU?
    5. What are the good things about being in the European Union?
    6. How important is the UK for science?
    7. Would science really suffer if the UK left the EU?
    8. Is it better for a country to be part of a union or be totally independent?
    9. How important is the European Union?
    10. What British scientists (past and present) do you know of?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. How important is the UK in Europe?
    3. How important is the UK in the world?
    4. What are the bad things about being in the European Union?
    5. Why might it be better for the UK to leave the EU?
    6. Why might it be better for the UK to stay in the EU?
    7. What do you think of the UK?
    8. What's the difference between the UK and GB?
    9. How important is science?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a British scientist?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    People in Britain will (1) ____ vote on whether or not to stay in or leave the European Union (EU). Newspapers have called it 'Brexit', which (2) ____ Britain's, or British, exit. It is one of the biggest issues for Europe (3) ____ decades. British people have very (4) ____ feelings about leaving and staying in the EU. A group of scientists has come together in support of staying in Europe. (5) ____ of the 13 scientists are Nobel Prize winners. The group says leaving the EU would be a "key risk" to British science. A spokesman explained how important it was for science that Britain remained in Europe. He said: "Inside the EU, Britain helps (6) ____ the biggest scientific powerhouse in the world."

    Another top British scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, said Brexit would be, "a disaster (7) ____ UK science". Many other scientists agree, saying Britain would receive less money from the EU for research. They add that British scientists could (8) ____ longer work as often or as (9) ____ with colleagues in European countries. Professor Hawking said many young European scientists come to Britain to work. He said this could slow (10) ____ after a Brexit. However, many other scientists say Brexit would be better for British science. The campaign group Scientists For Britain says that the UK would not (11) ____ financially from Brexit. It says the top two countries funded (12) ____ an 80-billion-euro EU science programme are not EU members.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     soon     (b)     soon-ish     (c)     sooner     (d)     swoon    
    2. (a)     meanie     (b)     meaning     (c)     means     (d)     meanings    
    3. (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     in     (d)     to    
    4. (a)     stringy     (b)     strength     (c)     strongly     (d)     strong    
    5. (a)     All     (b)     Whole     (c)     Among     (d)     Each    
    6. (a)     store     (b)     steer     (c)     stare     (d)     star    
    7. (a)     at     (b)     by     (c)     on     (d)     for    
    8. (a)     non     (b)     no     (c)     not     (d)     nor    
    9. (a)     closer     (b)     closed     (c)     closely     (d)     closet    
    10. (a)     drop     (b)     descend     (c)     below     (d)     down    
    11. (a)     summer     (b)     sucker     (c)     supper     (d)     suffer    
    12. (a)     as     (b)     by     (c)     on     (d)     to

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. one of the biggest essisu
    2. in ecdesda
    3. people have very strong nilesfeg
    4. come together in prtpuso of staying
    5. Britain nrmaeeid in Europe
    6. the biggest scientific pwhueesoor

    Paragraph 2

    1. a itdssrea for UK science
    2. Britain would ereivce less money
    3. aelsuolecg in European countries
    4. agmpcian group
    5. would not suffer yinianflalc from Brexit
    6. the top two countries dnefud

    Put the text back together

    (    )     winners. The group says leaving the EU would be a "key risk" to British science. A spokesman explained how

    (    )     important it was for science that Britain remained in Europe. He said: "Inside the EU,

    (    )     science". Many other scientists agree, saying Britain would receive less money from the EU

    (    )     work. He said this could slow down after a Brexit. However, many other scientists say Brexit would be

    (    )     for research. They add that British scientists could no longer work as often or as closely with colleagues

    1  )     People in Britain will soon vote on whether or not to stay in or leave the European Union (EU). Newspapers have

    (    )     Another top British scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, said Brexit would be, "a disaster for UK

    (    )     better for British science. The campaign group Scientists For Britain says that the UK would not suffer financially

    (    )     decades. British people have very strong feelings about leaving and staying in the EU. A group of scientists has come

    (    )     in European countries. Professor Hawking said many young European scientists come to Britain to

    (    )     from Brexit. It says the top two countries funded by an 80-billion-euro EU science programme are not EU members.

