The Reading / Listening - Air Bridges - Level 3

There is a new meaning for the word "air bridge". Before the coronavirus pandemic started, an air bridge was the walkway that linked an airport departure lounge to an airplane's door. Now, it also means an agreement that people can travel between two countries. Many people are also calling this a "travel bubble". Australia and New Zealand have an air bridge as both countries have successfully managed their responses to the coronavirus. The United Kingdom has also signed air bridge agreements with several other countries. The agreements mean there are no quarantine requirements for those travelling between the countries. Travellers currently need to quarantine for two weeks in the UK.

Travellers arriving in the UK must inform the government of their contact details, travel details and the address of where they will isolate for two weeks. Anyone who breaks the 14-day quarantine period will get a fine. However, the UK is trying to open up its economy and allow more people to enter the country without the 14-day quarantine. It wants to allow visitors from France, Greece, Portugal and Spain to enter the country. A British newspaper said these countries are "most advantageous" to the UK economy. The newspaper reported that the UK is also thinking about air bridges with Australia, Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Montserrat.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Air Bridges - Level 0 Air Bridges - Level 1   or  Air Bridges - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-bridges/uk-pm-to-announce-deals-for-air-bridges-with-few-countries-on-june-29-telegraph-idUSKBN23P3MO
  • https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/20/spain-to-freely-welcome-britons-without-14-day-covid-19-quarantine
  • https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2020/06/what-is-an-air-bridge-and-why-are


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. AIR BRIDGES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about air bridges. 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?
       meaning / air / bridge / coronavirus / pandemic / bubble / agreements / quarantine /
       travellers / contact / isolate / fine / economy / newspaper / advantageous / Australia
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. QUARANTINE: Students A strongly believe all countries should have a 14-day quarantine; Students B strongly believe this is unnecessary.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. AIRPORT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "airport". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

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. COUNTRIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best countries to visit at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Brazil
  • UAE
  • Canada
  • Spain
  • India
  • China
  • Kenya
  • New Zealand

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. meaning a. About a disease - prevalent over a whole country or the world.
      2. pandemic b. A deal between two or more people, businesses or countries that everyone says they will follow.
      3. linked c. When people or animals have to stay alone to stop an infectious or contagious disease from spreading.
      4. agreement d. Joined or connected with other things.
      5. response e. A thing that is needed or wanted.
      6. requirement f. What a word, text, concept, or action means.
      7. quarantine g. A reaction or reply to something or someone.

    Paragraph 2

      8. inform h. Facts or pieces of information about something.
      9. details i. Cause a person to be alone or stay away from others.
      10. isolate j. All of the financial parts, jobs, making things etc. that help a country operate.
      11. fine k. Let someone do something.
      12. allow l. The money you have to pay for doing something wrong or for breaking the law.
      13. advantageous m. Give someone facts or information; tell.
      14. economy n. Of great benefit to someone or something.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. An air bridge is a walkway that connects an airport and airplane.     T / F
  2. A travel bubble is a way of people vising another country.     T / F
  3. Australia has an air bridge with New Zealand.     T / F
  4. People do not need to quarantine when they visit the UK.     T / F
  5. People visiting the UK must let officials know their contact details.     T / F
  6. The UK is trying to keep visitors from Europe away.     T / F
  7. A newspaper said countries like Greece provide no benefit to the UK.     T / F
  8. The UK wants to build a bridge to Australia.     T / F

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

  1. meaning
  2. linked
  3. agreement
  4. several
  5. requirements
  6. inform
  7. isolate
  8. fine
  9. allow
  10. advantageous
  1. various
  2. deal
  3. penalty
  4. beneficial
  5. definition
  6. let
  7. needs
  8. connected
  9. quarantine
  10. tell

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

  1. There is a new meaning for the
  2. an airport departure
  3. both countries have successfully
  4. signed air bridge agreements with
  5. Travellers currently need to quarantine
  6. inform the government of their contact
  7. they will isolate
  8. the UK is trying to open
  9. It wants to allow
  10. most advantageous
  1. details
  2. for two weeks
  3. to the UK economy
  4. lounge
  5. up its economy
  6. several other countries
  7. word "air bridge"
  8. visitors from France
  9. for two weeks
  10. managed their responses

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
several
both
currently
lounge
signed
meaning
requirements
agreement

