The Reading / Listening - Ransomware - Level 3

The technology company Microsoft is angry with America's National Security Agency (NSA). Microsoft said the WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack happened because the NSA keeps lots of cyber-weapons on its computers. Ransomware is a type of harmful software that blocks access to a computer until the owner of the computer pays money (a ransom) to the hackers. The NSA is America's military intelligence organization. It helps to keep America's communications and information systems safe. It is also responsible for stopping cyber-attacks against the USA. However, experts say the WannaCry ransomware used computer spying tools originally designed by the NSA.

Microsoft President Brad Smith said governments needed to wake up to the problem of storing cyber-weapons that hackers can steal. He said it was as big a problem as someone stealing missiles from the USA. When talking about the WannaCry attack, he said: "This attack provides yet another example of why the stockpiling of [these things] by governments is such a problem." The European police agency Europol said WannaCry has affected 200,000 computers in 150 countries. In the UK, WannaCry caused many problems with the work of Britain's National Health Service. Many operations were cancelled. Experts warned people to back up their files because a second wave of attacks could come.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Ransomware - Level 0 Ransomware - Level 1   or  Ransomware - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.investors.com/news/technology/microsoft-lashes-out-over-wannacry-hacks-is-apple-next/
  • http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-europe-computer-virus-20170514-story.html
  • https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/15/15639890/microsoft-wannacry-security-vulnerabilities-ransomware


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. RANSOMWARE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about ransomware. 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?

       technology / company / cyber-attack / software / intelligence / systems / spying /
       wake up / cyber-weapons / missiles / police / ransomware / experts / wave / back up

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

3. DANGER: Students A strongly believe cyber-attacks are the biggest danger to the world; Students B strongly believe other things are more dangerous.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. CYBER: What do you know about these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I know

How do these things affect the world?

cyber-attack

 

 

cyber-cafe

 

 

cyber-crime

 

 

cyber-pet

 

 

cyber-terrorist

 

 

cyber-weapons

 

 

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

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

  • music
  • videos
  • homework
  • e-books
  • applications
  • documents
  • photos
  • games

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says America's NSA is angry with Microsoft.     T / F
  2. America's National Security Agency has cyber-weapons on its computers. T / F
  3. Ransomware means people must pay hackers to access their files.     T / F
  4. The WannaCry hackers used spying tools first created by the NSA.     T / F
  5. Microsoft's president said governments needed to wake up.     T / F
  6. Brad Smith said governments storing cyber-weapons isn't dangerous.     T / F
  7. The WannaCry ransomware affected over 250,000 computers.     T / F
  8. Experts said the wave of attacks was now over.     T / F

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

  1. angry
  2. happened
  3. harmful
  4. responsible for
  5. originally
  6. storing
  7. stealing
  8. provides
  9. caused
  10. warned
  1. presents
  2. furious
  3. keeping
  4. occurred
  5. created
  6. first
  7. in charge of
  8. advised
  9. thieving
  10. dangerous

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

  1. Microsoft is angry with America's
  2. harmful software that blocks
  3. pays money
  4. It is also responsible
  5. computer spying
  6. governments needed to
  7. This attack provides yet
  8. WannaCry has affected 200,000
  9. Experts warned people to back
  10. a second wave
  1. wake up to the problem
  2. (a ransom) to the hackers
  3. tools
  4. computers in 150 countries
  5. up their files
  6. access to a computer
  7. of attacks could come
  8. for stopping cyber-attacks
  9. another example of why
  10. National Security Agency

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
happened
experts
ransom
angry
originally
military
blocks
safe

The technology company Microsoft is (1) ____________ with America's National Security Agency (NSA). Microsoft said the WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack (2) ____________ because the NSA keeps lots of cyber-weapons on its computers. Ransomware is a type of harmful software that (3) ____________ access to a computer until the owner of the computer pays money (a (4) ____________) to the hackers. The NSA is America's (5) ____________ intelligence organization. It helps to keep America's communications and information systems (6) ____________. It is also responsible for stopping cyber-attacks against the USA. However, (7) ____________ say the WannaCry ransomware used computer spying tools (8) ____________ designed by the NSA.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
yet
storing
caused
such
wave
stealing
operations
affected

