Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Pope Benedict XVI

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* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(100 - 300 wpm)

* Gap-fill

Pope Benedict XVI resigns (13th February, 2013)

Benedict, 85, said he was too old to do his job properly. He became Pope in 2005 at the age of 77. He said that to perform the role of pope, "both strength of mind and body are necessary". He admitted that in the past few months he has not felt strong enough to do his job properly. His 89-year-old brother, Georg Ratzinger, told reporters: "My brother would like more rest at this age." Benedict had to manage some big scandals in his time as Pope. These included the truth coming out about thousands of children being sexually abused by priests. The Church covered this up for many decades. Meanwhile, world leaders have made statements to thank Benedict for his work over the past eight years.

Sources:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/11/pope-benedict-shock-resignation-taboo
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2013/0212/1224329951161.html

WARM-UPS

1. THE POPE: Walk around the class and talk to other students about the Pope. 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.

huge shock / resigned / taboo / good decision / freedom / Catholic / developing world / properly / strength of mind / more rest / big scandals / cover-ups / world leaders

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

3. LEADERS: Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Leader of…	What they do every day	How they can be better
a religion
the U.N.
the IMF
FIFA
Apple
the WHO

4. TOO OLD: Students A strongly believe someone who is 85 is too old to be a world leader; Students B strongly believe not. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. QUITTING: Which of these is most difficult to quit? Rank them and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most difficult at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

a job
studying English
eating chocolate
watching TV

a relationship
going to the gym
saving money
Facebook

6. RESIGN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'resign'. 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.	Pope Benedict told his secretaries that he would resign.	T / F
b.	The last time a pope resigned was almost 600 years ago.	T / F
c.	The pope will leave / left his role at eight in the evening on Feb. 28.	T / F
d.	The next pope will be from the developing world for the first time.	T / F
e.	The pope said he was too old to continue doing his job.	T / F
f.	His brother said he wanted to stay active and do other things.	T / F
g.	The Church kept quiet for decades about a big scandal.	T / F
h.	Many world leaders criticised the pope for his work.	T / F

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

1.	huge	a.	leader
2.	nearly	b.	announcements
3.	head	c.	begin
4.	quit	d.	relaxation
5.	start	e.	power
6.	perform	f.	almost
7.	strength	g.	very big
8.	rest	h.	mistreated
9.	abused	i.	resign
10.	statements	j.	do

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

1.	There was a huge shock	a.	abused by priests
2.	the people who worked	b.	was in 1415
3.	The last papal resignation	c.	for the Catholic Church
4.	start	d.	and body are necessary
5.	the developing	e.	closely with him
6.	he was too old to	f.	past eight years
7.	both strength of mind	g.	looking for a new pope
8.	the truth	h.	world
9.	children being sexually	i.	coming out
10.	his work over the	j.	do his job properly

GAP FILL

There was a huge (1) ____________ for the Catholic Church on Monday. Its leader Pope Benedict XVI resigned. No one knew he would resign. He even surprised all of the people who worked (2) ____________ with him. It is the first time a pope has resigned in (3) ____________ 600 years. The last papal resignation was in 1415. The Archbishop of Paris said resigning as Pope was a "(4) ____________ ". However, he said it was a good decision because future popes would have more freedom to (5) ____________ if they needed to. The Holy Father will be (6) ____________ of the Catholic Church until 8pm on February the 28th. From March the 1st, Vatican leaders will start (7) ____________ for a new pope. Many Catholics hope their next leader will be from the (8) ____________ world.

head
taboo
nearly
shock
developing
looking
closely
quit

Benedict, 85, said he was too old to do his job (9) ____________ . He became Pope in 2005 at the age of 77. He said that to perform the (10) ____________ of pope, "both strength of (11) ____________ and body are necessary". He admitted that in the past few months he has not felt strong (12) ____________ to do his job properly. His 89-year-old brother, Georg Ratzinger, told reporters: "My brother would like more (13) ____________ at this age." Benedict had to manage some big scandals in his time as Pope. These included the truth (14) ____________ out about thousands of children being sexually (15) ____________ by priests. The Church covered this up for many decades. Meanwhile, world leaders have made statements to thank Benedict for his work over the (16) ____________ eight years.

