Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Mali

My 1,000 Ideas e-Book	Breaking News English HOME \| HELP MY SITE \| 000s MORE FREE LESSONS	My 1,000 Ideas e-Book

40+ activities

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (US male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(100 - 300 wpm)

* Gap-fill

French warplanes attack rebels in N. Mali (5th February, 2013)

Mr Hollande spent one day in Mali last week. He was warmly welcomed by large crowds in the desert town of Timbuktu. He also visited the capital Bamako, where he told people that the rebel fighters had suffered big losses in France's three-week campaign. The French president also promised he would help Mali rebuild after the conflict is over. Mr Hollande said France would provide Mali with aid for buildings and roads. He also said Mali would get help to restore cultural and historical sites that the rebels damaged. Hollande added that French troops would leave Mali after the government regains control of all its land. Once France leaves, a UN-backed African force will help keep the peace in Mali.

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21314779
http://indepthafrica.com/mali-morocco-and-france-together-to-defend-the-integrity-and-sovereignty-of-mali/#.UQ8eHOjApnI

WARM-UPS

1. MALI: Walk around the class and talk to other students about Mali. Change partners often 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.

warplanes / rebel positions / close to the border / progress / unconquered / terrorism / warmly welcomed / large crowds / the capital / big losses / historical sites / peace

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

3. WORLD CONFLICTS: What do you know about them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Conflicts in…	Things I know	How to end the conflict
Mali
Syria
Afghanistan
Korea
Israel-Palestine
Colombia

4. PEACE: Students A strongly believe all the world will be at peace one day; Students B strongly believe that will never happen. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

5. DANGER: What are the biggest dangers in the world? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the biggest at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

terrorism
natural disasters
nuclear weapons
global warming

disease
water wars
cybercrime
other _______________

6. REBEL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'rebel'. 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 French are hitting the last place held by rebels in Mali.	T / F
b.	Thirty French fighter jets took part in the latest attack.	T / F
c.	The French president said we wasn't happy with France's progress.	T / F
d.	The president said there is still a chance of terrorist strikes in Mali.	T / F
e.	People in Timbuktu weren't happy the French president visited them.	T / F
f.	The president only visited Timbuktu during his one-day visit to Mali.	T / F
g.	He promised to help rebuild Mali's tourist sites damaged by rebels.	T / F
h.	European peacekeepers will arrive in Mali after the French leave.	T / F

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

1.	continuing	a.	strikes
2.	attacks	b.	gets back
3.	positions	c.	entire
4.	pleased	d.	greeted
5.	whole	e.	carrying on with
6.	welcomed	f.	vowed
7.	suffered	g.	supported
8.	promised	h.	experienced
9.	regains	i.	locations
10.	backed	j.	happy

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

1.	warplanes are continuing their attacks	a.	remains unconquered
2.	in and near the	b.	Mali rebuild
3.	close to the border	c.	on rebels in Mali
4.	a whole part of the north that	d.	by large crowds
5.	There are still risks	e.	big losses
6.	He was warmly welcomed	f.	northern town of Kidal
7.	rebel fighters had suffered	g.	historical sites
8.	promised he would help	h.	of terrorism
9.	cultural and	i.	the peace
10.	help keep	j.	with Algeria

GAP FILL

French warplanes are (1) ____________ their attacks on rebels in Mali. France's air force is now targeting the last place that the rebels hold. A total of 30 jet fighters hit rebel (2) ____________ in and near the northern town of Kidal. French soldiers took over Kidal airport on Wednesday, but rebel Tuareg soldiers still (3) ____________ the town, which is close to the (4) ____________ with Algeria. French President Francois Hollande said he was (5) ____________ with the progress France has made so far. However, he (6) ____________ that the fight was not yet over. He told reporters: "There is still a (7) ____________ part of the north that remains unconquered. There are terrorist groups concentrated in some areas of the country. There are still (8) ____________ of terrorism."

warned
risks
positions
border
continuing
whole
pleased
control

Mr Hollande spent one day in Mali last week. He was (9) ____________ welcomed by large (10) ____________ in the desert town of Timbuktu. He also visited the capital Bamako, where he told people that the rebel fighters had suffered big (11) ____________ in France's three-week campaign. The French president also (12) ____________ he would help Mali rebuild after the conflict is over. Mr Hollande said France would provide Mali with (13) ____________ for buildings and roads. He also said Mali would get help to restore (14) ____________ and historical sites that the rebels damaged. Hollande added that French troops would leave Mali after the government regains (15) ____________ of all its land. Once France leaves, a UN-backed African force will help keep the (16) ____________ in Mali.

