Breaking News English Lesson: Iranian Revenge

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Iran promises revenge after assassination of Soleimani (6th January, 2020)

The Reading / Listening - Iranian Revenge - Level 6

Iran's President Rouhani has promised it will get revenge for the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Friday. In a strongly-worded statement, President Rouhani said: "The Americans do not realise what grave error they have committed. Revenge for his blood will be secured, and the filthy hands of America will be cut off forever from this region." Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered similarly vengeful comments. He said: "Severe retaliation awaits murderers who have the blood of Mr Soleimani and that of other martyrs on their wicked hands." He said Soleimani's death would intensify Iran's hostility towards the United States and Israel.

Qassem Soleimani, 62, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran. He was Iran's pre-eminent military leader and was viewed as the architect of Iran's spreading influence in the Middle East. Such was his popularity with many Iranians, he was dubbed the "rock star general". U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered the assassination of Soleimani after the death of an American in attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Mr Trump said the assassination was to prevent war in the region. He called Mr Soleimani a terrorist responsible for thousands of deaths. The world is now on tenterhooks to see how Iran retaliates. "World War III" was the top-trending hashtag on social media on Saturday.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Iranian Revenge - Level 4 or Iranian Revenge - Level 5

Sources

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/iran-fallout-soleimani-assassination-200104091122122.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50991810
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-03/top-iranian-commander-is-killed-in-u-s-airstrike-in-baghdad

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. IRAN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Iran. 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?
promised / revenge / assassination / grave / error / blood / filthy / martyrs / hostility
powerful / architect / influence / rock star / attacks / embassy / war / on tenterhooks
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NO WAR: Students A strongly believe war will not break out as a result of the Soleimani assassination; Students B strongly believe it will. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. WORLD LEADERS: What do you think these world leaders think of this crisis? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What Leaders Might Think	Do You Agree?
Donald Trump
Vladimir Putin
Narendra Modi
Crown Prince Salman
Xi Jinping
Benjamin Netanyahu

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. REVENGE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "revenge". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. RESOLUTION: Rank these with your partner. Put the best to diffuse this situation at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

The U.N.
Saudi Arabia
The Pope
China
Russia
President Rouhani
Xi Jinping
President Trump

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	general	a.	A commander of an army, or an army officer of very high rank.
2.	grave	b.	A person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs.
3.	secured	c.	Giving cause for alarm; serious.
4.	filthy	d.	Seeking to harm someone in return for a perceived injury.
5.	vengeful	e.	Succeed in obtaining something, especially with difficulty.
6.	martyr	f.	Disgustingly dirty.
7.	intensify	g.	Make or become more extreme in force, degree, or strength.

Paragraph 2

8.	regarded	h.	Gave an unofficial name or nickname to someone or something.
9.	pre-eminent	i.	The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.
10.	architect	j.	Considered or thought of someone or something in a specified way.
11.	influence	k.	In a state of suspense or agitation because of uncertainty about a future event.
12.	dubbed	l.	Surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way.
13.	on tenterhooks	m.	Make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack.
14.	retaliate	n.	A person who is responsible for inventing or realizing a particular idea or project.

Before reading / listening

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

Iran's President said he has got revenge for the killing of a general. T / F
Iran's President said Americans will go to a grave. T / F
Iran's religious leader disagreed with his president. T / F
The religious leader wants to reduce hostilities between the USA and Iran. T / F
Qassem Soleimani was 62 years old when he died. T / F
Some in the media called Qassem Soleimani a rock star general. T / F
Donald Trump called Qassem Soleimani a terrorist. T / F
The world is now hooked on a game called World War III. T / F

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

promised
statement
filthy
retaliation
intensify
regarded
pre-eminent
dubbed
responsible
on tenterhooks

considered
escalate
anxious
vowed
nicknamed
reprisals
accountable
declaration
greatest
dirty

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

get revenge
In a strongly-
grave
filthy
intensify Iran's hostility
He was Iran's pre-
the architect of
he was dubbed the
The world is now on
the top-trending hashtag

error
Iran's spreading influence
towards the United States
worded statement
on social media
for the assassination
tenterhooks
hands
"rock star general"
eminent military leader

