The Reading / Listening - Level 3

A couple in California got a huge surprise last year while they were walking in their garden. They found over 1,000 gold coins under a tree. The coins are worth over $10 million. They counted 1,427 coins. They were all in mint condition. The coins are from the period 1847 to 1894. Some of them are very rare and could be worth up to $1 million each. The couple said they were walking their dog and they saw some rusty cans sticking out of the ground under an old oak tree. When they dug down, they were shocked at what they found. The woman said: "It was like finding a wonderful hot potato. I never would have thought we would have found something like this."

The couple said they plan to keep some of the coins and sell the others online. They will donate some of the money they receive to charity. They said they would use some of the money to make their house better. The woman had some advice. She said: "Whatever answers you seek, they might be right at home. The answer to our difficulties was right there under our feet for years." She added that people should never be afraid to bend down and look inside a rusty can. Coin expert David Hall made sure the coins were genuine. He was very excited and said: "I don't like to say once-in-a-lifetime for anything, but you don't get an opportunity to handle this kind of material, a treasure like this. Ever."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://news.sky.com/story/1217412/couple-find-gold-coins-worth-10m-in-back-yard
  • http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-gold-coins-california-backyard-20140225,0,2401817.story#ixzz2uPQjSK7W
  • http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/25/us/california-gold-discovery/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. GOLD: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about gold. 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.

 

couple / huge surprise / walking / garden / mint condition / $1 million / hot potato / online / donate / charity / advice / difficulties / rusty / genuine / once-in-a-lifetime

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

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

 

How good?

What would you do?

You win $10 million

 

 

You get 100% in English

 

 

Someone gives you a rose

 

 

A long-lost friend emails

 

 

You reach your perfect weight

 

 

You get a one-year holiday

 

 

4. GOLD: Students A strongly believe gold is the most beautiful thing on Earth; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. FIND: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to find at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • lots of money

  • something you lost as a child

  • love

  • the meaning of life

  • your perfect job

  • a map to $1 billion of treasure

  • yourself

  • an important password

6. SURPRISE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "surprise". 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 couple found the gold while they were planting vegetables.

T / F

b.

There were 1,427 gold coins under a tree.

T / F

c.

The coins are over 500 years old.

T / F

d.

The woman said it was like finding a wonderful hot potato.

T / F

e.

The couple will sell all of the coins online.

T / F

f.

They will sell their house and buy a new one in Hawaii.

T / F

g.

The woman warned people not to look in rusty cans.

T / F

h.

A coin expert said the coins weren't real treasure.

T / F

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

1.

huge

a.

uncommon

2.

worth

b.

give

3.

in mint condition

c.

frightened

4.

rare

d.

valued at

5.

wonderful

e.

suggestions

6.

keep

f.

lovely

7.

donate

g.

big

8.

advice

h.

 

9.

afraid

i.

brand new

10.

opportunity

j.

hold on to

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

1.

A couple in California got

a.

out of the ground

2.

They were all in mint

b.

online

3.

they saw some rusty cans sticking

c.

condition

4.

they were shocked

d.

lifetime

5.

It was like finding a wonderful

e.

a huge surprise

6.

sell the others

f.

was right there

7.

They will donate some of the money they

g.

hot potato

8.

The answer to our difficulties

h.

a rusty can

9.

look inside

i.

at what they found

10.

once-in-a-

j.

receive to charity

GAP FILL

A couple in California got a (1) ____________ surprise last year while they were walking in their garden. They found over 1,000 gold coins under a tree. The coins are (2) ____________ over $10 million. They counted 1,427 coins. They were all in  (3) ____________ condition. The coins are from the period 1847 to 1894. Some of them are very (4) ____________ and could be worth up to $1 million each. The couple said they were walking their dog and they saw some (5) ____________ cans sticking out of the ground under an old oak tree. When they (6) ____________ down, they were shocked at what they found. The woman said: "It was like finding a wonderful hot (7) ____________. I never would have thought we would have found (8) ____________ like this."

 

 

dug
rare
worth
potato
huge
something
rusty
mint

The couple said they (9) ____________ to keep some of the coins and sell the others online. They will (10) ____________ some of the money they receive to charity. They said they would use some of the money to make their house better. The woman had some (11) ____________. She said: "Whatever answers you seek, they might be right at home. The answer to our difficulties was right there (12) ____________ our feet for years." She added that people should never be afraid to (13) ____________ down and look inside a rusty can. Coin expert David Hall made sure the coins were (14) ____________. He was very excited and said: "I don't like to say once-in-a-(15) ____________ for anything, but you don't get an opportunity to handle this kind of (16) ____________, a treasure like this. Ever."

