The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Muhammad Ali, perhaps the world's greatest ever sporting legend, passed away on Friday, aged 74. Ali had spent the previous few days in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona with breathing problems. His children flew to Phoenix to join their father for his final days. Ali is thought to be the best boxer in history. He was the world heavyweight champion three times. He is widely known by his nickname – The Greatest. However, many people believe he was the greatest because of what he did outside the boxing ring, not inside it. He was a civil rights hero and strong opponent of the Vietnam War in the 1960s. He was an ambassador for world peace and worked tirelessly for charities for five decades after.

World leaders, sporting figures and celebrities have been paying tribute to Ali. Boxing promoter Bob Arum said: "Ali transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit. His legacy will be part of our history for all time." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Ali for changing the world. He said Ali used his charm, wit and grace to fight for a better world, "and used his platform to lift up humanity". The daughter of Martin Luther King wrote: "You were a champion in so many ways." Ali once said: "I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous and who treated everyone right… As a man…who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0,  Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/15939933/muhammad-ali-dies-74
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-16011175
  • http://abcnews.go.com/US/muhammad-ali-dies-greatest-boxer-dead-74/story?id=18391211


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. MUHAMMAD ALI: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Muhammad Ali. 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?

       the greatest / sporting legend / breathing / boxer / champion / nickname / peace /
       world leaders / tribute / spirit / legacy / platform / humanity / humorous / love

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

3. SPORTSMAN: Students A strongly believe Muhammad Ali is the greatest ever sportsman; Students B strongly believe he isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. THE GREATEST: Who is / was the greatest in these sports and why? Discuss with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Boxing
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Tennis
  • Skiing
  • Formula 1
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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

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

6. FIGHTING: Rank these with your partner. Put the most exciting forms of fighting at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • sumo
  • fencing
  • kendo
  • Thai boxing
  • boxing
  • karate
  • wrestling
  • judo

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says Muhammad Ali was the greatest ever legend.     T / F
  2. Muhammad Ali's nickname was 'The Best'.     T / F
  3. Muhammad Ali fought for civil rights in the 1960s.     T / F
  4. Muhammad Ali did charity work non-stop for 50 years.     T / F
  5. A boxing promoter said Muhammad Ali changed a country.     T / F
  6. The U.N. Secretary-General said Muhammad Ali needed a platform.     T / F
  7. Martin Luther King's daughter said Ali was a champion in many ways.     T / F
  8. Ali said he wanted to be remembered only for his sense of humour.     T / F

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

  1. legend
  2. passed away
  3. final
  4. believe
  5. tirelessly
  6. paying tribute to
  7. transformed
  8. charm
  9. right
  10. unite
  1. think
  2. last
  3. correctly
  4. died
  5. appeal
  6. changed
  7. praising
  8. star
  9. join together
  10. energetically

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

  1. the world's greatest ever
  2. breathing
  3. He was the world heavyweight
  4. He was a civil
  5. He was an ambassador
  6. celebrities have been paying
  7. His legacy will be part of our history
  8. Ali used his charm, wit
  9. a champion in so
  10. unite all humankind through
  1. champion
  2. tribute to Ali
  3. for world peace
  4. faith and love
  5. and grace
  6. rights hero
  7. many ways
  8. sporting legend
  9. for all time
  10. problems

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
flew
spent
rights
nickname
ever
decades
history
outside

Muhammad Ali, perhaps the world's greatest (1) ____________ sporting legend, passed away on Friday, aged 74. Ali had (2) ____________ the previous few days in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona with breathing problems. His children (3) ____________ to Phoenix to join their father for his final days. Ali is thought to be the best boxer in (4) ____________. He was the world heavyweight champion three times. He is widely known by his (5) ____________ – The Greatest. However, many people believe he was the greatest because of what he did (6) ____________ the boxing ring, not inside it. He was a civil (7) ____________ hero and strong opponent of the Vietnam War in the 1960s. He was an ambassador for world peace and worked tirelessly for charities for five (8) ____________ after.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
better
spirit
remembered
unite
time
figures
title
champion

World leaders, sporting (9) ____________ and celebrities have been paying tribute to Ali. Boxing promoter Bob Arum said: "Ali transformed this country and impacted the world with his (10) ____________. His legacy will be part of our history for all (11) ____________." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Ali for changing the world. He said Ali used his charm, wit and grace to fight for a (12) ____________ world, "and used his platform to lift up humanity". The daughter of Martin Luther King wrote: "You were a (13) ____________ in so many ways." Ali once said: "I would like to be (14) ____________ as a man who won the heavyweight (15) ____________ three times, who was humorous and who treated everyone right… As a man…who tried to (16) ____________ all humankind through faith and love."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Muhammad Ali, perhaps the world's greatest ever sporting legend, ______
     a.  past away
     b.  parsed away
     c.  passed away
     d.  pasted away