coming
mind
past
properly
rest
role
abused
enough

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	He even surprised all of the people who worked ______
	a. closer with him b. closely by him c. closes with him d. closely with him
2)	The last papal resignation ______
	a. was in 1514 b. was at 14:15 c. was in 1415 d. was in 4015
3)	future popes would have more ______ if they needed to
	a. freedom to quit b. freedom too quit c. freedom two quit d. freedom to quilt
4)	Vatican leaders will start looking ______
	a. for the new pope b. for a new pope c. for a newer pope d. for an you pope
5)	their next leader will be from ______
	a. the developing world b. the developed world c. the devil-hopping world d. the developers world
6)	Benedict, 85, said he was too old to ______
	a. do his job properly b. do this job properly c. do his jobs properly d. do his job property
7)	both strength of ______ are necessary
	a. mine and body b. mind and body c. my nan and body d. mind and bodies
8)	he has not ______ to do his job properly
	a. felt strong enough b. fell strongly enough c. feeling strong enough d. felt stronger enough
9)	thousands of children being sexually ______
	a. abuse by priests b. abused by a priest c. abusive by priests d. abused by priests
10)	world leaders have made statements to thank Benedict for his work ______ years
	a. over the past eight b. under the past eight c. over the passed eight d. over the past eighty

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

There was (1) _________________________ Catholic Church on Monday. Its leader Pope Benedict XVI resigned. No one knew he would resign. He even surprised all of the people who (2) _________________________. It is the first time a pope has (3) _________________________ years. The last papal resignation was in 1415. The Archbishop of Paris said resigning as Pope was a "taboo". However, he said it was a (4) ____________________ popes would have more freedom (5) _________________________ to. The Holy Father will be head of the Catholic Church until 8pm on February the 28th. From March the 1st, Vatican leaders will start looking for a new pope. Many Catholics hope their next leader will be (6) _____________________.

Benedict, 85, said (7) _________________________ his job properly. He became Pope in 2005 at the age of 77. He said that to perform the role of pope, "both strength (8) _________________________ are necessary". He admitted that in the past few months he has (9) ______________________ to do his job properly. His 89-year-old brother, Georg Ratzinger, told reporters: "My brother would like (10) _________________________." Benedict had to manage some big scandals in his time as Pope. These included the truth coming out about thousands (11) ___________________ abused by priests. The Church covered this up for many decades. Meanwhile, world leaders (12) _________________________ to thank Benedict for his work over the past eight years.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	On what day did Pope Benedict XVI resign?
2.	Who knew he was going to resign?
3.	In what year did a pope last resign?
4.	Where was the Archbishop from who said a pope resigning was taboo?
5.	Until what time will Pope Benedict XVI be pope?
6.	How old was Pope Benedict XVI when he became pope?
7.	What else is needed for the job besides strength of body?
8.	What did his brother say Pope Benedict XVI would like more of?
9.	For how long did the Catholic Church hide sexual abuse?
10.	Who made statements thanking the pope for his work?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	On what day did the Catholic Church get its big surprise?	6.	How old was Benedict XVI when he became pope?
	a) Friday b) Wednesday c) Saturday d) Monday		a) 67 b) 77 c) 57 d) 87
2.	Who knew Benedict XVI was going to resign?	7.	Who said Benedict XVI wanted to rest?
	a) the pope's official spokesperson b) no one c) his personal secretary d) his bodyguard		a) his personal secretary b) his best friend c) his sister d) his brother
3.	When was the last time a pope resigned?	8.	How many children were sexually abused by priests?
	a) exactly 600 years ago b) just over 600 years ago c) almost 600 years ago d) in the year 600		a) thousands b) hundreds c) dozens d) 752
4.	Until what time will Benedict XVI be pope?	9.	For how long did the Catholic Church try to hide a scandal?
	a) 8pm b) 9.30pm c) 8am d) 10:15am		a) months b) days c) decades d) centuries
5.	Where do many Catholics hope the next pope is from?	10.	Who thanked Benedict XVI for his work?
	a) Latin America b) the developing world c) Italy d) the USA		a) people in Rome b) world leaders c) his staff d) his followers on Twitter

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Pope Benedict XVI

You cannot continue as pope any longer. Tell the others three reasons why. You are 85 and that's too old to work. You think no one in the world should work after they are 80 years old. You think the new pope should be in his 40s and from the developing world. Tell the others three reasons why.

Role B – Catholic Church official

You are shocked that the pope has resigned. Tell the others three reasons why. You think he should have continued until he died, like all the popes before him. You believe the next pope should be at least 60 and from Italy. Tell the others three reasons why.

