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Man sues New York City for $2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (21st May, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

There is a phrase in English when someone gets a big salary that they earn "telephone numbers". A man in New York is suing the city (and others) for so much that it is almost impossible to think of a comparison. Anton Purisima, 62, is suing for two undecillion. Over 99.99 per cent of English speakers would not know or have heard of the word for this amount. That astronomical figure is two undecillion dollars – a two followed by 36 zeros. The only people who are likely to need this word are probably astrophysicists and astronomers. Two undecillion dollars is, in fact, more than all the money in the whole world. Even more than all the wealth created throughout humankind's entire history.

So what did New York City do so wrong to be sued for such a mind-bogglingly gargantuan sum? Quite a lot, it seems. The New York Post reports that Mr Purisima is suing the city (as well as two local hospitals, LaGuardia Airport, the transportation system, a bakery and even a dog owner) for "civil-rights violations, personal injury, discrimination in national origin, retaliation, harassment, fraud, attempted murder, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and conspiracy to defraud". Why? Well, it's because last month a "rabies-infected" dog bit his finger on a city bus; then, a "Chinese couple" took photos of him without asking; and to add insult to injury, he is routinely overcharged for coffee at LaGuardia Airport.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.ibtimes.com/who-anton-purisima-meet-man-suing-nyc-two-undecillion-dollars-1585981
http://time.com/103826/anton-purisima-lawsuit-nyc/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/man-files-lawsuit-for-2000-decillion-thats-36-zeros-after-being-bitten-by-a-dog-and-having-his-photograph-taken-by-a-chinese-couple-9396725.html

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. LAWSUITS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about lawsuits. 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.

phrase / big salary / impossible / comparison / amount / astronomical / wealth / hospitals / transportation / civil rights / harassment / emotional distress / overcharged

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

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

	How many zeros?	How / When is this word used?
Hundred
Thousand
Million
Billion
Trillion
Gazillion

4. SUE: Students A strongly believe suing someone is the best way to resolve wrongs; Students B strongly believe it isn't. 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. NUMBERS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• your bank account

• your age

• your weight

• your phone number

• your salary

• your test scores

• your waist size

• other ___________

6. WEALTH: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "wealth". 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.	If someone earns "telephone numbers" they get a low salary.	T / F
b.	Most English speakers know what an undecillion is.	T / F
c.	An undecillion is a 1 followed by 36 zeros.	T / F
d.	All of the wealth in the world amounts to around $3 undecillion.	T / F
e.	The article said it appears New York did a lot of wrong things.	T / F
f.	A man is suing an airport, a bakery and two hospitals.	T / F
g.	The man suing New York was bitten by a rat.	T / F
h.	The man is also suing because coffee at an airport is too expensive.	T / F

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

1.	phrase	a.	appears
2.	comparison	b.	number
3.	astronomical	c.	whole
4.	figure	d.	offense
5.	entire	e.	similarity
6.	sum	f.	expression
7.	seems	g.	regulalrly
8.	retaliation	h.	amount
9.	insult	i.	revenge
10.	routinely	j.	huge

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

1.	impossible to think	a.	hospitals
2.	the word for	b.	by 36 zeros
3.	a two followed	c.	entire history
4.	more than all the money	d.	gargantuan sum
5.	the wealth created throughout humankind's	e.	to injury
6.	mind-bogglingly	f.	this amount
7.	two local	g.	murder
8.	attempted	h.	in the whole world
9.	a rabies-infected	i.	of a comparison
10.	add insult	j.	dog bit his finger

GAP FILL

There is a phrase in English when someone gets a big salary that they (1) ____________ "telephone numbers". A man in New York is suing the city (and others) for so much that it is almost (2) ____________ to think of a comparison. Anton Purisima, 62, is suing for two undecillion. Over 99.99 per cent of English (3) ____________ would not know or have heard of the word for this (4) ____________. That astronomical figure is two undecillion dollars – a two (5) ____________ by 36 zeros. The only people who are (6) ____________ to need this word are probably astrophysicists and astronomers. Two undecillion dollars is, in (7) ____________, more than all the money in the whole world. Even more than all the wealth created throughout humankind's (8) ____________ history.