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

grave
region
revenge
filthy
hostility
martyrs
statement
awaits

Iran's President Rouhani has promised it will get (1) ____________ for the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Friday. In a strongly-worded (2) ____________, President Rouhani said: "The Americans do not realise what (3) ____________ error they have committed. Revenge for his blood will be secured, and the (4) ____________ hands of America will be cut off forever from this (5) ____________." Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered similarly vengeful comments. He said: "Severe retaliation (6) ____________ murderers who have the blood of Mr Soleimani and that of other (7) ____________ on their wicked hands." He said Soleimani's death would intensify Iran's (8) ____________ towards the United States and Israel.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

ordered
region
architect
hashtag
figure
tenterhooks
popularity
embassy

Qassem Soleimani, 62, was regarded as the second most powerful (9) ____________ in Iran. He was Iran's pre-eminent military leader and was viewed as the (10) ____________ of Iran's spreading influence in the Middle East. Such was his (11) ____________ with many Iranians, he was dubbed the "rock star general". U.S. President Donald Trump said he (12) ____________ the assassination of Soleimani after the death of an American in attacks on the U.S. (13) ____________ in Baghdad. Mr Trump said the assassination was to prevent war in the (14) ____________. He called Mr Soleimani a terrorist responsible for thousands of deaths. The world is now on (15) ____________ to see how Iran retaliates. "World War III" was the top-trending (16) ____________ on social media on Saturday.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Rouhani has promised it will get revenge for the assassination ______
     a. of Iranian generals
     b. of Iranian generalise
     c. of Iranian general
     d. of Iranian generally
2) The Americans do not realise what grave error they ______
     a. have committed
     b. have commit it
     c. have come mitt it
     d. have commented
3) Revenge for his blood will be secured, and ______
     a. the fifty hands
     b. the feisty hands
     c. the fill thy hands
     d. the filthy hands
4) Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered similarly ______
     a. avenge full comments
     b. verge full comments
     c. vengefully comments
     d. vengeful comments
5) He said Soleimani's death would intensify ______
     a. Iran's host ability
     b. Iran's hostility
     c. Iran's hostile city
     d. Iran's hostile ditty

6) Qassem Soleimani, 62, was regarded as the second most ______ Iran
     a. powerful figure in
     b. power full figure in
     c. powerful figurine in
     d. powerful figure in
7) He was Iran's pre-eminent military leader and was viewed ______
     a. as the architecture
     b. as the architect
     c. as the architectural
     d. as the arc high-tech
8) Such was his popularity with many Iranians, he was ______ star general"
     a. dubbed the rocker
     b. dubbed the rocky
     c. dubbed the rock
     d. dubbed the rocket
9) The world is now on tenterhooks to see ______
     a. how Iran retaliates
     b. how Iran reiterates
     c. how Iran retail affiliates
     d. how Iran retail lattes
10) "World War III" was the top-trending ______ media
     a. harsh tag on social
     b. hash stag on social
     c. hashtag on social
     d. hashed tag on social

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Iran's President Rouhani has promised it (1) ___________________ for the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Friday. In (2) ___________________, President Rouhani said: "The Americans do not realise what (3) ___________________ have committed. Revenge for his blood will be secured, and the filthy hands of America will be cut off forever from this region." Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered (4) ___________________. He said: "Severe retaliation awaits murderers who have the blood of Mr Soleimani and that of (5) ___________________ their wicked hands." He said Soleimani's death would (6) ___________________ towards the United States and Israel.

Qassem Soleimani, 62, was regarded as the second (7) ___________________ in Iran. He was Iran's (8) ___________________ and was viewed as the architect of Iran's spreading influence in the Middle East. Such was (9) ___________________ many Iranians, he was dubbed the "rock star general". U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered the assassination of Soleimani after the death of an American in attacks on the (10) ___________________ Baghdad. Mr Trump said the assassination was to prevent war in the region. He called Mr Soleimani (11) ___________________ for thousands of deaths. The world is now on tenterhooks to see how Iran retaliates. "World War III" was the (12) ___________________ social media on Saturday.

Comprehension questions

What is the name of Iran's president?
What kind of statement did the article say the president made?
What kind of error did the president say the USA had made?
Who is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
Who will the assassination increase hostility between?
What kind of military leader did the article call Qassem Soleimani?
What nickname did the media give to Qassem Soleimani?
Who ordered the death of Qassem Soleimani?
What did the article say the world is now on?
What did the article say was the top-trending topic on social media?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of Iran's president?
a) Khomeini
b) Ahmadinejad
c) Rafsanjani
d) Rouhani
2) What kind of statement did the article say the president made?
a) a brief statement
b) a strongly-worded statement
c) a no-holds barred statement
d) one with few details
3) What kind of error did the president say the USA had made?
a) a minor error
b) an understandable error
c) a grave error
d) a costly error
4) Who is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
a) Iran's religious leader
b) Iran's military leader
c) Iran's defence minister
d) Iran's home affairs leader
5) Who will the assassination increase hostility between?
a) the USA and Russia
b) Iran, and the UAE and Saudi Arabia
c) Iran, and the US and Israel
d) the USA, and Russia and China

