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Russia faces athletics suspension (13th November, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A new and damning report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has turned the athletics world upside down. The report focuses on Russia and claims that doping is prevalent throughout Russian athletics. The country could be suspended from all international competitions if it does not acknowledge the claims made in the report and take drastic actions to address them. The report goes so far to say that doping in Russian athletics was state-sponsored. Senior figures in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will recommend that Russia be suspended from competitions. WADA also called for lifetime bans for 10 Russian athletes.

Russian officials have hit back at the findings of the WADA report and called them "groundless". Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko commented on the possibility of Russia being banned from taking part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He said it was inconceivable that this could happen. He stated: "I would not like to consider such an option. We have young sportsmen, for whom it will be their first Olympics." He added that" "Clean sportsmen should not suffer. They achieve their results by hard work. We must protect them." A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "As long as there is no evidence, it is difficult to consider the accusations, which appear rather unfounded."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/nov/10/russia-iaaf-facing-suspension-wada-doping-report
http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/no-evidence-of-doping-conspiracy-putin-s-spokesman-1.2652010
https://www.rt.com/news/321459-ioc-disciplinary-action-russia/

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. ATHLETICS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about athletics. 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?

report / athletics / upside down / suspended / drastic actions / sponsored / competition / officials / findings / possibility / option / sportsmen / results / hard work / accusations

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

3. SPORT: How can we protect sports from these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How it affects the sport	How to clean it up
Drugs
Corruption
Politics
Money
Gambling
Cheating

4. LIFETIME BAN: Students A strongly believe drug cheats should get a lifetime ban; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

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

See a sample

5. SPORTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• athletics

• football

• tennis

• Formula 1

• rugby

• skiing

• golf

• sailing

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

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	The world of athletics has been turned upside down.	T / F
b.	Russia has been suspended from all international athletics competitions.	T / F
c.	A report says that the Russian state knew about the doping.	T / F
d.	An organization called WADA wants 10 athletes suspended.	T / F
e.	Russia has said there is no truth in the claims in the report.	T / F
f.	The Russian Sports Minister said Russia could pull out of Brazil 2016.	T / F
g.	The Minister said all Russian athletes have previous Olympic experience.	T / F
h.	Russian President has not yet commented on the report.	T / F

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

1.	damning	a.	serious
2.	prevalent	b.	likelihood
3.	acknowledge	c.	barred
4.	drastic	d.	damaging
5.	findings	e.	charges
6.	possibility	f.	conclusions
7.	banned	g.	widespread
8.	taking part	h.	proof
9.	evidence	i.	participating
10.	accusations	j.	admit

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

1.	A new and damning	a.	Russian athletics
2.	turned the athletics world upside	b.	could happen
3.	claims that doping is prevalent throughout	c.	down
4.	take drastic	d.	back at the findings
5.	lifetime	e.	consider the accusations
6.	Russian officials have hit	f.	report
7.	banned from taking	g.	evidence
8.	it was inconceivable that this	h.	actions
9.	there is no	i.	bans
10.	it is difficult to	j.	part

GAP FILL

A new and (1) ____________ report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has turned the athletics world (2) ____________ down. The report focuses on Russia and claims that doping is (3) ____________ throughout Russian athletics. The country could be (4) ____________ from all international competitions if it does not acknowledge the claims made in the report and take (5) ____________ actions to address them. The report goes so (6) ____________ to say that doping in Russian athletics was state sponsored. Senior (7) ____________ in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will recommend that Russia be suspended from competitions. WADA also called for (8) ____________ bans for 10 Russian athletes.

prevalent
damning
far
upside
drastic
lifetime
suspended
figures

Russian officials have hit (9) ____________ at the findings of the WADA report and called them "groundless". Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko commented on the (10) ____________ of Russia being banned from taking part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He said it was (11) ____________ that this could happen. He stated: "I would not like to consider such an (12) ____________. We have young sportsmen, for whom it will be their first Olympics." He added that: "Clean sportsmen should not (13) ____________. They achieve their results by hard work. We must (14) ____________ them." A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "As long as there is no (15) ____________, it is difficult to consider the (16) ____________, which appear rather unfounded."

