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Death threats over new Banksy painting (19th April, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A new painting by the "guerilla artist" Banksy is currently the focus of a heated argument in the city of Bristol, England. The painting appeared overnight on a building. The leader of a nearby youth club, Dennis Stinchcombe, couldn't believe his luck when he saw it and discovered it was a Banksy that could be worth up to $150,000. He prised it off the wall using a crowbar and stored it in the youth club. However, the city mayor said Mr Stinchcombe had no right to take the painting as it was on the wall of a city-owned building. The mayor wants the painting put back. Stinchcombe said it would be vandalised and hopes to auction it to raise money for the youth club. He has since received death threats from angry Banksy fans.

The painting has been called "Mobile Lovers". It depicts a man and woman embracing while checking out their mobile phones over one another's shoulder. Art by Banksy is much sought after the world over. The mysterious artist, who is only known by the pseudonym Banksy, has become famous for paintings left on walls and buildings around the world. Many have been removed by building owners and caused similar spats. Wikipedia says Banksy's work combines, "dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique." Banksy's work is heavy on political and social commentary. The city mayor said it was "against the spirit of Banksy and street art" to remove it from where the artist put it.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-27050321
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/apr/15/banksy-mobile-lovers-bristol-youth-club
http://www.metro.co.uk/2014/04/16/gym-boss-in-banksy-mural-row-receives-death-threats-4701634/

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. STREET ART: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about street art. 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.

painting / argument / youth club / $150,000 / vandalized / auction / death treats / embracing / mobile phone / sought after / dark humour / social commentary / artist

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

3. ART: What are your favourites and why? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

Art form	Favourite(s)	Why?
Painting
Sculpture
Poem
Photograph
CD / Album cover
Movie

4. GRAFFITI: Students A strongly believe street art and graffiti should always be removed; Students B strongly believe the total opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. VENUE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best place for art at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• on a city wall

• in an art gallery

• on the Internet

• on the side of a bus

• on soda cans

• in books

• in homes

• in schools

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

7. BANKSY: Go to this website and talk about the pictures: http://banksy.co.uk/

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	The article described Banksy as a "gorilla artist".	T / F
b.	The Banksy painting had been on the building for over a week.	T / F
c.	A mayor said it was wrong to remove the painting from the wall.	T / F
d.	The person who took it thinks it might have been vandalised.	T / F
e.	The painting is called "Love of Mobiles".	T / F
f.	Banksy is also known by the name Jo Chameleon.	T / F
g.	Banksy produces paintings on buildings all over the world.	T / F
h.	The mayor said street art should remain where the artist made it.	T / F

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

1.	heated	a.	pulled
2.	appeared	b.	collect
3.	prised	c.	strived for
4.	put back	d.	shows
5.	raise	e.	passionate
6.	depicts	f.	merges
7.	sought after	g.	profuse with
8.	combines	h.	turned up
9.	heavy on	i.	opinion
10.	commentary	j.	returned

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

1.	guerilla	a.	his luck
2.	a heated	b.	threats
3.	couldn't believe	c.	social commentary
4.	prised it	d.	artist
5.	death	e.	the world over
6.	It depicts a man and woman	f.	argument
7.	much sought after	g.	of Banksy
8.	Banksy's work combines dark	h.	embracing
9.	heavy on political and	i.	off the wall
10.	against the spirit	j.	humour with graffiti

GAP FILL

A new painting by the "guerilla artist" Banksy is (1) ___________ the focus of a (2) ____________ argument in the city of Bristol, England. The painting appeared overnight on a building. The leader of a nearby youth club, Dennis Stinchcombe, couldn't believe his (3) ____________ when he saw it and discovered it was a Banksy that could be (4) ____________ up to $150,000. He (5) ____________ it off the wall using a crowbar and stored it in the youth club. However, the city mayor said Mr Stinchcombe had no (6) ____________ to take the painting as it was on the wall of a city-owned building. The mayor wants the painting put back. Stinchcombe said it would be (7) ____________ and hopes to auction it to raise money for the youth club. He has since received death (8) ____________ from angry Banksy fans.

vandalised
worth
heated
prised
currently
threats
right
luck

The painting has been called "Mobile Lovers". It (9) ___________ a man and woman (10) ____________ while checking out their mobile phones over one another's (11) ____________. Art by Banksy is much sought after the world over. The mysterious artist, who is only known by the (12) ____________ Banksy, has become famous for paintings left on walls and buildings around the world. Many have been removed by building owners and caused (13) ____________ spats. Wikipedia says Banksy's work combines, "dark humour with (14) ____________ executed in a distinctive stenciling technique." Banksy's work is (15) ____________ on political and social commentary. The city mayor said it was "against the (16) ____________ of Banksy and street art" to remove it from where the artist put it.

