The Reading / Listening - Bolivia - Level 6

Bolivia has a new leader. She is opposition senator Jeanine Áñez, who has declared herself interim president following the resignation of former-president Evo Morales on Sunday. Ms Áñez said she was next in line to be president under Bolivia's constitution and vowed to hold elections as soon as possible. She said: "I assume the presidency immediately and will do everything necessary to pacify the country." Lawmakers endorsed Ms Áñez's appointment but senators from Mr Morales' socialist party boycotted the vote. Morales' allies branded Ms Áñez as, "a coup-mongering right-wing senator". Mr Morales condemned what he called a takeover as being the, "sneakiest, most nefarious coup in history".

Mr Morales has fled to Mexico, saying he was in fear for his life had he stayed in Bolivia. He released a photo on Twitter of himself having to sleep on a concrete floor under a blanket at an undisclosed location before fleeing to Mexico by private jet to seek asylum. He said he had been forced to stand down but had done so willingly, "to ensure there would be no more bloodshed". Morales stepped down at the weekend following weeks of social turmoil and violent protests. Bolivians took to the streets over allegations of election fraud during a presidential election in October. He tweeted: "It pains me to leave Bolivia for political reasons, but I'll always be concerned. I'll return soon, with more strength and energy."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Bolivia - Level 4  or  Bolivia - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-50399640
  • https://www.foxnews.com/world/bolivia-evo-morales-asylum-president-resignation
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/12/world/americas/evo-morales-mexico-bolivia.html


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. BOLIVIA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Bolivia. 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?
       leader / opposition / resignation / president / pacify / senator / vote / coup / history /
       fear / photo / concrete floor / blanket / asylum / bloodshed / protests / election
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. VOTE: Students A strongly believe everyone over 16 must vote; Students B strongly believe otherwise.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. LEADER: Who is the best leader in the categories below? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Who?

Why?

Country

 

 

Business

 

 

Religious

 

 

Environment

 

 

Political

 

 

Sports

 

 

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. PRESIDENT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "president". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. TAKE TO THE STREETS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best reasons to take to the streets at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • food prices
  • corruption
  • war
  • higher tax
  • immigration
  • global warming
  • nuclear power
  • crime

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. opposition a. Bring peace to a country, people or baby.
      2. interim b. In order of who is next to do something.
      3. in line c. The intervening time; just for now.
      4. vowed d. A sudden, illegal taking over control from an existing government.
      5. pacify e. The main political party opposed to the one currently in power.
      6. endorsed f. Promised.
      7. coup g. Declared one's public approval or support of something or someone.

    Paragraph 2

      8. fled h. Readily; of one's own free decision and desire.
      9. undisclosed i. Saying that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.
      10. asylum j. A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.
      11. willingly k. Not revealed or made known publicly.
      12. turmoil l. Wrongful or criminal acts intended to result in financial or personal gain.
      13. allegations m. Ran away from a place or situation of danger.
      14. fraud n. The protection given by a country to someone who has left their native country as a political refugee.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Bolivia's new leader is an interim president.     T / F
  2. The new leader has not said anything yet about new elections.     T / F
  3. The socialist party in Bolivia endorsed the new leader.     T / F
  4. Evo Morales said it was the sneakiest coup of the decade.     T / F
  5. Evo Morales is now seeking asylum in Paraguay.     T / F
  6. Mr Morales slept on a concrete floor after stepping down.     T / F
  7. Mr Morales stepped down to avoid further bloodshed.     T / F
  8. Mr Morales said he would never return to Bolivia.     T / F

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

  1. declared
  2. former
  3. vowed
  4. condemned
  5. nefarious
  6. fled
  7. location
  8. bloodshed
  9. allegations
  10. pains
  1. escaped
  2. evil
  3. accusations
  4. ex-
  5. site
  6. proclaimed
  7. promised
  8. saddens
  9. criticized
  10. killing

