The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The worldwide banking company Goldman Sachs has taken a break from guessing what will happen to the world's economy. Economists from the company have put their heads together and made predictions about how many medals different countries will win at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Their predictions contain no real surprises. Most people could predict that the USA and China will win the most medals. Perhaps a slight surprise is that Goldman Sachs is predicting Great Britain will finish third, as they did in the 2012 London Olympics. The economists predicted 23 gold medals for Team GB and 59 medals in total. They also predict that the world's second most populous country, India, will win just one gold medal.

There is good news for host nation Brazil. The country that hosts the Olympics usually gets 50 per cent more golds than usual, and 20 per cent more medals in total. Goldman Sachs predicts that Brazil will get a record 22 medals, including five golds. This would be Brazil's best ever performance in an Olympic games. The economists also predicted the Olympics would benefit Brazil's economy. They said: "As the country welcomes thousands of athletes and visitors and cheers the local favorites, it silently hopes that the soaring Olympic spirit will also help lift the spirits of the Brazilian economy." The 2016 Rio Olympics, Brazil-style, is sure to be one of the best ever.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0,  Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-2016-olympics-medal-predictions-2016-8
  • http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-01/goldman-s-economists-are-forecasting-olympic-medals
  • http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/01/rio-olympics-goldman-sachs-thinks-us-china-will-clinch-largest-medal-haul.html


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. OLYMPICS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Olympics. 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?

       banking / take a break / medals / Rio Olympics / predictions / surprises / India / gold
       good news / hosts / 50 per cent / performance / benefit / athletes / visitors / spirits

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

3. EVENT: Students A strongly believe the Olympics is the greatest event on Earth; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. SPORTS: What do you think of these sports? What training do you have to do to win a gold medal?  Talk about this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Marathon
  • Shot Putt
  • Golf
  • Diving
  • Karate
  • Cycling
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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. MEDAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "medal". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. OLYMPIC SPORTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • swimming
  • equestrian
  • weightlifting
  • shooting
  • canoe
  • heptathlon
  • 100 metres
  • boxing

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A bank has made predictions about which countries will win medals.     T / F
  2. Economists at the bank worked together to make the predictions.     T / F
  3. There are many big surprises in the predictions.     T / F
  4. The bank predicted that India would win just one gold medal.     T / F
  5. The bank said it had some bad news for Brazil.     T / F
  6. Host nations usually win around 50% more medals than usual.     T / F
  7. One of the predictions was that Brazil would win five gold medals.     T / F
  8. The economists said the Olympics would not lift spirits.     T / F

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

  1. break
  2. predictions
  3. contain
  4. slight
  5. country
  6. record
  7. performance
  8. benefit
  9. soaring
  10. sure
  1. best ever
  2. small
  3. increasing
  4. nation
  5. rest
  6. gain
  7. certain
  8. forecasts
  9. achievement
  10. include

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

  1. put their heads
  2. Their predictions contain no
  3. Great Britain will finish
  4. win just
  5. the world's second most
  6. There is good news
  7. The country that
  8. This would be Brazil's best
  9. athletes and
  10. help lift
  1. for host nation Brazil
  2. populous country
  3. ever performance
  4. the spirits
  5. real surprises
  6. together
  7. visitors
  8. one gold medal
  9. hosts the Olympics
  10. third

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
different
total
break
slight
populous
heads
contain
third

The worldwide banking company Goldman Sachs has taken a    (1) ____________ from guessing what will happen to the world's economy. Economists from the company have put their            (2) ____________ together and made predictions about how many medals (3) ____________ countries will win at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Their predictions (4) ____________ no real surprises. Most people could predict that the USA and China will win the most medals. Perhaps a (5) ____________ surprise is that Goldman Sachs is predicting Great Britain will finish            (6) ____________, as they did in the 2012 London Olympics. The economists predicted 23 gold medals for Team GB and 59 medals in (7) ____________. They also predict that the world's second most (8) ____________ country, India, will win just one gold medal.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
record
benefit
host
spirits
style
performance
usual
silently

There is good news for (9) ____________ nation Brazil. The country that hosts the Olympics usually gets 50 per cent more golds than (10) ____________, and 20 per cent more medals in total. Goldman Sachs predicts that Brazil will get a                  (11) ____________ 22 medals, including five golds. This would be Brazil's best ever (12) ____________ in an Olympic games. The economists also predicted the Olympics would                   (13) ____________ Brazil's economy. They said: "As the country welcomes thousands of athletes and visitors and cheers the local favorites, it (14) ____________ hopes that the soaring Olympic spirit will also help lift the (15) ____________ of the Brazilian economy." The 2016 Rio Olympics, Brazil-(16) ____________, is sure to be one of the best ever.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The worldwide banking company Goldman Sachs has ______
     a.  taken a break
     b.  taking a break
     c.  take in a break
     d.  taken in a break