inconceivable
suffer
evidence
back
option
accusations
possibility
protect

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has turned the athletics world ______
	a. upside around b. upside up c. upside down d. upside side
2)	The report focuses on Russia and claims that doping is prevalent throughout ______
	a. Russian athleticism b. Russian athletics c. Russian athletic d. Russian athletes
3)	if it does not acknowledge the claims made in the report and take ______
	a. drastically actions b. drastic actioned c. drastic actions d. drastic action
4)	The report goes so far to say that doping in Russian athletics was ______
	a. states sponsored b. stated sponsored c. status sponsored d. state sponsored
5)	WADA also called for lifetime ______ Russian athletes
	a. bands for 10 b. banners for 10 c. bans for 10 d. banes for 10
6)	Russian officials have hit back at the findings of the WADA report and called ______
	a. there "groundless" b. them "grounded" c. them "grind less" d. them "groundless"
7)	Mutko commented on the possibility of Russia being banned ______
	a. from taking parts b. from talking part c. from taking part d. from talking parts
8)	He stated: "I would not like to consider ______"
	a. such an option b. such the option c. such an options d. much an option
9)	They achieve their results by hard work. We must ______
	a. protect them b. protective them c. protection them d. protects them
10)	it is difficult to consider the accusations, which appear ______
	a. rather dumbfounded b. rather unfolded c. rather unfounded d. rather unfrowned

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A new (1) ___________________ from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has turned the athletics world (2) ___________________. The report focuses on Russia and claims that doping (3) ___________________ throughout Russian athletics. The country could be suspended from all international competitions if it does not acknowledge the claims made in the report and take (4) ___________________ to address them. The report goes (5) ___________________ that doping in Russian athletics was state sponsored. Senior figures in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will recommend that Russia be suspended from competitions. WADA also called (6) ___________________ for 10 Russian athletes.

Russian officials have (7) ___________________ findings of the WADA report and called them "groundless". Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko commented (8) ___________________ Russia being banned from taking part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He said it was inconceivable that this could happen. He stated: "I would not (9) ___________________ such an option. We have young sportsmen, for whom it will be their first Olympics." He added that: "Clean sportsmen (10) ___________________. They achieve their (11) ___________________ work. We must protect them." A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "As long as there is no evidence, (12) ___________________ consider the accusations, which appear rather unfounded."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How does the report say athletics has been turned?
2.	Where did the report say doping was prevalent?
3.	What kind of actions does the report suggest Russia makes?
4.	Who does the report say sponsored the doping?
5.	What does WADA want for 10 athletes?
6.	What did Russian officials call the findings in the report?
7.	What could Russia be barred from in 2016?
8.	Who did the Russian Sports Minister sat should not suffer?
9.	According to the Sports Minister, how do athletes achieve their results?
10.	Who said the accusations were difficult to consider without evidence?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How does the report say athletics has been turned?	6.	What did Russian officials call the findings in the report?
	a) backwards b) upside down c) inside out d) over		a) groundless b) interesting c) total lies d) fabricated
2.	Where did the report say doping was prevalent?	7.	What could Russia be barred from in 2016?
	a) at the Olympics b) in changing rooms c) on the track d) throughout Russian athletics		a) attending a conference b) all world sport c) the Rio Olympics d) the IAAF meeting
3.	What kind of actions does the report suggest Russia makes?	8.	Who did the Russian Sports Minister say should not suffer?
	a) drastic actions b) sporting ones c) long-lasting ones d) permanent ones		a) clean sportsmen b) its 100-metre champion c) the president d) Olympians
4.	Who does the report say sponsored the doping?	9.	According to the Sports Minister, how do athletes achieve their results?
	a) Nike b) the IAAF c) the state d) a mysterious businessman		a) through hard work b) by attaining perfection c) day by day d) through competition
5.	What does WADA want for 10 athletes?	10.	Who said the accusations were difficult to consider without evidence?
	a) medals b) a lifetime ban c) more training d) investigator badges		a) Usain Bolt b) Vitaly Mutko c) WADA d) Vladimir Putin

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Athletics

You think athletics is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): golf, basketball or soccer.