Microsoft president Brad Smith said governments needed to wake up to the problem of (9) ____________ cyber-weapons that hackers can steal. He said it was as big a problem as someone (10) ____________ missiles from the USA. When talking about the WannaCry attack, he said: "This attack provides (11) ____________ another example of why the stockpiling of [these things] by governments is (12) ____________ a problem." The European police agency Europol said WannaCry has (13) ____________ 200,000 computers in 150 countries. In the UK, WannaCry (14) ____________ many problems with the work of Britain's National Health Service. Many (15) ____________ were cancelled. Experts warned people to back up their files because a second (16) ____________ of attacks could come.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The technology company Microsoft is angry with America's National ______
     a.  Securities Agency
     b.  Secrets Agency
     c.  Secure A Tea Agency
     d.  Security Agency

2)  Ransomware is a type of harmful software that blocks ______ computer
     a.  excess to a
     b.  access to a
     c.  recess to a
     d.  success to a

3)  It helps to keep America's communications and information ______
     a.  sister is safe
     b.  systems safe
     c.  systems safely
     d.  sisters safe

4)  It is also responsible for stopping cyber-attacks ______
     a.  again the USA
     b.  a gains the USA
     c.  aghast the USA
     d.  against the USA

5)  used computer spying tools originally designed ______
     a.  by the NSA
     b.  by a NSA
     c.  by an NSA
     d.  but the NSA

6)  Microsoft president Brad Smith said governments needed to wake ______
     a.  up to a problem
     b.  up to the problem
     c.  up to the problems
     d.  up too the problem

7)  He said it was as big a problem as someone ______
     a.  stolen missiles
     b.  steel in missiles
     c.  steal in missiles
     d.  stealing missiles

8)  This attack provides yet ______
     a.  an other example
     b.  the other example
     c.  another example
     d.  other examples

9)  The European police agency Europol said WannaCry has ______ computers
     a.  affected 200,000
     b.  affected 20,000
     c.  affected 2,000
     d.  affected 2,000,000

10)  back up their files because a second wave of attacks ______
     a.  couldn't come
     b.  could cone
     c.  could come
     d.  couldn't cone

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The technology company Microsoft (1) ___________________ America's National Security Agency (NSA). Microsoft said the WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack happened because the NSA (2) ___________________ cyber-weapons on its computers. Ransomware is a type of harmful software that blocks access to a computer until (3) ___________________ the computer pays money (4) ___________________ the hackers. The NSA is America's military intelligence organization. It helps to keep America's communications and information systems safe. (5) ___________________ responsible for stopping cyber-attacks against the USA. However, experts say the WannaCry ransomware used computer spying (6) ___________________ designed by the NSA.

Microsoft president Brad Smith said governments (7) ___________________ up to the problem of storing cyber-weapons that hackers can steal. He said it was (8) ___________________ as someone stealing missiles from the USA. When talking about the WannaCry attack, he said: "This attack (9) ___________________ example of why the stockpiling of [these things] by governments (10) ___________________." The European police agency Europol said WannaCry has affected 200,000 computers in 150 countries. In the UK, WannaCry caused many problems (11) ___________________ Britain's National Health Service. Many operations were cancelled. Experts warned people to (12) ___________________ files because a second wave of attacks could come.

Comprehension questions

  1. What technology company is angry?
  2. What does the NSA keep a lot of on its computers?
  3. What must people pay hackers to get access to their computers back?
  4. What does the NSA help to do to the USA's information systems?
  5. Who did experts say designed the spying tools used in WannaCry?
  6. Who is Brad Smith?
  7. What did Brad Smith compare the stealing of cyber-weapons to?
  8. How many computers did WannaCry affect?
  9. What was cancelled in Britain's National Health Service?
  10. What did experts say there could be a second wave of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What technology company is angry?
a) Sony
b) Google
c) Apple
d) Microsoft

2) What does the NSA keep a lot of on its computers?
a) names
b) cyber-weapons
c) dust
d) photos

3) What must people pay hackers to get access to their computers back?
a) a salary
b) respect
c) costs
d) a ransom

4) What does the NSA help to do to the USA's information systems?
a) update them
b) systematise them
c) keep them safe
d) inform them

5) Who did experts say designed the spying tools used in WannaCry?
a) the military
b) the FBI
c) hackers
d) the NSA

6) Who is Brad Smith?
a) a soldier
b) a hacker
c) Microsoft's president
d) a spy

7) What did Brad Smith compare the stealing of cyber-weapons to?
a) stealing missiles
b) storing
c) stockpiling
d) waking up

8) How many computers did WannaCry affect?
a) 20,000
b) 2,000,000
c) 200,000
d) 2,000

9) What was cancelled in Britain's National Health Service?
a) files
b) operations
c) back-ups
d) holidays

10) What did experts say there could be a second wave of?
a) attacks
b) surfing
c) warnings
d) problems

Role play

Role  A – Documents

You think documents are the most important things to back up on a computer. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): photos, music or videos.

