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Time-out from Eurozone possible for Greece (15th July, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The economic crisis concerning Greece's future in the Eurozone continues. Greece is struggling to pay back huge loans from European countries that helped keep the nation afloat. The Greek people are tired of austerity measures connected to repayments of the loans. They voted in a national referendum on whether or not to accept the bailout conditions proposed by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund. A majority of 61 per cent rejected the proposal because they thought their living conditions and economy would deteriorate further. The latest plan to be talked about is a temporary Greek exit from the Eurozone. The 'time-out' could happen if Greece cannot agree terms for a bailout.

Greeks are desperate for a return to a normal life. All banks in the country have been closed for two weeks and there is a €60 daily limit on cash machine withdrawals. They are extremely concerned about the value of their savings and their financial future. European leaders seem to be more upbeat. France's President Francois Hollande dismissed any suggestion of a temporary exit for Greece. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was also confident a solution would be found. He told reporters: "I'm here ready for an honest compromise... We can reach an agreement…if all parties want it." German leader Angela Merkel was less optimistic. She said: "The most important currency has been lost... trust and reliability."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.ibtimes.com/greek-debt-crisis-greece-5-year-eurozone-time-out-real-possibility-eurogroup-heads-2004672
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33499650
http://www.wsj.com/articles/german-document-floats-5-year-greek-exit-from-eurozone-1436642043

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. GREECE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Greece. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

economic crisis / struggling / loans / austerity / bailout / living conditions / time-out / desperate / cash machine / concerned / financial future / temporary / compromise

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

3. HELP: How can the following help Greece? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What kind of help?	Will they do it? Why (not)?
Greece's leader
The IMF
Angela Merkel
Greece's people
Greek banks
The EU

4. EXIT: Students A strongly believe Greece should leave the Eurozone; Students B strongly believe it should stay. 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. FINANCIAL FUTURE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things about the future at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• your own home

• kids' education

• a private pension

• a part-time job

• stocks and shares

• ability to live to 100

• ability to go on holidays

• healthcare

6. CRISIS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "crisis". 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.	European countries gave Greece loans that helped keep it afloat.	T / F
b.	Greek people are fed up with austerity measures.	T / F
c.	Just under 60% of Greeks voted to reject a bailout from Europe.	T / F
d.	A time-out for Greece might arise if they do not accept a bailout.	T / F
e.	There is a daily limit on how much Greeks can withdraw from banks.	T / F
f.	European leaders are generally optimistic about Greece's future.	T / F
g.	Greece's leader wasn't so sure that a solution would be found.	T / F
h.	Angela Merkel said people had lost trust in the Greek currency.	T / F

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

1.	concerning	a.	most recent
2.	struggling	b.	in great need of
3.	measures	c.	conditions
4.	latest	d.	actions
5.	terms	e.	trade-off
6.	desperate	f.	confidence
7.	extremely	g.	regarding
8.	dismissed	h.	very
9.	compromise	i.	battling
10.	trust	j.	rejected

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

1.	The economic crisis concerning	a.	closed for two weeks
2.	Greece is struggling to pay	b.	afloat
3.	countries that helped keep the nation	c.	to a normal life
4.	They voted in a national	d.	Greece's future
5.	agree terms	e.	compromise
6.	Greeks are desperate for a return	f.	referendum
7.	All banks in the country have been	g.	reliability
8.	European leaders seem to be	h.	back huge loans
9.	I'm here ready for an honest	i.	more upbeat
10.	trust and	j.	for a bailout

GAP FILL

The economic crisis (1) ____________ Greece's future in the Eurozone continues. Greece is struggling to pay back (2) ____________ loans from European countries that helped keep the nation (3) ____________. The Greek people are tired of austerity measures connected to repayments of the loans. They voted in a national (4) ____________ on whether or not to accept the bailout conditions proposed by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund. A majority of 61 per cent rejected the (5) ____________ because they thought their living conditions and economy would (6) ____________ further. The latest plan to be talked about is a (7) ____________ Greek exit from the Eurozone. The 'time-out' could happen if Greece cannot agree (8) ____________ for a bailout.

proposal
afloat
huge
terms
referendum
temporary
concerning
deteriorate

Greeks are (9) ____________ for a return to a normal life. All banks in the country have been closed for two weeks and there is a €60 daily (10) ____________ on cash machine (11) _________. They are extremely concerned about the value of their savings and their financial future. European leaders seem to be more (12) ____________. France's President Francois Hollande (13) ____________ any suggestion of a temporary exit for Greece. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was also confident a (14) ____________ would be found. He told reporters: "I'm here ready for an honest compromise... We can reach an (15) ____________ …if all parties want it." German leader Angela Merkel was less optimistic. She said: "The most important currency has been lost... (16) ____________ and reliability."

