Breaking News English Lesson on Weightlifting

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Game of Thrones star smashes weightlifting record (5th May, 2020)

The Reading / Listening - Weightlifting - Level 6

The Game of Thrones actor Hafthor Bjornsson has set a world weightlifting record by lifting 501kg. Mr Bjornsson, 31, set the record for deadlifting*. This is pulling weights from the floor to the chest, and then raising the weights above the head with the arms fully extended. The actor broke the record at his personal gym in his native Iceland. He lifted the barbell for two seconds and then dropped the weights. He roared in delight at his achievement. His feat of power and strength was streamed by the sports broadcaster ESPN and posted on Bjornsson's YouTube channel. The record was previously held by a British man called Eddie Hall. In 2016, Mr Hall became the first man ever to lift 500kg.

Besides being an actor, Hafthor Bjornsson is a powerlifter. In 2018, he won the World's Strongest Man competition. He shot to fame when he portrayed Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in the hit series Game of Thrones. He is 2.05m tall and weighs 195kg, so people have dubbed him a "man mountain". Bjornsson explained how happy he was after breaking the deadlift record. He said: "I'm extremely proud, you know. I'm extremely happy....There's nothing better than proving people wrong. So many people didn't believe in me. So many people said, '501kg is never going to go up.'" He added: "I'm just absolutely speechless....I'm excited, super excited. This is huge for me."

* ERROR: A deadlift is from the floor to the level of the hips, not above the head.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Weightlifting - Level 4 or Weightlifting - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52512211
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8280951/He-really-Mountain-Game-Thrones-star-Haf-r-Bj-rnsson-breaks-world-deadlifting-record.html
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/11534178/hafthor-julius-bjornsson-world-deadlift-record/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. WEIGHTLIFTING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about weightlifting. 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?
game / weights / floor / chest / personal / achievement / power / strength / 500kg /
actor / fame / mountain / proud / happy / wrong / believe / speechless / excited
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WEIGHT TRAINING: Students A strongly believe everybody should do weight training to stay strong; Students B strongly believe they shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. RECORDS: What training would you do to break these records? How difficult would it be? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Training	Difficulty
Hot dog eating
Spelling bee
Distance walked
T-shirts put on in a minute
Typing
Dancing

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. WEIGHTS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "weights". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. THE GYM: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to do in a gym at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

yoga
sauna
skipping
aerobics
bike
running machine
free weights
rowing machine

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	set	a.	Created or established something (like a record, personal best, example, etc.).
2.	chest	b.	An achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength.
3.	extended	c.	The front part of a person's or animal's body between the bottom neck and the top of the stomach.
4.	native	d.	A very loud and deep sound made by a person or animal.
5.	roared	e.	Made larger or longer.
6.	feat	f.	Associated with the country, region, or situation of a person's birth.
7.	broadcaster	g.	An organization that transmits a program or information by radio, television or Internet.

Paragraph 2

8.	shot	h.	Feeling deep happiness because of your own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone you like.
9.	portrayed	i.	Given an unofficial name or nickname to someone or something.
10.	hit	j.	Moved suddenly and rapidly in a particular direction.
11.	dubbed	k.	Showing your own abilities to other people.
12.	proud	l.	Played the part of someone in a movie, TV series or on stage.
13.	proving	m.	Unable to speak because of sudden shock or some strong emotion.
14.	speechless	n.	Very, very popular and successful, especially a film, TV series, game, app, pop record, or song.

Before reading / listening

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

A man lifted over 500kg above his head. T / F
The arms have to be fully extended to get a deadlifting record. T / F
The man lifted the weights above his head for over 20 seconds. T / F
The man is the first person ever to lift 500kg or more above his head. T / F
The man is also a World's Strongest Man winner. T / F
The man played a character called the Iceberg in Game of Thrones. T / F
Everyone knew the man could break the world record. T / F
The man was lost for words after his record-breaking feat. T / F

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

set
raising
extended
feat
ever
portrayed
dubbed
extremely
proving
speechless

lost for words
achievement
nicknamed
up till now
straightened out
showing
established
played
immensely
lifting

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

raising the weights above the head with
in his native
He roared in delight
streamed by
The record was previously
He shot
people have dubbed him
I'm extremely
There's nothing better than proving
absolutely

proud
the sports broadcaster
speechless
the arms fully extended
a "man mountain"
at his achievement
people wrong
held by a British man
to fame
Iceland