Role  B – Photos

You think photos are the most important things to back up on a computer. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): documents, music or videos.

Role  C – Music

You think music is the most important thing to back up on a computer. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): photos, documents or videos.

Role  D – Videos

You think videos are the most important things to back up on a computer. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  photos, music or documents.

After reading / listening

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

'spy'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'agency'.

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

    • wake up
    • steal
    • example
    • 150
    • work
    • wave
    • angry
    • lots
    • owner
    • military
    • also
    • tools

    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 - Microsoft blames U.S. spy agency for WannaCry

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'spy'?
    3. What do you know about the WannaCry ransomware?
    4. How dangerous are cyber-attacks?
    5. How could cyber-attacks be used in wars?
    6. What is ransomware?
    7. How bad would it be if you lost access to all your computer files?
    8. What do you do to protect your computer?
    9. What cyber-attacks do you know about?
    10. Why can't governments stop hackers?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'agency'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How worried are you about cyber-attacks?
    5. How much would you pay to get access to your computer files?
    6. What damage can hackers do?
    7. Are the hackers more intelligent than the computer security companies?
    8. Can you live without a computer?
    9. What would happen if hackers stopped the Internet?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the boss of the NSA?

    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)

    The technology company Microsoft is (1) ____ with America's National Security Agency (NSA). Microsoft said the WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack (2) ____ because the NSA keeps (3) ____ of cyber-weapons on its computers. Ransomware is a type of harmful software that blocks (4) ____ to a computer until the owner of the computer pays money (a ransom) to the hackers. The NSA is America's military intelligence organization. It helps to keep America's communications and information systems safe. It is also responsible (5) ____ stopping cyber-attacks against the USA. However, experts say the WannaCry ransomware used computer spying tools (6) ____ designed by the NSA.

    Microsoft president Brad Smith said governments needed to (7) ____ up to the problem of storing cyber-weapons that hackers can (8) ____. He said it was as big a problem as someone stealing missiles from the USA. When talking about the WannaCry attack, he said: "This attack provides (9) ____ another example of why the stockpiling of [these things] (10) ____ governments is such a problem." The European police agency Europol said WannaCry has affected 200,000 computers in 150 countries. In the UK, WannaCry caused many problems with the work of Britain's National Health Service. Many operations were cancelled. Experts warned people to back (11) ____ their files because a second (12) ____ of attacks could come.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     angrily     (b)     angry     (c)     angers     (d)     angered    
    2. (a)     happens     (b)     happened     (c)     happening     (d)     happen    
    3. (a)     loading     (b)     lot     (c)     load     (d)     lots    
    4. (a)     excess     (b)     access     (c)     recess     (d)     success    
    5. (a)     far     (b)     from     (c)     of     (d)     for    
    6. (a)     origins     (b)     origin     (c)     originally     (d)     originate    
    7. (a)     wake     (b)     woken     (c)     waking     (d)     woke    
    8. (a)     stole     (b)     stolen     (c)     steal     (d)     stealing    
    9. (a)     until     (b)     already     (c)     as     (d)     yet    
    10. (a)     by     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     in    
    11. (a)     up     (b)     down     (c)     over     (d)     under    
    12. (a)     wave     (b)     ripple     (c)     wash     (d)     fountain

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The ooneychgtl company Microsoft
    2. a type of ulrhamf software
    3. iylmirta intelligence
    4. information tssesym
    5. slpbnesioer for stopping cyber-attacks
    6. tools grilailyno designed by the NSA

    Paragraph 2

    1. Microsoft dnesrtipe Brad Smith
    2. stealing mislesis from the USA
    3. This attack sidervop yet another example
    4. WannaCry has dftceaef 200,000 computers
    5. Many ptrsoaoine were cancelled
    6. xepsetr warned people to back up their files

    Put the text back together

    (    )     say the WannaCry ransomware used computer spying tools originally designed by the NSA.