Role B – Golf

You think golf is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): athletics, basketball or soccer.

Role C – Basketball

You think basketball is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): golf, athletics or soccer.

Role D – Football (soccer)

You think soccer is the best sport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): golf, basketball or athletics.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

upside

down

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:

damning
throughout
claims
address
state
10

hit
possibility
2016
option
clean
appear

ATHLETICS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about athletics 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.

ATHLETICS 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 'athletics'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	How serious is this scandal?
5)	How many other countries do you think take part in doping?
6)	How serious is this report for Russian athletics?
7)	Why are there so many scandals in sport?
8)	How can sport clean up its act?
9)	Why did this report only focus on Russia?
10)	What can the Russian athletes do if they are banned?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	Why does Russia think the report's claims are "groundless"?
13)	Are the right people leading sports organisations?
14)	How important is Russia to the 2016 Olympics?
15)	Should athletes be allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs?
16)	Do you think the 2016 Olympics will be hit by more scandals?
17)	How unfair would a ban on clean Russian athletes be?
18)	How does this scandal compare to the FIFA scandal?
19)	What advice would you give to the head of the IAAF?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the head of the IAAF?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

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

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A new and (1) ____ report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has turned the athletics world upside down. The report focuses (2) ____ Russia and claims that doping is prevalent throughout Russian athletics. The country could be suspended from all international competitions if it does not (3) ____ the claims made in the report and take drastic actions to address them. The report goes so (4) ____ to say that doping in Russian athletics was state sponsored. Senior (5) ____ in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will recommend that Russia be suspended from competitions. WADA also called for (6) ____ bans for 10 Russian athletes.

Russian officials have (7) ____ back at the findings of the WADA report and called them "groundless". Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko commented (8) ____ the possibility of Russia being banned from (9) ____ part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He said it was inconceivable that this could happen. He stated: "I would not like to consider (10) ____ an option. We have young sportsmen, for whom it will be their first Olympics." He added that: "Clean sportsmen should not suffer. They achieve their results (11) ____ hard work. We must protect them." A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "As long as there is no evidence, it is difficult to consider the accusations, which appear (12) ____ unfounded."

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

1.	(a)	damned	(b)	damn	(c)	damning	(d)	damnation
2.	(a)	on	(b)	in	(c)	to	(d)	at
3.	(a)	acknowledge	(b)	acknowledges	(c)	acknowledging	(d)	acknowledgment
4.	(a)	for	(b)	far	(c)	fair	(d)	fear
5.	(a)	digits	(b)	numerals	(c)	numbers	(d)	figures
6.	(a)	lifeline	(b)	lifetime	(c)	lifestyle	(d)	life-and-death
7.	(a)	hit	(b)	punched	(c)	smacked	(d)	poked
8.	(a)	by	(b)	of	(c)	on	(d)	as
9.	(a)	raking	(b)	faking	(c)	making	(d)	taking
10.	(a)	much	(b)	such	(c)	this	(d)	that
11.	(a)	by	(b)	of	(c)	at	(d)	very
12.	(a)	choose	(b)	ready	(c)	prefer	(d)	rather

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	A new and mngdnia report
2.	venprtael throughout Russian athletics
3.	The country could be npsedsedu
4.	aegdnoclkew the claims
5.	take crsitda actions
6.	state sordseonp
Paragraph 2
7.	called them rgdlneouss
8.	Mutko tncemeodm on the possibility
9.	He said it was enaoclciibvne
10.	there is no ceivnede
11.	consider the iscutnaacos
12.	appear rather ddofnnueu