2)  spent the previous few days in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona with ______
     a.  breathe in problems
     b.  breathing problem
     c.  breathe in problem
     d.  breathing problems

3)  His children flew to Phoenix to join their father for ______
     a.  his final days
     b.  his finally days
     c.  this final days
     d.  his final day

4)  people believe he was the greatest because of what he did outside ______
     a.  the boxing rink
     b.  the boxing ring
     c.  the boxing thing
     d.  the boxing bling

5)  He was an ambassador for world peace and worked tirelessly for charities ______
     a.  four, five decades
     b.  forty-five decades
     c.  for five decides
     d.  for five decades

6)  World leaders, sporting figures and celebrities have been ______ Ali
     a.  paying tributes to
     b.  paying tribute too
     c.  paying tribute to
     d.  pay in tribute to

7)  Ali transformed this country and impacted the world ______
     a.  within his spirit
     b.  with his spirit
     c.  with this spirit
     d.  with his spirits

8)  used his charm, wit and grace to fight for a better world, and used his platform to _____
     a.  lifts up humanity
     b.  lifted up humanity
     c.  lifting up humanity
     d.  lift up humanity

9)  You were a champion in ______
     a.  so many weighs
     b.  so much ways
     c.  so many ways
     d.  so many way

10)  As a man…who tried to unite all humankind through ______
     a.  faithful and lovely
     b.  faiths and loves
     c.  fate and loved
     d.  faith and love

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Muhammad Ali, perhaps the world's greatest (1) ___________________, passed away on Friday, aged 74. Ali had spent the previous few days in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona with (2) ___________________. His children flew to Phoenix to join their father (3) ___________________. Ali is thought to be the best boxer in history. He was the world heavyweight champion three times. He is (4) ___________________ his nickname – The Greatest. However, many people believe he was the greatest because of what he did outside the boxing ring, not inside it. He was (5) ___________________ and strong opponent of the Vietnam War in the 1960s. He was an ambassador for world peace and worked tirelessly for charities (6) ___________________ after.

World leaders, sporting figures and celebrities have (7) _________________ to Ali. Boxing promoter Bob Arum said: "Ali transformed this country and (8) ___________________ with his spirit. His legacy will be part of our history for all time." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Ali for changing the world. He said Ali used his charm, wit and (9) ___________________ a better world, "and used his platform to lift up humanity". The daughter of Martin Luther King wrote: "You were a champion (10) ___________________." Ali once said: "I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous and who (11) ___________________ … As a man…who tried to unite all humankind (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. On what day of the week did Muhammad Ali die?
  2. What kind of problems did Muhammad Ali have in hospital?
  3. What was Muhammad Ali's nickname?
  4. What kind of hero does the article call Muhammad Ali?
  5. For how many decades did Muhammad Ali do charity work?
  6. What is Bob Arum's job?
  7. For how long did Bob Arum say Muhammad Ali's legacy would last?
  8. What did Ban Ki-moon say Muhammad Ali lifted up?
  9. Which relative of Martin Luther King wrote about Muhammad Ali?
  10. What did Muhammad Ali want to be remembered for trying to unite?

Multiple choice quiz

1) On what day of the week did Muhammad Ali die?
a) a Friday
b) a Thursday
c) a Saturday
d) a Sunday

2) What kind of problems did Muhammad Ali have in hospital?
a) hearing problems
b) heart problems
c) breathing problems
d) sleeping problems

3) What was Muhammad Ali's nickname?
a) The Butterfly
b) The Greatest
c) The Beast
d) The Best

4) What kind of hero does the article call Muhammad Ali?
a) a war hero
b) a charity hero
c) a ring hero
d) a civil rights hero

5) For how many decades did Muhammad Ali do charity work?
a) 5
b) 4
c) 3
d) 2

6) What is Bob Arum's job?
a) boxer
b) boxing journalist
c) boxing doctor
d) boxing promoter

7) For how long did Bob Arum say Muhammad Ali's legacy would last?
a) until the end of this century
b) all time
c) 20 years
d) decades

8) What did Ban Ki-moon say Muhammad Ali lifted up?
a) his hands
b) children
c) gloves
d) humanity

9) Which relative of Martin Luther King wrote about Muhammad Ali?
a) his cousin
b) his nephew
c) his daughter
d) his niece

10) What did Muhammad Ali want to be remembered for trying to unite?
a) his family
b) humankind
c) old fighters
d) boxing

Role play

Role A — Boxing

You think boxing is the most exciting form of fighting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least exciting of these (and why): karate, wrestling or fencing.