    (    )     agency Europol said WannaCry has affected 200,000 computers in 150 countries. In the UK, WannaCry caused

    (    )     of the computer pays money (a ransom) to the hackers. The NSA is America's military intelligence

    (    )     its computers. Ransomware is a type of harmful software that blocks access to a computer until the owner

    1  )     The technology company Microsoft is angry with America's National Security Agency (NSA). Microsoft said

    (    )     example of why the stockpiling of [these things] by governments is such a problem." The European police

    (    )     organization. It helps to keep America's communications and information systems safe. It is also responsible

    (    )     missiles from the USA. When talking about the WannaCry attack, he said: "This attack provides yet another

    (    )     cancelled. Experts warned people to back up their files because a second wave of attacks could come.

    (    )     Microsoft president Brad Smith said governments needed to wake up to the problem of storing cyber-weapons that

    (    )     for stopping cyber-attacks against the USA. However, experts

    (    )     many problems with the work of Britain's National Health Service. Many operations were

    (    )     hackers can steal. He said it was as big a problem as someone stealing

    (    )     the WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack happened because the NSA keeps lots of cyber-weapons on

    Put the words in the right order

    1. keeps   -   The   weapons  lots   on   of   its   cyber   computers   NSA   .
    2. software   Harmful   computer   a   to   access   blocks   that   .
    3. NSA   America's   intelligence   The   is   military   organization   .
    4. for  responsible  also  is  It   USA  the  against  attacks  cyber-  stopping  .
    5. originally   tools   spying   Computer   NSA   the   by   designed   .
    6. problem   governments   wake   the   said   to   to   Smith   needed   up   .
    7. someone   It   big   as   missiles   as   problem   stealing   was   a   .
    8. yet   provides   attack   This   why   of   example   another   .
    9. things   is   problem   these  governments   a  of   by   such   Stockpiling   .
    10. back   to   people   warned   Experts   files   their   up   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The technology company Microsoft is angry / angrily with America's National Security Agency (NSA). Microsoft said the WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack happening / happened because the NSA keeps load / lots of cyber-weapons on its computers. Ransomware is a type / typed of harmful software that blocks access of / to a computer until the owner of the computer pays money (a ransom) to / from the hackers. The NSA is America's military intelligence organization. It helps that / to keep America's communications and information systems safe / safety. It is also responsible for stopping cyber-attacks against / again the USA. However, experts say the WannaCry ransomware used computer spying tools originally / original designed by the NSA.

    Microsoft president Brad Smith said / say governments needed to wake up to the problem of storing / store cyber-weapons that hackers can steel / steal. He said it was as big a problem has / as someone stealing missiles from the USA. When talking about the WannaCry attack, they / he said: "This attack provides yet / as another example of why the stockpiling of [these things] by governments is such a / the problem." The European police agency Europol said WannaCry has effected / affected 200,000 computers in 150 countries. In the UK, WannaCry caused many problems with the work of Britain's National Health Service. Many operations were cancelled. Experts warned people to back down / up their files because a second wave of attacks could go / come.

    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)

    Th_ t_chn_l_gy c_mp_ny M_cr_s_ft _s _ngry w_th _m_r_c_'s N_t__n_l S_c_r_ty _g_ncy (NS_). M_cr_s_ft s__d th_ W_nn_Cry r_ns_mw_r_ cyb_r-_tt_ck h_pp_n_d b_c__s_ th_ NS_ k__ps l_ts _f cyb_r-w__p_ns _n _ts c_mp_t_rs. R_ns_mw_r_ _s _ typ_ _f h_rmf_l s_ftw_r_ th_t bl_cks _cc_ss t_ _ c_mp_t_r _nt_l th_ _wn_r _f th_ c_mp_t_r p_ys m_n_y (_ r_ns_m) t_ th_ h_ck_rs. Th_ NS_ _s _m_r_c_'s m_l_t_ry _nt_ll_g_nc_ _rg_n_z_t__n. _t h_lps t_ k__p _m_r_c_'s c_mm_n_c_t__ns _nd _nf_rm_t__n syst_ms s_f_. _t _s _ls_ r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r st_pp_ng cyb_r-_tt_cks _g__nst th_ _S_. H_w_v_r, _xp_rts s_y th_ W_nn_Cry r_ns_mw_r_ _s_d c_mp_t_r spy_ng t__ls _r_g_n_lly d_s_gn_d by th_ NS_.