2)  Economists from the company have put their ______
     a.  heads to gather
     b.  heads two gather
     c.  heads too gather
     d.  heads together

3)  Their predictions contain no ______
     a.  really surprises
     b.  real surprises
     c.  real surprise
     d.  really surprise

4)  Great Britain will finish third, ______ the 2012 London Olympics
     a.  as they didn't in
     b.  was they did in
     c.  has they didn't in
     d.  as they did in

5)  the world's second most populous country, India, will ______ gold medal
     a.  won just one
     b.  win just once
     c.  win justly one
     d.  win just one

6)  The country that hosts the Olympics usually gets 50 per cent more golds ______
     a.  that usual
     b.  than usually
     c.  than usual
     d.  than use you all

7)  The economists also predicted the Olympics would ______
     a.  benefits Brazil's economies
     b.  benefit Brazil's economy
     c.  beneficial Brazil's economy
     d.  benefit Brazil's economics

8)  the country welcomes thousands of athletes and visitors and cheers ______
     a.  all local favorites
     b.  the locally favorites
     c.  all locals favorites
     d.  the local favorites

9)  it silently hopes that the soaring Olympic spirit will also help ______
     a.  lift the spirit
     b.  lift the spirits
     c.  lift the sprites
     d.  lift the splits

10)  The 2016 Rio Olympics, Brazil-style, is sure to be one of ______
     a.  the best ever
     b.  the best never
     c.  the best every
     d.  the best even

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The worldwide banking company Goldman Sachs has (1) ___________________ from guessing what will happen to the world's economy. Economists from the company have (2) ___________________ together and made predictions about how many medals different countries will win at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Their predictions (3) ___________________ surprises. Most people could predict that the USA and China will win the most medals. Perhaps (4) ___________________ is that Goldman Sachs is predicting Great Britain will finish third, as they did in the 2012 London Olympics. The (5) ___________________ 23 gold medals for Team GB and 59 medals in total. They also predict that the world's second most populous country, India, (6) ___________________ gold medal.

There is good news (7) ___________________ Brazil. The country that hosts the Olympics usually gets 50 per cent more golds than usual, and 20 per cent more (8) ___________________. Goldman Sachs predicts that Brazil will get a record 22 medals, including five golds. This would be Brazil's best (9) ___________________ in an Olympic games. The economists also predicted the Olympics would benefit Brazil's economy. They said: "As the country welcomes thousands of (10) ___________________ and cheers the local favorites, it silently hopes that the soaring Olympic spirit will also help (11) ___________________ the Brazilian economy." The 2016 Rio Olympics, Brazil-style, is (12) ___________________ of the best ever.

Comprehension questions

  1. What has Goldman Sachs taken?
  2. What did economists from the bank put together?
  3. In what position did the bank predict Great Britain would finish?
  4. How many medals did the bank predict Great Britain would win?
  5. How many gold medals did the bank predict India would win?
  6. What kind of news was there for Brazil?
  7. How many more medals does a host nation usually get?
  8. What did the bank say the Olympics would benefit?
  9. Who will Brazil welcome thousands of?
  10. What kind of style did the article say the Rio Olympics would be in?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What has Goldman Sachs taken?
a) a break
b) gold medals
c) the Olympic torch
d) the lead

2) What did economists from the bank put together?
a) differences
b) money
c) their heads
d) medals

3) In what position did the bank predict Great Britain would finish?
a) upright
b) third
c) last
d) a sound position

4) How many medals did the bank predict Great Britain would win?
a) 50
b) 1
c) 23
d) 59

5) How many gold medals did the bank predict India would win?
a) 1
b) 50
c) 23
d) 59

6) What kind of news was there for Brazil?
a) medal news
b) weather news
c) bad news
d) good news

7) How many more medals does a host nation usually get?
a) just a few
b) 20% more
c) 50% more
d) 17

8) What did the bank say the Olympics would benefit?
a) its profits
b) golf
c) Copacabana Beach
d) Brazil's economy

9) Who will Brazil welcome thousands of?
a) Brazilians
b) VIPs
c) visitors and athletes
d) soccer fans

10) What kind of style did the article say the Rio Olympics would be in?
a) classical style
b) Brazil-style
c) samba
d) perfect style

Role play

Role A — Canoeing

You think canoeing is the most exciting Olympic sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports are not that exciting. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): the 100 metres, equestrian events or shooting.