 

under
genuine
donate
material
plan
advice
bend
lifetime

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

A couple in California got ______

 

a.  a hug surprise
b.  a huge surprise
c.  a few surprise
d.  a who surprise

2)

They found over 1,000 gold coins ______

 

a.  under the tree
b.  under tree
c.  under as tree
d.  under rat tree

3)

They were all ______

 

a.  in minty condition
b.  in menthol condition
c.  in mint condition
d.  in mints condition

4)

they saw some rusty cans sticking ______

 

a.  out of the grounds
b.  out of the grounding
c.  out of the grounded
d.  out of the ground

5)

It was like finding a ______

 

a.  wonderful hot potato
b.  wonderful hot tomato
c.  wonderful hot pot at two
d.  wonderful hot pat eight oh

6)

they plan to keep some of the coins and sell ______

 

a.  the others on a line
b.  the others offline
c.  the other zone line
d.  the others online

7)

They will donate some of the money they ______

 

a.  receive to charities
b.  receive to chastity
c.  receive torch a tea
d.  receive to charity

8)

Whatever answers you seek, they might ______

 

a.  be left at home
b.  be sitting at home
c.  be light at home
d.  be right at home

9)

She added that people should never be afraid to bend down and look ______

 

a.  inside a rust tea can
b.  inside a rust tee can
c.  inside a rusted can
d.  inside a rusty can

10)

you don't get an opportunity to handle this ______

 

a.  kinds of material
b.  kind of materials
c.  kinds of materials
d.  kind of material

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A couple in California (1) ___________________ last year while they were walking in their garden. They found over 1,000 gold coins under a tree. The coins (2) ___________________ $10 million. They counted 1,427 coins. They were all in mint condition. The coins are (3) ___________________ 1847 to 1894. Some of them are very (4) ___________________ worth up to $1 million each. The couple said they were walking their dog and they saw some rusty cans (5) ___________________ ground under an old oak tree. When they dug down, they were shocked at what they found. The woman said: "It was like finding a (6) ___________________. I never would have thought we would have found something like this."

The couple said they (7) ___________________ of the coins and sell the others online. They will donate some of the money (8) ___________________. They said they would use some of the money to make their house better. The woman had some advice. She said: "Whatever answers you seek, they might (9) ___________________. The answer to our difficulties was right there under our feet for years." She added that people should never be (10) ___________________ and look inside a rusty can. Coin expert David Hall made sure the (11) ___________________. He was very excited and said: "I don't like to say (12) ___________________ for anything, but you don't get an opportunity to handle this kind of material, a treasure like this. Ever."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Where did the couple live?

2.

What were the coins under?

3.

From what period did the coins come?

4.

What did the woman compare finding the coins to?

5.

What did the woman think would never happen?

6.

Where will they sell some of the coins?

7.

Who will they give some of the money to?

8.

Where did the woman say answers to problems might be?

9.

Who is David Hall?

10.

What does David Hall not like to say?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Where did the couple live?

6.

Where will they sell some of the coins?

 

a) California
b) Cairo
c) Christchurch
d) Crimea

 

a) at their local market
b) the London Coin Exchange
c) New York
d) online

2.

What were the coins under?

7.

Who will they give some of the money to?

 

a) a house
b) a boat
c) a tree
d) a shopping mall

 

a) Internet start-ups
b) charity
c) their dog
d) the government

3.

From what period did the coins come?

8.

Where did the woman say answers to problems might be?

 

a) 1784-94
b) 1847-94
c) 1478-94
d) 1978-94

 

a) in your head
b) under trees
c) in books
d) at home

4.

What did the woman compare finding the coins to?

9.

Who is David Hall?

 

a) treasure at the end of a rainbow
b) heaven
c) a dream come true
d) finding a hot potato

 

a) the man whose face is on the coins
b) the man who found the coins
c) a coin expert
d) the man who will pay $10 million

5.

What did the woman think would never happen?

10.

What does David Hall not like to say?

 

a) finding $10 million in gold
b) her dream coming true
c) getting married
d) finding a nineteenth-century coin

 

a) no
b) once-in-a-lifetime
c) good night
d) good luck

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Money

You think money is the best thing to find. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): love, the perfect job or the meaning of life.

