Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Israel-Gaza Conflict

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Israel-Gaza conflict intensifies (19th November, 2012)

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20 ONLINE QUIZZES & ACTIVITIES

DICTATION

* 26-page lesson
* 2-page MINI lesson

LISTEN

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

READING

Israel said it still has hundreds of targets to hit and is targeting those associated with Hamas. It already destroyed the Hamas prime minister's office. The death toll from the conflict has now claimed the lives of more than 50 Palestinians and three Israelis. Dozens more have been injured, many of them civilians. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli forces had targeted close to 1,000 sites in Gaza, while Hamas has launched more than 400 missiles into Israel. The Israeli government also approved the call-up of 75,000 reservists in preparation for a ground offensive. Diplomatic efforts are in full swing as regional leaders are meeting in Cairo in an attempt to stop the situation from spiralling further out of control.

Sources:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-if-rockets-continue-we-ll-launch-ground-operation-in-gaza.premium-1.478633
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/11/2012111743731924984.html
http://www.voanews.com/content/israel-palestinians/1548281.html

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1. ISRAEL-GAZA CONFLICT: Walk around the class and talk to other students about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Change partners often. Share your findings with your first partner.

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

Israeli prime minister / troops / firing rockets / ceasefire / death toll / air raid sirens / targets / Hamas / civilians / conflict / ground offensive / spiralling out of control

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

3. ADVICE: What advice would you give to these people regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share often.

	Advice	Why?
Israeli PM
Hamas leader
Gaza resident
Tel Aviv resident
Barack Obama
Mohamed Morsi

4. PEACE: Students A strongly believe peace between Israel and the Palestinians will happen within a decade; Students B strongly believe this is impossible. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. PEACE: What / Who can bring it to the region? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the likeliest at the top. Change partners often.

Barack Obama
tanks and fighter planes
an Israeli leader
the United Nations

the Arab countries
Hamas
Israeli and Gaza citizens
a boycott

6. MISSILE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'missile'. 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.	Israel's prime minister is considering soldiers into Gaza.	T / F
b.	Mr Netenyahu has so far refused to speak with other world leaders.	T / F
c.	Netenyahu says a ceasefire could happen if Hamas stops firing rockets.	T / F
d.	Almost 100 rockets have reached Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.	T / F
e.	Israel said it still has around 100 more targets it wants to hit.	T / F
f.	Israeli forces have so far hit around 1,000 sites in Gaza.	T / F
g.	Israel has asked 7,500 reserve troops to prepare to enter Gaza.	T / F
h.	Leaders from neighboring country are talking in Cairo about solutions.	T / F

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

1.	prepared	a.	related to
2.	troops	b.	ending
3.	options	c.	given the OK
4.	cessation	d.	soldiers
5.	sounded	e.	ordinary citizens
6.	associated with	f.	ready
7.	claimed	g.	escalating
8.	civilians	h.	taken
9.	approved	i.	blared out
10.	spiralling	j.	alternatives

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

1.	his country is prepared to send	a.	to defend itself
2.	Israel would consider all options	b.	offensive
3.	hopes for a ceasefire to	c.	sounded in Jerusalem
4.	lead to an escalated	d.	full swing
5.	Air raid sirens	e.	out of control
6.	targeting those associated	f.	avoid an invasion
7.	The death	g.	troops into Gaza
8.	in preparation for a ground	h.	toll from the conflict
9.	Diplomatic efforts are in	i.	death toll
10.	stop the situation from spiralling further	j.	with Hamas

WHILE READING / LISTENING

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

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is (1) ____________ to send troops into Gaza if Hamas does not stop (2) ____________ rockets into Israel. Despite growing (3) ____________ for Israel to end its strikes, Mr Netanyahu made it (4) ____________ to world leaders that Israel would consider all options to defend itself from attacks from Gaza. He also stated his hopes for a ceasefire to (5) ____________ an invasion of Gaza, which would likely lead to an escalated death toll. Netanyahu said any (6) ____________ of air strikes would depend on Hamas ending its bombardment of Israel's cities. Sources say as many as 100 rockets a day are fired across the (7) ____________, some reaching Tel Aviv. Air raid (8) ____________ sounded in Jerusalem for the first time in decades.