6) What kind of military leader did the article call Qassem Soleimani?
a) an imminent leader
b) the pre-eminent leader
c) a combatant leader
d) an important leader
7) What nickname did the media give to Qassem Soleimani?
a) the general star rock
b) the star rock general
c) the general rock-star
d) the rock-star general
8) Who ordered the death of Qassem Soleimani?
a) Donald Trump
b) Mike Pompeo
c) the CIA
d) the Pentagon
9) What did the article say the world is now on?
a) high alert
b) the edge
c) tenterhooks
d) smartphones
10) What did the article say was the top-trending topic on social media?
a) Armageddon
b) World War III
c) Apocalypse
d) The End

Role play

Role A – The U.N.
You think the U.N. is best-suited to solve the crisis in Iran. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their players. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Saudi Arabia, Russia or India .

Role B – Saudi Arabia
You think Saudi Arabia is best-suited to solve the crisis in Iran. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their players. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the U.N., Russia or India .

Role C – Russia
You think Russia is best-suited to solve the crisis in Iran. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their players. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Saudi Arabia, the U.N. or India .

Role D – India
You think India is best-suited to solve the crisis in Iran. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their players. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Saudi Arabia, Russia or the U.N..

After reading / listening

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

'Iran'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'revenge'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

promised

strongly

filthy

similarly

martyrs

hostility

regarded

viewed

such

attacks

thousands

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 - Iranian Revenge

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'Iran'?
What do you think of the concept of revenge?
What do you think of the assassination?
What kind of revenge do you think Iran will enact?
Do you think the assassination was a 'grave error'?
What role will the USA play in the Middle East in the next decade?
What do you think of the concept of martyrdom?
What advice do you have for Donald Trump?
What advice do you have for Iran's leader?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'assassination'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you know about Qassem Soleimani?
What influence does Iran have in the Middle East?
Why have some media called Soleimani a 'rock star general'?
What options did the US have after the Baghdad embassy attack?
What do you think will unfold in the next few years?
What do you think of World War III?
What questions would you like to ask Iran's President Rouhani?

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)

Iran's President Rouhani has promised it will get revenge for the assassination of Iranian (1) ____ Qassem Soleimani on Friday. In a (2) ____-worded statement, President Rouhani said: "The Americans do not realise what (3) ____ error they have committed. Revenge for his blood will be secured, and the filthy hands of America will be cut off forever from this (4) ____." Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered similarly vengeful comments. He said: "Severe retaliation awaits murderers who have the (5) ____ of Mr Soleimani and that of other martyrs on their wicked hands." He said Soleimani's death would (6) ____ Iran's hostility towards the United States and Israel.

Qassem Soleimani, 62, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran. He was Iran's pre-(7) ____ military leader and was viewed as the architect of Iran's spreading influence in the Middle East. Such (8) ____ his popularity with many Iranians, he was (9) ____ the "rock star general". U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered the assassination of Soleimani after the death of an American in attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Mr Trump said the assassination was (10) ____ prevent war in the region. He called Mr Soleimani a terrorist responsible for thousands of deaths. The world is now on (11) ____ to see how Iran retaliates. "World War III" was the top-(12) ____ hashtag on social media on Saturday.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) blanket (b) general (c) mass (d) customary
(a) strength (b) strongly (c) strong (d) stronger
(a) vault (b) crypt (c) tomb (d) grave
(a) legions (b) regions (c) lesions (d) abrasions
(a) bloody (b) blood (c) blooded (d) bloods
(a) falsify (b) diversify (c) intensify (d) classify
(a) imminent (b) comment (c) eminent (d) condiment
(a) has (b) thus (c) was (d) as
(a) daubed (b) dabbled (c) drubbed (d) dubbed
(a) to (b) as (c) for (d) if
(a) tenterhooks (b) fishhooks (c) billhooks (d) chooks
(a) treading (b) trading (c) trending (d) tending

Spelling

Paragraph 1

a strongly-worded aettmsnet
what grave error they have immcttoed
Khamenei offered similarly egvfenul comments
severe etlrtaiiaon awaits murderers
that of other atrmyrs
nteisinfy Iran's hostility

