The Reading / Listening - Hero Dad - Level 6

A father in Australia is being hailed as a hero after saving his baby son from the jaws of a wild dingo. The baby was dragged from his campervan on Australia's Fraser Island on Friday. His father awoke and heard his son's screams outside. He rushed to his son's aid and dragged his son from the dingo's jaws. He also fought off other animals in the pack. The 14-month-old baby boy was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery for a fractured skull and deep cuts to his neck and head. Doctors report he is now in a stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. The father said: "Our son is doing well....We ask the media to please respect our family's privacy while we focus on our son's recovery."

The recent attack on the infant boy is the third such incident this year. Fraser Island residents are worried that the attacks could threaten the island's heritage status. Long-term resident, Hannah Robinson, said many visitors did not realize they should not camp in unfenced areas with children under the age of 12. She said there was not enough education about how to be aware of the threat of the animals on the island. She added: "We have been calling for a visitors' center for years. This is one of the most-visited national parks and there is nobody around to give people information about what they can and cannot do. People who do the wrong thing are either naive or stupid."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Hero Dad - Level 4  or  Hero Dad - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/fraser-island-local-demands-action-after-dingo-mauls-toddler-20190419-p51fnp.html
  • https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/surgery-for-baby-rescued-from-dingo-on-fraser-island/news-story/0262901cb282d696aaa25b712ed77b8d
  • https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12223749


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. DINGOES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about dingoes. 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?
       father / hero / jaws / screams / animals / hospital / skull / cuts / doctors / recovery
       recent / infant / resident / heritage / education / island / national park / wrong / naive
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WILD ANIMALS: Students A strongly believe people should not camp in the same places as wild animals; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. HEROES: Why are these people heroes? Could you be one? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Why They Are Heroes

Could You Be A...?

Fire fighters

 

 

Police officers

 

 

Teachers

 

 

Soldiers

 

 

Politicians

 

 

Athletes

 

 

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. ATTACK: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "attack". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. MY HERO: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest hero at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • a world leader
  • a business leader
  • a religious leader
  • a member of the public
  • a family member
  • a friend
  • a singer
  • an activist

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. hailed a. The framework of bone that is a person's or an animal's head.
      2. jaws b. The upper and lower bony parts of the mouth that contain the teeth.
      3. dragged c. A group of wild animals, especially wolves or dogs, living and hunting together.
      4. pack d. Said enthusiastically that someone was a specified thing.
      5. fractured e. Not getting worse in health after an injury or operation.
      6. skull f. Pulled (someone or something) along forcefully, roughly, or with difficulty.
      7. stable g. Cracked or broke a bone or hard object.

    Paragraph 2

      8. infant h. Unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations.
      9. incident i. Become fully aware of something.
      10. realize j. A person or thing likely to cause damage or danger.
      11. heritage k. A very young child or baby.
      12. resident l. An event or occurrence.
      13. threat m. Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
      14. naive n. A person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The baby boy was in the paws of a dingo.     T / F
  2. The boy was taken by a dingo from a tent.     T / F
  3. The baby boy had a fractured leg.     T / F
  4. The father asked the media to respect his family's privacy.     T / F
  5. There have now been three attacks on the island this year.     T / F
  6. A resident said children under the age of 16 should not camp.     T / F
  7. Fraser Island does not have a visitors' center.     T / F
  8. An island resident suggested some people were naive or stupid.     T / F

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

  1. hailed
  2. dragged
  3. fractured
  4. stable
  5. recovery
  6. infant
  7. realize
  8. threat
  9. information
  10. naive
  1. cracked
  2. normal
  3. particulars
  4. unworldly
  5. pulled
  6. praised
  7. danger
  8. baby
  9. improvement
  10. notice

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

  1. The baby was dragged
  2. underwent surgery for
  3. Doctors report he is now in a stable
  4. expected to make a full
  5. please respect our family's
  6. the third such
  7. threaten the island's heritage
  8. be aware of the threat
  9. one of the most-
  10. either naive
  1. a fractured skull
  2. privacy
  3. or stupid
  4. status
  5. condition
  6. visited national parks
  7. incident this year
  8. recovery
  9. of the animals
  10. from his campervan

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
awoke
surgery
hailed
pack
privacy
jaws
recovery
aid