cessation
firing
clear
sirens
prepared
border
pressure
avoid

Israel said it still has hundreds of targets to hit and is (9) ____________ those associated with Hamas. It already destroyed the Hamas prime minister's office. The death (10) ____________ from the conflict has now (11) ____________ the lives of more than 50 Palestinians and three Israelis. Dozens more have been injured, many of them (12) ____________. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli forces had targeted close to 1,000 sites in Gaza, while Hamas has (13) ____________ more than 400 missiles into Israel. The Israeli government also approved the call-up of 75,000 reservists in preparation for a ground (14) ____________. Diplomatic efforts are in full (15) ____________ as regional leaders are meeting in Cairo in an attempt to stop the situation from spiralling further out of (16) ____________.

offensive
civilians
toll
control
targeting
launched
claimed
swing

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is …
	a. overseeing preparations to send troops into Gaza. b. not prepared to send troops into Gaza. c. prepared to send troops into Gaza. d. thinking about preparing to send troops into Gaza.
2)	Mr Netanyahu made it clear to world leaders that Israel would consider all options
	a. would consider all opinions b. would consider all options c. would not consider all options d. would opt for all considerations
3)	He also stated his hopes for ______ an invasion
	a. an avoidance of a ceasefire for b. a cessation of fire to avoid c. a ceasefire to avoid d. a ceasing of fire to avoid
4)	… would likely lead to an ______ death toll.
	a. escalator b. escalating c. escalates d. escalated
5)	Air raid sirens ______ in Jerusalem for the first time in decades.
	a. founded b. rounded c. pounded d. sounded
6)	Israel said it still has ______
	a. hundreds of targets to hit b. to hit hundreds of targets c. hit targets to hundreds of d. targets to hit hundreds of
7)	Israeli forces had targeted ______ in Gaza
	a. sites close to 1,000 b. 1,000 closed sites c. close to 1,000 sites d. close to 10,000 sites
8)	The Israeli government also approved the call-up of ______ reservists
	a. 75,000 b. 7,500 c. 17,500 d. 17,000
9)	Diplomatic efforts are …
	a. swinging fully in b. fully in swing c. in full swing d. in swings fully
10)	… an attempt to stop the situation from ______.
	a. spiralling further out of control b. further spiraling out of control c. spiralling out of control further d. control out of spiralling

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is prepared (1) ______________________ Gaza if Hamas does not stop firing rockets into Israel. Despite growing pressure for Israel (2) ____________________, Mr Netanyahu made it clear to world leaders that Israel would consider all (3) ______________________ from attacks from Gaza. He also stated his hopes for a ceasefire to avoid an invasion of Gaza, which would likely lead to (4) ______________________. Netanyahu said any cessation of air strikes would depend on Hamas (5) ______________________ of Israel's cities. Sources say as many as 100 rockets a day are fired across the border, some reaching Tel Aviv. Air (6) ______________________ Jerusalem for the first time in decades.