Role B — Karate

You think karate is the most exciting form of fighting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least exciting of these (and why): boxing, wrestling or fencing.

Role C — Wrestling

You think wrestling is the most exciting form of fighting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least exciting of these (and why): karate, boxing or fencing.

Role D — Fencing

You think fencing is the most exciting form of fighting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least exciting of these (and why):  karate, wrestling or boxing.

After reading / listening

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

'hero'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'legend'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • tribute
    • part
    • better
    • ways
    • remembered
    • love
    • perhaps
    • few
    • final
    • widely
    • outside
    • five

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies at 74

    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 'legend'?
    3. What do you think about Muhammad Ali?
    4. What do you think about what you read?
    5. What memories do you have of Muhammad Ali?
    6. Why do people say Muhammad Ali was such a legend?
    7. What do you know about Muhammad Ali the boxer?
    8. What do you know about Muhammad Ali the civil rights icon?
    9. What do you know about Muhammad Ali the ambassador for peace?
    10. What do you think of Muhammad Ali's nickname?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What tribute would you pay to Muhammad Ali?
    3. What will Muhammad Ali's legacy be?
    4. How did Muhammad Ali change the world for the better?
    5. In what ways was Muhammad Ali a champion?
    6. Should there be a Muhammad Ali Day?
    7. Do you know any of Muhammad Ali's famous sayings?
    8. Is Muhammad Ali the greatest sportsman ever?
    9. How will people remember Muhammad Ali?
    10. What questions would you like to have asked Muhammad Ali?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Muhammad Ali, perhaps the world's greatest (1) ____ sporting legend, passed away on Friday, aged 74. Ali had spent the (2) ____ few days in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona with breathing problems. His children (3) ____ to Phoenix to join their father for his final days. Ali is thought to be the best boxer in history. He was the world heavyweight champion three times. He is (4) ____ known by his nickname – The Greatest. However, many people believe he was the greatest because of what he (5) ____ outside the boxing ring, not inside it. He was a civil rights hero and strong opponent of the Vietnam War in the 1960s. He was an ambassador for world peace and worked (6) ____ for charities for five decades after.

    World leaders, sporting figures and celebrities have been (7) ____ tribute to Ali. Boxing promoter Bob Arum said: "Ali transformed this country and (8) ____ the world with his spirit. His legacy will be part of our history for all time." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (9) ____ Ali for changing the world. He said Ali used his charm, wit and grace to fight for a better world, "and used his platform to lift up (10) ____ ". The daughter of Martin Luther King wrote: "You were a champion in (11) ____ many ways." Ali once said: "I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous and who (12) ____ everyone right… As a man…who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     ever     (b)     even     (c)     event     (d)     never    
    2. (a)     previews     (b)     previously     (c)     previous     (d)     preview    
    3. (a)     flu     (b)     flying     (c)     flown     (d)     flew    
    4. (a)     strongly     (b)     widely     (c)     common     (d)     ways    
    5. (a)     does     (b)     done     (c)     doing     (d)     did    
    6. (a)     tired     (b)     tiring     (c)     tirelessly     (d)     tires    
    7. (a)     doing     (b)     paying     (c)     being     (d)     having    
    8. (a)     impacted     (b)     imported     (c)     important     (d)     implied    
    9. (a)     praised     (b)     surprised     (c)     pleased     (d)     supplies    
    10. (a)     humane     (b)     human     (c)     humanity     (d)     humanly    
    11. (a)     seven     (b)     then     (c)     such     (d)     so    
    12. (a)     pleated     (b)     treated     (c)     seated     (d)     heated

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the world's greatest ever sporting endgel
    2. the vrepiosu few days
    3. known by his mninkaec – The Greatest
    4. He was a ilvic rights hero
    5. worked tirelessly for esctiaihr
    6. for five edcsade after

    Paragraph 2

    1. sporting sgeiufr
    2. impacted the world with his srpiti
    3. His celagy will be part of our history
    4. a hipmnaco in so many ways
    5. who was ouomrshu
    6. unite all humankind through ftiha and love

    Put the text back together

    (    )     this country and impacted the world with his spirit. His legacy will be part of our history for all

    (    )     few days in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona with breathing problems. His children flew to Phoenix to join their

    (    )     wrote: "You were a champion in so many ways." Ali once said: "I would like to be remembered

    (    )     believe he was the greatest because of what he did outside the boxing ring, not

    (    )     inside it. He was a civil rights hero and strong opponent of the Vietnam War in the 1960s. He was an ambassador

    (    )     time." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Ali for changing the world. He said Ali used his charm, wit and

    (    )     for world peace and worked tirelessly for charities for five decades after.

