The Reading / Listening - Level 3

A movie produced by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has made the headlines for scaring farm animals. Filming is taking place in the countryside in Northern Ireland in the U.K. The movie is called 'The Lost City of Z' and is set in the 1920s. It is about a British soldier and spy who disappeared into the Brazilian jungle in 1925 with his son. They were searching for a lost civilisation, which the soldier called Z. He was never seen again. Film makers needed to create explosions and other loud noises for the movie's special effects. However, locals and farmers in the town of Ballygally complained that the loud bangs frightened their animals. No one knows if Mr Pitt was in the town at the time as he is not acting in the film.

Local people in the town said the explosions began on September 14 and gradually became bigger and louder. Some locals said it sounded like there was a war going on as the noise shook windows in houses. One farmer spoke to reporters about how his animals were "terrified". He said: "The dog was shivering under a chair and the hens had all gone. Then I heard there had been another explosion while I was out….Another neighbour’s cow and calf jumped the hedge and the cows were crying in fear." Mr Pitt may do something special for the local people as he is a famous animal rights activist and might be upset if he heard animals had suffered because of his film.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
    http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/24/brad-pitt-movie-northern-ireland-farm-animals-frightened
    http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/09/brad-pitt-lost-city-of-z-animals
    http://mashable.com/2015/09/24/brad-pitt-scaring-chickens/#vUiPL2wTkZqC


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. FARM ANIMALS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about farm animals. 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?

 

movie / headlines / farm animals / countryside / soldier / jungle / explosions / acting / gradually / louder / windows / terrified / crying / something special / animal rights

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

3. BETTER MOVIES: How could these movies better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Movie genre

How to make the movie better

Action

 

Animation

 

Horror

 

Science Fiction

 

War

 

Comedy

 

4. ANIMALS IN MOVIES: Students A strongly believe animals should not be used in movies; Students B strongly believe it's OK.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. MOVIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best kind of movies at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • action

  • science fiction

  • horror

  • animation

  • romance

  • comedy

  • fantasy

  • thriller

6. FARM: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "farm". 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.

A movie made in Hollywood has frightened farm animals.

T / F

b.

The movie is about something that happened between 1920 and 1929.

T / F

c.

The movie is about two men who got lost in the Brazilian jungle.

T / F

d.

Brad Pitt is one of the stars who acts in the movie.

T / F

e.

Local people said the explosions were loud at first and then got quieter.

T / F

f.

A local person said the explosion shattered the windows in his house.

T / F

g.

Two cows jumped over a hedge in fear.

T / F

h.

Brad Pitt is well known for caring about animals.

T / F

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

1.

scaring

a.

vanished

2.

taking place

b.

journalists

3.

disappeared

c.

protested

4.

create

d.

well known

5.

complained

e.

make

6.

gradually

f.

frightening

7.

reporters

g.

fence

8.

hedge

h.

troubled

9.

famous

i.

happening

10.

upset

j.

slowly

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

1.

made the

a.

bigger and louder

2.

set in the

b.

activist

3.

noises for the movie's special

c.

their animals

4.

the loud bangs frightened

d.

going on

5.

No one knows if Mr Pitt was

e.

had suffered

6.

gradually became

f.

headlines

7.

it sounded like there was a war

g.

effects

8.

The dog was shivering

h.

in the town

9.

a famous animal rights

i.

1920s

10.

be upset if he heard animals

j.

under a chair

GAP FILL

A movie (1) ____________ by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has made the headlines for scaring farm animals. Filming is taking (2) ____________ in the countryside in Northern Ireland in the U.K. The movie is called 'The Lost City of Z' and is (3) ____________ in the 1920s. It is about a British soldier and (4) ____________ who disappeared into the Brazilian jungle in 1925 with his son. They were searching for a lost civilisation, which the soldier called Z. He was never seen again. Film makers needed to (5) ____________ explosions and other loud noises for the movie's special effects. However, (6) ____________ and farmers in the town of Ballygally complained that the loud bangs (7) ____________ their animals. No one knows if Mr Pitt was in the town at the time as he is not (8) ____________ in the film.

 

 

set
create
produced
acting
place
frightened
spy
locals

Local people in the town said the (9) ____________ began on September 14 and (10) ____________ became bigger and louder. Some locals said it sounded like there was a war going on as the noise (11) ____________ windows in houses. One farmer spoke to reporters about how his animals were "terrified". He said: "The dog was (12) ____________ under a chair and the hens had all gone. Then I heard there had been (13) ____________ explosion while I was out….Another neighbour’s cow and calf jumped the hedge and the cows were crying in (14) ____________." Mr Pitt may do something special for the local people as he is a famous animal rights (15) ____________ and might be upset if he heard animals had (16) ____________ because of his film.