Israel said it still has hundreds of targets to hit (7) ____________________ associated with Hamas. It already destroyed the Hamas prime minister's office. The death (8) ______________________ has now claimed the lives of more than 50 Palestinians and three Israelis. Dozens more have been injured, (9) ______________________. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli forces had targeted close to 1,000 sites in Gaza, while Hamas has launched more than 400 missiles into Israel. The Israeli government also (10) ______________________ of 75,000 reservists in preparation for a ground offensive. Diplomatic efforts (11) ______________________ regional leaders are meeting in Cairo in an attempt to stop the situation from (12) ______________________ control.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What is Israel's prime minister prepared to send into Gaza?
2.	To whom did Benjamin Netanyahu make his intention clear?
3.	What would Mr Netanyahu consider?
4.	What would an invasion of Gaza lead to a rise in?
5.	Where did air raid sirens sound for the first time in decades?
6.	How many more targets does Israel want to hit?
7.	How many sites has Israel already targeted?
8.	How many reserve troops has Israel called up?
9.	What is / are in full swing?
10.	Why are regional leaders meeting in Cairo?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What is Israel's leader prepared to send into Gaza?	6.	How many more targets does Israel have to hit?
	a) Peace negotiators b) Troops c) Aid d) Medical supplies		a) Hundreds b) Scores c) Dozens d) Numerous
2.	What is growing for Israel?	7.	What stands at more than 50?
	a) Anger among opposition politicians b) Confidence c) Pressure to end its air strikes d) Fear among its citizens		a) The number of negotiators in Cairo b) The number of missiles to reach Jerusalem c) The number of tanks positioned on Gaza's border d) The death toll
3.	What would an invasion lead to?	8.	How many missiles has Hamas launched into Israel?
	a) A regional conflict b) Peace c) A fall in the number of casualties d) An escalated death toll		a) More than 40 b) More than 140 c) More than 400 d) More than 1,400
4.	How many rockets a day are fired from Gaza into Israel?	9.	How many reservists has Israel called up?
	a) Countless rockets every day b) Around 100 a day c) Up to 50 a day d) Hundreds a day		a) 7,500 b) 17,500 c) 70,000 d) 75,000
5.	When was the last time air raid sirens were heard in Jerusalem?	10.	What / who are leaders trying to stop spiralling out of control?
	a) Decades ago b) Years ago c) Months ago d) Days ago		a) Hamas b) The situation c) A peace conference d) Benjamin Netanyahu

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Benjamin Netanyahu

You will take any steps necessary to stop rockets landing on Israeli cities. Think of three reasons why. You will never stop attacking Hamas if they do not stop launching rockets. You will not talk to Hamas' leader – you want actions, not talk. You know what's best for Israel – citizens and soldiers don't.

Role B – Hamas' leader

You will do whatever is necessary to get Israel to return Palestinian land. You will never stop firing rockets into Israel unless Israel returns land. You want talks with Netenyahu at the UN in New York. Think of three reasons why. You don't think civilians and soldiers know what they are talking about.

Role C – A civilian

You are totally fed up with the fighting and the daily rockets and missiles. Think of three reasons why. It is only the leaders that bring war. The people want peace. Arabs and Jews can live side-by-side as neighbours. Tell the two leaders to start an immediate ceasefire and serious peace talks.

Role D – A soldier

You have seen decades of fighting that only results in three things – death, destruction and mutual hate. Armies can kill 100,000 people and the situation will be the same. You have zero faith in your leaders. Think of three reasons why. Call for peace talks and a demilitarized zone in the region.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

air

raid

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:

prepared
pressure
options
likely
sources
decades

associated
claimed
dozens
close
75,000
control

ISRAEL-GAZA CONFLICT SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Israel-Gaza conflict 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.

ISRAEL-GAZA CONFLICT 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 'Gaza'?
c)	What do you know about what started this conflict?
d)	Do you think Israel should send troops into Gaza?
e)	Why is Hamas firing rockets into Israel?
f)	Is Hamas achieving anything by firing rockets into Israel?
g)	What will it take for there to be a ceasefire?
h)	What would happen if Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza?
i)	What do you think world leaders think about the situation?
j)	Where is Hamas getting all its rockets?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What do you know about the history of Gaza and Israel relations?
c)	What do you think Gaza residents think of the conflict?
d)	What do you think Tel Aviv residents think of the conflict?
e)	Would peace come to Gaza if Hamas disappeared?
f)	What would bring peace between Palestinians and Israelis?
g)	Which side is more responsible for the conflict?
h)	Will diplomatic efforts do any good?
i)	What questions would you like to ask Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu?
j)	What do you think his answers might be?

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.	________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is (1) ____ to send troops into Gaza if Hamas does not stop firing rockets into Israel. Despite growing pressure for Israel to end its (2) ____, Mr Netanyahu made it clear to world leaders that Israel would (3) ____ all options to defend itself from attacks from Gaza. He also stated his hopes for a ceasefire to avoid an invasion of Gaza, which would likely lead to an (4) ____ death toll. Netanyahu said any cessation of air strikes would depend (5) ____ Hamas ending its bombardment of Israel's cities. Sources say as many as 100 rockets a day are fired across the border, some reaching Tel Aviv. Air raid sirens (6) ____ in Jerusalem for the first time in decades.