similar
heavy
embracing
shoulder
spirit
depicts
graffiti
pseudonym

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	A new painting by the "guerilla artist" Banksy is currently the focus of ______
	a. a heat it argument b. a heating argument c. a heated argument d. a hee-hee argument
2)	The leader of a nearby youth club, Dennis Stinchcombe, couldn't ______
	a. believe his lucky b. believe his luck c. believe his lucked d. believe his lucks
3)	it was a Banksy that could ______ $150,000
	a. be worth up too b. be worth up to c. be worth up two d. be worth up true
4)	Stinchcombe said it would be vandalised and ______
	a. hopes to auctioneer it b. hopes to auction it c. hopes to actions it d. hopes to action it
5)	He has since received death threats from ______
	a. angrily Banksy fans b. angered Banksy fans c. anger Banksy fans d. angry Banksy fans
6)	The painting has been called "Mobile Lovers". It depicts a man ______
	a. and woman embracing b. and woman and bracing c. and woman and brace in d. and woman embrace in
7)	checking out their mobile phones over one ______
	a. another is shoulder b. another's shoulder c. an other's shoulder d. and another's shoulder
8)	The mysterious artist, who is only known by ______
	a. the sue dough name Banksy b. the pseudo name Banksy c. the pseudo mean Banksy d. the pseudonym Banksy
9)	Banksy's work combines dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive ______
	a. stencil technique b. stenciled technique c. stenciling technique d. stencil in technique
10)	Banksy's work is heavy on political and ______
	a. socially comment tree b. social commentary c. social comment tree d. socially commentary

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A new painting (1) ___________________ Banksy is currently the focus of a heated argument in the city of Bristol, England. (2) ___________________ overnight on a building. The leader of a nearby youth club, Dennis Stinchcombe, couldn't believe his luck when he saw it and discovered it was a Banksy that (3) ___________________ to $150,000. He prised it off the wall using a crowbar and stored it in the youth club. However, the city mayor said Mr Stinchcombe (4) ___________________ take the painting as it was on the wall of a city-owned building. The mayor wants the painting put back. Stinchcombe said it would be vandalised (5) ___________________ it to raise money for the youth club. He has since received (6) ___________________ angry Banksy fans.

The painting has been called "Mobile Lovers". (7) ___________________ woman embracing while checking out their mobile phones over one another's shoulder. Art by Banksy is (8) ___________________ the world over. The mysterious artist, who is only known (9) ___________________ Banksy, has become famous for paintings left on walls and buildings around the world. Many have been removed by building owners and caused similar spats. Wikipedia says Banksy's work (10) ___________________ with graffiti executed (11) ___________________ stenciling technique." Banksy's work is heavy on political and social commentary. The city mayor said it was "(12) ___________________ Banksy and street art" to remove it from where the artist put it.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What kind of artist did the article say Banksy was?
2.	Where did Banksy leave his latest painting?
3.	How much could the painting be worth?
4.	Who said a man had no right to take the painting?
5.	What does a man want money from an auction to go to?
6.	What's the name of the painting?
7.	What's Banksy's real name?
8.	What did Wikipedia say Banksy's work combines with dark humour?
9.	What does Banksy's work comment on a lot?
10.	What did a mayor say was against the spirit of Banksy and street art?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What kind of artist did the article say Banksy was?	6.	What's the name of the painting?
	a) an inspiring one b) post-modernist c) a "guerrilla artist" d) a graffiti artist		a) Mobile Lovelies b) Mobile Lovers c) In Love With Mobiles d) Lovely Mobiles
2.	Where did Banksy leave his latest painting?	7.	What's Banksy's real name?
	a) on a wall b) on a bridge c) in a train station d) on a police station		a) no one knows b) Kevin Banks c) Mr Pseudonym d) John Arthur Wilburton
3.	How much could the painting be worth?	8.	What did Wikipedia say Banksy's work combines with dark humour?
	a) $150,000 b) $175,000 c) $200,000 d) $250,000		a) post-renaissance styles b) manga c) graffiti d) surrealism
4.	Who said a man had no right to take the painting?	9.	What does Banksy's work comment on a lot?
	a) Banksy's sister b) a mayor c) an art gallery owner d) an art lover		a) love and hate b) newspapers and the Internet c) football and basketball d) politics and society
5.	What does a man want money from an auction to go to?	10.	What did a mayor say was against the spirit of Banksy and street art?
	a) a statue of Banksy b) charity c) a new art gallery d) a youth club		a) removing paintings b) selling the art c) making the art famous d) reproducing the art

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Art galley

You think an art gallery is the best place for art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the Internet, the side of a bus or someone's home.