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

  1. Ms Áñez said she was next
  2. vowed to hold elections
  3. do everything necessary to
  4. Mr Morales' socialist party boycotted
  5. the sneakiest, most nefarious
  6. he was in fear
  7. at an undisclosed
  8. ensure there would be no
  9. social turmoil
  10. It pains
  1. pacify the country
  2. me to leave
  3. location
  4. as soon as possible
  5. more bloodshed
  6. the vote
  7. in line to be president
  8. and violent protests
  9. coup in history
  10. for his life

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
line
takeover
assume
interim
coup
opposition
boycotted
pacify

Bolivia has a new leader. She is (1) ____________ senator Jeanine Áñez, who has declared herself (2) ____________ president following the resignation of former-president Evo Morales on Sunday. Ms Áñez said she was next in (3) ____________ to be president under Bolivia's constitution and vowed to hold elections as soon as possible. She said: "I (4) ____________ the presidency immediately and will do everything necessary to (5) ____________ the country." Lawmakers endorsed Ms Áñez's appointment but senators from Mr Morales' socialist party (6) ____________ the vote. Morales' allies branded Ms Áñez as, "a coup-mongering right-wing senator". Mr Morales condemned what he called a (7) ____________ as being the, "sneakiest, most nefarious (8) ____________ in history".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
violent
undisclosed
pains
stand
concerned
fear
fraud
bloodshed

Mr Morales has fled to Mexico, saying he was in (9) ____________ for his life had he stayed in Bolivia. He released a photo on Twitter of himself having to sleep on a concrete floor under a blanket at an (10) ____________ location before fleeing to Mexico by private jet to seek asylum. He said he had been forced to (11) ____________ down but had done so willingly, "to ensure there would be no more (12) ____________ ". Morales stepped down at the weekend following weeks of social turmoil and (13) ____________ protests. Bolivians took to the streets over allegations of election (14) ____________ during a presidential election in October. He tweeted: "It (15) ____________ me to leave Bolivia for political reasons, but I'll always be (16) ____________. I'll return soon, with more strength and energy."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  She is opposition senator Jeanine Áñez, who has declared herself ______
     a.  interim presidency
     b.  inter in president
     c.  interesting president
     d.  interim president
2)  Ms Áñez said she was next in line to be president ______ constitution
     a.  under Bolivia's
     b.  over Bolivia's
     c.  above Bolivia's
     d.  below Bolivia's
3)  I assume the presidency immediately and will do everything necessary to ______
     a.  pacifier the country
     b.  pacify the country
     c.  pacified the country
     d.  paucity the country
4)  appointment but senators from Mr Morales' socialist party ______
     a.  boycotts the vote
     b.  boycotting the vote
     c.  boycotted the vote
     d.  boycott it the vote
5)  what he called a takeover as being the sneakiest, most nefarious ______
     a.  crew in history
     b.  coo in history
     c.  clue in history
     d.  coup in history

6)  Mr Morales has fled to Mexico, saying he was in fear for his life ______
     a.  than he stayed
     b.  has he stayed
     c.  had he stayed
     d.  that he stayed
7)  sleep on a concrete floor under a blanket at an ______
     a.  an disclosed location
     b.  end disclosed location
     c.  undisclosed location
     d.  a disclosed location
8)  He said he had been forced to stand down but had ______
     a.  done so willing
     b.  done to willingly
     c.  does so willingly
     d.  done so willingly
9)  Bolivians took to the streets over allegations ______
     a.  of election fraud
     b.  of election fraudster
     c.  of election fraudulent
     d.  of election flawed
10)  He tweeted: "It pains me to leave Bolivia ______"
     a.  four political reasons
     b.  from political reasons
     c.  for political reasons
     d.  if political reasons

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Bolivia has a new leader. She (1) ___________________ Jeanine Áñez, who has declared herself interim president following the resignation of former-president Evo Morales on Sunday. Ms Áñez said she was (2) ___________________ to be president under Bolivia's constitution and (3) ___________________ elections as soon as possible. She said: "I assume the presidency immediately and will do everything (4) ___________________ the country." Lawmakers endorsed Ms Áñez's appointment but senators from Mr Morales' socialist party (5) ___________________. Morales' allies branded Ms Áñez as, "a coup-mongering right-wing senator". Mr Morales condemned what he called a takeover as being the, "sneakiest, (6) ___________________ in history".