A father in Australia is being (1) ____________ as a hero after saving his baby son from the (2) ____________ of a wild dingo. The baby was dragged from his campervan on Australia's Fraser Island on Friday. His father (3) ____________ and heard his son's screams outside. He rushed to his son's (4) ____________ and dragged his son from the dingo's jaws. He also fought off other animals in the (5) ____________. The 14-month-old baby boy was rushed to hospital and underwent (6) ____________ for a fractured skull and deep cuts to his neck and head. Doctors report he is now in a stable condition and is expected to make a full (7) ____________. The father said: "Our son is doing well....We ask the media to please respect our family's (8) ____________ while we focus on our son's recovery."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
areas
years
incident
naive
status
information
recent
enough

The (9) ____________ attack on the infant boy is the third such (10) ____________ this year. Fraser Island residents are worried that the attacks could threaten the island's heritage (11) ____________. Long-term resident, Hannah Robinson, said many visitors did not realize they should not camp in unfenced (12) ____________ with children under the age of 12. She said there was not (13) ____________ education about how to be aware of the threat of the animals on the island. She added: "We have been calling for a visitors' center for (14) ____________. This is one of the most-visited national parks and there is nobody around to give people (15) ____________ about what they can and cannot do. People who do the wrong thing are either (16) ____________ or stupid."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A father in Australia is being ______ hero
     a.  failed as a
     b.  hailed as a
     c.  filed as a
     d.  ailed as a
2)  He also fought off other animals ______
     a.  in the back
     b.  in the pack
     c.  in the tack
     d.  in the sack
3)  rushed to hospital and underwent surgery for a ______
     a.  fractured skull
     b.  fluctuated skull
     c.  flustered skull
     d.  fructose skull
4)  Doctors report he is now in a stable condition and is expected to make ______
     a.  a full recovers
     b.  a full recovering
     c.  a full recover
     d.  a full recovery
5)  We ask the media to please respect our ______
     a.  family's privates
     b.  family's privacy
     c.  family's piracy
     d.  family's primacy

6)  The recent attack on the infant boy is the third such ______
     a.  incidence this year
     b.  incident this year
     c.  incidents this year
     d.  incidentals this year
7)  worried that the attacks could threaten the island's ______
     a.  hermitage status
     b.  ferret age status
     c.  herring stage status
     d.  heritage status
8)  many visitors did not realize they should not camp in ______
     a.  unfenced area
     b.  unfenced arenas
     c.  unfenced areas
     d.  unfenced auras
9) there was not enough education about how to be aware of the ______ animals
     a.  threat of the
     b.  treat off the
     c.  threaten of the
     d.  threat off the
10)  People who do the wrong thing are either ______
     a.  nave lor stupid
     b.  naive or stupidly
     c.  naive or stupid
     d.  knave or stupid

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A father in Australia is (1) ___________________ a hero after saving his baby son from the jaws of a wild dingo. The baby (2) ___________________ his campervan on Australia's Fraser Island on Friday. His father awoke and (3) ___________________ screams outside. He rushed to his son's aid and dragged his son from the dingo's jaws. He also (4) ___________________ animals in the pack. The 14-month-old baby boy was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery for (5) ___________________ and deep cuts to his neck and head. Doctors report he is now in a stable condition and is expected to make (6) ___________________. The father said: "Our son is doing well....We ask the media to please respect our family's privacy while we focus on our son's recovery."

The recent attack on the infant boy is the (7) ___________________ this year. Fraser Island residents are worried that the attacks could threaten the island's heritage status. Long-term resident, Hannah Robinson, said many visitors did (8) ___________________ should not camp in unfenced areas with children under the age of 12. She said there (9) ___________________ education about how to be aware of the threat of the animals on the island. She added: "We have (10) ___________________ a visitors' center for years. This is one of the most-visited national parks and (11) ___________________ around to give people information about what they can and cannot do. People who do the wrong thing are either (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. Where did the father find his son?
  2. How old was the baby?
  3. What injury did the boy suffer to his head?
  4. What kind of recovery will the baby make?
  5. What did the father ask the media to respect?
  6. How many attacks have there been this year?
  7. How old must children be to camp in the unfenced areas of the island?
  8. What did a resident say there isn't enough of?
  9. What has a resident been asking for over the years?
  10. What did a resident say people might be besides stupid?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  Where did the father find his son?
a) in a dingo's den
b) in a dingo's jaws
c) in the desert
d) in a bush
2) How old was the baby?
a) three
b) two
c) 18 months
d) 14 months
3) What injury did the boy suffer to his head?
a) a dislocated jaw
b) a deep gash
c) a fractured skull
d) a broken nose
4) What kind of recovery will the baby make?
a) a full recovery
b) a speedy recovery
c) a delayed recovery
d) a partial recovery
5) What did the father ask the media to respect?
a) him
b) his family's privacy
c) wild animals
d) dingoes