Role B – The Internet

You think the Internet is the best place for art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): an art gallery, the side of a bus or someone's home.

Role C – The side of a bus

You think the side of a bus is the best place for art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the Internet, an art gallery or someone's home.

Role D – Someone's home

You think someone's home is the best place for art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the Internet, the side of a bus or an art gallery.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

guerilla

artist

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:

focus
nearby
worth
right
back
angry

while
over
left
dark
heavy
spirit

STREET ART SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about street art 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.

STREET ART 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 'artist'?
c)	What do you know about street art?
d)	What do you think of Banksy's picture "Mobile Lovers"?
e)	What do you know about Banksy and his/her paintings?
f)	What is a " guerilla artist"? What do you think of this concept?
g)	If an artist puts a painting on a wall, can anyone take it?
h)	Who does the Banksy painting belong to?
i)	Should the painting be auctioned for the youth club?
j)	Why do people issue death threats over things like this?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What have mobile phones done for romance and love?
c)	What do you think when you see a couple on a date not talking because they are busy on their mobile?
d)	What do you think of the fact that no one knows who Banksy really is?
e)	Is Banksy more famous because he/she is a mystery?
f)	What do you think of graffiti as an art form?
g)	Should all paintings focus on social commentary and say something?
h)	What kind of art do you like and why?
i)	Should street art stay where it was done/painted?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Banksy?

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 new painting by the "(1) ____ artist" Banksy is currently the focus of a heated argument in the city of Bristol, England. The painting (2) ____ overnight on a building. The leader of a nearby youth club, Dennis Stinchcombe, couldn't believe his luck when he saw it and discovered it was a Banksy that could be (3) ____ up to $150,000. He prised it off the wall using a crowbar and stored it in the youth club. However, the city mayor said Mr Stinchcombe had no (4) ____ to take the painting as it was on the wall of a city-owned building. The mayor wants the painting put back. Stinchcombe said it would be vandalised and hopes to (5) ____ it to raise money for the youth club. He has (6) ____ received death threats from angry Banksy fans.

The painting has been called "Mobile Lovers". It depicts a man and woman (7) ____ while checking out their mobile phones over one (8) ____ shoulder. Art by Banksy is much sought after the world over. The mysterious artist, who is only known by the (9) ____ Banksy, has become famous for paintings left on walls and buildings around the world. Many have been removed by building owners and caused similar spats. Wikipedia says Banksy's work combines, "(10) ____ humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique." Banksy's work is (11) ____ on political and social commentary. The city mayor said it was "against the (12) ____ of Banksy and street art" to remove it from where the artist put it.

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

1.	(a)	gorilla	(b)	griller	(c)	guerilla	(d)	garrulous
2.	(a)	appeared	(b)	appalled	(c)	appareled	(d)	appeased
3.	(a)	worth	(b)	valued	(c)	costed	(d)	monetised
4.	(a)	right	(b)	duty	(c)	responsibility	(d)	just
5.	(a)	elevate	(b)	auction	(c)	market	(d)	tender
6.	(a)	throughout	(b)	then	(c)	otherwise	(d)	since
7.	(a)	embarrassing	(b)	embossing	(c)	embracing	(d)	emblazing
8.	(a)	others	(b)	the other's	(c)	other's	(d)	another's
9.	(a)	pseudonym	(b)	synonym	(c)	neologism	(d)	algorithm
10.	(a)	dark	(b)	night	(c)	black	(d)	inky
11.	(a)	weighted	(b)	heavy	(c)	obese	(d)	overweight
12.	(a)	inner self	(b)	ghost	(c)	spirit	(d)	psyche

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	A new painting by the "lulirega artist" Banksy
2.	The painting aeapeprd overnight on a building
3.	doeceidvsr it was a Banksy
4.	He peirsd it off the wall
5.	Stinchcombe said it would be svndelaiad
6.	He has since evcireed death threats
Paragraph 2
7.	It depicts a man and woman nemcargib
8.	much ustohg after the world over
9.	The ssrmiyetuo artist
10.	dark humour with tfrfiaig
11.	a nievtsdtici stenciling technique
12.	political and social mmrtyoecna

