The Reading / Listening - Level 3

We now have a good idea of what kind of clothes people wore over 5,000 years ago. Scientists studied the pieces of material that were on the body of a man who died in Europe 5,300 years ago. His body was frozen under ice in the Alps Mountains. Archaeologists discovered his body in a glacier in 1991. They called him Otzi the Iceman. They also found bits of clothing and Otzi's accessories and weapons. Scientists have analysed everything they found to get an idea of what early humans looked like, what they ate and what they wore. They even have an idea of what Otzi's voice sounded like. The scientists said Otzi provided "rare and valuable information" about how humans used animals five millennia ago.

The research team said Otzi's clothes were from several different animals. He had leggings that were made from goat leather. He wore a hat made from brown bear fur. Otzi's leather coat was stitched together from at least four different kinds of animals. His shoes were made from different kinds of grass. Otzi's body was also covered in 61 tattoos. Scientists say these were for pain relief for his aching joints and not for decoration. Otzi was 45 when he died, which was quite old for a man 5,000 years ago. He suffered from heart disease and had dental problems. Scientists say he did not die naturally. He was murdered. Someone killed him by firing an arrow at him, which hit him in the head.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/19/health/otzi-iceman-ancient-clothes/
  • http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/08/otzi-iceman-european-alps-mummy-clothing-dna-leather-fur-archaeology/
  • http://www.popsci.com/iceman-wore-five-different-animal-products-on-his-final-journey


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. CLOTHES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about clothes. 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?

       good idea / clothes / material / frozen / ice / accessories / weapons / valuable /
       research / leather / fur / grass / tattoos / pain relief / decoration / dental problems

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

3. ARCHAEOLOGY: Students A strongly believe archaeology is a very important subject to study; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. ICEMAN LIFE: What do you think life was like for the Iceman 5,300 years ago? Was it better than today? Talk about this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Health
  • Family relations
  • Stress
  • Exercise
  • Food
  • Security
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. ICE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "ice". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. SUBJECTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important subjects at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • religious studies
  • history
  • literature
  • astronomy
  • archaeology
  • music
  • geography
  • art

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Scientists studied bits of material worn by the Iceman.     T / F
  2. The Iceman was found in the Andes Mountains in Peru.     T / F
  3. Scientists think they know what the Iceman's voice sounded like.     T / F
  4. Scientists say the Iceman gave them valuable information.     T / F
  5. The Iceman had leggings made from bear skin.     T / F
  6. The Iceman's coat came from four different animals.     T / F
  7. There were a total of 16 tattoos on the Iceman's body.     T / F
  8. The Iceman died from natural causes.     T / F

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

  1. kind
  2. pieces
  3. discovered
  4. analysed
  5. valuable
  6. several
  7. stitched
  8. naturally
  9. murdered
  10. firing
  1. a number of
  2. examined
  3. normally
  4. sewn
  5. bits
  6. killed
  7. type
  8. shooting
  9. important
  10. found

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

  1. His body was frozen
  2. Archaeologists discovered his
  3. get an idea of what early
  4. Otzi provided rare and valuable
  5. how humans
  6. Otzi's clothes were from several
  7. He wore a hat made
  8. Otzi's body was also covered
  9. He suffered from heart
  10. Scientists say he did not
  1. body in a glacier in 1991
  2. disease
  3. used animals
  4. from brown bear fur
  5. under ice
  6. in 61 tattoos
  7. humans looked like
  8. die naturally
  9. different animals
  10. information

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

frozen
wore
idea
valuable
glacier
pieces
voice
weapons

We now have a good (1) ____________ of what kind of clothes people wore over 5,000 years ago. Scientists studied the (2) ____________ of material that were on the body of a man who died in Europe 5,300 years ago. His body was (3) ____________ under ice in the Alps Mountains. Archaeologists discovered his body in a (4) ____________ in 1991. They called him Otzi the Iceman. They also found bits of clothing and Otzi's accessories and (5) ____________. Scientists have analysed everything they found to get an idea of what early humans looked like, what they ate and what they (6) ____________. They even have an idea of what Otzi's (7) ____________ sounded like. The scientists said Otzi provided "rare and (8) ____________ information" about how humans used animals five millennia ago.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

tattoos
several
suffered
stitched
arrow
leather
naturally
decoration

The research team said Otzi's clothes were from (9) ____________ different animals. He had leggings that were made from goat (10) ____________. He wore a hat made from brown bear fur. Otzi's leather coat was (11) ____________ together from at least four different kinds of animals. His shoes were made from different kinds of grass. Otzi's body was also covered in 61 (12) ____________. Scientists say these were for pain relief for his aching joints and not for (13) ____________. Otzi was 45 when he died, which was quite old for a man 5,000 years ago. He (14) ____________ from heart disease and had dental problems. Scientists say he did not die (15) ____________. He was murdered. Someone killed him by firing an (16) ____________ at him, which hit him in the head.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  a good idea of what kind of clothes people wore ______ ago
     a.  over 5,000 year
     b.  more 5,000 years
     c.  than 5,000 years
     d.  over 5,000 years