6) How many attacks have there been this year?
a) three
b) four
c) five
d) six
7) How old must children be to camp in the unfenced areas of the island?
a) ten
b) fourteen
c) twelve
d) sixteen
8) What did a resident say there isn't enough of?
a) education
b) trees
c) land
d) rules
9) What has a resident been asking for over the years?
a) police oficers
b) tents
c) rules
d) a visitors' center
10) What did a resident say people might be besides stupid?
a) foolish
b) silly
c) naive
d) brave

Role play

Role  A – World Leaders
You think world leaders are the biggest heroes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their heroes. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these to be a hero (and why): activists, religious leaders or family members.

Role  B – Activists
You think activists are the biggest heroes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their heroes. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these to be a hero (and why): world leaders, religious leaders or family members.

Role  C – Religious Leaders
You think religious leaders are the biggest heroes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their heroes. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these to be a hero (and why): activists, world leaders or family members.

Role  D – Family Members
You think family members are the biggest heroes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their heroes. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these to be a hero (and why): activists, religious leaders or world leaders.

After reading / listening

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

'baby'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'son'.

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

    • third
    • status
    • camp
    • aware
    • parks
    • either
    • hailed
    • heard
    • fought
    • underwent
    • well
    • focus

    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 - Hero dad saves baby son from wild dingo

    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 'hero'?
    3. What is a hero?
    4. Do you think the father in this story is a hero?
    5. Who is your hero?
    6. Are heroes important?
    7. Can we all be heroes?
    8. What do you know about dingoes?
    9. Have you ever needed surgery?
    10. Have you ever injured yourself?

    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 'baby'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Are we all heroes?
    5. How safe is it to camp near wild animals?
    6. What is your favourite island?
    7. Who was your hero when you were a child?
    8. Are you a hero to anybody?
    9. Have you ever been called naive or stupid?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the father?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    A father in Australia is being (1) ____ as a hero after saving his baby son from the jaws of a wild dingo. The baby was dragged from his campervan on Australia's Fraser Island on Friday. His father (2) ____ and heard his son's screams outside. He rushed to his son's (3) ____ and dragged his son from the dingo's jaws. He also fought (4) ____ other animals in the pack. The 14-month-old baby boy was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery for a fractured skull and deep cuts to his neck and head. Doctors report he is now in a (5) ____ condition and is expected to make a full recovery. The father said: "Our son is doing well....We ask the media to please respect our family's (6) ____ while we focus on our son's recovery."

    The recent attack on the (7) ____ boy is the third such incident this year. Fraser Island residents are worried that the attacks could (8) ____ the island's heritage status. Long-term resident, Hannah Robinson, said many visitors did not realize they should not camp in unfenced (9) ____ with children under the age of 12. She said there was not enough education about how to be aware (10) ____ the threat of the animals on the island. She added: "We have been calling for a visitors' center for (11) ____. This is one of the most-visited national parks and there is nobody around to give people information about what they can and cannot do. People who do the wrong thing are either (12) ____ or stupid."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     failed     (b)     hailed     (c)     tailed     (d)     bailed    
    2. (a)     wakes     (b)     awoke     (c)     waking     (d)     wake    
    3. (a)     staid     (b)     paid     (c)     raid     (d)     aid    
    4. (a)     up     (b)     off     (c)     on     (d)     at    
    5. (a)     stabbed     (b)     staple     (c)     stubble     (d)     stable    
    6. (a)     privet     (b)     private     (c)     privacy     (d)     privets    
    7. (a)     infant     (b)     infancy     (c)     infants     (d)     infantile    
    8. (a)     threats     (b)     threat     (c)     threaten     (d)     threatened    
    9. (a)     area     (b)     auras     (c)     arenas     (d)     areas    
    10. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     by    
    11. (a)     years     (b)     yearly     (c)     yearn     (d)     yearns    
    12. (a)     naive     (b)     knave     (c)     navel     (d)     novel

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. being iahled as a hero
    2. rushed to hospital and underwent urgsrey
    3. a afutcrred skull
    4. he is now in a taslbe condition
    5. make a full veeocrry
    6. respect our family's rivapcy

    Paragraph 2

    1. the third such ndiceint this year
    2. eiredsnts are worried
    3. threaten the island's eritahge status
    4. education about how to be waare
    5. the most-visited aoitnnal parks
    6. either vanei or stupid