Paragraph 2

Iran's rep-mineent military leader
the ichaterct of Iran's spreading influence
dubbed the "rock star ngreeal"
The world is now on etehrtonkos
see how Iran earailttes
the top-trending athhsag on social media

Put the text back together

(...) not realise what grave error they have committed. Revenge for his blood will be secured, and the filthy
( 1 ) Iran's President Rouhani has promised it will get revenge for the assassination
(...) region. He called Mr Soleimani a terrorist responsible for thousands of deaths. The world is now
(...) on tenterhooks to see how Iran retaliates. "World War III" was the top-trending hashtag on social media on Saturday.
(...) murderers who have the blood of Mr Soleimani and that of other martyrs on their wicked hands." He said
(...) Soleimani's death would intensify Iran's hostility towards the United States and Israel.
(...) hands of America will be cut off forever from this region." Iran's religious leader
(...) popularity with many Iranians, he was dubbed the "rock star general". U.S. President Donald Trump said he
(...) Qassem Soleimani, 62, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran. He was Iran's pre-eminent military
(...) ordered the assassination of Soleimani after the death of an American in attacks on the
(...) of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Friday. In a strongly-worded statement, President Rouhani said: "The Americans do
(...) U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Mr Trump said the assassination was to prevent war in the
(...) leader and was viewed as the architect of Iran's spreading influence in the Middle East. Such was his
(...) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered similarly vengeful comments. He said: "Severe retaliation awaits

Put the words in the right order

has revenge . will promised it get Rouhani
realise grave they error committed . what don't Americans
for Revenge blood will secured . be his
be America off will region . cut this from
others . The of and Soleimani of blood Mr that
figure . as most Regarded the powerful second
as the Viewed spreading architect of Iran's influence .
the to prevent assassination Trump war . said was
tenterhooks retaliates . see on how Now Iran to
top-trending the III World hashtag . War was

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Iran's President Rouhani has promised it will get avenge / revenge for the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Friday. In a strongly-worded / wording statement, President Rouhani said: "The Americans do not realise what tomb / grave error they have committed. Revenge for his bloody / blood will be secured, and the filth / filthy hands of America will be cut off forever from this region / legion." Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered simulated / similarly vengeful comments. He said: "Severe retaliation awaits murderers who have / bleed the blood of Mr Soleimani and that of other martyrs / matters on their wicked hands." He said Soleimani's death would intensify Iran's hostility / hostile towards the United States and Israel.

Qassem Soleimani, 62, was regarded as the second / secondly most powerful figure / figurine in Iran. He was Iran's pre-eminent military leader and was viewed was / as the architect of Iran's spreading confluence / influence in the Middle East. Such was his popularity with many Iranians, he was daubed / dubbed the "rock star general". U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered the assassination / assassin of Soleimani after the death of an American on / in attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Mr Trump said the assassination was to / for prevent war in the region. He called Mr Soleimani a terrorist responsible for thousands of deaths. The world is now on fishhooks / tenterhooks to see how Iran retaliates. "World War III" was the top-trending hashtag / hash brown on social media on Saturday.

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)

I r_n ' s P r_s_d_n t R__ h_n_ h_s p r_m_s_d _t w_l l g_t r_v_n g_ f_r t h_ _s s_s s_n_t__ n _f I r_n__ n g_n_r_l Q_s s_m S_l__ m_n_ _n F r_d_y . I n _ s t r_n g l y - w_r d_d s t_t_m_n t , P r_s_d_n t R__ h_n_ s__ d : " T h_ A m_r_c_n s d_ n_t r__ l_s_ w h_t g r_v_ _r r_r t h_y h_v_ c_m m_t t_d . R_v_n g_ f_r h_s b l__ d w_l l b_ s_c_r_d , _n d t h_ f_l t h y h_n d s _f A m_r_c_ w_l l b_ c_t _f f f_r_v_r f r_m t h_s r_g__ n . " I r_n ' s r_l_g___s l__ d_r A y_t_l l_h A l_ K h_m_n__ _f f_r_d s_m_l_r l y v_n g_f_l c_m m_n t s . H_ s__ d : " S_v_r_ r_t_l__ t__ n _w__ t s m_r d_r_r s w h_ h_v_ t h_ b l__ d _f M r S_l__ m_n_ _n d t h_t _f _t h_r m_r t y r s _n t h__ r w_c k_d h_n d s . " H_ s__ d S_l__ m_n_' s d__ t h w__ l d _n t_n s_f y I r_n ' s h_s t_l_t y t_w_r d s t h_ U n_t_d S t_t_s _n d I s r__ l .