promised
cultural
peace
crowds
control
warmly
losses
aid

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	French warplanes are continuing their ______
	a. attacks in rebels b. attacks on rebel c. attacks on rebels d. attack on rebels
2)	France's air force is now targeting the last place ______
	a. that the rebels hold b. what the rebels hold c. what the rebel holds d. that the rebel holds
3)	Tuareg soldiers still control the town, which is close to the ______
	a. borders with Algeria b. border of Algeria c. border with Algeria's d. border with Algeria
4)	Francois Hollande said he was pleased with the progress France ______
	a. has made thus far b. has made so far c. has make so far d. have made so far
5)	There is still a whole part of the north that ______
	a. remains unconquered b. remain unconcerned c. remains an acorn cured d. remain unconquered
6)	He was ______ large crowds in the desert town of Timbuktu
	a. warm welcomed by b. cool welcomed by c. coolly welcomed by d. warmly welcomed by
7)	he told people that the rebel fighters had suffered ______
	a. big pluses b. big losses c. big losts d. bad losses
8)	promised he would help Mali rebuild after ______
	a. the conflict is over b. a conflict is over c. the conflicts are over d. this conflict is over
9)	help to restore cultural and historical sites that ______
	a. the rebel is damaged b. the rebels damaged c. the damaged rebels d. the rebels damage
10)	Once France leaves, a UN-backed African force will ______
	a. peace keep the help b. keep help the peace c. keep peace the help d. help keep the peace

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

French warplanes are continuing (1) ___________________ in Mali. France's air force is now targeting (2) ___________________ the rebels hold. A total of 30 jet fighters (3) ___________________ in and near the northern town of Kidal. French soldiers took over Kidal airport on Wednesday, but rebel Tuareg soldiers still control the town, which is close to (4) ___________________ Algeria. French President Francois Hollande said he was pleased with the progress France has made so far. However, he warned that the fight (5) ___________________. He told reporters: "There is still a whole part of the north that remains unconquered. There are terrorist groups (6) ___________________ areas of the country. There are still risks of terrorism."

Mr Hollande spent one day in Mali last week. He (7) ___________________ by large crowds in the desert town of Timbuktu. He also visited the capital Bamako, where he told people that the rebel fighters (8) _______________ in France's three-week campaign. The French president also promised he would help Mali rebuild (9) ___________________ is over. Mr Hollande said France would provide Mali (10) ___________________ and roads. He also said Mali would get help to restore cultural and historical sites that the rebels damaged. Hollande added that French troops would leave Mali after the government (11) ___________________ all its land. Once France leaves, a UN-backed African force will (12) ___________________ in Mali.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What is attacking rebels in the north of Mali?
2.	How many French fighter jets took part in the attack?
3.	Which border is the town of Kidal near?
4.	What was the French president pleased with?
5.	What did the French president say there was a risk of?
6.	How long did the French president stay in Mali?
7.	What did the president say the rebels had suffered?
8.	When will France help rebuild Mali?
9.	What will France help Mali restore?
10.	Who will help keep the peace in Mali after France leaves?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What are French warplanes continuing?	6.	How long did Francois Hollande stay in Mali?
	a) to have technical problems b) desert training c) upgrading their engines d) their attacks on rebels		a) two days b) overnight c) a day d) 3 hours
2.	How many French warplanes took part in the attack?	7.	What did Francois Hollande promise to do after the conflict?
	a) 20 b) 30 c) 40 d) 50		a) help rebuild Mali b) fight terrorism across Africa c) resign d) live in Timbuktu
3.	What do rebel Tuareg soldiers still control?	8.	Who / what damaged the historical sites in Mali?
	a) the Sahara Desert b) an airport c) most of Mali d) a town in northern Mali		a) Malian soldiers b) sand storms c) rebels d) French fighter planes
4.	What did Francois Hollande say about the fight with the rebels?	9.	When did Francois Hollande say France would leave Mali?
	a) it was too easy b) it was a big one c) it was unfinished d) it would end in two or three years		a) next week b) when the government controls all the land c) in 2015 d) after all the rebels are dead or captured
5.	What area of Mali is unconquered?	10.	Who will keep the peace after the French leave?
	a) a tiny part of the north b) all of the north c) bits of the north d) a whole part of the north		a) African forces b) the Tuareg c) Mali's army d) the USA

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Malian

You are very happy the French are fighting the rebels in your country. Tell the others three reasons why. You think the French are heroes and the rebels are living in the past. You want Mali to be rich. You want all rebel fighters put in prison for a long time. You disagree with the U.N envoy.

