The Reading / Listening - Gun Violence - Level 6

An increasing number of companies are announcing plans to sever ties with the USA's National Rifle Association (NRA) following the latest high-school shooting massacre. The tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, in which 17 students and staff lost their lives, could be a watershed for gun control in the USA. Many high profile companies are calling for gun control and are cutting ties with the powerful NRA lobby group. United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Hertz are among many companies to end special discounts and benefits for NRA staff and members. There is also a growing campaign on social media for greater gun control in the USA.

The NRA made a statement attacking the failure of both school and federal systems for the high school tragedy. It said: "The law-abiding members of the NRA had nothing at all to do with the failure of that school's security preparedness, the failure of America's mental health system...or the cruel failures of both federal and local law enforcement." It added that: "Despite that, some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice." An NRA spokesman hit back at the companies, saying: "The loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend individual freedoms."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Gun Violence - Level 4  or  Gun Violence - Level 5

Sources
  • http://abcnews.go.com/US/companies-cutting-ties-nra-grows-include-hertz-metlife/story?id=53322436
  • https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-guns-boycott/delta-united-airlines-become-latest-companies-to-cut-nra-ties-idUSKCN1G80VP?il=0
  • https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/02/23/chinese-editorial-denounces-gun-violence-stain-us-human-rights-record


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. GUN VIOLENCE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about gun violence. 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?
       increasing / companies / ties / rifle / students / discounts / benefits / gun control /
       statement / high school / law abiding / mental health / law enforcement / freedom
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. GUN CONTROL: Students A strongly believe there needs to be tighter gun control; Students B strongly believe otherwise.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SAFETY: How can we make schools safer? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good things

Bad things

Arming teachers

 

 

Armed guards

 

 

X-ray machines

 

 

Security cameras

 

 

Safe areas

 

 

Quicker police response

 

 
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. RIFLE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "rifle". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. RIGHTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important rights at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • health care
  • freedom of religion
  • free speech
  • carry a gun
  • education
  • a free Internet
  • freedom of movement
  • paid overtime

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. sever a. An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe.
      2. massacre b. A collection of people seeking to influence politicians or public officials on a particular issue.
      3. tragedy c. Put an end to a connection or relationship; break off.
      4. watershed d. A random and brutal killing of many people.
      5. high profile e. An event that is a turning point in a course of action or state of affairs.
      6. lobby group f. Attracting much attention or publicity.
      7. campaign g. An organized course of action to achieve a particular goal.

    Paragraph 2

      8. failure h. Willfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it.
      9. federal i. Lack of success.
      10. law-abiding j. A state of being ready.
      11. preparedness k. A government agency responsible for making people stick to the rules of a country.
      12. cruel l. Relating to the central government as separate from the separate states in a federation.
      13. law enforcement m. Lack of bravery.
      14. cowardice n. Following all the rules and regulations of society.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. A decreasing number of U.S. companies will cut ties with the NRA.     T / F
  2. The article suggested this latest tragedy could bring changes.     T / F
  3. United Airlines has said it will continue its partnership with the NRA.     T / F
  4. NRA members will still get discounts and benefits from Hertz.     T / F
  5. The NRA blamed the school's security for the tragedy.     T / F
  6. The NRA blamed the tragedy on America's mental health system.     T / F
  7. The NRA said companies were acting like cowards.     T / F
  8. The NRA said its members would be distracted by losing discounts.     T / F

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

  1. increasing
  2. sever
  3. massacre
  4. watershed
  5. end
  6. law-abiding
  7. preparedness
  8. punish
  9. shameful
  10. distract
  1. readiness
  2. turning point
  3. sidetrack
  4. slaughter
  5. penalize
  6. growing
  7. disgraceful
  8. terminate
  9. honest
  10. cut

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

  1. following the latest high-school
  2. Many high
  3. the powerful NRA lobby
  4. end special discounts and
  5. There is also a growing campaign
  6. The law-
  7. the failure of America's mental
  8. federal and local law
  9. An NRA spokesman hit
  10. defend individual
  1. on social media
  2. abiding members of the NRA
  3. shooting massacre
  4. enforcement
  5. group
  6. freedoms
  7. back at the companies
  8. benefits for NRA staff
  9. health system
  10. profile companies

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
discounts
watershed
massacre
lobby
sever
campaign
profile
lost