fact
followed
speakers
earn
entire
impossible
likely
amount

So what did New York City do so wrong to be sued for such a mind-bogglingly gargantuan (9) ____________? Quite a lot, it seems. The New York Post reports that Mr Purisima is suing the city (as well as two (10) ____________ hospitals, LaGuardia Airport, the transportation (11) ____________, a bakery and even a dog owner) for "civil-rights (12) ____________, personal injury, discrimination in national origin, retaliation, harassment, fraud, (13) ____________ murder, intentional infliction of emotional (14) ____________, and conspiracy to defraud". Why? Well, it's because last month a "rabies-(15) ____________ " dog bit his finger on a city bus; then, a "Chinese couple" took photos of him without asking; and to add (16) ____________ to injury, he is routinely overcharged for coffee at LaGuardia Airport.

infected
attempted
system
insult
sum
distress
local
violations

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	it is almost impossible to think ______
	a. of a comparison b. of the comparison c. of a comparative d. of the comparisons
2)	English speakers would not know or have heard of the word ______
	a. for these amount b. for this amount c. for that amount d. for those amount
3)	two undecillion dollars – a two ______
	a. follow it by 36 zeros b. follower by 36 zeros c. followed by 36 zeros d. follow by 36 zeros
4)	The only people who are likely to need this word are probably ______
	a. astrophysicists and astronomy b. astrophysicists and astronomical c. astrophysicists and astronomer d. astrophysicists and astronomers
5)	the wealth created throughout ______
	a. humankind's entire history b. human's kind entire history c. humankind's entirety history d. humankind's entire historical
6)	be sued for such a mind-bogglingly ______
	a. gargantuan sum b. gargantuan some c. gargantuan thumb d. gargantuan soon
7)	LaGuardia Airport, the transportation system, a bakery and ______
	a. evenly a dog owner b. even a dog owners c. even the dog owner d. evens a dog owner
8)	attempted murder, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and ______
	a. conspiracy too defraud b. conspiracy to defraud c. conspiracies to defraud d. conspiracy tw defraud
9)	it's because last month a "rabies-infected" ______
	a. dog bid his finger b. dog byte his finger c. dog bite his finger d. dog bit his finger
10)	to add insult to injury, he is ______
	a. routine overcharged b. routinely overcharge c. routine overcharge d. routinely overcharged

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

There is a phrase in English when someone (1) ___________________ that they earn "telephone numbers". A man in New York is suing the city (and others) for so much that it is almost impossible to (2) ___________________. Anton Purisima, 62, is suing for two undecillion. Over 99.99 per cent of English speakers (3) ___________________ have heard of the word (4) ___________________. That astronomical figure is two undecillion dollars – a two followed by 36 zeros. The only people who are (5) ___________________ word are probably astrophysicists and astronomers. Two undecillion dollars is, in fact, more than all the money in the whole world. Even more than (6) ___________________ throughout humankind's entire history.

So what did New York City (7) ___________________ sued for such a mind-bogglingly gargantuan sum? Quite a lot, it seems. The New York Post reports that Mr Purisima (8) ___________________ (as well as two local hospitals, LaGuardia Airport, the transportation system, a bakery and even a dog owner) for "(9) ___________________, personal injury, discrimination in national origin, retaliation, harassment, (10) ___________________, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and conspiracy to defraud". Why? Well, it's because last month a "rabies-infected" (11) ___________________ a city bus; then, a "Chinese couple" took photos of him without asking; and to add insult to injury, he (12) ___________________ for coffee at LaGuardia Airport.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What phrase means to get a big salary?
2.	How old is the man who is suing New York?
3.	How many zeros are there in one undecillion?
4.	Who else besides astrophysicists might use the word undecillion?
5.	How big is two undecillion dollars compared to the world's money?
6.	What newspaper is mentioned that reported about this story?
7.	How many hospitals is the man suing?
8.	What kind of distress is the man suing for?
9.	What bit the man?
10.	What does the man think of the coffee at LaGuardia Airport?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What phrase means to get a big salary?	6.	What newspaper is mentioned that reported about this story?
	a) telephone numbers b) one to one hundred c) hit the jackpot d) the price is right		a) The Times b) LA Times c) The Washington Post d) New York Post
2.	How old is the man who is suing New York?	7.	How many hospitals is the man suing?
	a) 60 b) 61 c) 62 d) 63		a) 4 b) 3 c) 2 d) 1
3.	How many zeros are there in one undecillion?	8.	What kind of distress is the man suing for?
	a) 33 b) 34 c) 35 d) 36		a) psychological b) emotional c) health d) back
4.	Who else besides astrophysicists might use the word undecillion?	9.	What bit the man?
	a) Bill Gates b) astronomers c) accountants d) zoologists		a) a mosquito b) a rat c) a dog d) another man
5.	How big is two undecillion dollars compared to the world's money?	10.	What does the man think of the coffee at LaGuardia Airport?
	a) it's bigger b) it's about half c) 10% d) nowhere near as big		a) there's not enough variety b) it's too expensive c) it's dangerous d) it's too hot

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

law

suit

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:

earn
impossible
speakers
figure
need
entire

wrong
sum
personal
emotional
bus
coffee

LAWSUITS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about lawsuits 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.