    (    )     grace to fight for a better world, "and used his platform to lift up humanity". The daughter of Martin Luther King

    (    )     World leaders, sporting figures and celebrities have been paying tribute to Ali. Boxing promoter Bob Arum said: "Ali transformed

    (  1  )     Muhammad Ali, perhaps the world's greatest ever sporting legend, passed away on Friday, aged 74. Ali had spent the previous

    (    )     champion three times. He is widely known by his nickname – The Greatest. However, many people

    (    )     as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous and who treated

    (    )     father for his final days. Ali is thought to be the best boxer in history. He was the world heavyweight

    (    )     everyone right… As a man…who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love."

    Put the words in the right order

    1. few   had   days   spent   in   the   hospital   previous   Ali   .
    2. history   thought   the   in   is   be   boxer   Ali   to   best   .
    3. outside  what  it  ,  the  he  Because  not  boxing  did   of  inside  ring  .
    4. world   He   an   for   peace   was   ambassador   .
    5. charities   for   five   decades   after   Worked   tirelessly   for   .
    6. and   been  to  figures  have  tribute  Sporting  celebrities   paying  Ali  .
    7. and   impacted   the   world   Ali   transformed   this   country   .
    8. be   part   of   our   history   for   all   time   His   legacy   will   .
    9. who   three   won   times   the   A   heavyweight   man   title   .
    10. who   unite   through   man   to   humankind   A   tried   all   faith   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Muhammad Ali, perhaps the world's greatest ever sporting legendary / legend, passed away on Friday, aged 74. Ali had spent the previously / previous few days in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona with breathing problems. His children flew / flown to Phoenix to join their father for his / this final days. Ali is thought to be the best boxer on / in history. He was the world heavyweight champion three times. He is widely / wide known by his nickname – The Greatest. However, many people believe / belief he was the greatest because of what he did outside the boxing rink / ring, not inside it. He was a civil rights hero and strength / strong opponent of the Vietnam War in the 1960s. He was an ambassador for world peace / piece and worked tirelessly for charities for five decades after.

    World leaders, sporting figures and celebrity / celebrities have been paying tribute to Ali. Boxing promoter Bob Arum said: "Ali transformed this country and impacted / compacted the world with his spirit. His legacy will be part of our history / historical for all time." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Ali for changing the world. He said Ali used his charming / charm, wit and grace to fought / fight for a better world, "and used his platform to lift / lifting up humanity". The daughter of Martin Luther King wrote: "You were a champion in so much / many ways." Ali once said: "I would like to be remembered / remember as a man who won the heavyweight title three times, who was humorous and who treating / treated everyone right… As a man…who tried to unite all humankind through faith and lovely / love."

    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_h_mm_d _l_, p_rh_ps th_ w_rld's gr__t_st _v_r sp_rt_ng l_g_nd, p_ss_d _w_y _n Fr_d_y, _g_d 74. _l_ h_d sp_nt th_ pr_v___s f_w d_ys _n h_sp_t_l _n Ph__n_x, _r_z_n_ w_th br__th_ng pr_bl_ms. H_s ch_ldr_n fl_w t_ Ph__n_x t_ j__n th__r f_th_r f_r h_s f_n_l d_ys. _l_ _s th__ght t_ b_ th_ b_st b_x_r _n h_st_ry. H_ w_s th_ w_rld h__vyw__ght ch_mp__n thr__ t_m_s. H_ _s w_d_ly kn_wn by h_s n_ckn_m_ – Th_ Gr__t_st. H_w_v_r, m_ny p__pl_ b_l__v_ h_ w_s th_ gr__t_st b_c__s_ _f wh_t h_ d_d __ts_d_ th_ b_x_ng r_ng, n_t _ns_d_ _t. H_ w_s _ c_v_l r_ghts h_r_ _nd str_ng _pp_n_nt _f th_ V__tn_m W_r _n th_ 1960s. H_ w_s _n _mb_ss_d_r f_r w_rld p__c_ _nd w_rk_d t_r_l_ssly f_r ch_r_t__s f_r f_v_ d_c_d_s _ft_r.

