Breaking News English

        

1. EURO 2012: Walk around the class and talk to other students about Euro 2012. Change partners often. Sit with your first partner(s) and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

tournament / flying start / thrashed / high-tempo / entertaining / tally / wasteful / governing / controversy / initial concerns / major sporting event / boycotting

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

3. BETTER FOR FANS: How can the governing bodies of sports make things better for fans and spectators? Choose one sport. Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.

	How to make things better	This might not happen because…
TV
Stadiums
Money
Rules
Athletes
Competitions

4. FOOTBALL (SOCCER): Students A strongly believe football is the best sport on Earth; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

5. TOURNAMENTS, ETC: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners and share your rankings again.

European Championships English Premier League Wimbledon tennis Formula One motor racing

Tour De France The Summer Olympics Super Bowl The Winter Olympics

6. SPORT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'sport'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	The article says Russia has made a lot of money because of Euro 2012.	T / F
b.	The article says the Poland-Greece game was played at a fast pace.	T / F
c.	The article says Russia are now one of the favourites to win Euro 2012.	T / F
d.	The article says the Czechs did not play with their usual style.	T / F
e.	There have been 13 Euro Championships previous to this one.	T / F
f.	There are dark shadows over all of the football pitches at Euro 2012.	T / F
g.	The article says few tournaments experience infrastructure problems.	T / F
h.	Politicians from all competing nations will attend games in Ukraine.	T / F

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

1.	tournament	a.	achieve
2.	thrashed	b.	broadcast
3.	manage	c.	damaged
4.	established	d.	hammered
5.	hapless	e.	emphasis
6.	governing	f.	miserable
7.	marred	g.	proved
8.	concerns	h.	championship
9.	aired	i.	worries
10.	focus	j.	controlling

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

1.	got off to a	a.	Czech Republic 4-1
2.	they thrashed the	b.	concerns
3.	a high-tempo,	c.	their tally
4.	They could easily have doubled	d.	controversy
5.	Their usually classy opponents proved	e.	flying start
6.	Europe's governing football	f.	entertaining game
7.	marred by	g.	a part
8.	initial	h.	quite hapless
9.	Politics has also played	i.	is on the football
10.	the focus	j.	body UEFA

 

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

The Euro 2012 football tournament got off to a (1) ____________ start for Russia on Friday as they (2) ____________ the Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening game in the Polish city of Wroclaw. The (3) ____________ cannot be said for co-hosts Poland, who could only manage a 1-1 draw against 2004 champions Greece at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Both teams had a man sent off in a high-(4) ____________, entertaining game. The Russians have (5) ____________ themselves as a serious contender to win the competition with a breathtaking (6) ____________ of attacking football. They could easily have doubled their tally if it were not for some (7) ____________ finishing in front of goal from their frontmen. Their usually classy opponents (8) ____________ quite hapless in all areas of the pitch.		established display same proved flying wasteful thrashed tempo
The tournament, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, is the 14th held by Europe's (9) ____________ football body UEFA. The tournament has been marred by controversy in its (10) ____________-up, which has threatened to overshadow the football. There were (11) ____________ concerns about whether the infrastructure would be in (12) ____________ in time, which seems to happen with every major sporting event. The BBC (13) ____________ a documentary last month portraying racism at stadiums in the host countries. Politics has also played a (14) ____________ with European politicians boycotting the games in Ukraine over the imprisonment of (15) ____________ president Yulia Tymoshenko. However, the quality of the opening two games has made sure the (16) ____________ is on the football.		part initial focus governing former build place aired

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The Euro 2012 football tournament got off _____________________ for Russia on Friday _____________________ Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening game in the Polish city of Wroclaw. The same cannot be said for co-hosts Poland, who _____________________ a 1-1 draw against 2004 champions Greece at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Both teams had a man sent off _____________________, entertaining game. The Russians have established themselves as a serious contender to win the competition with _____________________ of attacking football. They could easily have doubled their tally if it were not for some wasteful finishing in front of goal from their frontmen. Their usually classy opponents _____________________ in all areas of the pitch.

The tournament, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, is the 14th held by Europe's governing football body UEFA. The tournament _____________________ controversy in its build-up, which has threatened to overshadow the football. There _____________________ about whether the infrastructure would _____________________, which seems to happen with every major sporting event. The BBC aired a documentary last month _____________________ at stadiums in the host countries. Politics has also played a part with European politicians _____________________ in Ukraine over the imprisonment of former president Yulia Tymoshenko. However, the quality of the opening two games has made sure _____________________ football.

 
 

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'Euro' and '2012'.

Euro

2012

• 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:

flying same draw sent serious usually

14th build initial major part focus

EURO 2012 SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Euro 2012 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.

 
 

EURO 2012 DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'football'?
c)	Do you prefer the word 'football' or 'soccer'?
d)	Is football (soccer) the world's greatest game?
e)	What do you think about the Euro 2012 tournament?
f)	Who do you think will win and why?
g)	What would the world be like without football?
h)	Which do you think is better, Euro 2012 or the 2012 London Olympics?
i)	Do you understand people who are football (or any other sport) crazy?
j)	Have you ever proven "quite hapless"?