Role B — 100 metres

You think the 100 metres is the most exciting Olympic sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports are not that exciting. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): canoeing, equestrian events or shooting.

Role C — Equestrian

You think equestrian is the most exciting Olympic sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports are not that exciting. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): the 100 metres, canoeing or shooting.

Role D — Shooting

You think shooting is the most exciting Olympic sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports are not that exciting. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why):  the 100 metres, equestrian events or canoeing.

After reading / listening

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

'Olympics'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'games'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • good
    • 22
    • performance
    • benefit
    • local
    • sure
    • break
    • heads
    • real
    • slight
    • 2012
    • second

    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 - Rio Olympics medal predictions

    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 'Olympics'?
    3. What are your predictions for the Olympics?
    4. How well do you think your country will do?
    5. What do you think of the Olympics?
    6. How good will Rio be at hosting the Olympics?
    7. What is your favourite Olympic sport and why?
    8. What is the 'Olympics spirit'?
    9. Which is best – the 100-metres or the marathon?                                                 
    10. Why does a country as big as India get so few medals?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. Who are your favourite sports stars and why?
    3. How do you think it feels to win a gold medal?
    4. What kind of atmosphere will there be in Rio?
    5. What do you think of the ban on Russian athletes?
    6. How do you feel when you hear your national anthem at the Olympics?
    7. What do you think of athletes staying away because of the Zika virus?
    8. Is the Olympics the greatest sporting event in the world?
    9. Will the 2020 Tokyo Olympics be better than the 2016 Rio Olympics?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the head of the Olympics?

    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)

    The worldwide banking company Goldman Sachs has (1) ____ a break from guessing what will happen to the world's economy. Economists from the company have put their (2) ____ together and made predictions about how many medals different countries will win at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Their predictions (3) ____ no real surprises. Most people (4) ____ predict that the USA and China will win the most medals. Perhaps a slight surprise is that Goldman Sachs is predicting Great Britain will finish third, as they (5) ____ in the 2012 London Olympics. The economists predicted 23 gold medals for Team GB and 59 medals in total. They also predict that the world's second most populous country, India, will win (6) ____ one gold medal.

    There is good news for (7) ____ nation Brazil. The country that hosts the Olympics usually gets 50 per cent more golds than (8) ____, and 20 per cent more medals in total. Goldman Sachs predicts that Brazil will get a record 22 medals, including five golds. This (9) ____ be Brazil's best ever performance in an Olympic games. The economists also predicted the Olympics would benefit Brazil's economy. They said: "(10) ____ the country welcomes thousands of athletes and visitors and cheers the local favorites, (11) ____ silently hopes that the soaring Olympic spirit will also help lift the spirits of the Brazilian economy." The 2016 Rio Olympics, Brazil-style, is sure to (12) ____ one of the best ever.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     took     (b)     taken     (c)     taking     (d)     takes    
    2. (a)     hearts     (b)     heads     (c)     heeds     (d)     hearths    
    3. (a)     control     (b)     contact     (c)     content     (d)     contain    
    4. (a)     do     (b)     could     (c)     have to     (d)     ought to    
    5. (a)     were     (b)     did     (c)     done     (d)     was    
    6. (a)     rather     (b)     mere     (c)     just     (d)     once    
    7. (a)     most     (b)     ghost     (c)     host     (d)     post    
    8. (a)     often     (b)     frequently     (c)     usual     (d)     always    
    9. (a)     can     (b)     must     (c)     have to     (d)     would    
    10. (a)     As     (b)     Is     (c)     Was     (d)     Has    
    11. (a)     it     (b)     we     (c)     Brazilians     (d)     they    
    12. (a)     is     (b)     doing     (c)     be     (d)     has

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The ldwwordie banking company
    2. different orstuince
    3. Their predictions nnoacit no real surprises
    4. A hltisg surprise
    5. Great Britain will finish idrht
    6. the world's second most ulupposo country

    Paragraph 2

    1. There is good news for host otnani Brazil
    2. Brazil's best ever opfnmrracee
    3. the country lweocesm thousands
    4. etsetahl and visitors
    5. cheers the llcoa favorites
    6. lift the srpsiti of the Brazilian economy

    Put the text back together

    (    )     economy. They said: "As the country welcomes thousands of athletes and visitors and cheers the local

    (    )     22 medals, including five golds. This would be Brazil's best ever performance in

    (    )     surprises. Most people could predict that the USA and China will win the most medals. Perhaps a slight surprise is

    (    )     an Olympic games. The economists also predicted the Olympics would benefit Brazil's

    (    )     of the Brazilian economy." The 2016 Rio Olympics, Brazil-style, is sure to be one of the best ever.