 

another
shook
explosions
activist
gradually
fear
suffered
shivering

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

A movie produced by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has made the headlines for ______

 

a.  scarring farm animals
b.  scare in farm animal
c.  scaring farm animals
d.  scaring farm animal

2)

It is about a British soldier and spy who disappeared into the Brazilian ______

 

a.  jangle in 1925
b.  jungle in 1925
c.  judging in 1925
d.  jingle in 1925

3)

Film makers needed to create explosions and other loud noises for the movie's ______

 

a.  special effects
b.  special effect
c.  special affects
d.  special affect

4)

farmers in the town of Ballygally complained that the loud bangs ______

 

a.  frightened them animals
b.  frightened they animals
c.  frightened they're animals
d.  frightened their animals

5)

No one knows if Mr Pitt was in the town at the time as he is not ______

 

a.  acting on the film
b.  acting in the film
c.  acting in a film
d.  acting on a film

6)

explosions began on September 14 and gradually became ______

 

a.  bigger and loudly
b.  big are and louder
c.  bigger and louder
d.  big are and loudly

7)

Some locals said it sounded like there was a ______

 

a.  war going in
b.  war going on
c.  war go in on
d.  war go win on

8)

One farmer spoke to reporters about how his animals ______

 

a.  were "terrific"
b.  were "terrifying"
c.  were "terror fried"
d.  were "terrified"

9)

Another neighbour’s cow and calf jumped the hedge and the cows ______

 

a.  were crying in fear
b.  were crying on fear
c.  were crying in fears
d.  were crying in feared

10)

Mr Pitt may do something special for the local people as he is a famous animal ______

 

a.  rights act a vest
b.  rights activism
c.  rights activist
d.  rights activists

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A movie produced by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has (1) _________________ for scaring farm animals. Filming (2) ___________________ the countryside in Northern Ireland in the U.K. The movie is called 'The Lost City of Z' and is set in the 1920s. It is about a British soldier and spy who (3) ___________________ Brazilian jungle in 1925 with his son. They were searching for a lost civilisation, which the soldier called Z. He (4) ___________________ again. Film makers needed to create explosions and other loud noises for the movie's special effects. However, locals and farmers (5) ___________________ Ballygally complained that the loud bangs frightened their animals. No one knows if Mr Pitt was in the town (6) ___________________ is not acting in the film.

Local people in the town said the (7) ___________________ September 14 and gradually became bigger and louder. Some locals said it sounded like there was a war going (8) ___________________ shook windows in houses. One farmer spoke to reporters (9) ___________________ animals were "terrified". He said: "The dog was shivering under a chair and the hens had all gone. Then (10) ___________________ been another explosion while I was out….Another neighbour’s cow and calf jumped the hedge and the cows were crying in fear." Mr Pitt may do something (11) ___________________ local people as he is a famous animal rights activist and might be upset if he heard animals (12) ___________________ of his film.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What was Brad Pitt's role in the movie?

2.

Where was the movie filmed?

3.

How many people got lost in the Brazilian jungle?

4.

Why did the film makers need to make explosions?

5.

Who knows whether or not Brad Pitt was in the town?

6.

When did the explosions begin?

7.

What did the explosions shake in nearby houses?

8.

Where was a dog shivering?

9.

What did a cow jump over?

10.

How might Brad Pitt feel if he knew that animals had suffered?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What was Brad Pitt's role in the movie?

6.

When did the explosions begin?

 

a) screenplay writer
b) actor
c) director
d) producer

 

a) at night
b) September 14
c) yesterday
d) at 3:57 pm

2.

Where was the movie filmed?

7.

What did the explosions shake in nearby houses?

 

a) Iceland
b) Northern Ireland
c) New Zealand
d) Hollywood

 

a) foundations
b) nerves
c) rattles
d) windows

3.

How many people got lost in the Brazilian jungle?

8.

Where was a dog shivering?

 

a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 1

 

a) under a chair
b) in the cold
c) in the movie
d) in Hollywood

4.

Why did the film makers need to make explosions?

9.

What did a cow jump over?

 

a) for special effects
b) to burn a house
c) they had too much gunpowder
d) to scare the animals

 

a) the moon
b) a dog
c) a hedge
d) an explosion

5.

Who knows whether or not Brad Pitt was in the town?

10.

How might Brad Pitt feel if he knew that animals had suffered?