Role B – French President

You think it is very important for world security to keep the rebels out of Mali. Tell the others three reasons why. You will do everything you can to rebuild Mali. You want to stay in Mali for many years. There are many good opportunities in Mali for French businesses.

Role C – Rebel leader

You think the French should leave your country. Tell the others three reasons why. You think France is continuing with its colonial history of controlling Mali. France knows nothing about Mali. The French president is a war criminal for killing so many Malians. You hate him and the Malian.

Role D – U.N. envoy

You are happy with what is happening in Mali. Tell the others three reasons why. You want the world to help Mali once the conflict is over. You don't think the rebels should go to prison. Part of the peace is to forgive them. France should also leave Mali because people remember when Mali was a colony.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

air

force

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:

continuing
30
close
far
reporters
risks

warmly
losses
over
roads
added
peace

MALI SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Mali 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.

MALI 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 'Mali'?
c)	What do you know about the conflict in Mali?
d)	Do you think it's good the French are in Mali fighting?
e)	Do the rebels have any hope of beating the French military?
f)	How much longer do you think France will be in Mali?
g)	Do you think Mali will be safe after the French leave?
h)	Do you think Al Qaeda is worried about the French military action?
i)	What are the rebels fighting for?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Why did the French president spend just one day in Mali?
c)	Do you think the French president is a hero?
d)	What do you think Mali will be like in five years from now?
e)	Where do you think the next conflict in Africa will be?
f)	What do you think of the rebels for destroying historical sites?
g)	Do you think the African peacekeepers will keep the peace?
h)	When will the war on terror be over?
i)	What questions would you like to ask the French president?

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

French warplanes are (1) ____ their attacks on rebels in Mali. France's air force is now targeting the last place that the rebels (2) ____. A total of 30 jet fighters hit rebel positions in and near the northern town of Kidal. French soldiers took (3) ____ Kidal airport on Wednesday, but rebel Tuareg soldiers still control the town, which is close to the (4) ____ with Algeria. French President Francois Hollande said he was pleased with the progress France has made so (5) ____. However, he warned that the fight was not yet over. He told reporters: "There is still a whole part of the north that remains unconquered. There are terrorist groups concentrated in some areas of the country. There are still (6) ____ of terrorism."

Mr Hollande spent one day in Mali last week. He was (7) ____ welcomed by large crowds in the desert town of Timbuktu. He also visited the capital Bamako, where he told people that the rebel fighters had (8) ____ big losses in France's three-week campaign. The French president also promised he would help Mali rebuild after the (9) ____ is over. Mr Hollande said France would provide Mali with aid for buildings and roads. He also said Mali would get help to restore cultural and historical (10) ____ that the rebels damaged. Hollande added that French troops would leave Mali after the government (11) ____ control of all its land. Once France leaves, a UN-backed African force will help (12) ____ the peace in Mali.

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

1.	(a)	continues	(b)	continuation	(c)	continued	(d)	continue
2.	(a)	hold	(b)	bold	(c)	told	(d)	sold
3.	(a)	over	(b)	up	(c)	along	(d)	in
4.	(a)	border	(b)	boulder	(c)	boarder	(d)	bidder
5.	(a)	from	(b)	for	(c)	fur	(d)	far
6.	(a)	tasks	(b)	musts	(c)	hits	(d)	risks
7.	(a)	warmly	(b)	hotly	(c)	coolly	(d)	freezing
8.	(a)	stated	(b)	smashed	(c)	surfaced	(d)	suffered
9.	(a)	conflict	(b)	Armageddon	(c)	tiff	(d)	argument
10.	(a)	sates	(b)	sites	(c)	sights	(d)	sighs
11.	(a)	regaining	(b)	regains	(c)	regenerates	(d)	regain
12.	(a)	keep	(b)	do	(c)	must	(d)	quiet

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	rebel itopoisns
2.	French esdorisl
3.	close to the erbrod
4.	the north that remains deunoecnqur
5.	deatercnntco in some areas
6.	There are still risks of rrmstiero
Paragraph 2
7.	He was warmly cwlemdeo
8.	in the sdtere
9.	fighters had ffeursed big losses
10.	three-week apcgmnia
11.	chaiotrlsi sites
12.	the vmngeneotr

