The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A small town in Italy has passed legislation requiring people to use only silent fireworks in displays and celebrations. The new measure is to ensure the wellbeing of dogs and other pets. The town of Collecchio in the province of Parma has decided that the welfare of its pets is more important than the sound of explosions that normally accompanies fireworks. The more sensitive hearing of animals causes them to develop a condition known as 'acoustic stress' that follows sudden and loud noises. The sounds and smoke created by fireworks can cause additional health problems in animals. Vets commonly report cases of nausea, tremors and increased anxiety in animals after a fireworks show.

Awareness of the potential problems created by the sound of fireworks is growing in Europe. Over the New Year, Germany banned fireworks near refugee shelters to minimise trauma experienced by refugees who had just fled war zones. Fireworks are also known to cause problems for war veterans. The explosions bring back painful memories of being in areas of conflict and can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, not everyone agrees with the idea of silent fireworks. Antonio Maldini said: "You need the booms, cracks and thunder. It's an essential part of the fun." He advised pet owners to keep animals indoors and keep all windows firmly closed.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.care2.com/greenliving/silent-fireworks-could-prove-helpful-for-animals-veterans-with-ptsd.html
  • http://www.khou.com/news/silent-fireworks-offer-a-quiet-alternative/263955421
  • http://dogtime.com/trending/33475-town-italy-switches-silent-fireworks-reduce-anxiety-animal


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. FIREWORKS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about fireworks. 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?

       legislation / displays / celebrations / wellbeing / pets / explosions / sensitive / nausea
       potential / refugee / trauma / war veterans / stress / silent / thunder / essential

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

3. SILENT: Students A strongly believe fireworks should be silent so they don't annoy people or animals; Students B strongly believe fireworks have to be noisy.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. NOISE POLLUTION: How bad are these things (10 = very bad; 1 = not bad at all)? Who does it affect? How can we reduce the pollution? Discuss this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Fireworks
  • Traffic
  • Airplanes
  • Construction
  • Cell phones
  • Music
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. PET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "pet". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. STRESSFUL NOISES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most stressful noises at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Cars hooting
  • Music in supermarkets
  • Video games
  • Babies crying
  • Fireworks
  • Other people's headphones
  • Electric tools
  • Family members

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A major city in Italy has banned noisy fireworks.     T / F
  2. The ban on fireworks is only for the benefit of dogs.     T / F
  3. Animals can develop a condition called 'acoustic stress'.     T / F
  4. Fireworks often make animals feel sick.     T / F
  5. Germany banned fireworks so refugees would not be traumatised.     T / F
  6. Fireworks can lead to PTSD in war veterans.     T / F
  7. Everyone agrees with the law requiring silent fireworks.     T / F
  8. A man said animals should be kept outdoors for fireworks displays.     T / F

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

  1. legislation
  2. measure
  3. accompanies
  4. condition
  5. anxiety
  6. potential
  7. banned
  8. trigger
  9. essential
  10. firmly
  1. stress
  2. illness
  3. securely
  4. laws
  5. set off
  6. key
  7. action
  8. possible
  9. goes with
  10. prohibited

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

  1. fireworks in displays
  2. ensure the wellbeing
  3. the sound of explosions that normally
  4. The more sensitive
  5. Vets commonly report
  6. potential
  7. refugee
  8. cause problems for war
  9. not everyone agrees
  10. keep all windows
  1. accompanies fireworks
  2. shelters
  3. cases of nausea
  4. problems
  5. of dogs and other pets
  6. firmly closed
  7. with the idea
  8. and celebrations
  9. veterans
  10. hearing of animals

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
ensure
sudden
normally
increased
legislation
additional
welfare
condition

A small town in Italy has passed (1) ____________ requiring people to use only silent fireworks in displays and celebrations. The new measure is to (2) ____________ the wellbeing of dogs and other pets. The town of Collecchio in the province of Parma has decided that the (3) ____________ of its pets is more important than the sound of explosions that (4) ____________ accompanies fireworks. The more sensitive hearing of animals causes them to develop a (5) ____________ known as 'acoustic stress' that follows (6) ____________ and loud noises. The sounds and smoke created by fireworks can cause (7) ____________ health problems in animals. Vets commonly report cases of nausea, tremors and (8) ____________ anxiety in animals after a fireworks show.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
veterans
potential
agrees
firmly
fled
banned
essential
trigger