Role  B – Love

You think love is the best thing to find. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): money, the perfect job or the meaning of life.

Role  C – The perfect job

You think the perfect job is the best thing to find. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): love, money or the meaning of life.

Role  D – The meaning of life

You think the meaning of life is the best thing to find. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): love, the perfect job or money.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

gold

coin

 

 

 

  • 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
  • under
  • rare
  • dog
  • dug
  • something
  • keep
  • house
  • advice
  • feet
  • genuine
  • kind

GOLD SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about gold 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.

GOLD DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What do you imagine when you hear the word 'gold'?

c)

What would you do if you found $10 million in your garden?

d)

What's the biggest thing you've ever found?

e)

What's the biggest money surprise you've ever had?

f)

Why do people like gold so much? Do you like gold?

g)

Would you like to go on a treasure hunt?

h)

Will you now start looking in rusty cans under trees?

i)

How lucky is the couple in this article?

j)

Why did the woman say it was like "finding a wonderful hot potato"?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What would you do with $10 million?

c)

How much money should people give to charity if they find money?

d)

Do you find things more or lose things more?

e)

What is your advice if people ask for answers to their difficulties?

f)

How would your lifestyle change if you found $10 million?

g)

Are you a lucky person?

h)

Would you rather be lucky in love or lucky with money?

i)

What is your biggest treasure?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the couple?

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.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A couple in California got a (1) ____ surprise last year while they were walking in their garden. They found over 1,000 gold coins under a tree. The coins are (2) ____ over $10 million. They counted 1,427 coins. They were all in (3) ____ condition. The coins are from the period 1847 to 1894. Some of them are very rare and could be worth up to $1 million each. The couple said they were walking their dog and they saw some rusty cans (4) ____ out of the ground under an old oak tree. When they dug (5) ____, they were shocked at what they found. The woman said: "It was like finding a wonderful hot (6) ____. I never would have thought we would have found something like this."

The couple said they plan to keep some of the coins and sell the (7) ____ online. They will donate some of the money they receive to charity. They said they would use some of the money to (8) ____ their house better. The woman had some advice. She said: "Whatever answers you seek, they might be (9) ____ at home. The answer to our difficulties was right there under our feet for years." She added that people should never be (10) ____ to bend down and look inside a rusty can. Coin expert David Hall (11) ____ sure the coins were genuine. He was very excited and said: "I don't like to say once-in-a-lifetime for anything, but you don't get an opportunity to (12) ____ this kind of material, a treasure like this. Ever."

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

1.

(a)

hugging

(b)

huge

(c)

hugs

(d)

hugely

2.

(a)

worthwhile

(b)

worth

(c)

worthless

(d)

worthy

3.

(a)

minted

(b)

minty

(c)

mints

(d)

mint

4.

(a)

stacking

(b)

sticking

(c)

stocking

(d)

slacking

5.

(a)

up

(b)

through

(c)

along

(d)

down

6.

(a)

ice

(b)

fry

(c)

potato

(d)

pot

7.

(a)

others

(b)

all

(c)

whole

(d)

rests

8.

(a)

do

(b)

be

(c)

make

(d)

try

9.

(a)

wrong

(b)

left

(c)

house

(d)

right

10.

(a)

afraid

(b)

fear

(c)

frighten

(d)

scary

11.

(a)

made

(b)

took

(c)

did

(d)

had

12.

(a)

handle

(b)

hand

(c)

handy

(d)

handful

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

A couple in California got a huge uirsesrp

2.

The coins are trwoh over $10 million

3.

They were all in mint cinnotodi

4.

The coins are from the poried 1847 to 1894

5.

they saw some usyrt cans

6.

It was like finding a efldrnuow hot potato

Paragraph 2

7.

They will adteon some of the money

8.

The woman had some viedac

9.

The answer to our itucfsiildfe

10.

people should never be aidfra

11.

made sure the coins were iegennu

12.

you don't get an yptnoituorp

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

The couple said they plan to keep some of the coins and sell the others online. They will donate

1  )

A couple in California got a huge surprise last year while they were walking

(    )

their dog and they saw some rusty cans sticking out of the ground under an old oak tree. When they dug

(    )

in their garden. They found over 1,000 gold coins under a tree. The coins are worth over

(    )

genuine. He was very excited and said: "I don't like to say once-in-a-lifetime for

(    )

afraid to bend down and look inside a rusty can. Coin expert David Hall made sure the coins were

(    )

better. The woman had some advice. She said: "Whatever answers you seek, they might be right at

(    )

anything, but you don't get an opportunity to handle this kind of material, a treasure like this. Ever."