An increasing number of companies are announcing plans to (1) ____________ ties with the USA's National Rifle Association (NRA) following the latest high-school shooting (2) ____________. The tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, in which 17 students and staff (3) ____________ their lives, could be a (4) ____________ for gun control in the USA. Many high (5) ____________ companies are calling for gun control and are cutting ties with the powerful NRA (6) ____________ group. United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Hertz are among many companies to end special (7) ____________ and benefits for NRA staff and members. There is also a growing (8) ____________ on social media for greater gun control in the USA.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
local
failure
individual
security
loss
punish
tragedy
political

The NRA made a statement attacking the (9) ____________ of both school and federal systems for the high school (10) ____________. It said: "The law-abiding members of the NRA had nothing at all to do with the failure of that school's (11) ____________ preparedness, the failure of America's mental health system...or the cruel failures of both federal and (12) ____________ law enforcement." It added that: "Despite that, some corporations have decided to (13) ____________ NRA membership in a shameful display of (14) ____________ and civic cowardice." An NRA spokesman hit back at the companies, saying: "The (15) ____________ of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend (16) ____________ freedoms."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  An increasing number of companies are announcing plans ______
     a.  to several ties
     b.  to severe ties
     c.  to seven ties
     d.  to sever ties
2) the USA's National Rifle Association (NRA) following the latest high-school ______
     a.  shooting mass acre
     b.  shooting massacred
     c.  shooting massacre
     d.  shoot in massacre
3)  ... in South Florida, in which 17 students and staff lost their lives, could ______
     a.  be a watershed
     b.  be a watery shed
     c.  be a water shot
     d.  be a water shield
4)  companies are calling for gun control and are cutting ties with the powerful ______
     a.  NRA hobby group
     b.  NRA lob in group
     c.  NRA lobe by group
     d.  NRA lobby group
5)  There is also a growing campaign on social media for ______
     a.  greater guns control
     b.  greater gunned control
     c.  greater gun control
     d.  greater gunning control

6)  The NRA made a statement attacking the failure of both school ______
     a.  and federally systems
     b.  and federal systems
     c.  and federalize systems
     d.  and feral systems
7)  the NRA had nothing at all to do with the failure of that school's ______
     a.  security preparedness
     b.  securities preparedness
     c.  security pre-pared mess
     d.  securities prepared nest
8)  punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political ______
     a.  and civic cowards is
     b.  and civic coward is
     c.  and civic coward ice
     d.  and civic cowardice
9)  The loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one ______
     a.  singled NRA member
     b.  single NRA member
     c.  singular NRA member
     d.  singled NRA member
10)  our mission to stand and defend ______
     a.  individualize freedoms
     b.  individually freedoms
     c.  individuality freedoms
     d.  individual freedoms

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

An increasing number of companies are announcing (1) ___________________ ties with the USA's National Rifle Association (NRA) following the latest high-school (2) ___________________. The tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, in which 17 students and staff (3) ___________________, could be a watershed for gun control in the USA. Many high profile companies are calling for gun control and are (4) ___________________ the powerful NRA lobby group. United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Hertz are (5) ___________________ to end special discounts and benefits for NRA staff and members. There is also a (6) ___________________ social media for greater gun control in the USA.

The NRA made a statement (7) ___________________ of both school and federal systems for the high school tragedy. It said: "The (8) ___________________ of the NRA had nothing at all to do with the failure of that school's security preparedness, the failure of America's (9) ___________________...or the cruel failures of both federal and local law enforcement." It added that: "(10) ___________________ corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a (11) ___________________ political and civic cowardice." An NRA spokesman hit back at the companies, saying: "The loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our (12) ___________________ and defend individual freedoms."

Comprehension questions

  1. What do companies want to sever with the NRA?
  2. What did the article say the tragedy could be for gun control in the USA?
  3. What kind of group did the article say the NRA was?
  4. What company was mentioned that isn't an airline?
  5. Where is there a campaign for greater gun control?
  6. What systems did the NRA attack, besides the school's systems?
  7. What members of the NRA did it say had nothing to do with failures?
  8. What kind of health system did the NRA say had failed?
  9. What noun did a spokesman use to describe corporate leaders?
  10. What did the NRA say would not scare nor distract its members?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What do companies want to sever with the NRA?
a) numbers
b) ties
c) guns
d) plans
2)  What did the article say the tragedy could be for gun control in the USA?
a) a minefield
b) a target
c) a firing line
d) a watershed
3) What kind of group did the article say the NRA was?
a) a lobby group
b) a locker group
c) a loopy group
d) a lobbing group
4) What company was mentioned that isn't an airline?
a) Apple
b) McDonald's
c) Hertz
d) BMW
5) Where is there a campaign for greater gun control?
a) in boardrooms
b) on social media
c) at gun clubs
d) worldwide