Role C – Equal rights worker

You are shocked the question of age has come up. People should be able to work at any age. It is unfair that they have to retire at 60 or 65. Tell the others three reasons why. You also think it's time for a female pope or one from the developing world. Tell the others three reasons why.

Role D – Traditional Catholic

You think the pope has made a terrible mistake that has damaged the Catholic Church. Tell the others three reasons why. The next pope should understand he can never resign. All talk of young popes, female popes, and popes from the developing world is very bad. You disagree.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

mind

body

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:

huge
600
taboo
freedom
8
developing

2005
mind
rest
thousands
covered
eight

POPE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about the pope 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.

THE POPE QUITTING 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 'pope'?
c)	What do you know about Pope Benedict XVI?
d)	What do you think of the leader of your religion?
e)	How important are religious leaders to you?
f)	Do you think it's OK for the pope to quit?
g)	Why do you think the pope didn't tell anyone he was going to quit?
h)	Should the pope have given a month's notice that he would quit?
i)	Why is a pope quitting such a "taboo"?
j)	Should the next pope be the first from the developing world?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Do you think 85 is too old to work?
c)	Do you hope to be working when you're 85?
d)	What do you think of people who say he was wrong to resign?
e)	Has he damaged the Catholic Church by quitting?
f)	What do you think of the Catholic Church?
g)	How badly did the scandals damage the Catholic Church?
h)	What do you think of the idea of a female pope?
i)	What questions would you like to ask Pope Benedict XVI?
j)	What do you think his answers would 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

There was a (1) ____ shock for the Catholic Church on Monday. Its leader Pope Benedict XVI resigned. No one knew he would resign. He even surprised all of the people who worked (2) ____ with him. It is the first time a pope has resigned in nearly 600 years. The last papal resignation was in 1415. The Archbishop of Paris said resigning as Pope was a "(3) ____ ". However, he said it was a good decision because future popes would have more freedom to quit if they needed (4) ____. The Holy Father will be head of the Catholic Church (5) ____ 8pm on February the 28th. From March the 1st, Vatican leaders will start (6) ____ for a new pope. Many Catholics hope their next leader will be from the developing world.

Benedict, 85, said he was too old to do his job properly. He became Pope in 2005 at the (7) ____ of 77. He said that to perform the role of pope, "both strength of mind and body are necessary". He (8) ____ that in the past few months he has not felt strong enough to do his job properly. His 89-year-old brother, Georg Ratzinger, told reporters: "My brother would like more (9) ____ at this age." Benedict had to manage some big scandals in his (10) ____ as Pope. These included the truth coming out about thousands of children being sexually (11) ____ by priests. The Church covered this up for many decades. Meanwhile, world leaders have made statements to thank Benedict for his work (12) ____ the past eight years.

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

1.	(a)	huge	(b)	hugely	(c)	hug	(d)	hugs
2.	(a)	closer	(b)	closed	(c)	closely	(d)	closet
3.	(a)	teepee	(b)	graffiti	(c)	taboo	(d)	tattoo
4.	(a)	resign	(b)	do	(c)	be	(d)	to
5.	(a)	until	(b)	as far as	(c)	soon	(d)	by
6.	(a)	look	(b)	looking	(c)	looks	(d)	looked
7.	(a)	year	(b)	old	(c)	birthday	(d)	age
8.	(a)	admission	(b)	admitted	(c)	admired	(d)	administers
9.	(a)	holidays	(b)	food	(c)	rest	(d)	sleep
10.	(a)	months	(b)	time	(c)	clock	(d)	watch
11.	(a)	foiled	(b)	jaded	(c)	stalled	(d)	abused
12.	(a)	under	(b)	over	(c)	through	(d)	on

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	a huge kchso
2.	people who worked csloley with him
3.	a good sdcoiien
4.	have more mofrdee
5.	their next edlrae
6.	the noelpievgd world
Paragraph 2
7.	do his job eyprlorp
8.	ghtntser of mind
9.	big aadnslcs
10.	The Church cdvereo this up
11.	for many edsdeca
12.	nmestatste to thank Benedict