    W_rld l__d_rs, sp_rt_ng f_g_r_s _nd c_l_br_t__s h_v_ b__n p_y_ng tr_b_t_ t_ _l_. B_x_ng pr_m_t_r B_b _r_m s__d: "_l_ tr_nsf_rm_d th_s c__ntry _nd _mp_ct_d th_ w_rld w_th h_s sp_r_t. H_s l_g_cy w_ll b_ p_rt _f __r h_st_ry f_r _ll t_m_." _.N. S_cr_t_ry-G_n_r_l B_n K_-m__n pr__s_d _l_ f_r ch_ng_ng th_ w_rld. H_ s__d _l_ _s_d h_s ch_rm, w_t _nd gr_c_ t_ f_ght f_r _ b_tt_r w_rld, "_nd _s_d h_s pl_tf_rm t_ l_ft _p h_m_n_ty". Th_ d__ght_r _f M_rt_n L_th_r K_ng wr_t_: "Y__ w_r_ _ ch_mp__n _n s_ m_ny w_ys." _l_ _nc_ s__d: "_ w__ld l_k_ t_ b_ r_m_mb_r_d _s _ m_n wh_ w_n th_ h__vyw__ght t_tl_ thr__ t_m_s, wh_ w_s h_m_r__s _nd wh_ tr__t_d _v_ry_n_ r_ght… _s _ m_n…wh_ tr__d t_ _n_t_ _ll h_m_nk_nd thr__gh f__th _nd l_v_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    muhammad ali perhaps the world's greatest ever sporting legend passed away on friday aged 74 ali had spent the previous few days in hospital in phoenix arizona with breathing problems his children flew to phoenix to join their father for his final days ali is thought to be the best boxer in history he was the world heavyweight champion three times he is widely known by his nickname – the greatest however many people believe he was the greatest because of what he did outside the boxing ring not inside it he was a civil rights hero and strong opponent of the vietnam war in the 1960s he was an ambassador for world peace and worked tirelessly for charities for five decades after

    world leaders sporting figures and celebrities have been paying tribute to ali boxing promoter bob arum said "ali transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit his legacy will be part of our history for all time" un secretary-general ban ki-moon praised ali for changing the world he said ali used his charm wit and grace to fight for a better world "and used his platform to lift up humanity" the daughter of martin luther king wrote "you were a champion in so many ways" ali once said "i would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times who was humorous and who treated everyone right… as a man…who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    MuhammadAli,perhapstheworld'sgreatesteversportinglegend,pass
    edawayonFriday,aged74.Alihadspentthepreviousfewdaysinhospital
    inPhoenix,Arizonawithbreathingproblems.HischildrenflewtoPhoenix
    tojointheirfatherforhisfinaldays.Aliisthoughttobethebestboxerinhist
    ory.Hewastheworldheavyweightchampionthreetimes.Heiswidelykn
    ownbyhisnickname–TheGreatest.However,manypeoplebelievehew
    asthegreatestbecauseofwhathedidoutsidetheboxingring,notinsideit
    .HewasacivilrightsheroandstrongopponentoftheVietnamWarinthe1
    960s.Hewasanambassadorforworldpeaceandworkedtirelesslyforch
    aritiesforfivedecadesafter.Worldleaders,sportingfiguresandcelebriti
    eshavebeenpayingtributetoAli.BoxingpromoterBobArumsaid:"Alitr
    ansformedthiscountryandimpactedtheworldwithhisspirit.Hislegacy
    willbepartofourhistoryforalltime."U.N.Secretary-GeneralBanKi-mo
    onpraisedAliforchangingtheworld.HesaidAliusedhischarm,witandgr
    acetofightforabetterworld,"andusedhisplatformtoliftuphumanity".T
    hedaughterofMartinLutherKingwrote:"Youwereachampioninsoman
    yways."Alioncesaid:"Iwouldliketoberememberedasamanwhowonth
    eheavyweighttitlethreetimes,whowashumorousandwhotreatedeve
    ryoneright…Asaman…whotriedtouniteallhumankindthroughfaithan
    dlove."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Muhammad Ali was the world's greatest sportsperson. 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. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about Muhammad Ali. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. BOXERS: Make a poster about the world's greatest boxers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. MUHAMMAD ALI: Write a magazine article about Muhammad Ali. Include imaginary interviews with people who think he is the greatest ever sports legend and with those who disagree with that.

    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 Muhammad Ali. Ask him/her three questions about him. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can remember him. 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

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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