Israel said it still has hundreds of targets to hit and is targeting (7) ____ associated with Hamas. It already destroyed the Hamas prime minister's office. The death toll from the conflict has (8) ____ claimed the lives of more than 50 Palestinians and three Israelis. Dozens more have been injured, many of them (9) ____. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli forces had targeted (10) ____ to 1,000 sites in Gaza, while Hamas has launched more than 400 missiles into Israel. The Israeli government also approved the (11) ____-up of 75,000 reservists in preparation for a ground offensive. Diplomatic efforts are in full (12) ____ as regional leaders are meeting in Cairo in an attempt to stop the situation from spiralling further out of control.

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

1.	(a)	preparation	(b)	prepared	(c)	preparedness	(d)	preparatory
2.	(a)	strips	(b)	strikes	(c)	stricken	(d)	strides
3.	(a)	ignite	(b)	prove	(c)	believe	(d)	consider
4.	(a)	elevator	(b)	escalated	(c)	lifting	(d)	heighten
5.	(a)	in	(b)	on	(c)	to	(d)	at
6.	(a)	heard	(b)	raided	(c)	sounded	(d)	whispered
7.	(a)	them	(b)	these	(c)	those	(d)	they
8.	(a)	immediately	(b)	imminently	(c)	now	(d)	current
9.	(a)	civilities	(b)	civilizations	(c)	civil	(d)	civilians
10.	(a)	close	(b)	around	(c)	over	(d)	nearly
11.	(a)	call	(b)	shout	(c)	phone	(d)	mail
12.	(a)	sway	(b)	oscillation	(c)	swing	(d)	waver

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	Despite growing eursprse for Israel to end its strikes
2.	hopes for a iesarefec
3.	avoid an noiivasn of Gaza
4.	nasestoic of air strikes
5.	Air raid sirens ddnouse in Jerusalem
6.	for the first time in sddeeac
Paragraph 2
7.	netiragtg those associated with Hamas
8.	mailedc the lives of more than 50
9.	Hamas has daechnlu more than 400 missiles
10.	in preparation for a ground eifvefson
11.	pdmailotci efforts are in full swing
12.	stop the tiisnouta from spiralling further out of control

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( 1 )	Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is prepared to send
( )	of Gaza, which would likely lead to an escalated death toll. Netanyahu said any cessation of air strikes would depend
( )	and three Israelis. Dozens more have been injured, many of them civilians. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli
( )	on Hamas ending its bombardment of Israel's cities. Sources say as many as 100 rockets
( )	a day are fired across the border, some reaching Tel Aviv. Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem for the first time in decades.
( )	Israel said it still has hundreds of targets to hit and is targeting those associated with Hamas. It already destroyed the Hamas
( )	prime minister's office. The death toll from the conflict has now claimed the lives of more than 50 Palestinians
( )	missiles into Israel. The Israeli government also approved the call-up of 75,000
( )	options to defend itself from attacks from Gaza. He also stated his hopes for a ceasefire to avoid an invasion
( )	swing as regional leaders are meeting in Cairo in an attempt to stop the situation from spiralling further out of control.
( )	forces had targeted close to 1,000 sites in Gaza, while Hamas has launched more than 400
( )	reservists in preparation for a ground offensive. Diplomatic efforts are in full
( )	end its strikes, Mr Netanyahu made it clear to world leaders that Israel would consider all
( )	troops into Gaza if Hamas does not stop firing rockets into Israel. Despite growing pressure for Israel to