    Put the text back together

    (...)  screams outside. He rushed to his son's aid and dragged his son from the dingo's jaws. He also fought
    (...)  skull and deep cuts to his neck and head. Doctors report he is now in a stable
    (...)  dragged from his campervan on Australia's Fraser Island on Friday. His father awoke and heard his son's
    (...)  attacks could threaten the island's heritage status. Long-term resident, Hannah Robinson, said many
    (...)  condition and is expected to make a full recovery. The father said: "Our son is doing well....We ask the
    (...)  media to please respect our family's privacy while we focus on our son's recovery."
    (...)  off other animals in the pack. The 14-month-old baby boy was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery for a fractured
    1  ) A father in Australia is being hailed as a hero after saving his baby son from the jaws of a wild dingo. The baby was
    (...)  enough education about how to be aware of the threat of the animals on the island. She added: "We have been
    (...)  visitors did not realize they should not camp in unfenced areas with children under the age of 12. She said there was not
    (...)  The recent attack on the infant boy is the third such incident this year. Fraser Island residents are worried that the
    (...)  calling for a visitors' center for years. This is one of the most-visited national
    (...)  parks and there is nobody around to give people information about what they can and
    (...)  cannot do. People who do the wrong thing are either naive or stupid."

    Put the words in the right order

    1. as   a   hero   after   saving   Hailed   his   baby   .
    2. baby   from   dragged   was   his   The   camper   van   .
    3. fought   other   He   in   animals   off   the   pack   .
    4. is   he   Doctors   in   report   stable   a   condition   .
    5. media   Ask   respect   to   the   our   family's   privacy   .
    6. the   attacks   could   threaten   the   Worried   island's   heritage   .
    7. should   camp   not   They   in   unfenced   areas   .
    8. aware   of   the   threat   of   Be   the   animals   .
    9. is   to   around   nobody   give   There   people   information   .
    10. who   the   People   thing   wrong   do   are   naive   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A father in Australia is being failed / hailed as a hero after saving his baby son from the jars / jaws of a wild dingo. The baby was drugged / dragged from his campervan on Australia's Fraser Island on Friday. His father awoke and heard his son's screams outside. He rushed to his son's aid / ode and dragged his son from / of the dingo's jaws. He also fought on / off other animals in the pack. The 14-month-old baby boy was rushed / brushed to hospital and underwent surgery / sugary for a fractured skull and deep cuts to his neck and head. Doctors report he is now in a stable / staple condition and is expected to make a full recovery. The father said: "Our son is doing well....We ask the media to please respect our family's private / privacy while we focus on our son's recovery."

    The recently / recent attack on the infant boy is the third such incident this year. Fraser Island residents / residence are worried that the attacks could threaten the island's heritage / hermitage status. Long-term resident, Hannah Robinson, said many visitors did not reality / realize they should not camp in unfenced / fencing areas with children under the age of 12. She said there was not enough education about how to be aware of the treat / threat of the animals on the island. She added: "We have been calling for a visitors' center for / four years. This is one of the most-visited national parks and there isn't / is nobody around to give people information about what / that they can and cannot do. People who do the wrong thing are either navel / naive or stupid."

    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 f_t h_r _n A_s t r_l__ _s b__ n g h__ l_d _s _ h_r_ _f t_r s_v_n g h_s b_b y s_n f r_m t h_ j_w s _f _ w_l d d_n g_. T h_ b_b y w_s d r_g g_d f r_m h_s c_m p_r v_n _n A_s t r_l__ ' s F r_s_r I s l_n d _n F r_d_y . H_s f_t h_r _w_k_ _n d h__ r d h_s s_n ' s s c r__ m s __ t s_d_. H_ r_s h_d t_ h_s s_n ' s __ d _n d d r_g g_d h_s s_n f r_m t h_ d_n g_' s j_w s . H_ _l s_ f__ g h t _f f _t h_r _n_m_l s _n t h_ p_c k . T h_ 1 4 - m_n t h -_l d b_b y b_y w_s r_s h_d t_ h_s p_t_l _n d _n d_r w_n t s_r g_r y f_r _ f r_c t_r_d s k_l l _n d d__ p c_t s t_ h_s n_c k _n d h__ d . D_c t_r s r_p_r t h_ _s n_w _n _ s t_b l_ c_n d_t__ n _n d _s _x p_c t_d t_ m_k_ _ f_l l r_c_v_r y . T h_ f_t h_r s__ d : " O_r s_n _s d__ n g w_l l . . . . W_ _s k t h_ m_d__ t_ p l__ s_ r_s p_c t __ r f_m_l y ' s p r_v_c y w h_l_ w_ f_c_s _n __ r s_n ' s r_c_v_r y . "