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

broke
previously
roared
chest
posted
lifting
extended
strength

The Game of Thrones actor Hafthor Bjornsson has set a world weightlifting record by (1) ____________ 501kg. Mr Bjornsson, 31, set the record for deadlifting. This is pulling weights from the floor to the (2) ____________, and then raising the weights above the head with the arms fully (3) ____________. The actor (4) ____________ the record at his personal gym in his native Iceland. He lifted the barbell for two seconds and then dropped the weights. He (5) ____________ in delight at his achievement. His feat of power and (6) ____________ was streamed by the sports broadcaster ESPN and (7) ____________ on Bjornsson's YouTube channel. The record was (8) ____________ held by a British man called Eddie Hall. In 2016, Mr Hall became the first man ever to lift 500kg.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

hit
proud
actor
huge
dubbed
absolutely
fame
proving

Besides being an (9) ____________, Hafthor Bjornsson is a powerlifter. In 2018, he won the World's Strongest Man competition. He shot to (10) ____________ when he portrayed Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in the (11) ____________ series Game of Thrones. He is 2.05m tall and weighs 195kg, so people have (12) ____________ him a "man mountain". Bjornsson explained how happy he was after breaking the deadlift record. He said: "I'm extremely (13) ____________, you know. I'm extremely happy....There's nothing better than (14) ____________ people wrong. So many people didn't believe in me. So many people said, '501kg is never going to go up.'" He added: "I'm just (15) ____________ speechless....I'm excited, super excited. This is (16) ____________ for me."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) actor Hafthor Bjornsson has set a world weightlifting record ______
     a. by lifting 501kg
     b. by lift in 501kg
     c. at lifting 501kg
     d. to lift in 501kg
2) This is pulling weights from the floor to the chest, and then ______
     a. rising the weights
     b. arising the weights
     c. arisen the weights
     d. raising the weights
3) The actor broke the record at his personal gym in ______
     a. this native Iceland
     b. his natives Iceland
     c. his native Iceland
     d. his nativity Iceland
4) He lifted the barbell for two seconds and then dropped the weights. He ______
     a. roar in delight
     b. roar din delight
     c. roared din delight
     d. roared in delight
5) In 2016, Mr Hall became the first man ______ 500kg
   a. ever to lift
     b. even to lift
     c. every to lift
     d. never to lift

6) he won the World's Strongest Man competition. He ______
     a. shoot to fame
     b. short to fame
     c. shot to fame
     d. shots to fame
7) 2.05m tall and weighs 195kg, so people have ______ "man mountain"
     a. daubed him a
     b. dubbed him a
     c. dabbed him a
     d. dibbed him a
8) There's nothing better than ______
     a. proving people wronged
     b. proving people wrongly
     c. proving people wrong
     d. proving people wrongs
9) '501kg is never going to go up.'" He added: "I'm ______
     a. justly absolutely speechless
     b. just absolute speechless
     c. just absolutely speechless
     d. just absolutely speech lessen
10) I'm excited, super excited. This is ______
     a. hug for me
     b. luge for me
     c. huge for me
     d. fugue for me

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The Game of Thrones actor Hafthor Bjornsson has set a world weightlifting (1) ___________________ 501kg. Mr Bjornsson, 31, set the record for deadlifting. This (2) ___________________ from the floor to the chest, and then raising the weights above the head with the (3) ___________________. The actor broke the record at his personal gym in his native Iceland. He lifted the barbell for two seconds and then (4) ___________________. He roared in delight at his achievement. His feat of power and strength was (5) ___________________ sports broadcaster ESPN and posted on Bjornsson's YouTube channel. The record was previously held by a British man called Eddie Hall. In 2016, Mr Hall became the first man (6) ___________________ 500kg.

Besides being an actor, Hafthor Bjornsson is a powerlifter. In 2018, he won the World's Strongest Man competition. He (7) ___________________ when he portrayed Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in the hit series Game of Thrones. He is 2.05m (8) ___________________ 195kg, so people have dubbed him a "man mountain". Bjornsson explained how happy he was after (9) ___________________ record. He said: "I'm extremely proud, you know. I'm extremely happy....There's nothing better than (10) ___________________. So many people didn't believe in me. So many people said, '501kg is never going to go up.'" He added: "I'm (11) ___________________....I'm excited, super excited. This is (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

How much did the man lift?
What did the man have to do to his arms to get the record?
Where did the man break the record?
For how long did the man keep the weights above his head?
What is the nationality of the first man to lift 500kg?
When did the man win the World's Strongest Man competition?
What is the man's nickname?
How did the man feel about his achievement?
What did the man say there was nothing better than?
Why didn't the man talk a lot after breaking the record?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How much did the man lift?
a) 510kg
b) 500kg
c) 501kg
d) 499kg
2) What did the man have to do to his arms to get the record?
a) fully extend them
b) put oil on them
c) wash them
d) show them
3) Where did the man break the record?
a) England
b) Iceland
c) Ireland
d) Greenland
4) For how long did the man keep the weights above his head?
a) 5.5 seconds
b) 12 seconds
c) 20 seconds
d) 2 seconds
5) What is the nationality of the first man to lift 500kg?
a) Greek
b) Danish
c) British
d) Icelandic