    M_cr_s_ft pr_s_d_nt Br_d Sm_th s__d g_v_rnm_nts n__d_d t_ w_k_ _p t_ th_ pr_bl_m _f st_r_ng cyb_r-w__p_ns th_t h_ck_rs c_n st__l. H_ s__d _t w_s _s b_g _ pr_bl_m _s s_m__n_ st__l_ng m_ss_l_s fr_m th_ _S_. Wh_n t_lk_ng _b__t th_ W_nn_Cry _tt_ck, h_ s__d: "Th_s _tt_ck pr_v_d_s y_t _n_th_r _x_mpl_ _f why th_ st_ckp_l_ng _f [th_s_ th_ngs] by g_v_rnm_nts _s s_ch _ pr_bl_m." Th_ __r_p__n p_l_c_ _g_ncy __r_p_l s__d W_nn_Cry h_s _ff_ct_d 200,000 c_mp_t_rs _n 150 c__ntr__s. _n th_ _K, W_nn_Cry c__s_d m_ny pr_bl_ms w_th th_ w_rk _f Br_t__n's N_t__n_l H__lth S_rv_c_. M_ny _p_r_t__ns w_r_ c_nc_ll_d. _xp_rts w_rn_d p__pl_ t_ b_ck _p th__r f_l_s b_c__s_ _ s_c_nd w_v_ _f _tt_cks c__ld c_m_.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the technology company microsoft is angry with america's national security agency (nsa) microsoft said the wannacry ransomware cyber-attack happened because the nsa keeps lots of cyber-weapons on its computers ransomware is a type of harmful software that blocks access to a computer until the owner of the computer pays money (a ransom) to the hackers the nsa is america's military intelligence organization it helps to keep america's communications and information systems safe it is also responsible for stopping cyber-attacks against the usa however experts say the wannacry ransomware used computer spying tools originally designed by the nsa

    microsoft president brad smith said governments needed to wake up to the problem of storing cyber-weapons that hackers can steal he said it was as big a problem as someone stealing missiles from the usa when talking about the wannacry attack he said "this attack provides yet another example of why the stockpiling of [these things] by governments is such a problem" the european police agency europol said wannacry has affected 200000 computers in 150 countries in the uk wannacry caused many problems with the work of britain's national health service many operations were cancelled experts warned people to back up their files because a second wave of attacks could come

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThetechnologycompanyMicrosoftisangrywithAmerica'sNationalSec
    urityAgency(NSA).MicrosoftsaidtheWannaCryransomwarecyber-at
    tackhappenedbecausetheNSAkeepslotsofcyber-weaponsonitscom
    puters.Ransomwareisatypeofharmfulsoftwarethatblocksaccesstoac
    omputeruntiltheownerofthecomputerpaysmoney(aransom)totheha
    ckers.TheNSAisAmerica'smilitaryintelligenceorganization.Ithelpsto
    keepAmerica'scommunicationsandinformationsystemssafe.Itisalso
    responsibleforstoppingcyber-attacksagainsttheUSA.However,exp
    ertssaytheWannaCryransomwareusedcomputerspyingtoolsoriginal
    lydesignedbytheNSA.MicrosoftpresidentBradSmithsaidgovernment
    sneededtowakeuptotheproblemofstoringcyber-weaponsthathack
    erscansteal.Hesaiditwasasbigaproblemassomeonestealingmissilesf
    romtheUSA.WhentalkingabouttheWannaCryattack,hesaid:"Thisatt
    ackprovidesyetanotherexampleofwhythestockpilingof[thesethings]
    bygovernmentsissuchaproblem."TheEuropeanpoliceagencyEuropol
    saidWannaCryhasaffected200,000computersin150countries.Inthe
    UK,WannaCrycausedmanyproblemswiththeworkofBritain'sNational
    HealthService.Manyoperationswerecancelled.Expertswarnedpeopl
    etobackuptheirfilesbecauseasecondwaveofattackscouldcome.

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Cyber-attacks are the biggest danger to the world. 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 this news. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. CYBER-ATTACKS: Write a magazine article about cyber-attacks being the biggest risk to the world. 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 ransomware. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can keep our computers safe. 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.)

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You