Mr Morales has fled to Mexico, saying he was in fear for his life had he stayed in Bolivia. He released a photo on Twitter of himself having to sleep on (7) ___________________ under a blanket at an undisclosed location before fleeing to Mexico by private jet (8) ___________________. He said he had been forced to stand down but had done so willingly, "to ensure there would be (9) ___________________". Morales stepped down at the weekend following weeks (10) ___________________ and violent protests. Bolivians took to the streets over allegations (11) ___________________ during a presidential election in October. He tweeted: "It pains me to leave Bolivia (12) ___________________, but I'll always be concerned. I'll return soon, with more strength and energy."

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of president did senator Jeanine Áñez declare herself as?
  2. When did Evo Morales resign?
  3. When did Jeanine Áñez vow to hold elections?
  4. What does Jeanine Áñez want to do to the country?
  5. What did Evo Morales call the coup, besides sneaky?
  6. Where did Evo Morales flee to?
  7. Where did Evo Morales sleep on a concrete floor?
  8. What is Evo Morales now seeking?
  9. What did Evo Morales step down to end in Bolivia?
  10. How does Mr Morales feel about leaving Bolivia?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What kind of president did senator Jeanine Áñez declare herself as?
a) a great one
b) interim president
c) a reluctant one
d) a rightful president
2) When did Evo Morales resign?
a) on Saturday
b) on Monday
c) on Friday
d) on Sunday
3) When did Jeanine Áñez vow to hold elections?
a) next month
b) immediately
c) as soon as possible
d) next year
4) What does Jeanine Áñez want to do to the country?
a) pacify it
b) control it
c) reform it
d) make it stronger
5) What did Evo Morales call the coup, besides sneaky?
a) surprising
b) nefarious
c) unlawful
d) wrong

6) Where did Evo Morales flee to?
a) Mexico
b) Guatemala
c) Cuba
d) Kosovo
7) Where did Evo Morales sleep on a concrete floor?
a) in Panama
b) in a 5-star hotel
c) an undisclosed location
d) in his garage
8) What is Evo Morales now seeking?
a) asylum
b) compensation
c) the presidency
d) Panamanian citizenship
9) What did Evo Morales step down to end in Bolivia?
a) second-guessing
b) corruption
c) uncertainty
d) bloodshed
10) How does Mr Morales feel about leaving Bolivia?
a) relieved
b) resigned
c) pained
d) happy

Role play

Role  A – Corruption
You think corruption is the best reason to take to the streets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the price of food, global warming or war.

Role  B – Food Prices
You think the price of food is the best reason to take to the streets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): corruption, global warming or war.

Role  C – Global Warming
You think global warming is the best reason to take to the streets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the price of food, corruption or war.

Role  D – War
You think war is the best reason to take to the streets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the price of food, global warming or corruption.

After reading / listening

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

'senator'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'president'.

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

    • new
    • line
    • vowed
    • pacify
    • allies
    • most
    • fear
    • sleep
    • private
    • more
    • took
    • pains

    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 - Bolivia

    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 'leader'?
    3. What do you know about Evo Morales?
    4. What do you think of your country's leader?
    5. What makes a good leader?
    6. Who is the best leader in the world today?
    7. What do you think of coups?
    8. How much should a president get paid?
    9. What would you do as president?
    10. What advice do you have for the people of Bolivia?

    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 'president'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Would you like to go to Bolivia?
    5. How much danger do you think Morales was in?
    6. Who is the worst leader in the world today?
    7. What social turmoil has taken place in your country?
    8. Would you take to the streets?
    9. How sad would you be to leave your country?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Evo Morales?

    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)

    Bolivia has a new leader. She is (1) ____ senator Jeanine Áñez, who has declared herself interim president following the resignation of former-president Evo Morales on Sunday. Ms Áñez said she was next in (2) ____ to be president under Bolivia's constitution and (3) ____ to hold elections as soon as possible. She said: "I assume the presidency immediately and will do everything necessary to (4) ____ the country." Lawmakers endorsed Ms Áñez's appointment but senators from Mr Morales' socialist party boycotted the vote. Morales' allies branded Ms Áñez (5) ____, "a coup-mongering right-wing senator". Mr Morales condemned what he called a takeover as (6) ____ the, "sneakiest, most nefarious coup in history".