withdrawals
desperate
agreement
trust
dismissed
limit
solution
upbeat

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	struggling to pay back huge loans from European countries that helped ______
	a. keep the nation after b. keep the nation a fleet c. keep the nation afloat d. keep the nation afoot
2)	The Greek people are tired of austerity measures connected to ______
	a. repayments by the loans b. repayments from the loans c. repayments to the loans d. repayments of the loans
3)	They voted in a national referendum on whether or not to accept ______
	a. the bailout condition b. the bailout conditions c. the bailout conditionals d. the bailout conditioning
4)	rejected the proposal because they thought their living conditions and economy would ______
	a. ameliorate further b. decorate further c. defoliate further d. deteriorate further
5)	The 'time-out' could happen if Greece cannot agree ______
	a. times for a bailout b. terms for a bailout c. teams for a bailout d. times for a bailout
6)	… and there is a €60 daily limit on cash ______
	a. machine withdrawals b. machine with drawers c. machine withdraws d. machine withdrawals
7)	They are extremely concerned about the value of their savings and ______
	a. their financial future b. their financial futures c. their financial futurity d. their financially future
8)	Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was also confident a solution ______
	a. would be found b. would be funded c. would be fund d. would be hound
9)	I'm here ready for an honest compromise... We can reach an agreement…if ______
	a. all parties want it b. tall parties want it c. all parties wanted it d. all parties wanting it
10)	She said: "The most important currency has been lost... ______
	a. trust and reliable b. trust and reliability c. trusted and reliability d. trusted and reliable

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The economic (1) ___________________ Greece's future in the Eurozone continues. Greece is struggling to pay back huge loans from European countries that helped keep (2) ___________________. The Greek people are tired of (3) ___________________ connected to repayments of the loans. They voted in a national referendum on whether or not to accept the bailout (4) ___________________ the European Commission and International Monetary Fund. A majority of 61 per cent rejected the proposal because they thought their living conditions and economy would (5) ___________________. The latest plan to be talked about is a temporary Greek exit from the Eurozone. The 'time-out' could happen if Greece cannot (6) ___________________ bailout.

Greeks are desperate for a return (7) ___________________. All banks in the country have been closed for two weeks and there is a €60 daily limit on cash machine withdrawals. They are (8) ___________________ about the value of their savings and their (9) ___________________. European leaders seem to be more upbeat. France's President Francois Hollande dismissed any suggestion of (10) ___________________ for Greece. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was also confident a solution would be found. He told reporters: "I'm here ready for (11) ___________________... We can reach an agreement…if all parties want it." German leader Angela Merkel was less optimistic. She said: "The most important currency has been lost... (12) ___________________."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What did the European loans help keep afloat?
2.	What are Greeks tired of?
3.	What did Greeks reject in a referendum?
4.	What percentage of Greeks rejected the proposal?
5.	What could happen if Greece does not agree terms for a bailout?
6.	What are Greek people desperate for a return of?
7.	What is the most people can take out of the bank each day?
8.	Who was confident that a solution would be found?
9.	What did Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras say he was ready for?
10.	What two things did Angela Merkel say had been lost?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What did the European loans help keep afloat?	6.	What are Greek people desperate for a return of?
	a) the IMF b) Greece c) Europe d) a ship		a) their old currency b) tourists c) a normal life d) their old leader
2.	What are Greeks tired of?	7.	What is the most people can take out of the bank each day?
	a) saving b) the International Monetary Fund c) prime ministers d) austerity		a) €80 b) €40 c) €50 d) €60
3.	What did Greeks reject in a referendum?	8.	Who was confident that a solution would be found?
	a) bailout conditions b) their prime minister c) the IMF d) new interest rates		a) Alexis Tsipras b) Angela Merkel c) the IMF d) Francois Hollande
4.	What percentage of Greeks rejected the proposal?	9.	What did Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras say he was ready for?
	a) 63 b) 62 c) 61 d) 60		a) an honest compromise b) a fight c) the return of the drachma d) bed
5.	What could happen if Greece does not agree terms for a bailout?	10.	What two things did Angela Merkel say had been lost?
	a) an economic meltdown b) a time-out c) disaster and catastrophe d) nothing		a) transparency and openness b) trust and reliability c) stocks and shares d) honesty and integrity

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Your own home

You think your own home is the most important thing for your future. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a private pension, healthcare or the ability to live to 100.