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

a)	Did you like reading this article?
b)	What do you know about the controversies around Euro 2012?
c)	Was it a good idea to hold the tournament in Poland and Ukraine?
d)	Is it a good idea to hold such a tournament in two countries or is it better to hold it in just one?
e)	How can we stamp out racism in football (and any other sport)?
f)	Should politicians stay out of sport?
g)	What do you think of politicians boycotting the games in Ukraine?
h)	What benefits will Euro 2012 bring to Poland and Ukraine?
i)	What advice would you give the head of football in Poland and Ukraine?
j)	What questions would you like to ask UEFA's boss?

LANGUAGE – MULTIPLE CHOICE

The Euro 2012 football tournament got off to a (1) ____ start for Russia on Friday as they (2) ____ the Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening game in the Polish city of Wroclaw. The same cannot be said for co-hosts Poland, who could only (3) ____ a 1-1 draw against 2004 champions Greece at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Both teams had a man sent off in a high-tempo, entertaining game. The Russians have established themselves (4) ____ a serious contender to win the competition with a breathtaking display of attacking football. They could easily have doubled their    (5) ____ if it were not for some wasteful finishing in front of goal from their frontmen. Their usually classy opponents proved (6) ____ hapless in all areas of the pitch.

The tournament, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, is the 14th held by Europe's governing football body UEFA. The tournament has been (7) ____ by controversy in its build-up, which has threatened to (8) ____ the football. There were initial concerns about whether the infrastructure would be in (9) ____ in time, which seems to happen with every major sporting event. The BBC (10) ____ a documentary last month portraying racism at stadiums in the host countries. Politics has also (11) ____ a part with European politicians boycotting the games in Ukraine over the imprisonment (12) ____ former president Yulia Tymoshenko. However, the quality of the opening two games has made sure the focus is on the football.

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

1.	(a)	flies	(b)	flyer	(c)	flight	(d)	flying
2.	(a)	dashed	(b)	crashed	(c)	thrashed	(d)	trashed
3.	(a)	do	(b)	manage	(c)	see	(d)	opportune
4.	(a)	as	(b)	was	(c)	has	(d)	is
5.	(a)	fully	(b)	silly	(c)	tally	(d)	rally
6.	(a)	quit	(b)	quiet	(c)	quilt	(d)	quite
7.	(a)	forged	(b)	marred	(c)	bettered	(d)	upped
8.	(a)	overshadow	(b)	paint	(c)	grease	(d)	underscore
9.	(a)	location	(b)	place	(c)	set	(d)	region
10.	(a)	scored	(b)	roasted	(c)	aired	(d)	netted
11.	(a)	played	(b)	scored	(c)	shot	(d)	headed
12.	(a)	as	(b)	on	(c)	at	(d)	of

 
 

WRITING

Write about Euro 2012 for 10 minutes. Correct your partner's paper.

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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 Euro 2012. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. EURO 2012: Make a poster about Euro 2012. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. UEFA: Write a magazine article about Euro 2012. Include imaginary interviews with players and fans.

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. LETTER: Write a letter to the head of UEFA. Ask him three questions about Euro 2012. Give him three ideas on how to make it better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

 

 
 

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a.

F

b.

T

c.

T

d.

T

e.

T

f.

F

g.

F

h.

F

SYNONYM MATCH:

1.	tournament	a.	championship
2.	thrashed	b.	hammered
3.	manage	c.	achieve
4.	established	d.	proved
5.	hapless	e.	miserable
6.	governing	f.	controlling
7.	marred	g.	damaged
8.	concerns	h.	worries
9.	aired	i.	broadcast
10.	focus	j.	emphasis

PHRASE MATCH:

1.	got off to a	a.	flying start
2.	they thrashed the	b.	Czech Republic 4-1
3.	a high-tempo,	c.	entertaining game
4.	They could easily have doubled	d.	their tally
5.	Their usually classy opponents proved	e.	quite hapless
6.	Europe's governing football	f.	body UEFA
7.	marred by	g.	controversy
8.	initial	h.	concerns
9.	Politics has also played	i.	a part
10.	the focus	j.	is on the football

GAP FILL:

Russia means business in Euro 2012 win

The Euro 2012 football tournament got off to a (1) flying start for Russia on Friday as they (2) thrashed the Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening game in the Polish city of Wroclaw. The (3) same cannot be said for co-hosts Poland, who could only manage a 1-1 draw against 2004 champions Greece at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Both teams had a man sent off in a high-(4) tempo, entertaining game. The Russians have (5) established themselves as a serious contender to win the competition with a breathtaking (6) display of attacking football. They could easily have doubled their tally if it were not for some (7) wasteful finishing in front of goal from their frontmen. Their usually classy opponents (8) proved quite hapless in all areas of the pitch.

The tournament, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, is the 14th held by Europe's (9) governing football body UEFA. The tournament has been marred by controversy in its (10) build-up, which has threatened to overshadow the football. There were (11) initial concerns about whether the infrastructure would be in (12) place in time, which seems to happen with every major sporting event. The BBC (13) aired a documentary last month portraying racism at stadiums in the host countries. Politics has also played a (14) part with European politicians boycotting the games in Ukraine over the imprisonment of (15) former president Yulia Tymoshenko. However, the quality of the opening two games has made sure the (16) focus is on the football.

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - d

2 - a

3 - b

4 - c

5 - c

6 - b

7 - d

8 - a

9 - b

10 - d

11 - c

12 - a

 

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