    T h_ r_c_n t _t t_c k _n t h_ _n f_n t b_y _s t h_ t h_r d s_c h _n c_d_n t t h_s y__ r . F r_s_r I s l_n d r_s_d_n t s _r_ w_r r__ d t h_t t h_ _t t_c k s c__ l d t h r__ t_n t h_ _s l_n d ' s h_r_t_g_ s t_t_s . L_n g - t_r m r_s_d_n t , H_n n_h R_b_n s_n , s__ d m_n y v_s_t_r s d_d n_t r__ l_z_ t h_y s h__ l d n_t c_m p _n _n f_n c_d _r__ s w_t h c h_l d r_n _n d_r t h_ _g_ _f 1 2 . S h_ s__ d t h_r_ w_s n_t _n__ g h _d_c_t__ n _b__ t h_w t_ b_ _w_r_ _f t h_ t h r__ t _f t h_ _n_m_l s _n t h_ _s l_n d . S h_ _d d_d : " W_ h_v_ b__ n c_l l_n g f_r _ v_s_t_r s ' c_n t_r f_r y__ r s . T h_s _s _n_ _f t h_ m_s t - v_s_t_d n_t__ n_l p_r k s _n d t h_r_ _s n_b_d y _r__ n d t_ g_v_ p__ p l_ _n f_r m_t__ n _b__ t w h_t t h_y c_n _n d c_n n_t d_. P__ p l_ w h_ d_ t h_ w r_n g t h_n g _r_ __ t h_r n__ v_ _r s t_p_d . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a father in australia is being hailed as a hero after saving his baby son from the jaws of a wild dingo the baby was dragged from his campervan on australias fraser island on friday his father awoke and heard his sons screams outside he rushed to his sons aid and dragged his son from the dingos jaws he also fought off other animals in the pack the 14monthold baby boy was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery for a fractured skull and deep cuts to his neck and head doctors report he is now in a stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery the father said our son is doing wellwe ask the media to please respect our familys privacy while we focus on our sons recovery

    the recent attack on the infant boy is the third such incident this year fraser island residents are worried that the attacks could threaten the islands heritage status longterm resident hannah robinson said many visitors did not realize they should not camp in unfenced areas with children under the age of 12 she said there was not enough education about how to be aware of the threat of the animals on the island she added we have been calling for a visitors center for years this is one of the mostvisited national parks and there is nobody around to give people information about what they can and cannot do people who do the wrong thing are either naive or stupid"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AfatherinAustraliaisbeinghailedasaheroaftersavinghisbabysonfrom
    thejawsofawilddingo.ThebabywasdraggedfromhiscampervanonAus
    tralia'sFraserIslandonFriday.Hisfatherawokeandheardhisson'sscrea
    msoutside.Herushedtohisson'saidanddraggedhissonfromthedingo'
    sjaws.Healsofoughtoffotheranimalsinthepack.The14-month-oldba
    byboywasrushedtohospitalandunderwentsurgeryforafracturedskull
    anddeepcutstohisneckandhead.Doctorsreportheisnowinastablecon
    ditionandisexpectedtomakeafullrecovery.Thefathersaid:"Oursonisd
    oingwell....Weaskthemediatopleaserespectourfamily'sprivacywhile
    wefocusonourson'srecovery."Therecentattackontheinfantboyisthet
    hirdsuchincidentthisyear.FraserIslandresidentsareworriedthatthea
    ttackscouldthreatentheisland'sheritagestatus.Long-termresiden
    t,HannahRobinson,saidmanyvisitorsdidnotrealizetheyshouldnotca
    mpinunfencedareaswithchildrenundertheageof12.Shesaidtherewas
    notenougheducationabouthowtobeawareofthethreatoftheanimalso
    ntheisland.Sheadded:"Wehavebeencallingforavisitors'centerforyea
    rs.Thisisoneofthemost-visitednationalparksandthereisnobodyaro
    undtogivepeopleinformationaboutwhattheycanandcannotdo.Peopl
    ewhodothewrongthingareeithernaiveorstupid."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Everyone is a hero. 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. HEROES: Make a poster about heroes. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. WILD ANIMALS: Write a magazine article about ending tourism in the habitat of wild animals. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    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 heroes. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on what it takes to be a hero. 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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