(    )

1847 to 1894. Some of them are very rare and could be worth up to $1 million each. The couple said they were walking

(    )

$10 million. They counted 1,427 coins. They were all in mint condition. The coins are from the period

(    )

some of the money they receive to charity. They said they would use some of the money to make their house

(    )

potato. I never would have thought we would have found something like this."

(    )

down, they were shocked at what they found. The woman said: "It was like finding a wonderful hot

(    )

home. The answer to our difficulties was right there under our feet for years." She added that people should never be

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

couple     in     California    got    a    huge    surprise    last    year     A.    

2.

under     coins     gold     1,000     over     found     They     tree     a.    

3.

the     to     The     from     1847     are     period     1894     coins.    

4.

out    of    the    ground   They    saw    some    rusty    cans    sticking.    

5.

finding     a     It     wonderful     was     hot     like     potato.    

6.

to    plan    they    said   couple   The    coins   the     of    some    keep.    

7.

they     charity     some     money     to     Donate     the    receive    of.    

8.

make     their    house    better    Use    some    of    the    money     to.    

9.

rusty     .     and     Bend     can     a     look     down     inside

10.

this     An     kind     opportunity     of     to     material     handle.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A couple in California got a huge / hug surprise last year while they were walking in their garden. They found over 1,000 gold coins under / over a tree. The coins are worthy / worth over $10 million. They counted 1,427 coins. They were all in mint / minty condition. The coins are from the period / era 1847 to 1894. Some of them are very rare / rear and could be worth up to $1 million each. The couple said they were waking / walking their dog and they saw some rusty cans sticking in / out of the ground under an old oak tree. When they dug / dig down, they were shocked at what they found. The woman said: "It was like finding a wonderful hot potato. I never would have thought / thinking we would have found something like this."

The couple said they plan / planning to keep some of the coins and sell the others online. They will donate / donation some of the money they receive to chastity / charity. They said they would use other / some of the money to make their house better. The woman had some advise / advice. She said: "Whatever answers you peek / seek, they might be right at home. The answer to our difficult / difficulties was right there under our feet for years." She added that people should never be afraid to bend up / down and look inside a rusty can. Coin expert David Hall made sure the coins were genuine. He was very excited and said: "I don't like to say once-in-a-lifetime for anything, but you don't get an opportunity / chance to handle this kind of material, a treasure / treasury like this. Ever."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ c__pl_ _n C_l_f_rn__ g_t _ h_g_ s_rpr_s_ l_st y__r wh_l_ th_y w_r_ w_lk_ng _n th__r g_rd_n. Th_y f__nd _v_r 1,000 g_ld c__ns _nd_r _ tr__. Th_ c__ns _r_ w_rth _v_r $10 m_ll__n. Th_y c__nt_d 1,427 c__ns. Th_y w_r_ _ll _n m_nt c_nd_t__n. Th_ c__ns _r_ fr_m th_ p_r__d 1847 t_ 1894. S_m_ _f th_m _r_ v_ry r_r_ _nd c__ld b_ w_rth _p t_ $1 m_ll__n __ch. Th_ c__pl_ s__d th_y w_r_ w_lk_ng th__r d_g _nd th_y s_w s_m_ r_sty c_ns st_ck_ng __t _f th_ gr__nd _nd_r _n _ld __k tr__. Wh_n th_y d_g d_wn, th_y w_r_ sh_ck_d _t wh_t th_y f__nd. Th_ w_m_n s__d: "_t w_s l_k_ f_nd_ng _ w_nd_rf_l h_t p_t_t_. _ n_v_r w__ld h_v_ th__ght w_ w__ld h_v_ f__nd s_m_th_ng l_k_ th_s."