LAWSUITS 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 'lawsuit'?
c)	What do you think of this story?
d)	What do you think of people suing each other?
e)	Have you ever been involved in a lawsuit?
f)	Why do you think the man is suing for such a large amount?
g)	What are his chances of winning this case?
h)	Have you ever wanted compensation for something?
i)	If he won, how could the city pay him?
j)	How would life be different if you earnt "telephone numbers"?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Do you think New York City is at fault for anything in this case?
c)	What do you think the city's lawyers will say in court?
d)	What do you think of the list of things the man is suing for?
e)	What advice would you give to Mr Purisima?
f)	What advice would you give to New York City's lawyers?
g)	Should people be able to sue for being photographed without permission?
h)	What three adjectives best describe this article, and why?
i)	Is it becoming too easy to sue other people?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Mr Purisima?

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

There is a (1) ____ in English when someone gets a big salary that they earn "telephone numbers". A man in New York is (2) ____ the city (and others) for so much that it is almost impossible to think of a comparison. Anton Purisima, 62, is suing for two undecillion. Over 99.99 per cent of English speakers would not know or have heard of the word for this (3) ____. That astronomical figure is two undecillion dollars – a two followed by 36 zeros. The only people who are (4) ____ to need this word are probably astrophysicists and astronomers. Two undecillion dollars is, in (5) ____, more than all the money in the whole world. Even more than all the wealth created throughout humankind's (6) ____ history.

So what did New York City do so wrong to be sued for such a mind-bogglingly (7) ____ sum? Quite a lot, it seems. The New York Post reports that Mr Purisima is suing the city (as well as two local hospitals, LaGuardia Airport, the transportation system, a bakery and (8) ____ a dog owner) for "civil-rights (9) ____, personal injury, discrimination in national origin, retaliation, harassment, fraud, attempted murder, intentional infliction of (10) ____ distress, and conspiracy to defraud". Why? Well, it's because last month a "rabies-infected" dog bit his finger on a city bus; then, a "Chinese couple" took photos of him without asking; and to (11) ____ insult to injury, he is (12) ____ overcharged for coffee at LaGuardia Airport.

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

1.	(a)	freeze	(b)	phrase	(c)	parse	(d)	parcel
2.	(a)	sued	(b)	suing	(c)	sues	(d)	sewer
3.	(a)	capacity	(b)	size	(c)	volume	(d)	amount
4.	(a)	likened	(b)	likely	(c)	likelihood	(d)	likeness
5.	(a)	real	(b)	issue	(c)	true	(d)	fact
6.	(a)	all	(b)	every	(c)	entire	(d)	completely
7.	(a)	gargantuan	(b)	generous	(c)	general	(d)	gargoyle
8.	(a)	eventually	(b)	evens	(c)	even	(d)	eventful
9.	(a)	incantations	(b)	demonstrations	(c)	modifications	(d)	violations
10.	(a)	emotional	(b)	commotion	(c)	demotion	(d)	promotional
11.	(a)	add	(b)	total	(c)	equate	(d)	sum
12.	(a)	routinely	(b)	scheduled	(c)	timetabled	(d)	habitually

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	a ahsper in English
2.	think of a crnispooma
3.	the word for this omaunt
4.	astrophysicists and tmnoseaorsr
5.	more than all the talehw
6.	throughout humankind's eenitr history
Paragraph 2
7.	a mind-bogglingly autrnaggna sum
8.	civil-rights svnoioilat
9.	eeatpmttd murder
10.	infliction of emotional isdsrest
11.	noyrsiacpc to defraud
12.	he is lonruytie overcharged for coffee