6) What systems did the NRA attack, besides the school's systems?
a) federal systems
b) gun systems
c) sales systems
d) bullets systems
7) What members of the NRA did it say had nothing to do with failures?
a) gun-carrying members
b) the top members
c) law-abiding members
d) new members
8) What kind of health system did the NRA say had failed?
a) the mental health system
b) the national health system
c) the primary health care system
d) the global health care system
9) What noun did a spokesman use to describe corporate leaders?
a) cowardice
b) bravery
c) avarice
d) mastery
10) What did the NRA say would not scare nor distract its members?
a) companies
b) guns
c) lobby groups
d) loss of discounts

Role play

Role  A – Education
You think education is our most important right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): health care, free speech or gun ownership.

Role  B – Health Care
You think health care is our most important right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): education, free speech or gun ownership.

Role  C – Free Speech
You think free speech is our most important right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): health care, education or gun ownership.

Role  D – Gun Ownership
You think gun ownership is our most important right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  health care, free speech or education.

After reading / listening

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

'gun'

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

    • and 'violence'.

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

    • • 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:

    • attacking
    • nothing
    • local
    • punish
    • back
    • stand
    • sever
    • latest
    • watershed
    • powerful
    • special
    • social

    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 - U.S. companies end ties with gun group NRA

    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 'gun'?
    3. What do you think of guns?
    4. What are gun laws like in your country?
    5. What do you know about the NRA in the USA?
    6. Will the latest tragedy be a watershed for gun control?
    7. Why are there so many shootings in the USA?
    8. Are companies right to cut ties with the NRA?
    9. Will the gun situation get better or worse?
    10. Should people have a right to keep and bear guns?

    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 'violence'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why is the NRA so powerful in the USA?
    5. What do you think about gun control?
    6. Is the NRA right to say the school was at fault?
    7. Where does mental health fit into gun control laws?
    8. How can schools better protect students?
    9. What advice do you have for the NRA?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the company bosses?

    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)

    An increasing number of companies are announcing plans to (1) ____ ties with the USA's National Rifle Association (NRA) following the latest high-school shooting massacre. The tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, in (2) ____ 17 students and staff lost their lives, could be a (3) ____ for gun control in the USA. Many high (4) ____ companies are calling for gun control and are cutting ties with the powerful NRA (5) ____ group. United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Hertz are among many companies to end special discounts and benefits for NRA staff and members. There is also a (6) ____ campaign on social media for greater gun control in the USA.

    The NRA made a statement attacking the failure of both school and (7) ____ systems for the high school tragedy. It said: "The law-abiding members of the NRA had nothing at (8) ____ to do with the failure of that school's security preparedness, the failure of America's mental health system...or the (9) ____ failures of both federal and local law enforcement." It added that: "Despite (10) ____, some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice." An NRA spokesman hit (11) ____ at the companies, saying: "The loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one (12) ____ NRA member from our mission to stand and defend individual freedoms."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     severe     (b)     saver     (c)     several     (d)     sever    
    2. (a)     that     (b)     where     (c)     what     (d)     which    
    3. (a)     watertight     (b)     watershed     (c)     watery     (d)     watered    
    4. (a)     prolific     (b)     profiles     (c)     profile     (d)     profiling    
    5. (a)     hobby     (b)     levy     (c)     lobby     (d)     heavy    
    6. (a)     growing     (b)     growers     (c)     grown     (d)     growth    
    7. (a)     feudal     (b)     federal     (c)     freedom     (d)     feral    
    8. (a)     all     (b)     every     (c)     whole     (d)     entire    
    9. (a)     gruel     (b)     cruel     (c)     cruet     (d)     cruise    
    10. (a)     they     (b)     them     (c)     that     (d)     then    
    11. (a)     behind     (b)     up     (c)     back     (d)     frontally    
    12. (a)     singles     (b)     singled     (c)     singular     (d)     single

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. companies are anoinncung plans
    2. high-school shooting aesmarsc
    3. a wadeserth for gun control
    4. Many high eiolfrp companies
    5. end special sntcdsuoi and benefits
    6. a growing gcpiaamn

    Paragraph 2

    1. made a statement attacking the aiferul
    2. faedrle systems
    3. The wal-bgandii members of the NRA
    4. local law feemtnrneoc
    5. political and civic acrwiodce
    6. neither scare nor caitsdtr