 

a) a Brazilian
b) a hotel owner
c) no one
d) a local resident

 

a) indifferent
b) upset
c) exhausted
d) confused

 

 

 

 

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Action

You think action movies are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their movies. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): science fiction, horror or comedy.

Role  B – Science Fiction

You think science fiction movies are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their movies. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): comedy, horror or action.

Role  C – Comedy

You think horror movies are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their movies. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): science fiction, horror or action.

Role  D – Horror

You think action movies are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their movies. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):  science fiction, horror or comedy.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

farm

animal

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • made
  • set
  • 1925
  • again
  • special
  • acting
  • 14
  • war
  • windows
  • dog
  • cow
  • upset

FARM ANIMALS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about farm animals 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.

FARM ANIMALS 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 'movie'?

3)

What do you think about what you read?

4)

What are the good things about making a movie near a town?

5)

How do you think this movie sounds?

6)

What do you think of Brad Pitt?

7)

What could film makers do instead of making explosions?

8)

How could the film makers not have frightened the animals?

9)

What kind of movies do you like?

10)

What advice do you have for the local people?

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

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

11)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

12)

What do you know about Brad Pitt?

13)

What are the bad things about making a movie near a town?

14)

Why do you think the movie was not made in Hollywood?

15)

Should the film makers have stopped filming if there were scared animals?

16)

Is what happened cruelty to animals?

17)

What does an animal rights activist do?

18)

Who is your favourite actor and why?

19)

What advice do you have for the film makers?

20)

What questions would you like to ask Brad Pitt?

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 movie produced by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has (1) ____ the headlines for scaring farm animals. Filming is taking (2) ____ in the countryside in Northern Ireland in the U.K. The movie is called 'The Lost City of Z' and is (3) ____ in the 1920s. It is about a British soldier and spy who disappeared into the Brazilian jungle in 1925 with his son. They were searching (4) ____ a lost civilisation, which the soldier called Z. He was never seen again. Film makers needed to create explosions and other loud noises for the movie's (5) ____ effects. However, locals and farmers in the town of Ballygally complained that the loud bangs frightened their animals. No one knows if Mr Pitt was in the town at the time as he is not     (6) ____ in the film.

Local people in the town said the explosions (7) ____ on September 14 and gradually became bigger and louder. Some locals said it sounded like there was a war going (8) ____ as the noise shook windows in houses. One farmer spoke to reporters about how his animals were "terrified". He said: "The dog was shivering under a chair and the hens had all (9) ____. Then I heard there had been another explosion while I was (10) ____ ….Another neighbour’s cow and calf jumped the hedge and the cows were crying (11) ____ fear." Mr Pitt may do something special for the local people as he is a famous animal rights activist and might be upset if he heard animals had suffered because (12) ____ his film.

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

1.

(a)

done

(b)

made

(c)

written

(d)

won

2.

(a)

peace

(b)

place

(c)

plus

(d)

pleasure

3.

(a)

sot

(b)

sat

(c)

sit

(d)

set

4.

(a)

at

(b)

for

(c)

on

(d)

as

5.

(a)

specialise

(b)

special

(c)

specialism

(d)

speciality

6.

(a)

acted

(b)

acts

(c)

acting

(d)

actor

7.

(a)

begins

(b)

beginning

(c)

began

(d)

beginner

8.

(a)

up

(b)

over

(c)

on

(d)

around

9.

(a)

going

(b)

went

(c)

been

(d)

gone

10.

(a)

out

(b)

over

(c)

over

(d)

above

11.

(a)

in

(b)

of

(c)

to

(d)

on

12.

(a)

as

(b)

to

(c)

of

(d)

up

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

udrpdcoe by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt

2.

made the lnseihade

3.

in the tindyerucso

4.

rpsaidpdaee into the Brazilian jungle

5.

eoslopisxn and other loud noises

6.

farmers in the town of Ballygally coadlnepmi

Paragraph 2

7.

galldayru became bigger

8.

his animals were fiertrdei

9.

The dog was srinvigeh

10.

jumped the ehgde

11.

a famous animal rights tciastvi

12.

upset if he heard animals had erudfefs

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

farm animals. Filming is taking place in the countryside in Northern Ireland in the U.K. The movie is called

(    )

bangs frightened their animals. No one knows if Mr Pitt was in the town at the time as he is not acting in the film.

(    )

disappeared into the Brazilian jungle in 1925 with his son. They were searching for a lost

(    )

became bigger and louder. Some locals said it sounded like there was a war going on as the noise shook

(    )

windows in houses. One farmer spoke to reporters about how his animals were "terrified". He said: "The dog

(    )

rights activist and might be upset if he heard animals had suffered because of his film.