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	down. The report focuses on Russia and claims that doping is prevalent throughout Russian
( )	in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will recommend that Russia be suspended
( )	from taking part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He said it was inconceivable that this could
( )	as there is no evidence, it is difficult to consider the accusations, which appear rather unfounded."
( )	"groundless". Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko commented on the possibility of Russia being banned
( )	from competitions. WADA also called for lifetime bans for 10 Russian athletes.
( )	work. We must protect them." A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "As long
( )	athletics. The country could be suspended from all international competitions if it does not acknowledge
( )	far to say that doping in Russian athletics was state sponsored. Senior figures
( )	Russian officials have hit back at the findings of the WADA report and called them
( )	the claims made in the report and take drastic actions to address them. The report goes so
( )	first Olympics." He added that: "Clean sportsmen should not suffer. They achieve their results by hard
( 1 )	A new and damning report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has turned the athletics world upside
( )	happen. He stated: "I would not like to consider such an option. We have young sportsmen, for whom it will be their

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	Doping World report new Agency Anti from and - the damning A .
2.	prevalent Russian is throughout athletics Doping .
3.	in made claims the acknowledge not does it If report the .
4.	sponsored state was athletics Russian in Doping .
5.	Russian also lifetime 10 WADA for for athletes called bans .
6.	officials the have findings hit back Russian at .
7.	said inconceivable could He was this it that happen .
8.	to an I like such not consider option would .
9.	should that : "Clean not added suffer" . He sportsmen
10.	as to evidence long difficult no As is is it there consider , .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A new and darning / damning report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has turned the athletics world upside up / down. The report focuses on Russia and claims that doping is prevalence / prevalent throughout Russian athletics. The country could be suspended / suspension from all international competitions if it does not acknowledged / acknowledge the claims made in the report and take drastic / drastically actions to address them. The report goes so / such far to say that doping in Russian athletics was state sponsor / sponsored. Senior figures in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will recommend / commend that Russia be suspended from competitions. WADA also called for lifetime bans / bars for 10 Russian athletes.

Russian officials have hit forward / back at the findings of the WADA report and called them "groundless" / "groundlings". Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko commented on the possibility / possible of Russia being banned from taking / taken part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He said it was inconceivable that this could happen / happening. He stated: "I would not like to consider such / so an option. We have young sportsmen, for whom / they it will be their first Olympics." He added that: "Clean sportsmen should not suffer / suffering. They achieve their results at / by hard work. We must protect them." A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "As long as there is no evidence, it is difficult to consider the accusations, which appear rather unfounded / finding."

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

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

_ n_w _nd d_mn_ng r_p_rt fr_m th_ W_rld _nt_-D_p_ng _g_ncy (W_D_) h_s t_rn_d th_ _thl_t_cs w_rld _ps_d_ d_wn. Th_ r_p_rt f_c_s_s _n R_ss__ _nd cl__ms th_t d_p_ng _s pr_v_l_nt thr__gh__t R_ss__n _thl_t_cs. Th_ c__ntry c__ld b_ s_sp_nd_d fr_m _ll _nt_rn_t__n_l c_mp_t_t__ns _f _t d__s n_t _ckn_wl_dg_ th_ cl__ms m_d_ _n th_ r_p_rt _nd t_k_ dr_st_c _ct__ns t_ _ddr_ss th_m. Th_ r_p_rt g__s s_ f_r t_ s_y th_t d_p_ng _n R_ss__n _thl_t_cs w_s st_t_ sp_ns_r_d. S_n__r f_g_r_s _n th_ _nt_rn_t__n_l _ss_c__t__n _f _thl_t_cs F_d_r_t__ns (___F) w_ll r_c_mm_nd th_t R_ss__ b_ s_sp_nd_d fr_m c_mp_t_t__ns. W_D_ _ls_ c_ll_d f_r l_f_t_m_ b_ns f_r 10 R_ss__n _thl_t_s.