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	troops is send Gaza country to into His prepared.
2.	all options Israel to would defend consider itself.
3.	to invasion hopes ceasefire an His a avoid for.
4.	are rockets many border fired a as across day 100 As the.
5.	time Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem for the first.
6.	it still has hundreds of targets to hit Israel said.
7.	1,000 sites Israeli forces had targeted close to.
8.	into Hamas more missiles launched 400 Israel has than.
9.	swing efforts in Diplomatic are full.
10.	situation further control the spiralling of Stop from out.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is preparations / prepared to send troops into Gaza if Hamas does not stop firing / fire rockets into Israel. Despite / In spite growing pressure for Israel to end its strikes, Mr Netanyahu made it clear / clearly to world leaders that Israel would consider all / every options to defend itself from attacks from Gaza. He also stated his hopes for a ceasefire for / to avoid an invasion of Gaza, which would likely / likelihood lead to an escalated death toll. Netanyahu said any stop / cessation of air strikes would depend on / of Hamas ending its bombardment of Israel's cities. Sources say as many as 100 rockets a day are fired across the border, some reaching Tel Aviv. Air raid sirens sounded / heard in Jerusalem for the first time in decades.

Israel said it still has hundreds of targets to / for hit and is targeting those associated with Hamas. It already destroys / destroyed the Hamas prime minister's office. The death toll of / from the conflict has now claimed the lives of more than 50 Palestinians and three Israelis. Dozens / Dozen more have been injured, many of them civil / civilians. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli forces had / has targeted closely / close to 1,000 sites in Gaza, while / which Hamas has launched more than 400 missiles into Israel. The Israeli government also approved the call-up / call-down of 75,000 reservists in preparation for a ground offensive. Diplomatic efforts are in full swing as regional leaders are meeting in Cairo in an attempt to stop the situation from spiraling / spirals further out of control.

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)

_sr__l_ pr_m_ m_n_st_r B_nj_m_n N_t_ny_h_ h_s s__d h_s c__ntry _s pr_p_r_d t_ s_nd tr__ps _nt_ G_z_ _f H_m_s d__s n_t st_p f_r_ng r_ck_ts _nt_ _sr__l. D_sp_t_ gr_w_ng pr_ss_r_ f_r _sr__l t_ _nd _ts str_k_s, Mr N_t_ny_h_ m_d_ _t cl__r t_ w_rld l__d_rs th_t _sr__l w__ld c_ns_d_r _ll _pt__ns t_ d_f_nd _ts_lf fr_m _tt_cks fr_m G_z_. H_ _ls_ st_t_d h_s h_p_s f_r _ c__s_f_r_ t_ _v__d _n _nv_s__n _f G_z_, wh_ch w__ld l_k_ly l__d t_ _n _sc_l_t_d d__th t_ll. N_t_ny_h_ s__d _ny c_ss_t__n _f __r str_k_s w__ld d_p_nd _n H_m_s _nd_ng _ts b_mb_rdm_nt _f _sr__l's c_t__s. S__rc_s s_y _s m_ny _s 100 r_ck_ts _ d_y _r_ f_r_d _cr_ss th_ b_rd_r, s_m_ r__ch_ng T_l _v_v. __r r__d s_r_ns s__nd_d _n J_r_s_l_m f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ _n d_c_d_s.

_sr__l s__d _t st_ll h_s h_ndr_ds _f t_rg_ts t_ h_t _nd _s t_rg_t_ng th_s_ _ss_c__t_d w_th H_m_s. _t _lr__dy d_str_y_d th_ H_m_s pr_m_ m_n_st_r's _ff_c_. Th_ d__th t_ll fr_m th_ c_nfl_ct h_s n_w cl__m_d th_ l_v_s _f m_r_ th_n 50 P_l_st_n__ns _nd thr__ _sr__l_s. D_z_ns m_r_ h_v_ b__n _nj_r_d, m_ny _f th_m c_v_l__ns. _n _sr__l_ m_l_t_ry sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d _sr__l_ f_rc_s h_d t_rg_t_d cl_s_ t_ 1,000 s_t_s _n G_z_, wh_l_ H_m_s h_s l__nch_d m_r_ th_n 400 m_ss_l_s _nt_ _sr__l. Th_ _sr__l_ g_v_rnm_nt _ls_ _ppr_v_d th_ c_ll-_p _f 75,000 r_s_rv_sts _n pr_p_r_t__n f_r _ gr__nd _ff_ns_v_. D_pl_m_t_c _ff_rts _r_ _n f_ll sw_ng _s r_g__n_l l__d_rs _r_ m__t_ng _n C__r_ _n _n _tt_mpt t_ st_p th_ s_t__t__n fr_m sp_r_ll_ng f_rth_r __t _f c_ntr_l.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has said his country is prepared to send troops into gaza if hamas does not stop firing rockets into israel despite growing pressure for israel to end its strikes mr netanyahu made it clear to world leaders that israel would consider all options to defend itself from attacks from gaza he also stated his hopes for a ceasefire to avoid an invasion of gaza which would likely lead to an escalated death toll netanyahu said any cessation of air strikes would depend on hamas ending its bombardment of israel's cities sources say as many as 100 rockets a day are fired across the border some reaching tel aviv air raid sirens sounded in jerusalem for the first time in decades