Q_s s_m S_l__ m_n_, 6 2 , w_s r_g_r d_d _s t h_ s_c_n d m_s t p_w_r f_l f_g_r_ _n I r_n . H_ w_s I r_n ' s p r_-_m_n_n t m_l_t_r y l__ d_r _n d w_s v__ w_d _s t h_ _r c h_t_c t _f I r_n ' s s p r__ d_n g _n f l__ n c_ _n t h_ M_d d l_ E_s t . S_c h w_s h_s p_p_l_r_t y w_t h m_n y I r_n__ n s , h_ w_s d_b b_d t h_ " r_c k s t_r g_n_r_l " . U . S . P r_s_d_n t D_n_l d T r_m p s__ d h_ _r d_r_d t h_ _s s_s s_n_t__ n _f S_l__ m_n_ _f t_r t h_ d__ t h _f _n A m_r_c_n _n _t t_c k s _n t h_ U . S . _m b_s s y _n B_g h d_d . M r T r_m p s__ d t h_ _s s_s s_n_t__ n w_s t_ p r_v_n t w_r _n t h_ r_g__ n . H_ c_l l_d M r S_l__ m_n_ _ t_r r_r_s t r_s p_n s_b l_ f_r t h__ s_n d s _f d__ t h s . T h_ w_r l d _s n_w _n t_n t_r h__ k s t_ s__ h_w I r_n r_t_l__ t_s . " W_r l d W_r I I I " w_s t h_ t_p - t r_n d_n g h_s h t_g _n s_c__ l m_d__ _n S_t_r d_y .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

irans president rouhani has promised it will get revenge for the assassination of iranian general qassem soleimani on friday in a stronglyworded statement president rouhani said the americans do not realise what grave error they have committed revenge for his blood will be secured and the filthy hands of america will be cut off forever from this region irans religious leader ayatollah ali khamenei offered similarly vengeful comments he said severe retaliation awaits murderers who have the blood of mr soleimani and that of other martyrs on their wicked hands he said soleimanis death would intensify irans hostility towards the united states and israel

qassem soleimani 62 was regarded as the second most powerful figure in iran he was irans preeminent military leader and was viewed as the architect of irans spreading influence in the middle east such was his popularity with many iranians he was dubbed the rock star general us president donald trump said he ordered the assassination of soleimani after the death of an american in attacks on the us embassy in baghdad mr trump said the assassination was to prevent war in the region he called mr soleimani a terrorist responsible for thousands of deaths the world is now on tenterhooks to see how iran retaliates world war iii was the toptrending hashtag on social media on saturday

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Iran'sPresidentRouhanihaspromiseditwillgetrevengefortheassassin
ationofIraniangeneralQassemSoleimanionFriday.Inastrongly-wor
dedstatement,PresidentRouhanisaid:"TheAmericansdonotrealisew
hatgraveerrortheyhavecommitted.Revengeforhisbloodwillbesecure
d,andthefilthyhandsofAmericawillbecutoffforeverfromthisregion."Ir
an'sreligiousleaderAyatollahAliKhameneiofferedsimilarlyvengefulc
omments.Hesaid:"Severeretaliationawaitsmurdererswhohavethebl
oodofMrSoleimaniandthatofothermartyrsontheirwickedhands."Hes
aidSoleimani'sdeathwouldintensifyIran'shostilitytowardstheUnited
StatesandIsrael.QassemSoleimani,62,wasregardedasthesecondm
ostpowerfulfigureinIran.HewasIran'spre-eminentmilitaryleaderan
dwasviewedasthearchitectofIran'sspreadinginfluenceintheMiddleEa
st.SuchwashispopularitywithmanyIranians,hewasdubbedthe"rocks
targeneral".U.S.PresidentDonaldTrumpsaidheorderedtheassassina
tionofSoleimaniafterthedeathofanAmericaninattacksontheU.S.emb
assyinBaghdad.MrTrumpsaidtheassassinationwastopreventwarinth
eregion.HecalledMrSoleimaniaterroristresponsibleforthousandsofd
eaths.TheworldisnowontenterhookstoseehowIranretaliates."World
WarIII"wasthetop-trendinghashtagonsocialmediaonSaturday.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The assassination of Qassem Soleimani will start a new war. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. IRAN: Make a poster about Iran. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. U.S. WITHDRAWAL: Write a magazine article about the USA completely withdrawing from the Middle East. 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 Iran. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to resolve this crisis. 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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Breaking News English Lesson: Iranian Revenge

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