Awareness of the (9) ____________ problems created by the sound of fireworks is growing in Europe. Over the New Year, Germany (10) ____________ fireworks near refugee shelters to minimise trauma experienced by refugees who had just (11) ____________ war zones. Fireworks are also known to cause problems for war (12) ____________. The explosions bring back painful memories of being in areas of conflict and can (13) ____________ post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, not everyone (14) ____________ with the idea of silent fireworks. Antonio Maldini said: "You need the booms, cracks and thunder. It's an (15) ____________ part of the fun." He advised pet owners to keep animals indoors and keep all windows (16) ____________ closed.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  legislation requiring people to use only silent fireworks in displays ______
     a.  and celebrations
     b.  and celebration
     c.  and celebrities
     d.  and celery stations

2)  The new measure is to ensure the wellbeing of dogs ______
     a.  and another pets
     b.  and the other pets
     c.  and other pet
     d.  and other pets

3)  decided that the welfare of its pets is more important than the sound ______
     a.  of explosions
     b.  for explosions
     c.  of exposition
     d.  of expositions

4) sensitive hearing of animals causes them to develop a condition known as ______
     a.  'a caustic stress'
     b.  'acoustic stress'
     c.  'acoustics dress'
     d.  'a coup stick stress'

5)  Vets commonly report cases of nausea, tremors and ______
     a.  increasing anxiety
     b.  increased anxious
     c.  increased anxiety
     d.  increased anxieties

6)  Awareness of the potential problems created by the sound of fireworks ______
     a.  is grown
     b.  is grow in
     c.  is growth
     d.  is growing

7)  to minimise trauma experienced by refugees who had just ______
     a.  bled war zones
     b.  tread war zones
     c.  dead war zones
     d.  fled war zones

8)  Fireworks are also known to cause problems for ______
     a.  war veteran
     b.  war veterans
     c.  wore veterans
     d.  wore veteran

9) memories of being in areas of conflict and can trigger post-traumatic ______
     a.  stress disorder
     b.  stress disorderly
     c.  stress disorders
     d.  stress disordered

10)  He advised pet owners to keep animals indoors and keep all windows ______
     a.  firmly closing
     b.  firmly close
     c.  firmly closes
     d.  firmly closed

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A small town in Italy (1) ___________________ requiring people to use only silent fireworks in displays and celebrations. The new measure is to ensure (2) ___________________ dogs and other pets. The town of Collecchio in the province of Parma has decided that (3) ________________ its pets is more important than the sound of explosions that normally accompanies fireworks. The more (4) ___________________ of animals causes them to develop a condition known as 'acoustic stress' that follows sudden and loud noises. The sounds and smoke created by fireworks (5) ___________________ health problems in animals. Vets commonly report cases of nausea, tremors and (6) ___________________ animals after a fireworks show.

Awareness (7) ___________________ problems created by the sound of fireworks is growing in Europe. Over the New Year, Germany banned fireworks (8) ___________________ to minimise trauma experienced by refugees who (9) ___________________ war zones. Fireworks are also known to cause problems for war veterans. The explosions bring back painful memories of being in (10) ___________________ and can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, not everyone agrees with the (11) ___________________ fireworks. Antonio Maldini said: "You need the booms, cracks and thunder. It's an essential part of the fun." He advised pet owners to keep animals indoors and keep (12) ___________________ closed.

Comprehension questions

  1. What did a small town in Italy pass?
  2. What did the town decide the welfare of pets was more important than?
  3. What is the name of the condition animals can get from loud noises?
  4. What else causes health problems for animals besides sounds?
  5. Who commonly reports cases of nausea in pets after fireworks shows?
  6. Which country banned fireworks displays near refugee camps?
  7. What did organisers want to minimize in refugees?
  8. What kind of memories can fireworks brink back in war veterans?
  9. What can fireworks trigger in war veterans?
  10. What did Antonio Maldini say should be firmly closed?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did a small town in Italy pass?
a) another town
b) milestone
c) a test
d) legislation

2) What did the town decide the welfare of pets was more important than?
a) Parma
b) the sound of explosions
c) the welfare of people
d) fireworks

3) What is the name of the condition animals can get from loud noises?
a) sensitive hearing stress
b) loud noises stress
c) sounds stress
d) acoustic stress

4) What else causes health problems for animals besides sounds?
a) pressure
b) painful necks
c) smoke
d) chemicals

5) Who commonly reports cases of nausea in pets after fireworks shows?
a) people with anxiety
b) fireworks makers
c) welfare workers
d) vets

6) Which country banned fireworks displays near refugee camps?
a) Turkey
b) Syria
c) Germany
d) Greece

7) What did organisers want to minimize in refugees?
a) trauma
b) moving around
c) financial stress
d) numbers

8) What kind of memories can fireworks brink back in war veterans?
a) vivid ones
b) dark ones
c) painful ones
d) recurring ones

9) What can fireworks trigger in war veterans?
a) DPST
b) PTSD
c) TSDP
d) PSTD

10) What did Antonio Maldini say should be firmly closed?
a) windows
b) eyes
c) ears
d) mouths

Role play

Role A — Fireworks

You think the sound from fireworks is the most stressful noise. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things you like about their noises. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): video games, supermarket music or crying babies.