israel said it still has hundreds of targets to hit and is targeting those associated with hamas it already destroyed the hamas prime minister's office the death toll from the conflict has now claimed the lives of more than 50 palestinians and three israelis dozens more have been injured many of them civilians an israeli military spokesperson said israeli forces had targeted close to 1000 sites in gaza while hamas has launched more than 400 missiles into israel the israeli government also approved the call-up of 75000 reservists in preparation for a ground offensive diplomatic efforts are in full swing as regional leaders are meeting in cairo in an attempt to stop the situation from spiralling further out of control

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

IsraeliprimeministerBenjaminNetanyahuhassaidhiscountryispreparedtosend
troopsintoGazaifHamasdoesnotstopfiringrocketsintoIsrael.Despitegrowing
pressureforIsraeltoenditsstrikes,MrNetanyahumadeitcleartoworldleadersthat
IsraelwouldconsideralloptionstodefenditselffromattacksfromGaza.Healsostated
hishopesforaceasefiretoavoidaninvasionofGaza,whichwouldlikelyleadtoan
escalateddeathtoll.Netanyahusaidanycessationofairstrikeswoulddependon
HamasendingitsbombardmentofIsrael'scities.Sourcessayasmanyas100rockets
adayarefiredacrosstheborder,somereachingTelAviv.Airraidsirenssoundedin
Jerusalemforthefirsttimeindecades.Israelsaiditstillhashundredsoftargetstohit
andistargetingthoseassociatedwithHamas.ItalreadydestroyedtheHamasprime
minister'soffice.Thedeathtollfromtheconflicthasnowclaimedthelivesofmore
than50PalestiniansandthreeIsraelis.Dozensmorehavebeeninjured,manyof
themcivilians.AnIsraelimilitaryspokespersonsaidIsraeliforceshadtargetedclose
to1,000sitesinGaza,whileHamashaslaunchedmorethan400missilesintoIsrael.
TheIsraeligovernmentalsoapprovedthecall-upof75,000reservistsinpreparation
foragroundoffensive.Diplomaticeffortsareinfullswingasregionalleadersaremeet
inginCairoinanattempttostopthesituationfromspirallingfurtheroutofcontrol.

FREE WRITING

Write about the Israel-Gaza conflict for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

The conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians is one that will never find a peaceful solution. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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

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

4. THE CONFLICT: Write a magazine article about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Include imaginary interviews with people from both sides.

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 a fighter in the conflict. Ask him/her three questions about what's happening. Give him/her three pieces of advice he/she should give to his/her leaders. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	prepared	a.	ready
2.	troops	b.	soldiers
3.	options	c.	alternatives
4.	cessation	d.	ending
5.	sounded	e.	blared out
6.	associated with	f.	related to
7.	claimed	g.	taken
8.	civilians	h.	ordinary citizens
9.	approved	i.	given the OK
10.	spiralling	j.	escalating

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	troops
2.	world leaders
3.	all options to defend itself
4.	the death toll
5.	Jerusalem
6.	hundreds
7.	close to 1,000
8.	75,000
9.	diplomatic efforts
10.	to stop the situation from spiralling further out of control

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

10.

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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Breaking News English

Israel-Gaza conflict intensifies (19th November, 2012)

* 26-page lesson * 2-page MINI lesson

LISTEN

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Text Jumble

* Missing words

* No letters

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Gap-fill

* 10 sentences

* Spelling