6) When did the man win the World's Strongest Man competition?
a) 2109
b) 2018
c) 2017
d) 2012
7) What is the man's nickname?
a) Mr Muscle
b) Godzilla
c) the Iceberg
d) Man Mountain
8) How did the man feel about his achievement?
a) exhilarated
b) proud
c) exhausted
d) good
9) What did the man say there was nothing better than?
a) chocolate cheesecake
b) proving people wrong
c) gyms
d) weight training
10) Why didn't the man talk a lot after breaking the record?
a) he was speechless
b) he was eating donuts
c) he had no time
d) he's shy

Role play

Role A – Bike
You think the bike is the best thing about the gym. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): free weights, sauna or aerobics.

Role B – Free Weights
You think free weights are the best thing about the gym. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): bike, sauna or aerobics.

Role C – Sauna
You think the sauna is the best thing about the gym. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): free weights, bike or aerobics.

Role D – Aerobics
You think aerobics is the best thing about the gym. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): free weights, sauna or bike.

After reading / listening

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

'weightlifting'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'record'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

pulling

personal

two

delight

sports

ever

2018

shot

hit

mountain

wrong

never

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 - Weightlifting

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 'weightlifting'?
What do you know about the show Game of Thrones?
What do you think of weightlifting?
How much weight do you think you can lift?
Why do you think people like weightlifting?
Should everybody do weight training to stay strong?
What world record would you like to break?
Is weightlifting a sport?
When was the last time you roared with delight?

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 'record'?
What do you think about what you read?
Would you like to watch the World's Strongest Man competition?
What are the good and bad things about being a "man mountain"?
What are you extremely proud of?
When was the last time you proved someone wrong?
When was the last time you were speechless?
What three adjectives best describe this story?
What questions would you like to ask Mr Bjornsson?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The Game of Thrones actor Hafthor Bjornsson has (1) ____ a world weightlifting record by lifting 501kg. Mr Bjornsson, 31, set the record for deadlifting. This is pulling weights from the floor to the (2) ____, and then raising the weights above the head with the arms (3) ____ extended. The actor broke the record at his personal gym in his native Iceland. He lifted the barbell for two seconds and then dropped the weights. He (4) ____ in delight at his achievement. His (5) ____ of power and strength was streamed by the sports broadcaster ESPN and posted on Bjornsson's YouTube channel. The record was previously held by a British man called Eddie Hall. In 2016, Mr Hall became the first man (6) ____ to lift 500kg.

Besides (7) ____ an actor, Hafthor Bjornsson is a powerlifter. In 2018, he won the World's Strongest Man competition. He (8) ____ to fame when he portrayed Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in the (9) ____ series Game of Thrones. He is 2.05m tall and weighs 195kg, so people have (10) ____ him a "man mountain". Bjornsson explained how happy he was after breaking the deadlift record. He said: "I'm extremely proud, you know. I'm extremely happy....There's nothing better than (11) ____ people wrong. So many people didn't believe in me. So many people said, '501kg is never going to go up.'" He added: "I'm (12) ____ absolutely speechless....I'm excited, super excited. This is huge for me."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) let (b) set (c) bet (d) met
(a) chaste (b) chest (c) chasten (d) chastens
(a) reasonably (b) surly (c) periodically (d) fully
(a) whispered (b) roared (c) voiced (d) enunciated
(a) feet (b) float (c) fleet (d) feat
(a) whole (b) all (c) ever (d) power
(a) being (b) was (c) been (d) be
(a) triggered (b) banged (c) shot (d) fired
(a) hit (b) whack (c) punch (d) slap
(a) dubbed (b) dibbed (c) daubed (d) dabbled
(a) proving (b) proven (c) proof (d) improve
(a) just (b) such (c) though (d) tad

Spelling

Paragraph 1

set the record for ilidaendtgf
nsiargi the weights above the head
with the arms fully tdnedxee
in his venati Iceland
He roared in dlgtehi
rlivyoesup held by a British man

Paragraph 2

the World's Strongest Man oiitpontcem
he doyratepr Ser Gregor
people have duebdb him a "man mountain"
I'm mlrytxeee proud
npiogvr people wrong
I'm just aosbtlluey speechless