2)  They also found bits of clothing and Otzi's accessories ______
     a.  and weapon
     b.  and weapons
     c.  and weaponise
     d.  and weaponries

3)  get an idea of what early humans ______
     a.  looking like
     b.  looked like
     c.  looked likely
     d.  looked likes

4)  They even have an idea of what Otzi's ______
     a.  voice sounded like
     b.  voice sound it like
     c.  voice sounded likes
     d.  voice sounded liked

5)  rare and valuable information about how humans used animals ______
     a.  five millennium ago
     b.  five millennia ages
     c.  five millennium ages
     d.  five millennia ago

6)  The research team said Otzi's clothes were from ______ animals
     a.  several difference
     b.  several differently
     c.  several different
     d.  several differential

7)  He wore a hat made from ______
     a.  brown bear furry
     b.  brown beer fur
     c.  brown bare furry
     d.  brown bear fur

8)  His shoes were made from different ______
     a.  kindness of grass
     b.  kinds of grassy
     c.  kinds of grass
     d.  kind of grasses

9)  these were for pain relief for his aching joints and ______
     a.  not from decoration
     b.  not for decoration
     c.  not for decorative
     d.  not four decoration

10)  Scientists say he did not die naturally. He ______
     a.  was murdered
     b.  was murder
     c.  was murderer
     d.  was murdering

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

We now have a good (1) ___________________ kind of clothes people wore over 5,000 years ago. Scientists studied the (2) ___________________ that were on the body of a man who died in Europe 5,300 years ago. His body was (3) ___________________ in the Alps Mountains. Archaeologists discovered his body in a glacier in 1991. They called him Otzi the Iceman. They also found (4) ___________________ and Otzi's accessories and weapons. Scientists have analysed everything they found to get an idea of what early humans looked like, what they ate and (5) ___________________. They even have an idea of what Otzi's voice sounded like. The scientists said Otzi provided " (6) ___________________ information" about how humans used animals five millennia ago.

The research team said Otzi's clothes (7) ___________________ different animals. He had leggings that were made from goat leather. He wore a hat made from (8) ___________________. Otzi's leather coat was stitched together from at least four different kinds of animals. His shoes were made from different kinds of grass. Otzi's body was also (9) ___________________ tattoos. Scientists say these were for (10) ___________________ his aching joints and not for decoration. Otzi was 45 when he died, which was quite old for a man 5,000 years ago. He suffered from (11) ___________________ and had dental problems. Scientists say he did not die naturally. He was murdered. Someone killed him by (12) ___________________ at him, which hit him in the head.

Comprehension questions

  1. What things did scientists study pieces of from Otzi?
  2. When did archaeologists find Otzi?
  3. What nickname did scientists give to Otzi?
  4. What do scientists think they know the sound of?
  5. What "rare and valuable" thing did Otzi give the scientists?
  6. What was Otzi's leggings made from?
  7. What did Otzi make with the fur from a brown bear?
  8. How many tattoos covered Otzi's body?
  9. What were the tattoos on Otzi's body for?
  10. What hit and killed Otzi?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What things did scientists study pieces of from Otzi?
a) hair
b) skin
c) material
d) bone

2) When did archaeologists find Otzi?
a) 1991
b) 5,300 years ago
c) 5,000 years ago
d) 1962

3) What nickname did scientists give to Otzi?
a) Icy
b) the Iceman
c) the Alps Man
d) Glacier

4) What do scientists think they know the sound of?
a) a 5,300-year-old song
b) old brown bears
c) a very old rattle
d) Otzi's voice

5) What "rare and valuable" thing did Otzi give the scientists?
a) gold
b) necklace
c) information
d) DNA

6) What was Otzi's leggings made from?
a) pigskin
b) goat leather
c) sheepskin
d) deerskin

7) What did Otzi make with the fur from a brown bear?
a) very warm socks
b) a rug
c) a blanket
d) a hat

8) How many tattoos covered Otzi's body?
a) 51
b) 61
c) 71
d) 81

9) What were the tattoos on Otzi's body for?
a) to frighten enemies
b) pain relief
c) religion
d) decoration

10) What hit and killed Otzi?
a) an arrow
b) a bear
c) a big rock
d) Otzi's wife

Role play

Role A —Archaeology

You think archaeology is the most important subject to study. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their subjects aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): music, religious studies or literature.