Role B — Video games

You think the sound from video games is the most stressful noise. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things you like about their noises. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): fireworks, supermarket music or crying babies.

Role C — Supermarket music

You think supermarket music is the most stressful noise. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things you like about their noises. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): video games, fireworks or crying babies.

Role D — Crying babies

You think the sound for crying babies is the most stressful noise. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things you like about their noises. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): video games, supermarket music or fireworks.

After reading / listening

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

'display'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'celebration'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • potential
    • near
    • fled
    • painful
    • idea
    • windows
    • only
    • new
    • normally
    • hearing
    • sudden
    • report

    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 - Italian town to use silent fireworks for stressed dogs

    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 'fireworks'?
    3. What do you think of fireworks?
    4. What do you think about what you read?
    5. How unfair is it on animals to use fireworks?
    6. What do you think of the idea of silent fireworks?
    7. What do you know about noise pollution?
    8. Should all towns introduce the same law?
    9. What else should we do for the wellbeing of pets?
    10. What noises make you stressed?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What other dangers are there with fireworks?
    3. What was the last fireworks display you saw like?
    4. How might refugees feel when they hear fireworks?
    5. How can we help war veterans with PTSD?
    6. Would you prefer to see silent fireworks or loud ones?
    7. What's the best fireworks display in the world?
    8. Is noise an essential part of a fireworks display?
    9. Is it enough to keep pets indoors with the windows shut?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a fireworks display organiser?

    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)

    A small town in Italy has passed (1) ____ requiring people to use only silent fireworks in displays and celebrations. The new (2) ____ is to ensure the wellbeing of dogs and other pets. The town of Collecchio in the (3) ____ of Parma has decided that the welfare of its pets is more important than the sound of explosions that normally accompanies fireworks. The more (4) ____ hearing of animals causes them to develop a (5) ____ known as 'acoustic stress' that follows sudden and loud noises. The sounds and smoke created by fireworks can cause additional health problems in animals. Vets commonly report cases of (6) ____, tremors and increased anxiety in animals after a fireworks show.

    Awareness of the (7) ____ problems created by the sound of fireworks is growing in Europe. Over the New Year, Germany banned fireworks near refugee shelters to minimise trauma experienced (8) ____ refugees who had just fled war zones. Fireworks are also known to cause problems for war veterans. The explosions bring back painful memories (9) ____ being in areas of conflict and can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, not (10) ____ agrees with the idea of silent fireworks. Antonio Maldini said: "You need the booms, cracks and thunder. It's an (11) ____ part of the fun." He advised pet owners to keep animals indoors and keep all windows (12) ____ closed.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     legislation     (b)     legislative     (c)     legislature     (d)     legislate    
    2. (a)     measures     (b)     measured     (c)     measure     (d)     measurement    
    3. (a)     provincial     (b)     providence     (c)     province     (d)     provider    
    4. (a)     fragile     (b)     sensuous     (c)     delicately     (d)     sensitive    
    5. (a)     condition     (b)     illness     (c)     cause     (d)     tune    
    6. (a)     nascent     (b)     nausea     (c)     nautical     (d)     naughty    
    7. (a)     potency     (b)     potash     (c)     potent     (d)     potential    
    8. (a)     as     (b)     by     (c)     to     (d)     of    
    9. (a)     on     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     at    
    10. (a)     anyone     (b)     someone     (c)     all     (d)     everyone    
    11. (a)     whole     (b)     importance     (c)     key     (d)     essential    
    12. (a)     flimsy     (b)     firmly     (c)     floppy     (d)     flipping

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. passed inlisgealto
    2. in the vcpnorei of Parma
    3. The more iveisesnt hearing of animals
    4. a condition known as 'cuaticos stress'
    5. report cases of anusea
    6. increased xaeniyt in animals

    Paragraph 2

    1. the iepoalttn problems
    2. near ufeerge shelters
    3. ieinmism (UK) / immiinez (USA) trauma
    4. painful ieemrsom
    5. cause problems for war svaetenr
    6. an aseseltni part of the fun

    Put the text back together

    (    )     of explosions that normally accompanies fireworks. The more sensitive hearing of animals causes them to develop a

    (    )     of Parma has decided that the welfare of its pets is more important than the sound

    (    )     Europe. Over the New Year, Germany banned fireworks near refugee shelters to minimise trauma experienced

    (    )     celebrations. The new measure is to ensure the wellbeing of dogs and other pets. The town of Collecchio in the province

    (    )     veterans. The explosions bring back painful memories of being in areas of conflict and can trigger post-traumatic

    (    )     tremors and increased anxiety in animals after a fireworks show.