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( 1 )	There is a phrase in English when someone gets a big salary that they earn "telephone
( )	asking; and to add insult to injury, he is routinely overcharged for coffee at LaGuardia Airport.
( )	infected" dog bit his finger on a city bus; then, a "Chinese couple" took photos of him without
( )	dollars – a two followed by 36 zeros. The only people who are likely to need this
( )	word are probably astrophysicists and astronomers. Two undecillion dollars is, in fact, more than all the money in the whole
( )	murder, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and conspiracy to defraud". Why? Well, it's because last month a "rabies-
( )	as two local hospitals, LaGuardia Airport, the transportation system, a bakery and even a dog
( )	of a comparison. Anton Purisima, 62, is suing for two undecillion. Over 99.99 per cent of English speakers would
( )	So what did New York City do so wrong to be sued for such a mind-bogglingly gargantuan
( )	sum? Quite a lot, it seems. The New York Post reports that Mr Purisima is suing the city (as well
( )	numbers". A man in New York is suing the city (and others) for so much that it is almost impossible to think
( )	world. Even more than all the wealth created throughout humankind's entire history.
( )	owner) for "civil-rights violations, personal injury, discrimination in national origin, retaliation, harassment, fraud, attempted
( )	not know or have heard of the word for this amount. That astronomical figure is two undecillion

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	man York the A New suing in is city.
2.	to a It impossible of almost think comparison is.
3.	who are likely to need this word The only people.
4.	than money whole More the the all in world.
5.	humankind's history Wealth throughout entire created.
6.	a bogglingly such - sum for mind gargantuan Sued.
7.	as hospitals the well local Suing as two city.
8.	defraud to conspiracy and , distress Emotional.
9.	photos without A took him couple of asking Chinese.
10.	is overcharged coffee He routinely for.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

There is a phrase / phrasal in English when someone gets a big salary that they earn "telephone numbers". A man in New York is sued / suing the city (and others) for so much that it is almost impossibility / impossible to think of a comparison / compare. Anton Purisima, 62, is suing for two undecillion. Over 99.99 per cent of English speakers would not know or have hearing / heard of the word for this amount. That astronomical / astronomy figure is two undecillion dollars – a two follows / followed by 36 zeros. The only people who are likely to needy / need this word are probably astrophysicists and astronomers. Two undecillion dollars is, in fact / act, more than all the money in the whole world. Even more than all the wealth created throughout humankind's entire / entirely history.

So what did New York City do so wrong to be suing / sued for such a mind-bogglingly gargantuan some / sum? Quite a lot, it seems. The New York Post reports that Mr Purisima is suing the city (as well has / as two local hospitals, LaGuardia Airport, the transportation / transporting system, a bakery and even a dog owner) for "civil-rights violations, private / personal injury, discrimination in national original / origin, retaliation, harassment, fraud, attempted / tried murder, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and conspiracy to defraud". Why? Well, it's because last month a "rabies-infected" dog bite / bit his finger on a city bus; then, a "Chinese couple" took photos of him within / without asking; and to add insult to injury / injured, he is routinely overcharged for coffee at LaGuardia Airport.

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_ _s _ phr_s_ _n _ngl_sh wh_n s_m__n_ g_ts _ b_g s_l_ry th_t th_y __rn "t_l_ph_n_ n_mb_rs". _ m_n _n N_w Y_rk _s s__ng th_ c_ty (_nd _th_rs) f_r s_ m_ch th_t _t _s _lm_st _mp_ss_bl_ t_ th_nk _f _ c_mp_r_s_n. _nt_n P_r_s_m_, 62, _s s__ng f_r tw_ _nd_c_ll__n. _v_r 99.99 p_r c_nt _f _ngl_sh sp__k_rs w__ld n_t kn_w _r h_v_ h__rd _f th_ w_rd f_r th_s _m__nt. Th_t _str_n_m_c_l f_g_r_ _s tw_ _nd_c_ll__n d_ll_rs – _ tw_ f_ll_w_d by 36 z_r_s. Th_ _nly p__pl_ wh_ _r_ l_k_ly t_ n__d th_s w_rd _r_ pr_b_bly _str_phys_c_sts _nd _str_n_m_rs. Tw_ _nd_c_ll__n d_ll_rs _s, _n f_ct, m_r_ th_n _ll th_ m_n_y _n th_ wh_l_ w_rld. _v_n m_r_ th_n _ll th_ w__lth cr__t_d thr__gh__t h_m_nk_nd's _nt_r_ h_st_ry.