    (    )     Britain helps steer the biggest scientific powerhouse in the world."

    (    )     together in support of staying in Europe. All of the 13 scientists are Nobel Prize

    (    )     called it 'Brexit', which means Britain's, or British, exit. It is one of the biggest issues for Europe in

    Put the words in the right order

    1. stay  to   not   or  whether   on   vote   soon  will   Britain   in   People  .
    2. is   one   of   the   biggest   issues   for   Europe   in   decades   It   .
    3. 'key   to   British   science   Leaving   risk'   the   EU   would   be   a   .
    4. important   that   it   Britain   was   remained   for   How   science   .
    5. in   powerhouse   scientific   biggest   the   Steer   world   the   .
    6. would   disaster   science   Brexit   a   UK   said   be   for   Hawking   .
    7. for   would   money   EU  Britain   less   the   research   receive  from   .
    8. countries  often  or  colleagues  as  closely  with in  European Work  as  .
    9. say  be   British  scientists   would  for   Other   Brexit  better  science  .
    10. Brexit   from   financially   The   suffer   not   would   UK   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    People in Britain will soon vote in / on whether or not to stay in or leave the European Union (EU). Newspapers have called it 'Brexit', that / which means Britain's, or British, exit. It is one of the biggest issue / issues for Europe in decades. British people have very strong / strength feelings about leaving and staying in the EU. A group of scientists has come / gone together in support / supporting of staying in Europe. All of the 13 scientists are Nobel Prize winners. The group says leaving the EU would be a "key risky / risk" to British science. A spokesman explained how important / importance it was for science that Britain remained in Europe. He said: "Inside / Insider the EU, Britain helps steering / steer the biggest scientific powerhouse in the world."

    Another top British scientist / scientists, Professor Stephen Hawking, said Brexit would be / been, "a disaster for UK science". Many other scientists agree / agreeing, saying Britain would receive lesser / less money from the EU for research. They add / plus that British scientists could no longer work as often or as closely with colleague / colleagues in European countries. Professor Hawking said many young European scientists come / gone to Britain to work. He said this could slow / slowly down after a Brexit. However, many other scientists say Brexit would be better for British science. The campaign group Scientists For Britain says that the UK would not suffer finance / financially from Brexit. It says the top two countries funded by / buy an 80-billion-euro EU science programme are not EU members.

    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)

    P__pl_ _n Br_t__n w_ll s__n v_t_ _n wh_th_r _r n_t t_ st_y _n _r l__v_ th_ __r_p__n _n__n (__). N_wsp_p_rs h_v_ c_ll_d _t 'Br_x_t', wh_ch m__ns Br_t__n's, _r Br_t_sh, _x_t. _t _s _n_ _f th_ b_gg_st _ss__s f_r __r_p_ _n d_c_d_s. Br_t_sh p__pl_ h_v_ v_ry str_ng f__l_ngs _b__t l__v_ng _nd st_y_ng _n th_ __. _ gr__p _f sc__nt_sts h_s c_m_ t_g_th_r _n s_pp_rt _f st_y_ng _n __r_p_. _ll _f th_ 13 sc__nt_sts _r_ N_b_l Pr_z_ w_nn_rs. Th_ gr__p s_ys l__v_ng th_ __ w__ld b_ _ "k_y r_sk" t_ Br_t_sh sc__nc_. _ sp_k_sm_n _xpl__n_d h_w _mp_rt_nt _t w_s f_r sc__nc_ th_t Br_t__n r_m__n_d _n __r_p_. H_ s__d: "_ns_d_ th_ __, Br_t__n h_lps st__r th_ b_gg_st sc__nt_f_c p_w_rh__s_ _n th_ w_rld."