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	few months he has not felt strong enough to do his job properly. His 89-year-old brother, Georg Ratzinger, told
( )	leaders have made statements to thank Benedict for his work over the past eight years.
( )	of 77. He said that to perform the role of pope, "both strength of mind and body are necessary". He admitted that in the past
( )	resigned. No one knew he would resign. He even surprised all of the people who worked
( )	8pm on February the 28th. From March the 1st, Vatican leaders will start looking for
( )	Benedict, 85, said he was too old to do his job properly. He became Pope in 2005 at the age
( )	closely with him. It is the first time a pope has resigned in nearly 600 years. The last papal
( )	a new pope. Many Catholics hope their next leader will be from the developing world.
( )	reporters: "My brother would like more rest at this age." Benedict had to manage some big
( )	children being sexually abused by priests. The Church covered this up for many decades. Meanwhile, world
( )	scandals in his time as Pope. These included the truth coming out about thousands of
( 1 )	There was a huge shock for the Catholic Church on Monday. Its leader Pope Benedict XVI
( )	decision because future popes would have more freedom to quit if they needed to. The Holy Father will be head of the Catholic Church until
( )	resignation was in 1415. The Archbishop of Paris said resigning as Pope was a "taboo". However, he said it was a good

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	for was the a Catholic huge Church shock There.
2.	closely the with people him who All worked of.
3.	nearly 600 years The first time a pope has resigned in.
4.	leaders pope a looking will Vatican new for start.
5.	world be Their from next the leader developing will.
6.	too said , his old he 85 job to was Benedict do.
7.	do He felt to job not enough his has strong.
8.	manage scandals time to big his had some in Benedict.
9.	up this covered Church The decades many for.
10.	for Benedict Thank years eight past the over work his.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

There was a huge / hugely shock for the Catholic Church on Monday. Its leader Pope Benedict XVI resigned. No one knew he would / will resign. He even surprised all of the people who worked close / closely with him. It is the first time a pope has resigned in / on nearly 600 years. The last papal resigned / resignation was in 1415. The Archbishop of Paris said resigning as Pope was a "taboo" / "tattoo". However, he said it was a good decision because future popes would have more freely / freedom to quit if they needed be / to. The Holy Father will be head of the Catholic Church until 8pm on February the 28th. From March the 1st, Vatican leaders will start looks / looking for a new pope. Many Catholics hope their next leader will be from the developing world / Earth.

Benedict, 85, said he was too old to do his job proper / properly. He became Pope in 2005 at the year / age of 77. He said that to perform the roll / role of pope, "both strong / strength of mind and body are necessary". He admitted that in the past few / pew months he has not felt strong enough to do his job properly. His 89-year-old brother, Georg Ratzinger, told reporters: "My brother would like more rest at this old / age." Benedict had to manage some big scandals in his hour / time as Pope. These included the truth coming in / out about thousands of children being sexually abused by priests. The Church covered this up / down for many decades. Meanwhile, world leaders have made statements to thank Benedict for his work over the passed / past eight years.

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_r_ w_s _ h_g_ sh_ck f_r th_ C_th_l_c Ch_rch _n M_nd_y. _ts l__d_r P_p_ B_n_d_ct XV_ r_s_gn_d. N_ _n_ kn_w h_ w__ld r_s_gn. H_ _v_n s_rpr_s_d _ll _f th_ p__pl_ wh_ w_rk_d cl_s_ly w_th h_m. _t _s th_ f_rst t_m_ _ p_p_ h_s r_s_gn_d _n n__rly 600 y__rs. Th_ l_st p_p_l r_s_gn_t__n w_s _n 1415. Th_ _rchb_sh_p _f P_r_s s__d r_s_gn_ng _s P_p_ w_s _ "t_b__". H_w_v_r, h_ s__d _t w_s _ g__d d_c_s__n b_c__s_ f_t_r_ p_p_s w__ld h_v_ m_r_ fr__d_m t_ q__t _f th_y n__d_d t_. Th_ H_ly F_th_r w_ll b_ h__d _f th_ C_th_l_c Ch_rch _nt_l 8pm _n F_br__ry th_ 28th. Fr_m M_rch th_ 1st, V_t_c_n l__d_rs w_ll st_rt l__k_ng f_r _ n_w p_p_. M_ny C_th_l_cs h_p_ th__r n_xt l__d_r w_ll b_ fr_m th_ d_v_l_p_ng w_rld.