R_ss__n _ff_c__ls h_v_ h_t b_ck _t th_ f_nd_ngs _f th_ W_D_ r_p_rt _nd c_ll_d th_m "gr__ndl_ss". R_ss__n Sp_rts M_n_st_r V_t_ly M_tk_ c_mm_nt_d _n th_ p_ss_b_l_ty _f R_ss__ b__ng b_nn_d fr_m t_k_ng p_rt _n th_ 2016 _lymp_cs _n R__ d_ J_n__r_. H_ s__d _t w_s _nc_nc__v_bl_ th_t th_s c__ld h_pp_n. H_ st_t_d: "_ w__ld n_t l_k_ t_ c_ns_d_r s_ch _n _pt__n. W_ h_v_ y__ng sp_rtsm_n, f_r wh_m _t w_ll b_ th__r f_rst _lymp_cs." H_ _dd_d th_t: "Cl__n sp_rtsm_n sh__ld n_t s_ff_r. Th_y _ch__v_ th__r r_s_lts by h_rd w_rk. W_ m_st pr_t_ct th_m." _ sp_k_sm_n f_r R_ss__n Pr_s_d_nt Vl_d_m_r P_t_n s__d: "_s l_ng _s th_r_ _s n_ _v_d_nc_, _t _s d_ff_c_lt t_ c_ns_d_r th_ _cc_s_t__ns, wh_ch _pp__r r_th_r _nf__nd_d."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a new and damning report from the world anti-doping agency (wada) has turned the athletics world upside down the report focuses on russia and claims that doping is prevalent throughout russian athletics the country could be suspended from all international competitions if it does not acknowledge the claims made in the report and take drastic actions to address them the report goes so far to say that doping in russian athletics was state sponsored senior figures in the international association of athletics federations (iaaf) will recommend that russia be suspended from competitions wada also called for lifetime bans for 10 russian athletes

russian officials have hit back at the findings of the wada report and called them "groundless" russian sports minister vitaly mutko commented on the possibility of russia being banned from taking part in the 2016 olympics in rio de janeiro he said it was inconceivable that this could happen he stated "i would not like to consider such an option we have young sportsmen for whom it will be their first olympics" he added that "clean sportsmen should not suffer they achieve their results by hard work we must protect them" a spokesman for russian president vladimir putin said "as long as there is no evidence it is difficult to consider the accusations which appear rather unfounded"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AnewanddamningreportfromtheWorldAnti-DopingAgency(W
ADA)hasturnedtheathleticsworldupsidedown.ThereportfocusesonR
ussiaandclaimsthatdopingisprevalentthroughoutRussianathletics.T
hecountrycouldbesuspendedfromallinternationalcompetitionsifitdo
esnotacknowledgetheclaimsmadeinthereportandtakedrasticactions
toaddressthem.ThereportgoessofartosaythatdopinginRussianathle
ticswasstatesponsored.SeniorfiguresintheInternationalAssociation
ofAthleticsFederations(IAAF)willrecommendthatRussiabesuspende
dfromcompetitions.WADAalsocalledforlifetimebansfor10Russianat
hletes.RussianofficialshavehitbackatthefindingsoftheWADAreporta
ndcalledthem"groundless".RussianSportsMinisterVitalyMutkocom
mentedonthepossibilityofRussiabeingbannedfromtakingpartinthe2
016OlympicsinRiodeJaneiro.Hesaiditwasinconceivablethatthiscould
happen.Hestated:"Iwouldnotliketoconsidersuchanoption.Wehavey
oungsportsmen,forwhomitwillbetheirfirstOlympics."Headdedthat:"
Cleansportsmenshouldnotsuffer.Theyachievetheirresultsbyhardwo
rk.Wemustprotectthem."AspokesmanforRussianPresidentVladimir
Putinsaid:"Aslongasthereisnoevidence,itisdifficulttoconsidertheacc
usations,whichappearratherunfounded."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Athletes who take drugs should be banned for life. 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 the athletics scandal. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. SUSPENDED: Write a magazine article about WADA wanting Russia suspended from international athletics competitions. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

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 doping. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to stop 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	damning	a.	damaging
2	prevalent	b.	widespread
3.	acknowledge	c.	admit
4.	drastic	d.	serious
5.	findings	e.	conclusions
6.	possibility	f.	likelihood
7.	banned	g.	barred
8.	taking part	h.	participating
9.	evidence	i.	proof
10.	accusations	j.	charges

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Upside down
2.	Throughout Russian athletics
3.	Drastic actions
4.	The state
5.	Lifetime bans
6.	Groundless
7.	The Rio Olympics
8.	Clean sportsmen
9.	Through hard work
10.	Vladimir Putin

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

1.

b

2.

d

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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Russia faces athletics suspension (13th November, 2015)

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