    _n_th_r t_p Br_t_sh sc__nt_st, Pr_f_ss_r St_ph_n H_wk_ng, s__d Br_x_t w__ld b_, "_ d_s_st_r f_r _K sc__nc_". M_ny _th_r sc__nt_sts _gr__, s_y_ng Br_t__n w__ld r_c__v_ l_ss m_n_y fr_m th_ __ f_r r_s__rch. Th_y _dd th_t Br_t_sh sc__nt_sts c__ld n_ l_ng_r w_rk _s _ft_n _r _s cl_s_ly w_th c_ll__g__s _n __r_p__n c__ntr__s. Pr_f_ss_r H_wk_ng s__d m_ny y__ng __r_p__n sc__nt_sts c_m_ t_ Br_t__n t_ w_rk. H_ s__d th_s c__ld sl_w d_wn _ft_r _ Br_x_t. H_w_v_r, m_ny _th_r sc__nt_sts s_y Br_x_t w__ld b_ b_tt_r f_r Br_t_sh sc__nc_. Th_ c_mp__gn gr__p Sc__nt_sts F_r Br_t__n s_ys th_t th_ _K w__ld n_t s_ff_r f_n_nc__lly fr_m Br_x_t. _t s_ys th_ t_p tw_ c__ntr__s f_nd_d by _n 80-b_ll__n-__r_ __ sc__nc_ pr_gr_mm_ _r_ n_t __ m_mb_rs.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    people in britain will soon vote on whether or not to stay in or leave the european union (eu) newspapers have called it 'brexit' which means britain's or british exit it is one of the biggest issues for europe in decades british people have very strong feelings about leaving and staying in the eu a group of scientists has come together in support of staying in europe all of the 13 scientists are nobel prize winners the group says leaving the eu would be a "key risk" to british science a spokesman explained how important it was for science that britain remained in europe he said "inside the eu britain helps steer the biggest scientific powerhouse in the world"

    another top british scientist professor stephen hawking said brexit would be "a disaster for uk science" many other scientists agree saying britain would receive less money from the eu for research they add that british scientists could no longer work as often or as closely with colleagues in european countries professor hawking said many young european scientists come to britain to work he said this could slow down after a brexit however many other scientists say brexit would be better for british science the campaign group scientists for britain says that the uk would not suffer financially from brexit it says the top two countries funded by an 80-billion-euro eu science programme are not eu members

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    PeopleinBritainwillsoonvoteonwhetherornottostayinorleavetheEuro
    peanUnion(EU).Newspapershavecalledit'Brexit',whichmeansBritain
    's,orBritish,exit.ItisoneofthebiggestissuesforEuropeindecades.Briti
    shpeoplehaveverystrongfeelingsaboutleavingandstayingintheEU.A
    groupofscientistshascometogetherinsupportofstayinginEurope.Allo
    fthe13scientistsareNobelPrizewinners.ThegroupsaysleavingtheEU
    wouldbea"keyrisk"toBritishscience.Aspokesmanexplainedhowimpo
    rtantitwasforsciencethatBritainremainedinEurope.Hesaid:"Insideth
    eEU,Britainhelpssteerthebiggestscientificpowerhouseintheworld."A
    nothertopBritishscientist,ProfessorStephenHawking,saidBrexitwoul
    dbe,"adisasterforUKscience".Manyotherscientistsagree,sayingBrita
    inwouldreceivelessmoneyfromtheEUforresearch.TheyaddthatBritis
    hscientistscouldnolongerworkasoftenorascloselywithcolleaguesinE
    uropeancountries.ProfessorHawkingsaidmanyyoungEuropeanscien
    tistscometoBritaintowork.HesaidthiscouldslowdownafteraBrexit.Ho
    wever,manyotherscientistssayBrexitwouldbebetterforBritishscienc
    e.ThecampaigngroupScientistsForBritainsaysthattheUKwouldnotsu
    fferfinanciallyfromBrexit.Itsaysthetoptwocountriesfundedbyan80-b
    illion-euroEUscienceprogrammearenotEUmembers.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    It is best for the UK to be in the EU. 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 Brexit. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. SCIENCE: Write a magazine article about science suffering because of Brexit. Include imaginary interviews with people who agree and disagree.

    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 Brexit. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on whether the UK should leave or stay in the EU. 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

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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