Role B – A private pension

You think a private pension is the most important thing for your future. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): your own home, healthcare or the ability to live to 100.

Role C – Healthcare

You think healthcare is the most important thing for your future. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a private pension, your own home or the ability to live to 100.

Role D – Ability to live to 100

You think the ability to live to 100 is the most important thing for your future. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a private pension, healthcare or your own home.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

huge

loan

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:

crisis
keep
whether
accept
61
terms

normal
60
future
dismissed
reach
lost

GREECE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Greece 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.

GREECE DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'economy'?
3)	What do you know about Greece's economy?
4)	How did Greece get into such a bad situation?
5)	What do you know about the bailout discussions?
6)	Should Greece leave the Eurozone?
7)	Is it a good idea that many countries have the same currency?
8)	What should other countries do to help Greece?
9)	What problems might there be if Greece leaves the Eurozone?
10)	What are austerity measures?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What's the worst you've ever been financially?
13)	What would you do if banks limited the amount of money you could withdraw?
14)	How worried are you about your financial security?
15)	What do you think will happen at the end for Greece?
16)	What concerns do you have about your country's economy?
17)	When was the last time you compromised?
18)	When was the last time you weren't so optimistic about something?
19)	How far can your leaders be trusted?
20)	What questions would you like to ask Greece's leader?

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

The economic (1) ____ concerning Greece's future in the Eurozone continues. Greece is struggling to pay back huge loans from European countries that helped keep the nation (2) ____. The Greek people are tired of austerity (3) ____ connected to repayments of the loans. They voted in a national referendum on whether or (4) ____ to accept the bailout conditions proposed by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund. A majority of 61 per cent rejected the proposal because they thought their living conditions and economy would deteriorate (5) ____. The latest plan to be talked about is a temporary Greek exit from the Eurozone. The 'time-out' could happen if Greece cannot agree (6) ____ for a bailout.

Greeks are desperate (7) ____ a return to a normal life. All banks in the country have been closed for two weeks and there is a €60 daily (8) ____ on cash machine withdrawals. They are extremely concerned about the value of their savings and their financial future. European leaders seem to be more (9) ____. France's President Francois Hollande dismissed (10) ____ suggestion of a temporary exit for Greece. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was also confident a solution would be found. He told reporters: "I'm here ready for an honest compromise... We can (11) ____ an agreement…if all parties want it." German leader Angela Merkel was less optimistic. She said: "The most important currency has been (12) ____... trust and reliability."

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

1.	(a)	critics	(b)	crisis	(c)	crisscross	(d)	crises
2.	(a)	uplift	(b)	afloat	(c)	afoot	(d)	upended
3.	(a)	maths	(b)	angles	(c)	rules	(d)	measures
4.	(a)	never	(b)	not	(c)	no	(d)	non
5.	(a)	moreover	(b)	further	(c)	downhill	(d)	horizon
6.	(a)	teams	(b)	times	(c)	terms	(d)	tomes
7.	(a)	by	(b)	of	(c)	for	(d)	to
8.	(a)	barrier	(b)	level	(c)	limit	(d)	capping
9.	(a)	downbeat	(b)	beat	(c)	beaten	(d)	upbeat
10.	(a)	entirely	(b)	whole	(c)	so	(d)	any
11.	(a)	reach	(b)	yearn	(c)	solve	(d)	talk
12.	(a)	mislaid	(b)	gone	(c)	lost	(d)	vanished

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	The economic crisis ccnnoingre Greece's future
2.	gtslgnrugi to pay back huge loans
3.	The Greek people are tired of aetuitsyr measures
4.	They voted in a national drueefrnem
5.	idtarroeete further
6.	a arymporte Greek exit
Paragraph 2
7.	srteepdae for a return to a normal life
8.	cash machine iwhaasrldtw
9.	an honest pimemooscr
10.	Angela Merkel was less ttosicmipi
11.	the most important nyureccr
12.	trust and llybieiaitr