1  )

A movie produced by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has made the headlines for scaring

(    )

civilisation, which the soldier called Z. He was never seen again. Film makers needed to create explosions and other

(    )

'The Lost City of Z' and is set in the 1920s. It is about a British soldier and spy who

(    )

loud noises for the movie's special effects. However, locals and farmers in the town of Ballygally complained that the loud

(    )

explosion while I was out….Another neighbour’s cow and calf jumped the hedge and the cows

(    )

was shivering under a chair and the hens had all gone. Then I heard there had been another

(    )

Local people in the town said the explosions began on September 14 and gradually

(    )

were crying in fear." Mr Pitt may do something special for the local people as he is a famous animal

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

for   animals   has  headlines   farm   Pitt   the  scaring   Brad   made   .  

2.

about   a   British   soldier   and   spy   who   disappeared   It   is   .  

3.

civilization   lost   a   for   searching   were   They   .  

4.

the   Other   movie's   loud   special   noises   effects   for   .  

5.

time   in   knows   the   was   one   at   Pitt   No   town   Mr   the   if   .  

6.

explosions   Local   the   the   in   said   began   people   town   .  

7.

like   a   on   sounded   was   going   It   there   war   .  

8.

had   Then   been   I   another   heard   explosion   there   .  

9.

something   special   for   the   local   people   Mr   Pitt   may   do   .  

10.

heard   suffered   his   He   had   of   animals   because   film   .  

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A movie produced / producing by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has made the headlines for scares / scaring farm animals. Filming is taking / talking place in the countryside in Northern Ireland in the U.K. The movie is called 'The Lost City of Z' and is set / sat in the 1920s. It is about a British soldier and spy who disappearance / disappeared into the Brazilian jungle in 1925 with his son. They were searching for a lost civilised / civilisation, which the soldier called Z. He was never seen again / more. Film makers needed / necessary to create explosions and other loudly / loud noises for the movie's special effects. However, locals and farmers in the town of Ballygally complained that the loud bangs frightened their animals. No one knows if Mr Pitt was in the town at the time as he is not action / acting in the film.

Local / Locally people in the town said the expulsions / explosions began on September 14 and gradually / gradual became bigger and louder. Some locals said it sounded like there was a war going / gone on as the noise shook windows in houses. One farmer spoke / speaking to reporters about how his animals were "terrified". He said: "The dog was shivered / shivering under a chair and the hens had every / all gone. Then I heard there had been another explosion while I was out….Another neighbour’s cow and calf jumped / trimmed the hedge and the cows were crying in afraid / fear." Mr Pitt may do something special for the local people as he is a famous animal rights activist and might be upset if he heard animals had suffered / suffer because of his film.

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)

_ m_v__ pr_d_c_d by H_llyw__d _ct_r Br_d P_tt h_s m_d_ th_ h__dl_n_s f_r sc_r_ng f_rm _n_m_ls. F_lm_ng _s t_k_ng pl_c_ _n th_ c__ntrys_d_ _n N_rth_rn _r_l_nd _n th_ _.K. Th_ m_v__ _s c_ll_d 'Th_ L_st C_ty _f Z' _nd _s s_t _n th_ 1920s. _t _s _b__t _ Br_t_sh s_ld__r _nd spy wh_ d_s_pp__r_d _nt_ th_ Br_z_l__n j_ngl_ _n 1925 w_th h_s s_n. Th_y w_r_ s__rch_ng f_r _ l_st c_v_l_s_t__n, wh_ch th_ s_ld__r c_ll_d Z. H_ w_s n_v_r s__n _g__n. F_lm m_k_rs n__d_d t_ cr__t_ _xpl_s__ns _nd _th_r l__d n__s_s f_r th_ m_v__'s sp_c__l _ff_cts. H_w_v_r, l_c_ls _nd f_rm_rs _n th_ t_wn _f B_llyg_lly c_mpl__n_d th_t th_ l__d b_ngs fr_ght_n_d th__r _n_m_ls. N_ _n_ kn_ws _f Mr P_tt w_s _n th_ t_wn _t th_ t_m_ _s h_ _s n_t _ct_ng _n th_ f_lm.