    (    )     about how many medals different countries will win at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Their predictions contain no real

    (    )     most populous country, India, will win just one gold medal.

    (    )     golds than usual, and 20 per cent more medals in total. Goldman Sachs predicts that Brazil will get a record

    (    )     that Goldman Sachs is predicting Great Britain will finish third, as they did in the 2012 London Olympics. The economists

    (    )     to the world's economy. Economists from the company have put their heads together and made predictions

    (    )     predicted 23 gold medals for Team GB and 59 medals in total. They also predict that the world's second

    (  1  )     The worldwide banking company Goldman Sachs has taken a break from guessing what will happen

    (    )     There is good news for host nation Brazil. The country that hosts the Olympics usually gets 50 per cent more

    (    )     favorites, it silently hopes that the soaring Olympic spirit will also help lift the spirits

    Put the words in the right order

    1. to  the world's  economy  A  break  from  guessing  what  will  happen  .
    2. heads  many  predictions  together  Put  about   and  their  how  made .
    3. contain   predictions   Their   surprises   real   no   .
    4. 23   GB   gold   The   medals   economists   for   predicted   Team   .
    5. populous   country   ,   India   ,  will  win   The   world's  second  most  .
    6. gets  that  the  %   usually   hosts   50  more  country  Olympics  The  .
    7. medals   that   get   22   predicts   will   record   Sachs   Brazil   a   .
    8. This   be   best   performance   would   Brazil's   ever   .
    9. benefit   economy   the   would   Brazil's   Predicted   Olympics   .
    10. Olympic   also   the   soaring   will   lift   The   spirit   help   spirits   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The worldwide banking companion / company Goldman Sachs has taken a broken / break from guessing what will happen to the world's economy. Economists from the company have put their heads apart / together and made predictions about how many medals different / difference countries will win at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Their predictions contain no real / really surprises. Most people could prediction / predict that the USA and China will win the most medals. Perhaps a slight / slightly surprise is that Goldman Sachs is predicting Great Britain will finish third, was / as they did in the 2012 London Olympics. The economists predicted 23 gold medals for Team GB and 59 medals in / on total. They also predict that the world's second most populous country, India, will win just one / once gold medal.

    There is good news for hosted / host nation Brazil. The country that hosts the Olympics usually gets 50 per cent more golds than usually / usual, and 20 per cent more medals in totally / total. Goldman Sachs predicts that Brazil will get a record 22 medals, including / inclusive five golds. This would be Brazil's best ever / every performance in an Olympic games. The economists also / alas predicted the Olympics would beneficial / benefit Brazil's economy. They said: "As the country welcomes thousands of athletes and visitors and cheering / cheers the local favorites, it silently hopes what / that the soaring Olympic spirit will also help lift the spirits of the Brazilian economy." The 2016 Rio Olympics, Brazil-style, is sure to be one of / for the best ever.

    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_ w_rldw_d_ b_nk_ng c_mp_ny G_ldm_n S_chs h_s t_k_n _ br__k fr_m g__ss_ng wh_t w_ll h_pp_n t_ th_ w_rld's _c_n_my. _c_n_m_sts fr_m th_ c_mp_ny h_v_ p_t th__r h__ds t_g_th_r _nd m_d_ pr_d_ct__ns _b__t h_w m_ny m_d_ls d_ff_r_nt c__ntr__s w_ll w_n _t th_ 2016 R__ _lymp_cs. Th__r pr_d_ct__ns c_nt__n n_ r__l s_rpr_s_s. M_st p__pl_ c__ld pr_d_ct th_t th_ _S_ _nd Ch_n_ w_ll w_n th_ m_st m_d_ls. P_rh_ps _ sl_ght s_rpr_s_ _s th_t G_ldm_n S_chs _s pr_d_ct_ng Gr__t Br_t__n w_ll f_n_sh th_rd, _s th_y d_d _n th_ 2012 L_nd_n _lymp_cs. Th_ _c_n_m_sts pr_d_ct_d 23 g_ld m_d_ls f_r T__m GB _nd 59 m_d_ls _n t_t_l. Th_y _ls_ pr_d_ct th_t th_ w_rld's s_c_nd m_st p_p_l__s c__ntry, _nd__, w_ll w_n j_st _n_ g_ld m_d_l.