B_n_d_ct, 85, s__d h_ w_s t__ _ld t_ d_ h_s j_b pr_p_rly. H_ b_c_m_ P_p_ _n 2005 _t th_ _g_ _f 77. H_ s__d th_t t_ p_rf_rm th_ r_l_ _f p_p_, "b_th str_ngth _f m_nd _nd b_dy _r_ n_c_ss_ry". H_ _dm_tt_d th_t _n th_ p_st f_w m_nths h_ h_s n_t f_lt str_ng _n__gh t_ d_ h_s j_b pr_p_rly. H_s 89-y__r-_ld br_th_r, G__rg R_tz_ng_r, t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "My br_th_r w__ld l_k_ m_r_ r_st _t th_s _g_." B_n_d_ct h_d t_ m_n_g_ s_m_ b_g sc_nd_ls _n h_s t_m_ _s P_p_. Th_s_ _ncl_d_d th_ tr_th c_m_ng __t _b__t th__s_nds _f ch_ldr_n b__ng s_x__lly _b_s_d by pr__sts. Th_ Ch_rch c_v_r_d th_s _p f_r m_ny d_c_d_s. M__nwh_l_, w_rld l__d_rs h_v_ m_d_ st_t_m_nts t_ th_nk B_n_d_ct f_r h_s w_rk _v_r th_ p_st __ght y__rs.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

there was a huge shock for the catholic church on monday its leader pope benedict xvi resigned no one knew he would resign he even surprised all of the people who worked closely with him it is the first time a pope has resigned in nearly 600 years the last papal resignation was in 1415 the archbishop of paris said resigning as pope was a "taboo" however he said it was a good decision because future popes would have more freedom to quit if they needed to the holy father will be head of the catholic church until 8pm on february the 28th from march the 1st vatican leaders will start looking for a new pope many catholics hope their next leader will be from the developing world

benedict 85 said he was too old to do his job properly he became pope in 2005 at the age of 77 he said that to perform the role of pope "both strength of mind and body are necessary" he admitted that in the past few months he has not felt strong enough to do his job properly his 89-year-old brother georg ratzinger told reporters "my brother would like more rest at this age" benedict had to manage some big scandals in his time as pope these included the truth coming out about thousands of children being sexually abused by priests the church covered this up for many decades meanwhile world leaders have made statements to thank benedict for his work over the past eight years

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TherewasahugeshockfortheCatholicChurchonMonday.ItsleaderPopeBenedictXVI
resigned.Nooneknewhewouldresign.Heevensurprisedallofthepeoplewhoworked
closelywithhim.Itisthefirsttimeapopehasresignedinnearly600years.Thelastpapal
resignationwasin1415.TheArchbishopofParissaidresigningasPopewasa"taboo".
However,hesaiditwasagooddecisionbecausefuturepopeswouldhavemorefreedom
toquitiftheyneededto.TheHolyFatherwillbeheadoftheCatholicChurchuntil8pmon
Februarythe28th.FromMarchthe1st,Vaticanleaderswillstartlookingforanewpope.
ManyCatholicshopetheirnextleaderwillbefromthedevelopingworld.Benedict,85,
saidhewastoooldtodohisjobproperly.HebecamePopein2005attheageof77.Hesaid
thattoperformtheroleofpope,"bothstrengthofmindandbodyarenecessary".He
admittedthatinthepastfewmonthshehasnotfeltstrongenoughtodohisjobproperly.
His89-year-oldbrother,GeorgRatzinger,toldreporters:"Mybrotherwouldlikemore
restatthisage."BenedicthadtomanagesomebigscandalsinhistimeasPope.These
includedthetruthcomingoutaboutthousandsofchildrenbeingsexuallyabusedby
priests.TheChurchcoveredthisupformanydecades.Meanwhile,worldleaders
havemadestatementstothankBenedictforhisworkoverthepasteightyears.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

It is crazy that an 85-year-old person is an important world leader. All powerful people should quit before they are 80. 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 Pope Benedict XVI. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. THE VATICAN: Make a poster about The Vatican. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. QUITTING: Write a magazine article about Pope Benedict XVI quitting. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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 Pope Benedict XVI. Ask him three questions about quitting. Give him three of your opinions on the work of a pope. 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.	huge	a.	leader
2.	nearly	b.	announcements
3.	head	c.	begin
4.	quit	d.	relaxation
5.	start	e.	power
6.	perform	f.	almost
7.	strength	g.	very big
8.	rest	h.	mistreated
9.	abused	i.	resign
10.	statements	j.	do

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	A Monday
2.	No one
3.	1415
4.	Paris
5.	8pm
6.	77
7.	Strength of mind
8.	Rest
9.	Many decades
10.	World leaders

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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* 26-page lesson (40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation - (10 sentences)

* Speed Reading (100 - 300 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

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* 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

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* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
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