Role B —Music

You think music is the most important subject to study. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their subjects aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): archaeology, religious studies or literature.

Role C —Religious studies

You think religious studies is the most important subject to study. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their subjects aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): music, archaeology or literature.

Role D —Literature

You think literature is the most important subject to study. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their subjects aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  music, religious studies or archaeology.

After reading / listening

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

'ice'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'man'.

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

    • goat
    • bear
    • grass
    • 61
    • 45
    • head
    • over
    • under
    • 1991
    • everything
    • voice
    • 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 - What the 5,300-year-old Iceman wore

    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 'ice'?
    3. What do you know about Otzi the Iceman?
    4. What do you think about what you read?
    5. What clothes do you think people wore 5,000 years ago?
    6. How fashionable might those clothes be today?
    7. Why did clothes start becoming fashionable?
    8. What do you want to know about Otzi the Iceman?
    9. What do you think Otzi the Iceman did every day?
    10. What was life like 5,000 years ago?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What would surprise Otzi the Iceman about life today?
    3. Do we still need clothes made from leather and fur?
    4. What would you do if you had to make your own clothes?
    5. What did people do 5,000 years ago if they were ill?
    6. Why is archaeology important?
    7. Who might have murdered Otzi the Iceman and why?
    8. What age in history would you like to go back to?
    9. What could Otzi the Iceman teach us today?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    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)

    We now have a good idea of what kind of clothes people (1) ____ over 5,000 years ago. Scientists studied the pieces (2) ____ material that were on the body of a man who died in Europe 5,300 years ago. His body was frozen (3) ____ ice in the Alps Mountains. Archaeologists discovered his body in a glacier in 1991. They called him Otzi the Iceman. They also found bits of clothing and Otzi's accessories and (4) ____. Scientists have analysed everything they found to get an idea of what early humans looked like, what they ate and what they wore. They even have an idea of what Otzi's voice (5) ____ like. The scientists said Otzi provided "(6) ____ and valuable information" about how humans used animals five millennia ago.

    The research team said Otzi's clothes were from several different animals. He had leggings that were made from goat (7) ____. He wore a hat made from brown bear fur. Otzi's leather coat was stitched (8) ____ from at least four different kinds of animals. His shoes were made from different kinds of (9) ____. Otzi's body was also covered in 61 tattoos. Scientists say these were for pain relief for his aching joints and not (10) ____ decoration. Otzi was 45 when he died, which was quite old for a man 5,000 years ago. He suffered from heart disease and had (11) ____ problems. Scientists say he did not die naturally. He was murdered. Someone killed him (12) ____ firing an arrow at him, which hit him in the head.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     wear     (b)     wore     (c)     wearing     (d)     worn    
    2. (a)     by     (b)     of     (c)     at     (d)     for    
    3. (a)     top     (b)     freezing     (c)     cold     (d)     under    
    4. (a)     phones     (b)     weapons     (c)     diaries     (d)     jeans    
    5. (a)     heard     (b)     sounded     (c)     voiced     (d)     listened    
    6. (a)     rear     (b)     roar     (c)     rare     (d)     rower    
    7. (a)     lather     (b)     later     (c)     leather     (d)     latter    
    8. (a)     apart     (b)     between     (c)     together     (d)     among    
    9. (a)     glassy     (b)     grassy     (c)     glass     (d)     grass    
    10. (a)     for     (b)     by     (c)     at     (d)     on    
    11. (a)     dental     (b)     rental     (c)     dent     (d)     rent    
    12. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     by     (d)     of

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. pieces of mitlarea
    2. His body was oezrfn under ice
    3. Archaeologists dovrscedie his body
    4. Otzi's accessories and swoepan
    5. what Otzi's vceio sounded like
    6. rare and lavulbae information

    Paragraph 2

    1. leersva different animals
    2. made from goat eahlrte
    3. …coat was ittdshce together
    4. pain eleifr
    5. He suffered from heart ideseas
    6. He was urermded

    Put the text back together

    (    )     61 tattoos. Scientists say these were for pain relief for his aching joints and not for decoration. Otzi was 45 when he

    (    )     everything they found to get an idea of what early humans looked like, what they ate and what they

    (    )     The research team said Otzi's clothes were from several different animals. He had leggings that were made from goat

    (    )     him Otzi the Iceman. They also found bits of clothing and Otzi's accessories and weapons. Scientists have analysed

    (    )     kinds of animals. His shoes were made from different kinds of grass. Otzi's body was also covered in

    (    )     disease and had dental problems. Scientists say he did not die naturally. He was

    (    )     valuable information" about how humans used animals five millennia ago.