Th_ c__pl_ s__d th_y pl_n t_ k__p s_m_ _f th_ c__ns _nd s_ll th_ _th_rs _nl_n_. Th_y w_ll d_n_t_ s_m_ _f th_ m_n_y th_y r_c__v_ t_ ch_r_ty. Th_y s__d th_y w__ld _s_ s_m_ _f th_ m_n_y t_ m_k_ th__r h__s_ b_tt_r. Th_ w_m_n h_d s_m_ _dv_c_. Sh_ s__d: "Wh_t_v_r _nsw_rs y__ s__k, th_y m_ght b_ r_ght _t h_m_. Th_ _nsw_r t_ __r d_ff_c_lt__s w_s r_ght th_r_ _nd_r __r f__t f_r y__rs." Sh_ _dd_d th_t p__pl_ sh__ld n_v_r b_ _fr__d t_ b_nd d_wn _nd l__k _ns_d_ _ r_sty c_n. C__n _xp_rt D_v_d H_ll m_d_ s_r_ th_ c__ns w_r_ g_n__n_. H_ w_s v_ry _xc_t_d _nd s__d: "_ d_n't l_k_ t_ s_y _nc_-_n-_-l_f_t_m_ f_r _nyth_ng, b_t y__ d_n't g_t _n _pp_rt_n_ty t_ h_ndl_ th_s k_nd _f m_t_r__l, _ tr__s_r_ l_k_ th_s. _v_r."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a couple in california got a huge surprise last year while they were walking in their garden they found over 1000 gold coins under a tree the coins are worth over $10 million they counted 1427 coins they were all in mint condition the coins are from the period 1847 to 1894 some of them are very rare and could be worth up to $1 million each the couple said they were walking their dog and they saw some rusty cans sticking out of the ground under an old oak tree when they dug down they were shocked at what they found the woman said "it was like finding a wonderful hot potato i never would have thought we would have found something like this"

the couple said they plan to keep some of the coins and sell the others online they will donate some of the money they receive to charity they said they would use some of the money to make their house better the woman had some advice she said "whatever answers you seek they might be right at home the answer to our difficulties was right there under our feet for years" she added that people should never be afraid to bend down and look inside a rusty can coin expert david hall made sure the coins were genuine he was very excited and said "i don't like to say once-in-a-lifetime for anything but you don't get an opportunity to handle this kind of material a treasure like this ever"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AcoupleinCaliforniagotahugesurpriselastyearwhiletheywerewal
kingintheirgarden.Theyfoundover1,000goldcoinsunderatree.T
hecoinsareworthover$10million.Theycounted1,427coins.They
wereallinmintcondition.Thecoinsarefromtheperiod1847to1894.
Someofthemareveryrareandcouldbeworthupto$1millioneach.T
hecouplesaidtheywerewalkingtheirdogandtheysawsomerustyc
ansstickingoutofthegroundunderanoldoaktree.Whentheydugdo
wn,theywereshockedatwhattheyfound.Thewomansaid:"Itwasli
kefindingawonderfulhotpotato.Ineverwouldhavethoughtwewo
uldhavefoundsomethinglikethis."Thecouplesaidtheyplantokeep
someofthecoinsandselltheothersonline.Theywilldonatesomeoft
hemoneytheyreceivetocharity.Theysaidtheywouldusesomeofth
emoneytomaketheirhousebetter.Thewomanhadsomeadvice.Sh
esaid:"Whateveranswersyouseek,theymightberightathome.Th
eanswertoourdifficultieswasrightthereunderourfeetforyears."S
headdedthatpeopleshouldneverbeafraidtobenddownandlookins
idearustycan.CoinexpertDavidHallmadesurethecoinsweregenui
ne.Hewasveryexcitedandsaid:"Idon'tliketosayonce-in-a-
lifetimeforanything,butyoudon'tgetanopportunitytohandlethisk
indofmaterial,atreasurelikethis.Ever."

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Gold is the greatest treasure. Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

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

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

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

4. TREASURE: Write a magazine article about the gold. Include imaginary interviews with someone who thinks the couple should keep it and someone who thinks all the money should go to charity.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on gold. Ask him/her three questions about gold. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

huge

a.

big

2.

worth

b.

valued at

3.

in mint condition

c.

brand new

4.

rare

d.

uncommon

5.

wonderful

e.

lovely

6.

keep

f.

hold on to

7.

donate

g.

give

8.

advice

h.

suggestions

9.

afraid

i.

frightened

10.

opportunity

j.

chance

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

California

2.

A tree

3.

1847 to 1894

4.

Finding a wonderful hot potato

5.

Finding $10 million of coins

6.

Online

7.

Charity

8.

At home

9.

A coin expert

10.

Once-in-a-lifetime

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

b

4.

d

5.

a

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

9.

c

10.

b

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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