    (    )     by refugees who had just fled war zones. Fireworks are also known to cause problems for war

    (    )     said: "You need the booms, cracks and thunder. It's an essential part of the fun." He advised pet

    1  )     A small town in Italy has passed legislation requiring people to use only silent fireworks in displays and

    (    )     condition known as 'acoustic stress' that follows sudden and loud noises. The sounds and smoke created by fireworks can

    (    )     owners to keep animals indoors and keep all windows firmly closed.

    (    )     cause additional health problems in animals. Vets commonly report cases of nausea,

    (    )     stress disorder (PTSD). However, not everyone agrees with the idea of silent fireworks. Antonio Maldini

    (    )     Awareness of the potential problems created by the sound of fireworks is growing in

    Put the words in the right order

    1. of   new   to   wellbeing   The   is   the   dogs   measure   ensure   .
    2. more   that   of   is   Decided   welfare   pets   important   the   its   .
    3. as  Causes  develop  known   stress  to   condition  acoustic   them  a   .
    4. by  health  fireworks problems  can  Smoke  cause  created  additional .
    5. after   animals   in   anxiety   Increased   show   fireworks   a   .
    6. sound   the   by   created   problems   Potential   fireworks   of   .
    7. banned   Germany   shelters   refugee   near   fireworks   .
    8. memories   in   conflict   painful   being   of   back   of   areas   Bring   .
    9. of   agrees   silent   with   fireworks   the   Not   idea   everyone   .
    10. animals   keep   to   owners   pet   advised   He   indoors   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A small town in Italy has passed / passage legislation requiring people to use only silent / silence fireworks in displays and celebratory / celebrations. The new measure is to insure / ensure the wellbeing of dogs and other pets. The town of Collecchio in the province of Parma has decided that the welfare of its pets is more important than the sound of explosion / explosions that normally accompanies fireworks. The more sensitivity / sensitive hearing of animals causes / cause them to develop a condition known as 'acoustic stress' that follows suddenly / sudden and loud noises. The sounds and smoke created by fireworks can cause additional health problems in / on animals. Vets commonly report cases of nausea, tremors and increased anxious / anxiety in animals after a fireworks show.

    Awareness / Aware of the potential problems created by the sound of fireworks is growing / grown in Europe. Over the New Year, Germany banned fireworks near / nearly refugee shelters to minimise trauma experienced on / by refugees who had just fled / bled war zones. Fireworks are also known to cause problems for / as war veterans. The explosions bring back painful memories of being in areas / area of conflict and can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, not / now everyone agrees with the idea of silent fireworks. Antonio Maldini said: "You need the booms, cracks and thunder / thunderous. It's an essential part of the fun." He advised pet owners to keep animals indoors and keep all windows firm / firmly closed.

    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)

    _ sm_ll t_wn _n _t_ly h_s p_ss_d l_g_sl_t__n r_q__r_ng p__pl_ t_ _s_ _nly s_l_nt f_r_w_rks _n d_spl_ys _nd c_l_br_t__ns. Th_ n_w m__s_r_ _s t_ _ns_r_ th_ w_llb__ng _f d_gs _nd _th_r p_ts. Th_ t_wn _f C_ll_cch__ _n th_ pr_v_nc_ _f P_rm_ h_s d_c_d_d th_t th_ w_lf_r_ _f _ts p_ts _s m_r_ _mp_rt_nt th_n th_ s__nd _f _xpl_s__ns th_t n_rm_lly _cc_mp_n__s f_r_w_rks. Th_ m_r_ s_ns_t_v_ h__r_ng _f _n_m_ls c__s_s th_m t_ d_v_l_p _ c_nd_t__n kn_wn _s '_c__st_c str_ss' th_t f_ll_ws s_dd_n _nd l__d n__s_s. Th_ s__nds _nd sm_k_ cr__t_d by f_r_w_rks c_n c__s_ _dd_t__n_l h__lth pr_bl_ms _n _n_m_ls. V_ts c_mm_nly r_p_rt c_s_s _f n__s__, tr_m_rs _nd _ncr__s_d _nx__ty _n _n_m_ls _ft_r _ f_r_w_rks sh_w.