There is a new (1) ____________ for the word "air bridge". Before the coronavirus pandemic started, an air bridge was the walkway that linked an airport departure (2) ____________ to an airplane's door. Now, it also means an (3) ____________ that people can travel between two countries. Many people are also calling this a "travel bubble". Australia and New Zealand have an air bridge as (4) ____________ countries have successfully managed their responses to the coronavirus. The United Kingdom has also (5) ____________ air bridge agreements with (6) ____________ other countries. The agreements mean there are no quarantine (7) ____________ for those travelling between the countries. Travellers (8) ____________ need to quarantine for two weeks in the UK.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
allow
breaks
enter
fine
inform
reported
details
quarantine

Travellers arriving in the UK must (9) ____________ the government of their contact details, travel (10) ____________ and the address of where they will isolate for two weeks. Anyone who (11) ____________ the 14-day quarantine period will get a (12) ____________. However, the UK is trying to open up its economy and (13) ____________ more people to enter the country without the 14-day (14) ____________. It wants to allow visitors from France, Greece, Portugal and Spain to (15) ____________ the country. A British newspaper said these countries are "most advantageous" to the UK economy. The newspaper (16) ____________ that the UK is also thinking about air bridges with Australia, Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Montserrat.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) There is a new meaning for the ______
     a.  weird "air bridge"
     b.  wired "air bridge"
     c.  ward "air bridge"
     d.  word "air bridge"
2)  Before the coronavirus pandemic started, an air bridge ______
     a.  was the walking weigh
     b.  was the work way
     c.  was the walkway
     d.  was the walk weigh
3)  Many people are also calling this ______
     a.  a "travel bubble"
     b.  a "travel bobble"
     c.  a "travel blubber"
     d.  a "travel bevel"
4)  as both countries have successfully managed ______
     a.  their response is
     b.  their responsive
     c.  their responses
     d.  their recompense
5)  The agreements mean there are no quarantine requirements ______
     a.  for these travelling
     b.  for those travelling
     c.  for them travelling
     d.  for they travelling

6)  Travellers arriving in the UK must inform the government of ______
     a.  their contract details
     b.  their context details
     c.  their content details
     d.  their contact details
7)  travel details and the address of where they will ______ weeks
     a.  isolate four two
     b.  isolate forty-two
     c.  isolate for two
     d.  isolate fort true
8)  Anyone who breaks the 14-day quarantine period ______
     a.  will get a find
     b.  will get a fin
     c.  will get a fire
     d.  will get a fine
9)  However, the UK is trying to open ______
     a.  up its economy
     b.  ups its economy
     c.  upped its economy
     d.  upper its economy
10)  A British newspaper said these countries are "______"
     a.  "most advantageous"
     b.  "must advantageous"
     c.  "mist advantageous"
     d.  "mast advantageous"

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

There is a new meaning (1) ___________________ "air bridge". Before the coronavirus pandemic started, an air bridge was the (2) ___________________ an airport departure lounge to an airplane's door. Now, it also means an agreement that people can travel between two countries. Many people are (3) ___________________ a "travel bubble". Australia and New Zealand have an air bridge as both countries have successfully managed (4) ___________________ the coronavirus. The United Kingdom has also signed air bridge agreements with (5) ___________________. The agreements mean there are no quarantine requirements for those travelling between the countries. Travellers currently (6) ___________________ for two weeks in the UK.

Travellers arriving in the UK (7) ___________________ government of their contact details, travel details and the (8) ___________________ they will isolate for two weeks. Anyone who breaks the 14-day quarantine period will get a fine. However, the UK is trying (9) ___________________ its economy and allow more people to enter the country without the 14-day quarantine. It wants (10) ___________________ from France, Greece, Portugal and Spain to enter the country. A British newspaper said these countries (11) ___________________ to the UK economy. The newspaper reported that the UK (12) ___________________ about air bridges with Australia, Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Montserrat.

Comprehension questions

  1. What is the older meaning of "air bridge" mentioned in the article?
  2. What is another name for "air bridge"?
  3. Which two countries have formed an air bridge?
  4. How many countries has the UK signed air bridge agreements with?
  5. For how long do visitors to the UK have to quarantine?
  6. To whom do travellers to the UK have to tell their contact details?
  7. What did the article say the UK is trying to open up?
  8. What will people get if they break quarantine in the UK?
  9. What did a newspaper say Greece was to the UK economy?
  10. What islands is the UK thinking of creating an air bridge to?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the older meaning of "air bridge" mentioned in the article?
a) a road bridge
b) a travelator
c) a walkway
d) heaven
2) What is another name for "air bridge"?
a) travel bubble
b) sky tunnel
c) fly zone
d) safe clouds
3) Which two countries have formed an air bridge?
a) Canada and the USA
b) Ireland and the UK
c) Japan and Korea
d) Australia and New Zealand
4) How many countries has the UK signed air bridge agreements with?
a) seven
b) several
c) numerous
d) a fair few
5) For how long do visitors to the UK have to quarantine?
a) 72 hours
b) a week
c) 14 days
d) 10 days