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	right to take the painting as it was on the wall of a city-owned building. The mayor wants
( )	money for the youth club. He has since received death threats from angry Banksy fans.
( )	of Bristol, England. The painting appeared overnight on a building. The leader of a nearby youth
( )	by building owners and caused similar spats. Wikipedia says Banksy's work combines, "dark
( )	embracing while checking out their mobile phones over one another's shoulder. Art by Banksy is much sought
( )	The painting has been called "Mobile Lovers". It depicts a man and woman
( )	the painting put back. Stinchcombe said it would be vandalised and hopes to auction it to raise
( )	to $150,000. He prised it off the wall using a crowbar and stored it in the youth club. However, the city mayor said Mr Stinchcombe had no
( 1 )	A new painting by the "guerilla artist" Banksy is currently the focus of a heated argument in the city
( )	after the world over. The mysterious artist, who is only known by the pseudonym Banksy, has become famous
( )	club, Dennis Stinchcombe, couldn't believe his luck when he saw it and discovered it was a Banksy that could be worth up
( )	commentary. The city mayor said it was "against the spirit of Banksy and street art" to remove it from where the artist put it.
( )	for paintings left on walls and buildings around the world. Many have been removed
( )	humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique." Banksy's work is heavy on political and social

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	artist" Banksy A new painting by the . "guerilla
2.	a of focus The Bristol of city the in argument heated.
3.	could A , to be Banksy $150,000 worth that up.
4.	off using it wall crowbar prised the a He.
5.	fans has death angry He received from since threats.
6.	shoulder phones over Checking one their another's mobile.
7.	world over Art by Banksy is much sought after the.
8.	owners building by removed been have Many.
9.	combines work Banksy's graffiti with humour dark.
10.	Banksy and street art It was against the spirit of.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A new painting by the "guerilla / gorilla artist" Banksy is currently the focus of a heated / warmed argument in the city of Bristol, England. The painting appeared overnight on a building. The leader of a nearly / nearby youth club, Dennis Stinchcombe, couldn't believe his lucky / luck when he saw it and discovered it was a Banksy that could be worth up / high to $150,000. He prised it off the wall using a bar / crowbar and stored it in the youth club. However, the city mayor said Mr Stinchcombe had no right / just to take the painting as it was on the wall of a city-owned building. The mayor wants the painting put / returned back. Stinchcombe said it would be vandalised and hopes to auction it to rise / raise money for the youth club. He has since received death threats from angry Banksy fans / fan.

The painting has been called "Mobile Lovers". It despises / depicts a man and woman embraces / embracing while checking out their mobile phones over one another's shoulder. Art by Banksy is much sought / seek after the world over / around. The mysterious artist, who is only known by / in the pseudonym Banksy, has become famous for paintings left on walls and buildings around the world. Many have been removal / removed by building owners and caused / causal similar spats. Wikipedia says Banksy's work combines, "dark / darkly humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technical / technique." Banksy's work is heavy on political and social commentary. The city mayor said it was "against the ghost / spirit of Banksy and street art" to remove it from where the artist put it.

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)

_ n_w p__nt_ng by th_ "g__r_ll_ _rt_st" B_nksy _s c_rr_ntly th_ f_c_s _f _ h__t_d _rg_m_nt _n th_ c_ty _f Br_st_l, _ngl_nd. Th_ p__nt_ng _pp__r_d _v_rn_ght _n _ b__ld_ng. Th_ l__d_r _f _ n__rby y__th cl_b, D_nn_s St_nchc_mb_, c__ldn't b_l__v_ h_s l_ck wh_n h_ s_w _t _nd d_sc_v_r_d _t w_s _ B_nksy th_t c__ld b_ w_rth _p t_ $150,000. H_ pr_s_d _t _ff th_ w_ll _s_ng _ cr_wb_r _nd st_r_d _t _n th_ y__th cl_b. H_w_v_r, th_ c_ty m_y_r s__d Mr St_nchc_mb_ h_d n_ r_ght t_ t_k_ th_ p__nt_ng _s _t w_s _n th_ w_ll _f _ c_ty-_wn_d b__ld_ng. Th_ m_y_r w_nts th_ p__nt_ng p_t b_ck. St_nchc_mb_ s__d _t w__ld b_ v_nd_l_s_d _nd h_p_s t_ __ct__n _t t_ r__s_ m_n_y f_r th_ y__th cl_b. H_ h_s s_nc_ r_c__v_d d__th thr__ts fr_m _ngry B_nksy f_ns.