    _w_r_n_ss _f th_ p_t_nt__l pr_bl_ms cr__t_d by th_ s__nd _f f_r_w_rks _s gr_w_ng _n __r_p_. _v_r th_ N_w Y__r, G_rm_ny b_nn_d f_r_w_rks n__r r_f_g__ sh_lt_rs t_ m_n_m_s_ tr__m_ _xp_r__nc_d by r_f_g__s wh_ h_d j_st fl_d w_r z_n_s. F_r_w_rks _r_ _ls_ kn_wn t_ c__s_ pr_bl_ms f_r w_r v_t_r_ns. Th_ _xpl_s__ns br_ng b_ck p__nf_l m_m_r__s _f b__ng _n _r__s _f c_nfl_ct _nd c_n tr_gg_r p_st-tr__m_t_c str_ss d_s_rd_r (PTSD). H_w_v_r, n_t _v_ry_n_ _gr__s w_th th_ _d__ _f s_l_nt f_r_w_rks. _nt_n__ M_ld_n_ s__d: "Y__ n__d th_ b__ms, cr_cks _nd th_nd_r. _t's _n _ss_nt__l p_rt _f th_ f_n." H_ _dv_s_d p_t _wn_rs t_ k__p _n_m_ls _nd__rs _nd k__p _ll w_nd_ws f_rmly cl_s_d.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a small town in italy has passed legislation requiring people to use only silent fireworks in displays and celebrations the new measure is to ensure the wellbeing of dogs and other pets the town of collecchio in the province of parma has decided that the welfare of its pets is more important than the sound of explosions that normally accompanies fireworks the more sensitive hearing of animals causes them to develop a condition known as 'acoustic stress' that follows sudden and loud noises the sounds and smoke created by fireworks can cause additional health problems in animals vets commonly report cases of nausea tremors and increased anxiety in animals after a fireworks show

    awareness of the potential problems created by the sound of fireworks is growing in europe over the new year germany banned fireworks near refugee shelters to minimise trauma experienced by refugees who had just fled war zones fireworks are also known to cause problems for war veterans the explosions bring back painful memories of being in areas of conflict and can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) however not everyone agrees with the idea of silent fireworks antonio maldini said "you need the booms cracks and thunder it's an essential part of the fun" he advised pet owners to keep animals indoors and keep all windows firmly closed

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AsmalltowninItalyhaspassedlegislationrequiringpeopletouseonlysil
    entfireworksindisplaysandcelebrations.Thenewmeasureistoensuret
    hewellbeingofdogsandotherpets.ThetownofCollecchiointheprovince
    ofParmahasdecidedthatthewelfareofitspetsismoreimportantthanth
    esoundofexplosionsthatnormallyaccompaniesfireworks.Themorese
    nsitivehearingofanimalscausesthemtodevelopaconditionknownas'a
    cousticstress'thatfollowssuddenandloudnoises.Thesoundsandsmok
    ecreatedbyfireworkscancauseadditionalhealthproblemsinanimals.V
    etscommonlyreportcasesofnausea,tremorsandincreasedanxietyina
    nimalsafterafireworksshow.Awarenessofthepotentialproblemscreat
    edbythesoundoffireworksisgrowinginEurope.OvertheNewYear,Ger
    manybannedfireworksnearrefugeeshelterstominimisetraumaexperi
    encedbyrefugeeswhohadjustfledwarzones.Fireworksarealsoknownt
    ocauseproblemsforwarveterans.Theexplosionsbringbackpainfulme
    moriesofbeinginareasofconflictandcantriggerpost-traumaticst
    ressdisorder(PTSD).However,noteveryoneagreeswiththeideaofsile
    ntfireworks.AntonioMaldinisaid:"Youneedthebooms,cracksandthun
    der.It'sanessentialpartofthefun."Headvisedpetownerstokeepanima
    lsindoorsandkeepallwindowsfirmlyclosed.

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

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    Academic writing

    All fireworks should be silent for the wellbeing of humans and animals. 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 silent fireworks. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. FIREWORKS DISPLAYS: Make a poster about fireworks displays. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. SILENT FIREWORKS: Write a magazine article about silent fireworks. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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

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

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on fireworks. Ask him/her three questions about silent fireworks. Give him/her three of your opinions. 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

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    Answers

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

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