Put the text back together

(...) lifting 501kg. Mr Bjornsson, 31, set the record for deadlifting. This is pulling weights from the floor to the
(...) go up.'" He added: "I'm just absolutely speechless....I'm excited, super excited. This is huge for me."
(...) competition. He shot to fame when he portrayed Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in the hit
(...) Iceland. He lifted the barbell for two seconds and then dropped the weights. He roared in
(...) Besides being an actor, Hafthor Bjornsson is a powerlifter. In 2018, he won the World's Strongest Man
(...) chest, and then raising the weights above the head with the arms fully extended. The actor broke the record at his personal gym in his native
(...) mountain". Bjornsson explained how happy he was after breaking the deadlift record. He said: "I'm extremely
(...) delight at his achievement. His feat of power and strength was streamed by the sports
(...) held by a British man called Eddie Hall. In 2016, Mr Hall became the first man ever to lift 500kg.
(...) wrong. So many people didn't believe in me. So many people said, '501kg is never going to
( 1 ) The Game of Thrones actor Hafthor Bjornsson has set a world weightlifting record by
(...) series Game of Thrones. He is 2.05m tall and weighs 195kg, so people have dubbed him a "man
(...) proud, you know. I'm extremely happy....There's nothing better than proving people
(...) broadcaster ESPN and posted on Bjornsson's YouTube channel. The record was previously

Put the words in the right order

world a weightlifting 501kg . lifting record by Set
the floor from chest . weights to Pulling the
broke actor record at gym . the his The
lifted two the for barbell seconds . He
to first lift became the 500kg . man Hall
the he In Man . Strongest 2018, won World's
"man Many dubbed mountain" . him have people a
record . He happy breaking deadlift after was the
wrong . nothing than proving better There's people
many didn't people believe So in me .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The Game of Thrones actor Hafthor Bjornsson has let / set a world weightlifting record by / at lifting 501kg. Mr Bjornsson, 31, set the record for deadlifting. This is pulling / pushing weights from the floor to the chest, and then raising / rising the weights above the head with the arms full / fully extended. The actor broke the record at his personal gym in his nativity / native Iceland. He lifted the barbell for two seconds and then dropped the weights. He roared in delightful / delight at his achievement. His feet / feat of power and strength was streamed / streamline by the sports broadcaster ESPN and posted on Bjornsson's YouTube channel. The record was previously / previous held by a British man called Eddie Hall. In 2016, Mr Hall became the first man ever to lift 500kg.

Besides / Insides being an actor, Hafthor Bjornsson is a powerlifter. In 2018, he won the World's Strongest Man competing / competition. He shot / fired to fame when he portrayed Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in the hit series / serial Game of Thrones. He is 2.05m tall and weighs 195kg, so people have dubbed / daubed him a "man mountain". Bjornsson explained how happy he was after breaking the deadlift record. He said: "I'm extremely pride / proud, you know. I'm extremely / extreme happy....There's nothing better than proven / proving people wrong. So many people didn't believe in me. So many people said, '501kg is never going to go up.'" He added: "I'm just absolutely speech / speechless....I'm excited, super excited. This is huge / hugs for me."

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)

T h_ G_m_ _f T h r_n_s _c t_r H_f t h_r B j_r n s s_n h_s s_t _ w_r l d w__ g h t l_f t_n g r_c_r d b y l_f t_n g 5 0 1 k g . M r B j_r n s s_n , 3 1 , s_t t h_ r_c_r d f_r d__ d l_f t_n g . T h_s _s p_l l_n g w__ g h t s f r_m t h_ f l__ r t_ t h_ c h_s t , _n d t h_n r__ s_n g t h_ w__ g h t s _b_v_ t h_ h__ d w_t h t h_ _r m s f_l l y _x t_n d_d . T h_ _c t_r b r_k_ t h_ r_c_r d _t h_s p_r s_n_l g y m _n h_s n_t_v_ I c_l_n d . H_ l_f t_d t h_ b_r b_l l f_r t w_ s_c_n d s _n d t h_n d r_p p_d t h_ w__ g h t s . H_ r__ r_d _n d_l_g h t _t h_s _c h__ v_m_n t . H_s f__ t _f p_w_r _n d s t r_n g t h w_s s t r__ m_d b y t h_ s p_r t s b r__ d c_s t_r E S P N _n d p_s t_d _n B j_r n s s_n ' s Y__ T_b_ c h_n n_l . T h_ r_c_r d w_s p r_v___s l y h_l d b y _ B r_t_s h m_n c_l l_d E d d__ H_l l . I n 2 0 1 6 , M r H_l l b_c_m_ t h_ f_r s t m_n _v_r t_ l_f t 5 0 0 k g .