6) To whom do travellers to the UK have to tell their contact details?
a) the police
b) the government
c) their family
d) hotels
7) What did the article say the UK is trying to open up?
a) more roads
b) the world
c) more shops
d) its economy
8) What will people get if they break quarantine in the UK?
a) a headache
b) a fine
c) a visit from the police
d) a warning e-mail
9) What did a newspaper say Greece was to the UK economy?
a) most advantageous
b) not far
c) part of its history
d) a great friend
10) What islands is the UK thinking of creating an air bridge to?
a) some islands in Spain
b) Caribbean islands
c) South Pacific islands
d) the Falkland Islands

Role play

Role  A – Brazil
You think Brazil is the best country to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their countries. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): India, Kenya or China.

Role  B – India
You think India is the best country to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their countries. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Brazil, Kenya or China.

Role  C – Kenya
You think Kenya is the best country to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their countries. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): India, Brazil or China.

Role  D – China
You think China is the best country to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their countries. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): India, Kenya or Brazil.

After reading / listening

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

'air'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'bridge'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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
    • linked
    • means
    • both
    • signed
    • currently
    • inform
    • breaks
    • open
    • without
    • most
    • thinking

    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 - Air Bridges

    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 'air'?
    3. What do you think of travelling during coronavirus?
    4. Do you think it is better to travel in your own country?
    5. Which countries would you most like to visit?
    6. How successful is your country at managing coronavirus?
    7. What do you think of a 14-day quarantine?
    8. What do you think of people from other countries visiting your country?
    9. How would you feel about flying again?
    10. What advice do you have for your government about air travel?

    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 'bridge'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What should happen to people who break quarantine?
    5. Do you think there should be more or less international travel?
    6. What's the best way to stay clear of coronavirus?
    7. What damage has coronavirus done to your country's economy?
    8. Which countries are most advantageous to your country?
    9. When will the world be back to normal?
    10. What questions would you like to ask coronavirus doctors?

    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)

    There is a new meaning for the word "air bridge". Before the coronavirus pandemic started, an air bridge was the walkway that (1) ____ an airport departure lounge to an airplane's door. Now, it also (2) ____ an agreement that people can travel between two countries. Many people are also calling this a "travel bubble". Australia and New Zealand have an air bridge as (3) ____ countries have successfully managed their responses to the coronavirus. The United Kingdom has also (4) ____ air bridge agreements with several other countries. The agreements mean there are no quarantine (5) ____ for those travelling between the two countries. Travellers currently (6) ____ to quarantine for two weeks in the UK.

    Travellers arriving in the UK must (7) ____ the government of their contact details, travel details and the address of where they will isolate for two weeks. Anyone who breaks the 14-day quarantine period will get a (8) ____. However, the UK is trying to open (9) ____ its economy and allow more people to enter the country without the 14-day quarantine. It wants to (10) ____ visitors from France, Greece, Portugal and Spain to enter the country. A British newspaper said these countries are "(11) ____ advantageous" to the UK economy. The newspaper reported that the UK is also (12) ____ about air bridges with Australia, Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Montserrat.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     looked     (b)     jinxed     (c)     linked     (d)     lucked    
    2. (a)     means     (b)     meaning     (c)     meant     (d)     meanie    
    3. (a)     both     (b)     every     (c)     whole     (d)     once    
    4. (a)     signed     (b)     raised     (c)     binned     (d)     asked    
    5. (a)     necessity     (b)     requirements     (c)     viruses     (d)     vaccines    
    6. (a)     stay     (b)     travel     (c)     lose     (d)     need    
    7. (a)     conform     (b)     reform     (c)     inform     (d)     form    
    8. (a)     well     (b)     good     (c)     OK     (d)     fine    
    9. (a)     up     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     down    
    10. (a)     allow     (b)     allowance     (c)     allowed     (d)     allows    
    11. (a)     must     (b)     most     (c)     vast     (d)     just    
    12. (a)     thinks     (b)     thought     (c)     thinking     (d)     think

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Before the coronavirus pdaincem started
    2. an reneemtag that people can travel
    3. managed their sorpensse to the coronavirus
    4. with vreslae other countries
    5. ertqmriusene for those travelling
    6. Travellers utcrnyler need to