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	over. Mr Hollande said France would provide Mali with aid for buildings and roads. He also said Mali would get help to
( )	soldiers took over Kidal airport on Wednesday, but rebel Tuareg soldiers still control the town, which is close
( )	losses in France's three-week campaign. The French president also promised he would help Mali rebuild after the conflict is
( )	Mr Hollande spent one day in Mali last week. He was warmly welcomed by large crowds in the desert
( )	north that remains unconquered. There are terrorist groups
( )	town of Timbuktu. He also visited the capital Bamako, where he told people that the rebel fighters had suffered big
( )	far. However, he warned that the fight was not yet over. He told reporters: "There is still a whole part of the
( )	concentrated in some areas of the country. There are still risks of terrorism."
( )	place that the rebels hold. A total of 30 jet fighters hit rebel positions in and near the northern town of Kidal. French
( )	would leave Mali after the government regains control of all its land. Once France leaves,
( )	restore cultural and historical sites that the rebels damaged. Hollande added that French troops
( )	a UN-backed African force will help keep the peace in Mali.
( )	to the border with Algeria. French President Francois Hollande said he was pleased with the progress France has made so
( 1 )	French warplanes are continuing their attacks on rebels in Mali. France's air force is now targeting the last

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	continuing their French attacks warplanes on are rebels.
2.	fighters positions total jet rebel A 30 hit of.
3.	Kidal French airport soldiers on took Wednesday over.
4.	warned . not over yet the was fight He that
5.	risks terrorism There still of are.
6.	crowds large by welcomed warmly was He.
7.	rebel had big The fighters suffered losses.
8.	the rebels damaged Historical sites that.
9.	government of land the control its After regains all.
10.	peace the keep help will force African backed UN- A.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

French warplanes are continuing / continuation their attacks on rebels in Mali. France's air force is now targets / targeting the last place that the rebels hold. A total of 30 jet fighters hit rebel position / positions in and near the northern town of Kidal. French soldiers took over Kidal airport on Wednesday, but rebel Tuareg soldiers still controls / control the town, which is close to / at the border with Algeria. French President Francois Hollande said he was please / pleased with the progress France has made so / such far. However, he warned that the fight was not yet under / over. He told reporters: "There is still a whole / hole part of the north that remains unconquered. There are terrorist groups concentrated in some areas of the country. There are still risky / risks of terrorism."

Mr Hollande spent / spending one day in Mali last week. He was warmly welcomed by large crowding / crowds in the desert town of Timbuktu. He also visited the capitalize / capital Bamako, where he told people that the rebel fighters had suffered big lost / losses in France's three-week campaign. The French president also promised / promising he would help Mali rebuild after the conflict / conduct is over. Mr Hollande said France would provide Mali with aid / made for buildings and roads. He also said Mali would get help to restore cultural and historical sights / sites that the rebels damaged. Hollande added that French troops would leaf / leave Mali after the government regains control of all its land. Once France leaves, a UN-backed African force will help keep / kept the peace in Mali.

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)

Fr_nch w_rpl_n_s _r_ c_nt_n__ng th__r _tt_cks _n r_b_ls _n M_l_. Fr_nc_'s __r f_rc_ _s n_w t_rg_t_ng th_ l_st pl_c_ th_t th_ r_b_ls h_ld. _ t_t_l _f 30 j_t f_ght_rs h_t r_b_l p_s_t__ns _n _nd n__r th_ n_rth_rn t_wn _f K_d_l. Fr_nch s_ld__rs t__k _v_r K_d_l __rp_rt _n W_dn_sd_y, b_t r_b_l T__r_g s_ld__rs st_ll c_ntr_l th_ t_wn, wh_ch _s cl_s_ t_ th_ b_rd_r w_th _lg_r__. Fr_nch Pr_s_d_nt Fr_nc__s H_ll_nd_ s__d h_ w_s pl__s_d w_th th_ pr_gr_ss Fr_nc_ h_s m_d_ s_ f_r. H_w_v_r, h_ w_rn_d th_t th_ f_ght w_s n_t y_t _v_r. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "Th_r_ _s st_ll _ wh_l_ p_rt _f th_ n_rth th_t r_m__ns _nc_nq__r_d. Th_r_ _r_ t_rr_r_st gr__ps c_nc_ntr_t_d _n s_m_ _r__s _f th_ c__ntry. Th_r_ _r_ st_ll r_sks _f t_rr_r_sm."