S_ wh_t d_d N_w Y_rk C_ty d_ s_ wr_ng t_ b_ s__d f_r s_ch _ m_nd-b_ggl_ngly g_rg_nt__n s_m? Q__t_ _ l_t, _t s__ms. Th_ N_w Y_rk P_st r_p_rts th_t Mr P_r_s_m_ _s s__ng th_ c_ty (_s w_ll _s tw_ l_c_l h_sp_t_ls, L_G__rd__ __rp_rt, th_ tr_nsp_rt_t__n syst_m, _ b_k_ry _nd _v_n _ d_g _wn_r) f_r "c_v_l-r_ghts v__l_t__ns, p_rs_n_l _nj_ry, d_scr_m_n_t__n _n n_t__n_l _r_g_n, r_t_l__t__n, h_r_ssm_nt, fr__d, _tt_mpt_d m_rd_r, _nt_nt__n_l _nfl_ct__n _f _m_t__n_l d_str_ss, _nd c_nsp_r_cy t_ d_fr__d". Why? W_ll, _t's b_c__s_ l_st m_nth _ "r_b__s-_nf_ct_d" d_g b_t h_s f_ng_r _n _ c_ty b_s; th_n, _ "Ch_n_s_ c__pl_" t__k ph_t_s _f h_m w_th__t _sk_ng; _nd t_ _dd _ns_lt t_ _nj_ry, h_ _s r__t_n_ly _v_rch_rg_d f_r c_ff__ _t L_G__rd__ __rp_rt.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

there is a phrase in english when someone gets a big salary that they earn "telephone numbers" a man in new york is suing the city (and others) for so much that it is almost impossible to think of a comparison anton purisima 62 is suing for two undecillion over 9999 per cent of english speakers would not know or have heard of the word for this amount that astronomical figure is two undecillion dollars – a two followed by 36 zeros the only people who are likely to need this word are probably astrophysicists and astronomers two undecillion dollars is in fact more than all the money in the whole world even more than all the wealth created throughout humankind's entire history

so what did new york city do so wrong to be sued for such a mind-bogglingly gargantuan sum quite a lot it seems the new york post reports that mr purisima is suing the city (as well as two local hospitals laguardia airport the transportation system a bakery and even a dog owner) for "civil-rights violations personal injury discrimination in national origin retaliation harassment fraud attempted murder intentional infliction of emotional distress and conspiracy to defraud" why well it's because last month a "rabies-infected" dog bit his finger on a city bus then a "chinese couple" took photos of him without asking and to add insult to injury he is routinely overcharged for coffee at laguardia airport

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ThereisaphraseinEnglishwhensomeonegetsabigsalarythattheyearn"telepho
nenumbers".AmaninNewYorkissuingthecity(andothers)forsomuchthatitisal
mostimpossibletothinkofacomparison.AntonPurisima,62,issuingfortwounde
cillion.Over99.99percentofEnglishspeakerswouldnotknoworhaveheardofthe
wordforthisamount.Thatastronomicalfigureistwoundecilliondollars–atwof
ollowedby36zeros.Theonlypeoplewhoarelikelytoneedthiswordareprobablyas
trophysicistsandastronomers.Twoundecilliondollarsis,infact,morethanallthe
moneyinthewholeworld.Evenmorethanallthewealthcreatedthroughouthuma
nkind'sentirehistory.SowhatdidNewYorkCitydosowrongtobesuedforsuchami
nd-bogglinglygargantuansum?Quitealot,itseems.TheNewYorkPostreportst
hatMrPurisimaissuingthecity(aswellastwolocalhospitals,LaGuardiaAirport,th
etransportationsystem,abakeryandevenadogowner)for"civil-rightsvi
olations,personalinjury,discriminationinnationalorigin,retaliation,harassme
nt,fraud,attemptedmurder,intentionalinflictionofemotionaldistress,andcons
piracytodefraud".Why?Well,it'sbecauselastmontha"rabies-infected"dogbi
thisfingeronacitybus;then,a"Chinesecouple"tookphotosofhimwithoutasking;
andtoaddinsulttoinjury,heisroutinelyoverchargedforcoffeeatLaGuardiaAirpo
rt.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

There should be a limit on the amount of compensation paid in lawsuits. 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 lawsuits. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. BEING SUED: Write a magazine article about this case. Include imaginary interviews with the man suing the city, and with the city's lawyers.

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 lawyer. Ask him/her three questions about this lawsuit. 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

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	phrase	a.	expression
2.	comparison	b.	similarity
3.	astronomical	c.	huge
4.	figure	d.	number
5.	entire	e.	whole
6.	sum	f.	amount
7.	seems	g.	appears
8.	retaliation	h.	revenge
9.	insult	i.	offense
10.	routinely	j.	regularly

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Telephone numbers
2.	62
3.	36
4.	Astronomers
5.	It's more than all the money in the world
6.	New York Post
7.	Two
8.	Emotional
9.	A dog
10.	It's overpriced

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

d

7.

c

8.

b

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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Man sues New York City for $2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (21st May, 2014)

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