    Put the text back together

    (...)  their lives, could be a watershed for gun control in the USA. Many high profile companies are
    (...)  National Rifle Association (NRA) following the latest high-school shooting massacre. The tragedy
    (...)  all to do with the failure of that school's security preparedness, the failure of America's mental health
    (...)  group. United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Hertz are among many companies to end special discounts and benefits
    (...)  The NRA made a statement attacking the failure of both school and federal systems
    (...)  distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend individual freedoms."
    (...)  calling for gun control and are cutting ties with the powerful NRA lobby
    (  1  ) An increasing number of companies are announcing plans to sever ties with the USA's
    (...)  for NRA staff and members. There is also a growing campaign on social media for greater gun control in the USA.
    (...)  civic cowardice." An NRA spokesman hit back at the companies, saying: "The loss of a discount will neither scare nor
    (...)  system...or the cruel failures of both federal and local law enforcement." It added that: "Despite that, some
    (...)  at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, in which 17 students and staff lost
    (...)  corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political and
    (...)  for the high school tragedy. It said: "The law-abiding members of the NRA had nothing at

    Put the words in the right order

    1. increasing   announcing   companies   of   number   An   plans   .   are
    2. high-school   the   massacre   .   Following   shooting   latest
    3. a   watershed   could   for   It   gun   be   control   .
    4. discounts   .   many   end   to   Among   companies   special
    5. is   There   growing   campaign   social   media   .   a   on
    6. statement   of   systems   .   attacking   federal   failure   the   A
    7. NRA   .   of   members   the   The   law-abiding
    8. The   mental   system   .   America's   health   failure   of
    9. punish   NRA   Corporations   have   to   decided   membership   .
    10. and   defend   mission   Our   individual   stand   to   freedoms   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    An increasing number of companies are announced / announcing plans to sever / severe ties with the USA's National Rifle Association (NRA) followed / following the latest high-school shooting massacre. The tragic / tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, in which 17 students and staff lose / lost their lives, could be a watershed for gun control in the USA. Many high prolific / profile companies are calling for gun control and are cutting ties with the powerful / powerless NRA lobby group. United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Hertz are among / between many companies to end special discounts and beneficial / benefits for NRA staff and members. There is also a growing campaign in / on social media for greater gun control in the USA.

    The NRA made a statement attacking the fail / failure of both school and federal systems for the high school tragedy. It said: "The law-abiding members of the NRA had nothing at whole / all to do with the failure of that school's security prepares / preparedness, the failure of America's mental health / healthy system...or the cruel failures of both federal and locally / local law enforcement." It added that: "Despite / Spite that, some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership on / in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice / cowards." An NRA spokesman hit back at the companies, saying: "The lost / loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend / defense individual freedoms."

    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)

    A n  _n c r__ s_n g   n_m b_r  _f   c_m p_n__ s  _r_ _n n__ n c_n g   p l_n s   t_  s_v_r   t__ s   w_t h   t h_  U S A ' s   N_t__ n_l   R_f l_  A s s_c__ t__ n   ( N R A )   f_l l_w_n g   t h_  l_t_s t   h_g h - s c h__ l   s h__ t_n g   m_s s_c r_.   T h_  t r_g_d y  _t   M_r j_r y   S t_n_m_n   D__ g l_s   H_g h   S c h__ l  _n   S__ t h   F l_r_d_,  _n   w h_c h   1 7   s t_d_n t s  _n d   s t_f f   l_s t   t h__ r   l_v_s ,   c__ l d   b_ _  w_t_r s h_d   f_r   g_n   c_n t r_l  _n   t h_  U S A .   M_n y   h_g h   p r_f_l_  c_m p_n__ s  _r_  c_l l_n g   f_r   g_n   c_n t r_l  _n d  _r_  c_t t_n g   t__ s   w_t h   t h_  p_w_r f_l   N R A   l_b b y   g r__ p .   U n_t_d   A_r l_n_s ,   D_l t_  A_r l_n_s  _n d   H_r t z  _r_ _m_n g   m_n y   c_m p_n__ s   t_ _n d   s p_c__ l   d_s c__ n t s  _n d   b_n_f_t s   f_r   N R A   s t_f f  _n d   m_m b_r s .   T h_r_ _s  _l s_ _  g r_w_n g   c_m p__ g n  _n   s_c__ l   m_d__   f_r   g r__ t_r   g_n   c_n t r_l  _n   t h_  U S A .