Th_ p__nt_ng h_s b__n c_ll_d "M_b_l_ L_v_rs". _t d_p_cts _ m_n _nd w_m_n _mbr_c_ng wh_l_ ch_ck_ng __t th__r m_b_l_ ph_n_s _v_r _n_ _n_th_r's sh__ld_r. _rt by B_nksy _s m_ch s__ght _ft_r th_ w_rld _v_r. Th_ myst_r___s _rt_st, wh_ _s _nly kn_wn by th_ ps__d_nym B_nksy, h_s b_c_m_ f_m__s f_r p__nt_ngs l_ft _n w_lls _nd b__ld_ngs _r__nd th_ w_rld. M_ny h_v_ b__n r_m_v_d by b__ld_ng _wn_rs _nd c__s_d s_m_l_r sp_ts. W_k_p_d__ s_ys B_nksy's w_rk c_mb_n_s, "d_rk h_m__r w_th gr_ff_t_ _x_c_t_d _n _ d_st_nct_v_ st_nc_l_ng t_chn_q__." B_nksy's w_rk _s h__vy _n p_l_t_c_l _nd s_c__l c_mm_nt_ry. Th_ c_ty m_y_r s__d _t w_s "_g__nst th_ sp_r_t _f B_nksy _nd str__t _rt" t_ r_m_v_ _t fr_m wh_r_ th_ _rt_st p_t _t.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a new painting by the "guerilla artist" banksy is currently the focus of a heated argument in the city of bristol england the painting appeared overnight on a building the leader of a nearby youth club dennis stinchcombe couldn't believe his luck when he saw it and discovered it was a banksy that could be worth up to $150000 he prised it off the wall using a crowbar and stored it in the youth club however the city mayor said mr stinchcombe had no right to take the painting as it was on the wall of a city-owned building the mayor wants the painting put back stinchcombe said it would be vandalised and hopes to auction it to raise money for the youth club he has since received death threats from angry banksy fans

the painting has been called "mobile lovers" it depicts a man and woman embracing while checking out their mobile phones over one another's shoulder art by banksy is much sought after the world over the mysterious artist who is only known by the pseudonym banksy has become famous for paintings left on walls and buildings around the world many have been removed by building owners and caused similar spats wikipedia says banksy's work combines "dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique" banksy's work is heavy on political and social commentary the city mayor said it was "against the spirit of banksy and street art" to remove it from where the artist put it

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Anewpaintingbythe"guerillaartist"Banksyiscurrentlythefocusofah
eatedargumentinthecityofBristol,England.Thepaintingappearedo
vernightonabuilding.Theleaderofanearbyyouthclub,DennisStinch
combe,couldn'tbelievehisluckwhenhesawitanddiscovereditwasaB
anksythatcouldbeworthupto$150,000.Hepriseditoffthewallusing
acrowbarandstoreditintheyouthclub.However,thecitymayorsaidM
rStinchcombehadnorighttotakethepaintingasitwasonthewallofaci
ty-ownedbuilding.Themayorwantsthepaintingputback.Stinchco
mbesaiditwouldbevandalisedandhopestoauctionittoraisemoneyfo
rtheyouthclub.HehassincereceiveddeaththreatsfromangryBanks
yfans.Thepaintinghasbeencalled"MobileLovers".Itdepictsamanan
dwomanembracingwhilecheckingouttheirmobilephonesoveronea
nother'sshoulder.ArtbyBanksyismuchsoughtaftertheworldover.T
hemysteriousartist,whoisonlyknownbythepseudonymBanksy,has
becomefamousforpaintingsleftonwallsandbuildingsaroundthewor
ld.Manyhavebeenremovedbybuildingownersandcausedsimilarsp
ats.WikipediasaysBanksy'sworkcombines,"darkhumourwithgraffi
tiexecutedinadistinctivestencilingtechnique."Banksy'sworkisheav
yonpoliticalandsocialcommentary.Thecitymayorsaiditwas"agains
tthespiritofBanksyandstreetart"toremoveitfromwheretheartistpu
tit.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Graffiti is real art and should be put in art galleries and museums. 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 Banksy. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. STREET ART: Make a poster about street art. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. BANKSY: Write a magazine article about Banksy. Include imaginary interviews with Banksy and an art critic.

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 Banksy. Ask him/her three questions about street art. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. 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

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	heated	a.	passionate
2.	appeared	b.	turned up
3.	prised	c.	pulled
4.	put back	d.	returned
5.	raise	e.	collect
6.	depicts	f.	shows
7.	sought after	g.	strived for
8.	combines	h.	merges
9.	heavy on	i.	profuse with
10.	commentary	j.	opinion

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	A "guerrilla artist"
2.	On the wall of a building (in Bristol, England)
3.	Up to $150,000
4.	A city mayor
5.	A youth club
6.	Mobile Lovers
7.	No one knows
8.	Graffiti
9.	Politics and society
10.	Removing paintings

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

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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Death threats over new Banksy painting (19th April, 2014)

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