    Mr Morales has (7) ____ to Mexico, saying he was in fear for his life had he stayed in Bolivia. He released a photo on Twitter of himself (8) ____ to sleep on a concrete floor under a blanket at an undisclosed location before fleeing to Mexico by private jet to (9) ____ asylum. He said he had been forced to stand down but had done so willingly, "to ensure there would be no more bloodshed". Morales stepped (10) ____ at the weekend following weeks of social turmoil and violent protests. Bolivians took to the streets (11) ____ allegations of election fraud during a presidential election in October. He tweeted: "It (12) ____ me to leave Bolivia for political reasons, but I'll always be concerned. I'll return soon, with more strength and energy."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     opposition     (b)     deposition     (c)     supposition     (d)     superstition    
    2. (a)     angle     (b)     geometry     (c)     line     (d)     shape    
    3. (a)     wowed     (b)     cowed     (c)     vowed     (d)     rowed    
    4. (a)     package     (b)     pact     (c)     paucity     (d)     pacify    
    5. (a)     by     (b)     to     (c)     as     (d)     of    
    6. (a)     be     (b)     being     (c)     is     (d)     been    
    7. (a)     sled     (b)     fled     (c)     wed     (d)     plead    
    8. (a)     has     (b)     having     (c)     had     (d)     haves    
    9. (a)     search     (b)     look     (c)     seek     (d)     find    
    10. (a)     below     (b)     over     (c)     up     (d)     down    
    11. (a)     heighten     (b)     upper     (c)     above     (d)     over    
    12. (a)     aches     (b)     injuries     (c)     illnesses     (d)     pains

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. She is siopoionpt senator Jeanine Áñez
    2. following the gioarntsnei
    3. do everything necessary to aypcif the country
    4. Lawmakers endorsed Ms Áñez's pptnoeaimtn
    5. Morales' allies reanddb Ms Áñez
    6. the sneakiest, most rafousnie coup

    Paragraph 2

    1. sleep on a coenterc floor
    2. at an dcoidesnlus location
    3. seek lsayum
    4. had done so winliygll
    5. following weeks of social orlmuti
    6. allegations of election fardu

    Put the text back together

    (...)  the resignation of former-president Evo Morales on Sunday. Ms Áñez said she was next in
    (...)  possible. She said: "I assume the presidency immediately and will do everything necessary to pacify
    (...)  condemned what he called a takeover as being the, "sneakiest, most nefarious coup in history".
    (...)  willingly, "to ensure there would be no more bloodshed". Morales stepped down at the
    (...)  a photo on Twitter of himself having to sleep on a concrete floor under a blanket at an undisclosed
    (...)  reasons, but I'll always be concerned. I'll return soon, with more strength and energy."
    (...)  fraud during a presidential election in October. He tweeted: "It pains me to leave Bolivia for political
    1  ) Bolivia has a new leader. She is opposition senator Jeanine Áñez, who has declared herself interim president following
    (...)  the country." Lawmakers endorsed Ms Áñez's appointment but senators from Mr Morales' socialist party boycotted
    (...)  location before fleeing to Mexico by private jet to seek asylum. He said he had been forced to stand down but had done so
    (...)  Mr Morales has fled to Mexico, saying he was in fear for his life had he stayed in Bolivia. He released
    (...)  weekend following weeks of social turmoil and violent protests. Bolivians took to the streets over allegations of election
    (...)  the vote. Morales' allies branded Ms Áñez as, "a coup-mongering right-wing senator". Mr Morales
    (...)  line to be president under Bolivia's constitution and vowed to hold elections as soon as

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the  following   interim  resignation  .  herself  declared   She   president
    2. to   be   president   .   She   next   line   in   was
    3. soon   possible   .   Vowed   elections   as   as   to   hold
    4. the   to   everything   She'll   pacify   necessary   do   country   .
    5. in   nefarious   The   coup   sneakiest,   most   history   .
    6. life   for   fear   had   his   he   In   stayed   .
    7. blanket   Sleep   location   .   a   under   an   at   undisclosed
    8. stand   been   to   He   he'd   said   forced   down   .
    9. a   election   fraud   election   .   during   of   Allegations   presidential
    10. pains   to   me   reasons   .   leave   for   political   It