    Th_r_ _s g__d n_ws f_r h_st n_t__n Br_z_l. Th_ c__ntry th_t h_sts th_ _lymp_cs _s__lly g_ts 50 p_r c_nt m_r_ g_lds th_n _s__l, _nd 20 p_r c_nt m_r_ m_d_ls _n t_t_l. G_ldm_n S_chs pr_d_cts th_t Br_z_l w_ll g_t _ r_c_rd 22 m_d_ls, _ncl_d_ng f_v_ g_lds. Th_s w__ld b_ Br_z_l's b_st _v_r p_rf_rm_nc_ _n _n _lymp_c g_m_s. Th_ _c_n_m_sts _ls_ pr_d_ct_d th_ _lymp_cs w__ld b_n_f_t Br_z_l's _c_n_my. Th_y s__d: "_s th_ c__ntry w_lc_m_s th__s_nds _f _thl_t_s _nd v_s_t_rs _nd ch__rs th_ l_c_l f_v_r_t_s, _t s_l_ntly h_p_s th_t th_ s__r_ng _lymp_c sp_r_t w_ll _ls_ h_lp l_ft th_ sp_r_ts _f th_ Br_z_l__n _c_n_my." Th_ 2016 R__ _lymp_cs, Br_z_l-styl_, _s s_r_ t_ b_ _n_ _f th_ b_st _v_r.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the worldwide banking company goldman sachs has taken a break from guessing what will happen to the world's economy economists from the company have put their heads together and made predictions about how many medals different countries will win at the 2016 rio olympics their predictions contain no real surprises most people could predict that the usa and china will win the most medals perhaps a slight surprise is that goldman sachs is predicting great britain will finish third as they did in the 2012 london olympics the economists predicted 23 gold medals for team gb and 59 medals in total they also predict that the world's second most populous country india will win just one gold medal

    there is good news for host nation brazil the country that hosts the olympics usually gets 50 per cent more golds than usual and 20 per cent more medals in total goldman sachs predicts that brazil will get a record 22 medals including five golds this would be brazil's best ever performance in an olympic games the economists also predicted the olympics would benefit brazil's economy they said "as the country welcomes thousands of athletes and visitors and cheers the local favorites it silently hopes that the soaring olympic spirit will also help lift the spirits of the brazilian economy" the 2016 rio olympics brazil-style is sure to be one of the best ever

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheworldwidebankingcompanyGoldmanSachshastakenabreakfrom
    guessingwhatwillhappentotheworld'seconomy.Economistsfromthe
    companyhaveputtheirheadstogetherandmadepredictionsabouthow
    manymedalsdifferentcountrieswillwinatthe2016RioOlympics.Their
    predictionscontainnorealsurprises.MostpeoplecouldpredictthattheU
    SAandChinawillwinthemostmedals.PerhapsaslightsurpriseisthatGol
    dmanSachsispredictingGreatBritainwillfinishthird,astheydidinthe20
    12LondonOlympics.Theeconomistspredicted23goldmedalsforTeam
    GBand59medalsintotal.Theyalsopredictthattheworld'ssecondmostp
    opulouscountry,India,willwinjustonegoldmedal.Thereisgoodnewsfo
    rhostnationBrazil.ThecountrythathoststheOlympicsusuallygets50p
    ercentmoregoldsthanusual,and20percentmoremedalsintotal.Gold
    manSachspredictsthatBrazilwillgetarecord22medals,includingfiveg
    olds.ThiswouldbeBrazil'sbesteverperformanceinanOlympicgames.T
    heeconomistsalsopredictedtheOlympicswouldbenefitBrazil'secono
    my.Theysaid:"Asthecountrywelcomesthousandsofathletesandvisit
    orsandcheersthelocalfavorites,itsilentlyhopesthatthesoaringOlympi
    cspiritwillalsohelpliftthespiritsoftheBrazilianeconomy."The2016Rio
    Olympics,Brazil-style,issuretobeoneofthebestever.

    Free writing

    Write about 2016 Rio Olympics for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    The Olympics is the greatest show on Earth. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about the history of the Olympics. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. 2016 RIO OLYMPICS: Make a poster about Olympics. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. PREDICTIONS: Write a magazine article about Olympics. Include imaginary predictions about what will happen. Include imaginary interviews with the sports stars.

    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 the Olympics. Ask him/her three questions about the Olympics. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make the Olympics better. 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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