L_c_l p__pl_ _n th_ t_wn s__d th_ _xpl_s__ns b_g_n _n S_pt_mb_r 14 _nd gr_d__lly b_c_m_ b_gg_r _nd l__d_r. S_m_ l_c_ls s__d _t s__nd_d l_k_ th_r_ w_s _ w_r g__ng _n _s th_ n__s_ sh__k w_nd_ws _n h__s_s. _n_ f_rm_r sp_k_ t_ r_p_rt_rs _b__t h_w h_s _n_m_ls w_r_ "t_rr_f__d". H_ s__d: "Th_ d_g w_s sh_v_r_ng _nd_r _ ch__r _nd th_ h_ns h_d _ll g_n_. Th_n _ h__rd th_r_ h_d b__n _n_th_r _xpl_s__n wh_l_ _ w_s __t…._n_th_r n__ghb__r’s c_w _nd c_lf j_mp_d th_ h_dg_ _nd th_ c_ws w_r_ cry_ng _n f__r." Mr P_tt m_y d_ s_m_th_ng sp_c__l f_r th_ l_c_l p__pl_ _s h_ _s _ f_m__s _n_m_l r_ghts _ct_v_st _nd m_ght b_ _ps_t _f h_ h__rd _n_m_ls h_d s_ff_r_d b_c__s_ _f h_s f_lm.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a movie produced by hollywood actor brad pitt has made the headlines for scaring farm animals filming is taking place in the countryside in northern ireland in the uk the movie is called 'the lost city of z' and is set in the 1920s it is about a british soldier and spy who disappeared into the brazilian jungle in 1925 with his son they were searching for a lost civilisation which the soldier called z he was never seen again film makers needed to create explosions and other loud noises for the movie's special effects however locals and farmers in the town of ballygally complained that the loud bangs frightened their animals no one knows if mr pitt was in the town at the time as he is not acting in the film

local people in the town said the explosions began on september 14 and gradually became bigger and louder some locals said it sounded like there was a war going on as the noise shook windows in houses one farmer spoke to reporters about how his animals were "terrified" he said "the dog was shivering under a chair and the hens had all gone then i heard there had been another explosion while i was out…another neighbour’s cow and calf jumped the hedge and the cows were crying in fear" mr pitt may do something special for the local people as he is a famous animal rights activist and might be upset if he heard animals had suffered because of his film

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AmovieproducedbyHollywoodactorBradPitthasmadetheheadlinesfo
rscaringfarmanimals.FilmingistakingplaceinthecountrysideinNorth
ernIrelandintheU.K.Themovieiscalled'TheLostCityofZ'andissetinthe
1920s.ItisaboutaBritishsoldierandspywhodisappearedintotheBrazili
anjunglein1925withhisson.Theyweresearchingforalostcivilisation,w
hichthesoldiercalledZ.Hewasneverseenagain.Filmmakersneededto
createexplosionsandotherloudnoisesforthemovie'sspecialeffects.H
owever,localsandfarmersinthetownofBallygallycomplainedthatthel
oudbangsfrightenedtheiranimals.NooneknowsifMrPittwasinthetown
atthetimeasheisnotactinginthefilm.Localpeopleinthetownsaidtheex
plosionsbeganonSeptember14andgraduallybecamebiggerandloude
r.Somelocalssaiditsoundedliketherewasawargoingonasthenoisesho
okwindowsinhouses.Onefarmerspoketoreportersabouthowhisanim
alswere"terrified".Hesaid:"Thedogwasshiveringunderachairandthe
henshadallgone.ThenIheardtherehadbeenanotherexplosionwhileIw
asout….Anotherneighbour’scowandcalfjumpedthehedgeandthecow
swerecryinginfear."MrPittmaydosomethingspecialforthelocalpeople
asheisafamousanimalrightsactivistandmightbeupsetifheheardanim
alshadsufferedbecauseofhisfilm.

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Animals should never be used in movies. Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

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

2. THE LOST CITY OF Z: Search the Internet and find out more about this movie. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. FARM ANIMALS: Make a poster about farm animals. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. TERRIFIED ANIMALS: Write a magazine article about the farm animals that were terrified by the movie filming. Include imaginary interviews with local farmers and the movie's makers.

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

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

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on farm animals. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to give farm animals a better life. 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

T

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

scaring

a.

frightening

2

taking place

b.

happening

3.

disappeared

c.

vanished

4.

create

d.

make

5.

complained

e.

protested

6.

gradually

f.

slowly

7.

reporters

g.

journalists

8.

hedge

h.

fence

9.

famous

i.

well known

10.

upset

j.

troubled

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Producer

2.

Northern Ireland

3.

Two

4.

For special effects

5.

No one

6.

September 14

7.

Windows

8.

Under a chair

9.

A hedge

10.

Upset

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

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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