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	of 61 per cent rejected the proposal because they thought their living conditions and economy would deteriorate
( )	back huge loans from European countries that helped keep the nation afloat. The Greek people are tired
( 1 )	The economic crisis concerning Greece's future in the Eurozone continues. Greece is struggling to pay
( )	Angela Merkel was less optimistic. She said: "The most important currency has been lost... trust and reliability."
( )	could happen if Greece cannot agree terms for a bailout.
( )	about the value of their savings and their financial future. European leaders seem to be more
( )	not to accept the bailout conditions proposed by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund. A majority
( )	Greeks are desperate for a return to a normal life. All banks in the country have been closed
( )	upbeat. France's President Francois Hollande dismissed any suggestion of a temporary
( )	of austerity measures connected to repayments of the loans. They voted in a national referendum on whether or
( )	exit for Greece. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was also confident a solution would be found. He told
( )	reporters: "I'm here ready for an honest compromise... We can reach an agreement…if all parties want it." German leader
( )	for two weeks and there is a €60 daily limit on cash machine withdrawals. They are extremely concerned
( )	further. The latest plan to be talked about is a temporary Greek exit from the Eurozone. The 'time-out'

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	future The crisis Greece's economic concerning .
2.	back is huge struggling loans to pay Greece .
3.	or whether on referendum national a in Voted accept to not .
4.	latest exit a talked plan temporary about to The Greek is be .
5.	agree cannot Greece if happen could out' - 'time The terms .
6.	normal are a a Greeks for to life desperate return .
7.	two for closed been have country the in banks All weeks .
8.	savings the value Extremely of concerned their about .
9.	compromise honest an for ready here I'm .
10.	She . lost" been has currency important most "The : said

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The economic crisis / critics concerning Greece's future in the Eurozone continues. Greece is straggling / struggling to pay back huge loans from European countries that helped keep the nation adrift / afloat. The Greek people are tired of austerity measurements / measures connected to repayments of the loans. They voted in / on a national referendum on whether or no / not to accept the bailout conditions proposed by / on the European Commission and International Monetary Fund. A majority of 61 per cent rejected the proposal because they thought their alive / living conditions and economy would deteriorate / detritus further. The latest plan to be talked about is a temporary Greek exit from the Eurozone. The 'time-out' could happen if Greece cannot agree teams / terms for a bailout.

Greeks are desperation / desperate for a return to a normal / normality life. All banks in the country have been closed for two weeks and there is a €60 daily / day limit on cash machine deposits / withdrawals. They are extremely concerned about the value of their savings and their financial futures / future. European leaders seem to be more upbeat / up-and-coming. France's President Francois Hollande dismissed any suggestion of a temporal / temporary exit for Greece. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was also confident a solution would be finding / found. He told reporters: "I'm here ready for an honest compromise... We can reach an agreement…if all parties want it." German leader Angela Merkel was fewer / less optimistic. She said: "The most important currency has been lost... trust and reliability / reliable."

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_ _c_n_m_c cr_s_s c_nc_rn_ng Gr__c_'s f_t_r_ _n th_ __r_z_n_ c_nt_n__s. Gr__c_ _s str_ggl_ng t_ p_y b_ck h_g_ l__ns fr_m __r_p__n c__ntr__s th_t h_lp_d k__p th_ n_t__n _fl__t. Th_ Gr__k p__pl_ _r_ t_r_d _f __st_r_ty m__s_r_s c_nn_ct_d t_ r_p_ym_nts _f th_ l__ns. Th_y v_t_d _n _ n_t__n_l r_f_r_nd_m _n wh_th_r _r n_t t_ _cc_pt th_ b__l__t c_nd_t__ns pr_p_s_d by th_ __r_p__n C_mm_ss__n _nd _nt_rn_t__n_l M_n_t_ry F_nd. _ m_j_r_ty _f 61 p_r c_nt r_j_ct_d th_ pr_p_s_l b_c__s_ th_y th__ght th__r l_v_ng c_nd_t__ns _nd _c_n_my w__ld d_t_r__r_t_ f_rth_r. Th_ l_t_st pl_n t_ b_ t_lk_d _b__t _s _ t_mp_r_ry Gr__k _x_t fr_m th_ __r_z_n_. Th_ 't_m_-__t' c__ld h_pp_n _f Gr__c_ c_nn_t _gr__ t_rms f_r _ b__l__t.