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Bolivia has a new leader. She is opposition senate / senator Jeanine Áñez, who has declared herself interim president following / follows the resignation of former-president Evo Morales on Sunday. Ms Áñez said she was next on / in line to be president under Bolivia's constitution / constituent and vowed to hold / take elections as soon as possible. She said: "I assume the presidency immediately and will do everything necessary to specify / pacify the country." Lawmakers engrossed / endorsed Ms Áñez's appointment but senators from Mr Morales' socialist party boycotted the vote. Morales' allies / dallies branded Ms Áñez as, "a coup-mongering right-wing senator". Mr Morales condemned what he called a takeover as been / being the, "sneakiest, most various / nefarious coup in history".

    Mr Morales has fled / sled to Mexico, saying he was in afraid / fear for his life had he stayed in Bolivia. He released a photo on Twitter for / of himself having to sleep on a concrete floor under a blanket at an undisclosed location prior / before fleeing to Mexico by private jet to surrender / seek asylum. He said he had been forced to stand up / down but had done so willingly, "to ensure there would be no more bloodshed". Morales stepped down at the weekend following weeks of social turmoil / telepathy and violent protests. Bolivians took to the streets over / above allegations of election fraud during a presidential election in October. He tweeted: "It aches / pains me to leave Bolivia for political reasons, but I'll always be concerned. I'll return soon, with more strength and lethargy / energy."

    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)

    B_l_v__   h_s  _  n_w   l__ d_r .   S h_ _s  _p p_s_t__ n   s_n_t_r   J__ n_n_  Á ñ_z ,   w h_  h_s   d_c l_r_d   h_r s_l f  _n t_r_m   p r_s_d_n t   f_l l_w_n g   t h_  r_s_g n_t__ n  _f   f_r m_r - p r_s_d_n t   E v_  M_r_l_s  _n   S_n d_y .   M s   Á ñ_z   s__ d   s h_  w_s   n_x t  _n   l_n_  t_  b_  p r_s_d_n t  _n d_r   B_l_v__ ' s   c_n s t_t_t__ n  _n d   v_w_d   t_  h_l d  _l_c t__ n s  _s   s__ n  _s   p_s s_b l_.   S h_  s__ d :   " I  _s s_m_  t h_  p r_s_d_n c y  _m m_d__ t_l y  _n d   w_l l   d_ _v_r y t h_n g   n_c_s s_r y   t_  p_c_f y   t h_  c__ n t r y . "   L_w m_k_r s  _n d_r s_d   M s   Á ñ_z ' s  _p p__ n t m_n t   b_t   s_n_t_r s   f r_m   M r   M_r_l_s '   s_c__ l_s t   p_r t y   b_y c_t t_d   t h_  v_t_.   M_r_l_s '  _l l__ s   b r_n d_d   M s   Á ñ_z  _s ,   "_  c__ p - m_n g_r_n g   r_g h t - w_n g   s_n_t_r " .   M r   M_r_l_s   c_n d_m n_d   w h_t   h_  c_l l_d  _  t_k__ v_r  _s   b__ n g   t h_,   " s n__ k__ s t ,   m_s t   n_f_r___s   c__ p  _n   h_s t_r y " .