    Paragraph 2

    1. their contact aildtes
    2. ostlaie for two weeks
    3. the 14-day qtnreainau period
    4. allow isiotsvr from France
    5. open up its yceonom
    6. most daonvtgeuasa to the UK

    Put the text back together

    (...)  calling this a "travel bubble". Australia and New Zealand have an air bridge as both countries have successfully
    (...)  quarantine. It wants to allow visitors from France, Greece, Portugal and Spain to
    (...)  managed their responses to the coronavirus. The United Kingdom has also signed air bridge agreements with several other
    (...)  address of where they will isolate for two weeks. Anyone who breaks the 14-day quarantine period will get a
    (...)  fine. However, the UK is trying to open up its economy and allow more people to enter the country without the 14-day
    (...)  countries. The agreements mean there are no quarantine requirements for those travelling
    (...)  was the walkway that linked an airport departure lounge to an airplane's door. Now, it also
    (...)  between the countries. Travellers currently need to quarantine for two weeks in the UK.
    (...)  Travellers arriving in the UK must inform the government of their contact details, travel details and the
    (...)  means an agreement that people can travel between two countries. Many people are also
    1  ) There is a new meaning for the word "air bridge". Before the coronavirus pandemic started, an air bridge
    (...)  enter the country. A British newspaper said these countries are "most advantageous"
    (...)  to the UK economy. The newspaper reported that the UK is also thinking
    (...)  about air bridges with Australia, Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Montserrat.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the   new   A   for   "air   word   meaning   bridge"   .
    2. have  to  successfully  managed  Countries coronavirus . responses their
    3. other   countries   .   agreements   several   Signed   with   bridge   air
    4. mean   no   are  there   requirements  .   agreements   The   quarantine
    5. two   weeks   .   currently   Travellers   for   need   to   quarantine
    6. contact   government   details   .   the   Inform   their   of
    7. where   they   address   The   will   of   isolate   .
    8. economy   .   open   The   UK   is   its   trying   to
    9. the   the   country   quarantine   .   14-day   Enter   without
    10. is   UK   about   air   bridges   also   thinking   The

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    There is a new / news meaning for the word "air bridge". Before the coronavirus pandemic stated / started, an air bridge was the walkway that linked an airport departure lounge / lunge to an airplane's door. Now, it also means an agree / agreement that people can travel between two countries. Many people are also calling this a "travel bubble / bobble". Australia and New Zealand have an air bridge as both / bother countries have successfully managed their respects / responses to the coronavirus. The United Kingdom has also singed / signed air bridge agreements with several other countries. The agreements mean there are no / not quarantine requirements for those travelling between the countries. Travellers currently needy / need to quarantine for two weeks in the UK.

    Travellers arrival / arriving in the UK must inform the government of their contact details, travel retails / details and the redress / address of where they will isolate for two weeks. Anyone who breaks the 14-day quarantine period will get a fine / well. However, the UK is trying to open down / up its economy and allow more people to / for enter the country without the 14-day quarantine. It wants that / to allow visitors from France, Greece, Portugal and Spain for / to enter the country. A British newspaper said these countries are "most advantageous" to / at the UK economy. The newspaper reported that the UK is also thinking roughly / about air bridges with Australia, Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Montserrat.

    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_r_ _s _ n_w m__ n_n g f_r t h_ w_r d "__ r b r_d g_" . B_f_r_ t h_ c_r_n_v_r_s p_n d_m_c s t_r t_d , _n __ r b r_d g_ w_s t h_ w_l k w_y t h_t l_n k_d _n __ r p_r t d_p_r t_r_ l__ n g_ t_ _n __ r p l_n_' s d__ r . N_w , _t _l s_ m__ n s _n _g r__ m_n t t h_t p__ p l_ c_n t r_v_l b_t w__ n t w_ c__ n t r__ s . M_n y p__ p l_ _r_ _l s_ c_l l_n g t h_s _ " t r_v_l b_b b l_" . A_s t r_l__ _n d N_w Z__ l_n d h_v _ _n __ r b r_d g_ _s b_t h c__ n t r__ s h_v_ s_c c_s s f_l l y m_n_g_d t h__ r r_s p_n s_s t_ t h_ c_r_n_v_r_s . T h_ U n_t_d K_n g d_m h_s _l s_ s_g n_d __ r b r_d g_ _g r__ m_n t s w_t h s_v_r_l _t h_r c__ n t r__ s . T h_ _g r__ m_n t s m__ n t h_r_ _r_ n_ q__ r_n t_n_ r_q__ r_m_n t s f_r t h_s_ t r_v_l l_n g b_t w__ n t h_ c__ n t r__ s . T r_v_l l_r s c_r r_n t l y n__ d t_ q__ r_n t_n_ f_r t w_ w__ k s _n t h_ U K .