B_s_d_s b__ n g _n _c t_r , H_f t h_r B j_r n s s_n _s _ p_w_r l_f t_r . I n 2 0 1 8 , h_ w_n t h_ W_r l d ' s S t r_n g_s t M_n c_m p_t_t__ n . H_ s h_t t_ f_m_ w h_n h_ p_r t r_y_d S_r G r_g_r " T h_ M__ n t__ n " C l_g_n_ _n t h_ h_t s_r__ s G_m_ _f T h r_n_s . H_ _s 2 . 0 5 m t_l l _n d w__ g h s 1 9 5 k g , s_ p__ p l_ h_v_ d_b b_d h_m _ " m_n m__ n t__ n " . B j_r n s s_n _x p l__ n_d h_w h_p p y h_ w_s _f t_r b r__ k_n g t h_ d__ d l_f t r_c_r d . H_ s__ d : " I ' m _x t r_m_l y p r__ d , y__ k n_w . I ' m _x t r_m_l y h_p p y . . . . T h_r_' s n_t h_n g b_t t_r t h_n p r_v_n g p__ p l_ w r_n g . S_ m_n y p__ p l_ d_d n ' t b_l__ v_ _n m_. S_ m_n y p__ p l_ s__ d , ' 5 0 1 k g _s n_v_r g__ n g t_ g_ _p . ' " H_ _d d_d : " I ' m j_s t _b s_l_t_l y s p__ c h l_s s . . . . I ' m _x c_t_d , s_p_r _x c_t_d . T h_s _s h_g_ f_r m_. "

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the game of thrones actor hafthor bjornsson has set a world weightlifting record by lifting 501kg mr bjornsson 31 set the record for deadlifting this is pulling weights from the floor to the chest and then raising the weights above the head with the arms fully extended the actor broke the record at his personal gym in his native iceland he lifted the barbell for two seconds and then dropped the weights he roared in delight at his achievement his feat of power and strength was streamed by the sports broadcaster espn and posted on bjornssons youtube channel the record was previously held by a british man called eddie hall in 2016 mr hall became the first man ever to lift 500kg

besides being an actor hafthor bjornsson is a powerlifter in 2018 he won the worlds strongest man competition he shot to fame when he portrayed ser gregor the mountain clegane in the hit series game of thrones he is 205m tall and weighs 195kg so people have dubbed him a man mountain bjornsson explained how happy he was after breaking the deadlift record he said im extremely proud you know im extremely happy theres nothing better than proving people wrong so many people didnt believe in me so many people said 501kg is never going to go up he added im just absolutely speechless im excited super excited this is huge for me

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheGameofThronesactorHafthorBjornssonhassetaworldweightliftin
grecordbylifting501kg.MrBjornsson,31,settherecordfordeadlifting.
Thisispullingweightsfromthefloortothechest,andthenraisingtheweig
htsabovetheheadwiththearmsfullyextended.Theactorbrokethereco
rdathispersonalgyminhisnativeIceland.Heliftedthebarbellfortwosec
ondsandthendroppedtheweights.Heroaredindelightathisachieveme
nt.Hisfeatofpowerandstrengthwasstreamedbythesportsbroadcaste
rESPNandpostedonBjornsson'sYouTubechannel.Therecordwasprevi
ouslyheldbyaBritishmancalledEddieHall.In2016,MrHallbecamethefi
rstmanevertolift500kg.Besidesbeinganactor,HafthorBjornssonisap
owerlifter.In2018,hewontheWorld'sStrongestMancompetition.Hesh
ottofamewhenheportrayedSerGregor"TheMountain"Cleganeinthehi
tseriesGameofThrones.Heis2.05mtallandweighs195kg,sopeopleha
vedubbedhima"manmountain".Bjornssonexplainedhowhappyhewa
safterbreakingthedeadliftrecord.Hesaid:"I'mextremelyproud,youk
now.I'mextremelyhappy....There'snothingbetterthanprovingpeopl
ewrong.Somanypeopledidn'tbelieveinme.Somanypeoplesaid,'501k
gisnevergoingtogoup.'"Headded:"I'mjustabsolutelyspeechless....I'
mexcited,superexcited.Thisishugeforme."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Weightlifting is a great sport to take up. 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. WEIGHTLIFTING: Make a poster about weightlifting. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. WEIGHT TRAINING: Write a magazine article about introducing weight training at school. 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 weightlifting. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on it. 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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Breaking News English Lesson on Weightlifting

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