    T h_  N R A   m_d_ _  s t_t_m_n t  _t t_c k_n g   t h_  f__ l_r_ _f   b_t h   s c h__ l  _n d   f_d_r_l   s y s t_m s   f_r   t h_  h_g h   s c h__ l   t r_g_d y .   I t   s__ d :   " T h_  l_w -_b_d_n g   m_m b_r s  _f   t h_  N R A   h_d   n_t h_n g  _t  _l l   t_  d_  w_t h   t h_  f__ l_r_ _f   t h_t   s c h__ l ' s   s_c_r_t y   p r_p_r_d n_s s ,   t h_  f__ l_r_ _f   A m_r_c_' s   m_n t_l   h__ l t h   s y s t_m . . ._r   t h_  c r__ l   f__ l_r_s  _f   b_t h   f_d_r_l  _n d   l_c_l   l_w  _n f_r c_m_n t . "   I t  _d d_d   t h_t :   " D_s p_t_  t h_t ,   s_m_  c_r p_r_t__ n s   h_v_  d_c_d_d   t_  p_n_s h   N R A   m_m b_r s h_p  _n  _  s h_m_f_l   d_s p l_y  _f   p_l_t_c_l  _n d   c_v_c   c_w_r d_c_. "   A n   N R A   s p_k_s m_n   h_t   b_c k  _t   t h_  c_m p_n__ s ,   s_y_n g :   " T h_  l_s s  _f  _  d_s c__ n t   w_l l   n__ t h_r   s c_r_  n_r   d_s t r_c t  _n_  s_n g l_  N R A   m_m b_r   f r_m  __ r   m_s s__ n   t_  s t_n d  _n d   d_f_n d  _n d_v_d__ l   f r__ d_m s . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    an increasing number of companies are announcing plans to sever ties with the usas national rifle association nra following the latest highschool shooting massacre the tragedy at marjory stoneman douglas high school in south florida in which 17 students and staff lost their lives could be a watershed for gun control in the usa many high profile companies are calling for gun control and are cutting ties with the powerful nra lobby group united airlines delta airlines and hertz are among many companies to end special discounts and benefits for nra staff and members there is also a growing campaign on social media for greater gun control in the usa

    the nra made a statement attacking the failure of both school and federal systems for the high school tragedy it said the lawabiding members of the nra had nothing at all to do with the failure of that schools security preparedness the failure of americas mental health systemor the cruel failures of both federal and local law enforcement it added that despite that some corporations have decided to punish nra membership in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice an nra spokesman hit back at the companies saying the loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single nra member from our mission to stand and defend individual freedoms"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Anincreasingnumberofcompaniesareannouncingplanstosevertieswi
    ththeUSA'sNationalRifleAssociation(NRA)followingthelatesthigh-sc
    hoolshootingmassacre.ThetragedyatMarjoryStonemanDouglasHig
    hSchoolinSouthFlorida,inwhich17studentsandstafflosttheirlives,co
    uldbeawatershedforguncontrolintheUSA.Manyhighprofilecompanie
    sarecallingforguncontrolandarecuttingtieswiththepowerfulNRAlobb
    ygroup.UnitedAirlines,DeltaAirlinesandHertzareamongmanycompa
    niestoendspecialdiscountsandbenefitsforNRAstaffandmembers.The
    reisalsoagrowingcampaignonsocialmediaforgreaterguncontrolinthe
    USA.TheNRAmadeastatementattackingthefailureofbothschoolandf
    ederalsystemsforthehighschooltragedy.Itsaid:"Thelaw-abidingm
    embersoftheNRAhadnothingatalltodowiththefailureofthatschool'sse
    curitypreparedness,thefailureofAmerica'smentalhealthsystem...ort
    hecruelfailuresofbothfederalandlocallawenforcement."Itaddedthat:
    "Despitethat,somecorporationshavedecidedtopunishNRAmembers
    hipinashamefuldisplayofpoliticalandciviccowardice."AnNRAspokes
    manhitbackatthecompanies,saying:"Thelossofadiscountwillneither
    scarenordistractonesingleNRAmemberfromourmissiontostandandd
    efendindividualfreedoms."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    The world would be a better place without guns. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. GUN VIOLENCE: Make a poster about gun violence. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. GUNS: Write a magazine article about guns being unnecessary and should be banned. 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 gun violence. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can end gun violence. 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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