    T r_v_l l_r s _r r_v_n g _n t h_ U K m_s t _n f_r m t h_ g_v_r n m_n t _f t h__ r c_n t_c t d_t__ l s , t r_v_l d_t__ l s _n d t h_ _d d r_s s _f w h_r_ t h_y w_l l _s_l_t_ f_r t w_ w__ k s . A n y_n_ w h_ b r__ k s t h_ 1 4 - d_y q__ r_n t_n_ p_r__ d w_l l g_t _ f_n_. H_w_v_r , t h_ U K _s t r y_n g t_ _p_n _p _t s _c_n_m y _n d _l l_w m_r_ p__ p l_ t_ _n t_r t h_ c__ n t r y w_t h__ t t h_ 1 4 - d_y q__ r_n t_n_. I t w_n t s t_ _l l_w v_s_t_r s f r_m F r_n c_, G r__ c_, P_r t_g_l _n d S p__ n t_ _n t_r t h_ c__ n t r y . A B r_t_s h n_w s p_p_r s__ d t h_s_ c__ n t r__ s _r_ " m_s t _d v_n t_g___s " t_ t h_ U K _c_n_m y . T h _ n_w s p_p_r r_p_r t_d t h_t t h_ U K _s _l s_ t h_n k_n g _b__ t __ r b r_d g_s w_t h A_s t r_l__ , B_r m_d_, t h_ F_l k l_n d I s l_n d s , G_b r_l t_r _n d M_n t s_r r_t .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    there is a new meaning for the word air bridge before the coronavirus pandemic started an air bridge was the walkway that linked an airport departure lounge to an airplanes door now it also means an agreement that people can travel between two countries many people are also calling this a travel bubble australia and new Zealand have an air bridge as both countries have successfully managed their responses to the coronavirus the united kingdom has also signed air bridge agreements with several other countries the agreements mean there are no quarantine requirements for those travelling between the countries travellers currently need to quarantine for two weeks in the uk

    travellers arriving in the uk must inform the government of their contact details travel details and the address of where they will isolate for two weeks anyone who breaks the 14day quarantine period will get a fine however the uk is trying to open up its economy and allow more people to enter the country without the 14day quarantine it wants to allow visitors from france greece portugal and spain to enter the country a british newspaper said these countries are most advantageous to the uk economy the newspaper reported that the uk is also thinking about air bridges with australia bermuda the falkland islands gibraltar and montserrat

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Thereisanewmeaningfortheword"airbridge".Beforethecoronavirusp
    andemicstarted,anairbridgewasthewalkwaythatlinkedanairportdep
    artureloungetoanairplane'sdoor.Now,italsomeansanagreementthat
    peoplecantravelbetweentwocountries.Manypeoplearealsocallingthi
    sa"travelbubble".AustraliaandNewZealandhaveanairbridgeasbothc
    ountrieshavesuccessfullymanagedtheirresponsestothecoronavirus.
    TheUnitedKingdomhasalsosignedairbridgeagreementswithseveralo
    thercountries.Theagreementsmeantherearenoquarantinerequirem
    entsforthosetravellingbetweenthecountries.Travellerscurrentlynee
    dtoquarantinefortwoweeksintheUK.TravellersarrivingintheUKmusti
    nformthegovernmentoftheircontactdetails,traveldetailsandtheaddr
    essofwheretheywillisolatefortwoweeks.Anyonewhobreaksthe14-d
    ayquarantineperiodwillgetafine.However,theUKistryingtoopenupits
    economyandallowmorepeopletoenterthecountrywithoutthe14-da
    yquarantine.ItwantstoallowvisitorsfromFrance,Greece,Portugaland
    Spaintoenterthecountry.ABritishnewspapersaidthesecountriesare"
    mostadvantageous"totheUKeconomy.Thenewspaperreportedthatt
    heUKisalsothinkingaboutairbridgeswithAustralia,Bermuda,theFalkl
    andIslands,GibraltarandMontserrat.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    There should be no international travel until the pandemic is over. 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. AIR BRIDGES: Make a poster about air bridges. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: Write a magazine article about stopping all international travel until the pandemic is over. 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 air bridges. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on them. 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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