Gr__ks _r_ d_sp_r_t_ f_r _ r_t_rn t_ _ n_rm_l l_f_. _ll b_nks _n th_ c__ntry h_v_ b__n cl_s_d f_r tw_ w__ks _nd th_r_ _s _ €60 d__ly l_m_t _n c_sh m_ch_n_ w_thdr_w_ls. Th_y _r_ _xtr_m_ly c_nc_rn_d _b__t th_ v_l__ _f th__r s_v_ngs _nd th__r f_n_nc__l f_t_r_. __r_p__n l__d_rs s__m t_ b_ m_r_ _pb__t. Fr_nc_'s Pr_s_d_nt Fr_nc__s H_ll_nd_ d_sm_ss_d _ny s_gg_st__n _f _ t_mp_r_ry _x_t f_r Gr__c_. Gr__k Pr_m_ M_n_st_r _l_x_s Ts_pr_s w_s _ls_ c_nf_d_nt _ s_l_t__n w__ld b_ f__nd. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "_'m h_r_ r__dy f_r _n h_n_st c_mpr_m_s_... W_ c_n r__ch _n _gr__m_nt…_f _ll p_rt__s w_nt _t." G_rm_n l__d_r _ng_l_ M_rk_l w_s l_ss _pt_m_st_c. Sh_ s__d: "Th_ m_st _mp_rt_nt c_rr_ncy h_s b__n l_st... tr_st _nd r_l__b_l_ty."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the economic crisis concerning greece's future in the eurozone continues greece is struggling to pay back huge loans from european countries that helped keep the nation afloat the greek people are tired of austerity measures connected to repayments of the loans they voted in a national referendum on whether or not to accept the bailout conditions proposed by the european commission and international monetary fund a majority of 61 per cent rejected the proposal because they thought their living conditions and economy would deteriorate further the latest plan to be talked about is a temporary greek exit from the eurozone the 'time-out' could happen if greece cannot agree terms for a bailout

greeks are desperate for a return to a normal life all banks in the country have been closed for two weeks and there is a €60 daily limit on cash machine withdrawals they are extremely concerned about the value of their savings and their financial future european leaders seem to be more upbeat france's president francois hollande dismissed any suggestion of a temporary exit for greece greek prime minister alexis tsipras was also confident a solution would be found he told reporters "i'm here ready for an honest compromise we can reach an agreement…if all parties want it" german leader angela merkel was less optimistic she said "the most important currency has been lost trust and reliability"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheeconomiccrisisconcerningGreece'sfutureintheEurozonecontinue
s.GreeceisstrugglingtopaybackhugeloansfromEuropeancountriesth
athelpedkeepthenationafloat.TheGreekpeoplearetiredofausteritym
easuresconnectedtorepaymentsoftheloans.Theyvotedinanationalre
ferendumonwhetherornottoacceptthebailoutconditionsproposedby
theEuropeanCommissionandInternationalMonetaryFund.Amajority
of61percentrejectedtheproposalbecausetheythoughttheirlivingcon
ditionsandeconomywoulddeterioratefurther.Thelatestplantobetalk
edaboutisatemporaryGreekexitfromtheEurozone.The'time-out'coul
dhappenifGreececannotagreetermsforabailout.Greeksaredesperat
eforareturntoanormallife.Allbanksinthecountryhavebeenclosedfort
woweeksandthereisa€60dailylimitoncashmachinewithdrawals.The
yareextremelyconcernedaboutthevalueoftheirsavingsandtheirfinan
cialfuture.Europeanleadersseemtobemoreupbeat.France'sPresiden
tFrancoisHollandedismissedanysuggestionofatemporaryexitforGre
ece.GreekPrimeMinisterAlexisTsipraswasalsoconfidentasolutionwo
uldbefound.Hetoldreporters:"I'mherereadyforanhonestcompromis
e...Wecanreachanagreement…ifallpartieswantit."GermanleaderAn
gelaMerkelwaslessoptimistic.Shesaid:"Themostimportantcurrency
hasbeenlost...trustandreliability."

FREE WRITING

Write about Greece for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Greece should leave the Eurozone. 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 Greece. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. SINGLE WORLD CURRENCY: Write a magazine article about a single world currency. 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 n expert on Europe. Ask him/her three questions about Greece. Give him/her three of your ideas for a solution. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	concerning	a.	regarding
2	struggling	b.	battling
3.	measures	c.	actions
4.	latest	d.	most recent
5.	terms	e.	conditions
6.	desperate	f.	in great need of
7.	extremely	g.	very
8.	dismissed	h.	rejected
9.	compromise	i.	trade-off
10.	trust	j.	confidence

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Greece
2.	Austerity (measures)
3.	Bailout conditions
4.	61%
5.	A time-out
6.	A normal life
7.	€60
8.	Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
9.	(An honest) compromise
10.	Trust and reliability

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

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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Time-out from Eurozone possible for Greece (15th July, 2015)

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