    (    )     leather. He wore a hat made from brown bear fur. Otzi's leather coat was stitched together from at least four different

    1  )     We now have a good idea of what kind of clothes people wore over 5,000 years ago. Scientists studied the pieces

    (    )     murdered. Someone killed him by firing an arrow at him, which hit him in the head.

    (    )     died, which was quite old for a man 5,000 years ago. He suffered from heart

    (    )     wore. They even have an idea of what Otzi's voice sounded like. The scientists said Otzi provided "rare and

    (    )     ice in the Alps Mountains. Archaeologists discovered his body in a glacier in 1991. They called

    (    )     of material that were on the body of a man who died in Europe 5,300 years ago. His body was frozen under

    Put the words in the right order

    1. We  clothes  what  good  now  people  kind  idea  have  wore  of  of  a  .
    2. the  material  who  body  that  died  of  were  Pieces   a   on   of  man  .
    3. Alps   body   under   the   His   frozen   in   Mountains   was   ice   .
    4. like   what   Get   early   an   humans   idea   looked   of   .
    5. used   Valuable   about   humans   animals   information   how   .
    6. leggings   goat   that   leather   were   He   made   had   from   .
    7. kinds   were   of   made   grass   from   His   different   shoes   .
    8. also   was   body   Otzi's   tattoos   61   in   covered   .
    9. when   he   died   ,   which   was   quite   old   Otzi   was   45   .
    10. firing   Someone   an   killed   arrow   him   at   by   him   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    We now have a good idea / ideas of what kind of clothes people worn / wore over 5,000 years ago. Scientists studied the pieces of material that were on the body of a man who dead / died in Europe 5,300 years ago. His body was frozen under icy / ice in the Alps Mountains. Archaeologists / Archaeology discovered his body in a glazier / glacier in 1991. They called him Otzi the Iceman. They also found / find bits of clothing and Otzi's accessories and weapons. Scientists have analysed everything they / it found to get an idea of what early humans looked alike / like, what they ate and what they wore. They even have an idea of what Otzi's voice sounded like. The scientists said Otzi provided "rare / roar and valuable information" about how humans used animals five millennia ago.

    The research team said Otzi's clothes were from few / several different animals. He had leggings that were made from goat lather / leather. He wore a hat made from brown bear fur / furry. Otzi's leather coat was stitched together from at least / last four different kinds of animals. His shoes were made from different kind / kinds of grass. Otzi's body was also covered in 61 tattoos. Scientists say these were for paint / pain relief for his aching / ache joints and not for decoration. Otzi was 45 when he died, which was quite / quit old for a man 5,000 years ago. He suffered from heart disease and had dental problems. Scientists say he did not die natural / naturally. He was murdered. Someone killed / dead him by firing an arrow at him, which hit him in the head.

    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)

    W_ n_w h_v_ _ g__d _d__ _f wh_t k_nd _f cl_th_s p__pl_ w_r_ _v_r 5,000 y__rs _g_. Sc__nt_sts st_d__d th_ p__c_s _f m_t_r__l th_t w_r_ _n th_ b_dy _f _ m_n wh_ d__d _n __r_p_ 5,300 y__rs _g_. H_s b_dy w_s fr_z_n _nd_r _c_ _n th_ _lps M__nt__ns. _rch___l_g_sts d_sc_v_r_d h_s b_dy _n _ gl_c__r _n 1991. Th_y c_ll_d h_m _tz_ th_ _c_m_n. Th_y _ls_ f__nd b_ts _f cl_th_ng _nd _tz_'s _cc_ss_r__s _nd w__p_ns. Sc__nt_sts h_v_ _n_lys_d _v_ryth_ng th_y f__nd t_ g_t _n _d__ _f wh_t __rly h_m_ns l__k_d l_k_, wh_t th_y _t_ _nd wh_t th_y w_r_. Th_y _v_n h_v_ _n _d__ _f wh_t _tz_'s v__c_ s__nd_d l_k_. Th_ sc__nt_sts s__d _tz_ pr_v_d_d "r_r_ _nd v_l__bl_ _nf_rm_t__n" _b__t h_w h_m_ns _s_d _n_m_ls f_v_ m_ll_nn__ _g_.