    M r   M_r_l_s   h_s   f l_d   t_  M_x_c_,   s_y_n g   h_  w_s  _n   f__ r   f_r   h_s   l_f_  h_d   h_  s t_y_d  _n   B_l_v__ .   H_  r_l__ s_d  _  p h_t_ _n   T w_t t_r  _f   h_m s_l f   h_v_n g   t_  s l__ p  _n  _  c_n c r_t_  f l__ r  _n d_r  _  b l_n k_t  _t  _n  _n d_s c l_s_d   l_c_t__ n   b_f_r_  f l___n g   t_  M_x_c_  b y   p r_v_t_  j_t   t_  s__ k  _s y l_m .   H_  s__ d   h_  h_d   b__ n   f_r c_d   t_  s t_n d   d_w n   b_t   h_d   d_n_  s_  w_l l_n g l y ,   " t_ _n s_r_  t h_r_  w__ l d   b_  n_  m_r_  b l__ d s h_d " .   M_r_l_s   s t_p p_d   d_w n  _t   t h_  w__ k_n d   f_l l_w_n g   w__ k s  _f   s_c__ l   t_r m__ l  _n d   v__ l_n t   p r_t_s t s .   B_l_v__ n s   t__ k   t_  t h_  s t r__ t s  _v_r  _l l_g_t__ n s  _f  _l_c t__ n   f r__ d   d_r_n g  _  p r_s_d_n t__ l  _l_c t__ n  _n   O c t_b_r .   H_  t w__ t_d :   " I t   p__ n s   m_  t_  l__ v_  B_l_v__   f_r   p_l_t_c_l   r__ s_n s ,   b_t   I ' l l  _l w_y s   b_  c_n c_r n_d .   I ' l l   r_t_r n   s__ n ,   w_t h   m_r_  s t r_n g t h  _n d  _n_r g y . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    bolivia has a new leader she is opposition senator jeanine ez who has declared herself interim president following the resignation of formerpresident evo morales on sunday ms ez said she was next in line to be president under bolivias constitution and vowed to hold elections as soon as possible she said i assume the presidency immediately and will do everything necessary to pacify the country lawmakers endorsed ms ezs appointment but senators from mr morales socialist party boycotted the vote morales allies branded ms ez as a coupmongering rightwing senator mr morales condemned what he called a takeover as being the sneakiest most nefarious coup in history

    mr morales has fled to mexico saying he was in fear for his life had he stayed in bolivia he released a photo on twitter of himself having to sleep on a concrete floor under a blanket at an undisclosed location before fleeing to mexico by private jet to seek asylum he said he had been forced to stand down but had done so willingly to ensure there would be no more bloodshed morales stepped down at the weekend following weeks of social turmoil and violent protests bolivians took to the streets over allegations of election fraud during a presidential election in october he tweeted it pains me to leave bolivia for political reasons but ill always be concerned ill return soon with more strength and energy

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Boliviahasanewleader.SheisoppositionsenatorJeanineÁñez,whohas
    declaredherselfinterimpresidentfollowingtheresignationofformer-
    presidentEvoMoralesonSunday.MsÁñezsaidshewasnextinlinetobep
    residentunderBolivia'sconstitutionandvowedtoholdelectionsassoon
    aspossible.Shesaid:"Iassumethepresidencyimmediatelyandwilldoe
    verythingnecessarytopacifythecountry."LawmakersendorsedMsÁñ
    ez'sappointmentbutsenatorsfromMrMorales'socialistpartyboycotte
    dthevote.Morales'alliesbrandedMsÁñezas,"acoup-mongeringright-
    wingsenator".MrMoralescondemnedwhathecalledatakeoverasbeing
    the,"sneakiest,mostnefariouscoupinhistory".MrMoraleshasfledtoMe
    xico,sayinghewasinfearforhislifehadhestayedinBolivia.Hereleaseda
    photoonTwitterofhimselfhavingtosleeponaconcretefloorunderablan
    ketatanundisclosedlocationbeforefleeingtoMexicobyprivatejettosee
    kasylum.Hesaidhehadbeenforcedtostanddownbuthaddonesowilling
    ly,"toensuretherewouldbenomorebloodshed".Moralessteppeddown
    attheweekendfollowingweeksofsocialturmoilandviolentprotests.Bol
    ivianstooktothestreetsoverallegationsofelectionfraudduringapresid
    entialelectioninOctober.Hetweeted:"ItpainsmetoleaveBoliviaforpoli
    ticalreasons,butI'llalwaysbeconcerned.I'llreturnsoon,withmorestre
    ngthandenergy."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    All elections should always be respected. 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. BOLIVIA: Make a poster about Bolivia. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ELECTIONS: Write a magazine article about elections being the best way to decide who will be in power. 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 Bolivia. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on Bolivia. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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