Mr H_ll_nd_ sp_nt _n_ d_y _n M_l_ l_st w__k. H_ w_s w_rmly w_lc_m_d by l_rg_ cr_wds _n th_ d_s_rt t_wn _f T_mb_kt_. H_ _ls_ v_s_t_d th_ c_p_t_l B_m_k_, wh_r_ h_ t_ld p__pl_ th_t th_ r_b_l f_ght_rs h_d s_ff_r_d b_g l_ss_s _n Fr_nc_'s thr__-w__k c_mp__gn. Th_ Fr_nch pr_s_d_nt _ls_ pr_m_s_d h_ w__ld h_lp M_l_ r_b__ld _ft_r th_ c_nfl_ct _s _v_r. Mr H_ll_nd_ s__d Fr_nc_ w__ld pr_v_d_ M_l_ w_th __d f_r b__ld_ngs _nd r__ds. H_ _ls_ s__d M_l_ w__ld g_t h_lp t_ r_st_r_ c_lt_r_l _nd h_st_r_c_l s_t_s th_t th_ r_b_ls d_m_g_d. H_ll_nd_ _dd_d th_t Fr_nch tr__ps w__ld l__v_ M_l_ _ft_r th_ g_v_rnm_nt r_g__ns c_ntr_l _f _ll _ts l_nd. _nc_ Fr_nc_ l__v_s, _ _N-b_ck_d _fr_c_n f_rc_ w_ll h_lp k__p th_ p__c_ _n M_l_.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

french warplanes are continuing their attacks on rebels in mali france's air force is now targeting the last place that the rebels hold a total of 30 jet fighters hit rebel positions in and near the northern town of kidal french soldiers took over kidal airport on wednesday but rebel tuareg soldiers still control the town which is close to the border with algeria french president francois hollande said he was pleased with the progress france has made so far however he warned that the fight was not yet over he told reporters "there is still a whole part of the north that remains unconquered there are terrorist groups concentrated in some areas of the country there are still risks of terrorism"

mr hollande spent one day in mali last week he was warmly welcomed by large crowds in the desert town of timbuktu he also visited the capital bamako where he told people that the rebel fighters had suffered big losses in france's three-week campaign the french president also promised he would help mali rebuild after the conflict is over mr hollande said france would provide mali with aid for buildings and roads he also said mali would get help to restore cultural and historical sites that the rebels damaged hollande added that french troops would leave mali after the government regains control of all its land once france leaves a un-backed african force will help keep the peace in mali

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

FrenchwarplanesarecontinuingtheirattacksonrebelsinMali.France'sairforceis
nowtargetingthelastplacethattherebelshold.Atotalof30jetfightershitrebel
positionsinandnearthenortherntownofKidal.FrenchsoldierstookoverKidalairport
onWednesday,butrebelTuaregsoldiersstillcontrolthetown,whichisclosetothe
borderwithAlgeria.FrenchPresidentFrancoisHollandesaidhewaspleasedwiththe
progressFrancehasmadesofar.However,hewarnedthatthefightwasnotyetover.
Hetoldreporters:"Thereisstillawholepartofthenorththatremainsunconquered.
Thereareterroristgroupsconcentratedinsomeareasofthecountry.Therearestill
risksofterrorism."MrHollandespentonedayinMalilastweek.Hewaswarmlywelcomed
bylargecrowdsinthedeserttownofTimbuktu.HealsovisitedthecapitalBamako,
wherehetoldpeoplethattherebelfightershadsufferedbiglossesinFrance'sthree-
weekcampaign.TheFrenchpresidentalsopromisedhewouldhelpMalirebuildafter
theconflictisover.MrHollandesaidFrancewouldprovideMaliwithaidforbuildingsand
roads.HealsosaidMaliwouldgethelptorestoreculturalandhistoricalsitesthatthere
belsdamaged.HollandeaddedthatFrenchtroopswouldleaveMaliafterthe
governmentregainscontrolofallitsland.OnceFranceleaves,aUN-backedAfricanforcewillhelpkeepthepeaceinMali.

FREE WRITING

Write about Mali for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

France, other European countries and America should never go into another country to attack rebels or governments. 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 Mali. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. REBELS: Write a magazine article about rebel fighters. Include an imaginary interview with a rebel.

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 Mali's leader. Ask him three questions about Mali. Give him three ideas on what to do in the future. 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.	continuing	a.	carrying on with
2.	attacks	b.	strikes
3.	positions	c.	locations
4.	pleased	d.	happy
5.	whole	e.	entire
6.	welcomed	f.	greeted
7.	suffered	g.	experienced
8.	promised	h.	vowed
9.	regains	i.	gets back
10.	backed	j.	supported

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	French warplanes
2.	30
3.	The border with Algeria
4.	The progress France had made
5.	Terrorism
6.	One day
7.	Big losses
8.	After the conflict is over
9.	Cultural and historical sites
10.	A UN-backed African force

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 ;-)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Thank You

Breaking News English

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson
(PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (US male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(100 - 300 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

Breaking News English

* 26-page lesson (40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (US male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation - (10 sentences)

* Speed Reading (100 - 300 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson
(PDF)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(100 - 300 wpm)