    Th_ r_s__rch t__m s__d _tz_'s cl_th_s w_r_ fr_m s_v_r_l d_ff_r_nt _n_m_ls. H_ h_d l_gg_ngs th_t w_r_ m_d_ fr_m g__t l__th_r. H_ w_r_ _ h_t m_d_ fr_m br_wn b__r f_r. _tz_'s l__th_r c__t w_s st_tch_d t_g_th_r fr_m _t l__st f__r d_ff_r_nt k_nds _f _n_m_ls. H_s sh__s w_r_ m_d_ fr_m d_ff_r_nt k_nds _f gr_ss. _tz_'s b_dy w_s _ls_ c_v_r_d _n 61 t_tt__s. Sc__nt_sts s_y th_s_ w_r_ f_r p__n r_l__f f_r h_s _ch_ng j__nts _nd n_t f_r d_c_r_t__n. _tz_ w_s 45 wh_n h_ d__d, wh_ch w_s q__t_ _ld f_r _ m_n 5,000 y__rs _g_. H_ s_ff_r_d fr_m h__rt d_s__s_ _nd h_d d_nt_l pr_bl_ms. Sc__nt_sts s_y h_ d_d n_t d__ n_t_r_lly. H_ w_s m_rd_r_d. S_m__n_ k_ll_d h_m by f_r_ng _n _rr_w _t h_m, wh_ch h_t h_m _n th_ h__d.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    we now have a good idea of what kind of clothes people wore over 5000 years ago scientists studied the pieces of material that were on the body of a man who died in europe 5300 years ago his body was frozen under ice in the alps mountains archaeologists discovered his body in a glacier in 1991 they called him otzi the iceman they also found bits of clothing and otzi's accessories and weapons scientists have analysed everything they found to get an idea of what early humans looked like what they ate and what they wore they even have an idea of what otzi's voice sounded like the scientists said otzi provided "rare and valuable information" about how humans used animals five millennia ago

    the research team said otzi's clothes were from several different animals he had leggings that were made from goat leather he wore a hat made from brown bear fur otzi's leather coat was stitched together from at least four different kinds of animals his shoes were made from different kinds of grass otzi's body was also covered in 61 tattoos scientists say these were for pain relief for his aching joints and not for decoration otzi was 45 when he died which was quite old for a man 5000 years ago he suffered from heart disease and had dental problems scientists say he did not die naturally he was murdered someone killed him by firing an arrow at him which hit him in the head

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Wenowhaveagoodideaofwhatkindofclothespeopleworeover5,000ye
    arsago.Scientistsstudiedthepiecesofmaterialthatwereonthebodyofa
    manwhodiedinEurope5,300yearsago.Hisbodywasfrozenundericeint
    heAlpsMountains.Archaeologistsdiscoveredhisbodyinaglacierin199
    1.TheycalledhimOtzitheIceman.TheyalsofoundbitsofclothingandOt
    zi'saccessoriesandweapons.Scientistshaveanalysedeverythingthey
    foundtogetanideaofwhatearlyhumanslookedlike,whattheyateandw
    hattheywore.TheyevenhaveanideaofwhatOtzi'svoicesoundedlike.T
    hescientistssaidOtziprovided"rareandvaluableinformation"aboutho
    whumansusedanimalsfivemillenniaago.TheresearchteamsaidOtzi's
    clotheswerefromseveraldifferentanimals.Hehadleggingsthatwerem
    adefromgoatleather.Heworeahatmadefrombrownbearfur.Otzi'sleat
    hercoatwasstitchedtogetherfromatleastfourdifferentkindsofanimals
    .Hisshoesweremadefromdifferentkindsofgrass.Otzi'sbodywasalsoc
    overedin61tattoos.Scientistssaythesewereforpainreliefforhisaching
    jointsandnotfordecoration.Otziwas45whenhedied,whichwasquiteol
    dforaman5,000yearsago.Hesufferedfromheartdiseaseandhaddenta
    lproblems.Scientistssayhedidnotdienaturally.Hewasmurdered.Som
    eonekilledhimbyfiringanarrowathim,whichhithiminthehead.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Archaeology is one of the most important things we can study. 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 Otzi the Iceman. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. OTZI THE ICEMAN: Write a magazine article about Otzi the Iceman. Include imaginary interviews with him and some archaeologists.

    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 prehistoric times. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can learn from prehistoric people. 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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