Breaking News English Lesson: Klitschko Brothers

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Ex-world boxing champions to defend Ukraine (28th February, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - The Klitschko Brothers - Level 6

Two former Ukrainian boxing world champions have joined what is probably the greatest fight of their lives. The two are brothers, and they have vowed to take up arms to help defend the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Vitali Klitschko, 50, is the current mayor of Kyiv. He retired from a glittering career in boxing in 2013, having been heavyweight champion for over a decade. He told reporters that he would fight. He said: "I don't have another choice. I have to do that. I'll be fighting. It's already a bloody war." Vitali's brother Wladimir, 45, dominated the heavyweight and superheavyweight divisions for 15 years. He tweeted: "Destruction and death come upon us.…We will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy."

The boxing siblings have joined the ranks of their compatriots and fellow citizens in mounting a defence of their city. Authorities have already distributed 18,000 rifles to Kyiv residents to defend themselves. There are also images on social media of old women learning to make Molotov cocktails. The two brothers have been outspoken critics of Russia's President Putin and are aware of the danger they now face. Yahoo Sports highlighted the perils that lie ahead. It wrote: "There is an immense amount of bravery required to slip between the ropes and fight another man who has trained for months to defeat you. That's child's play compared to the fight the Klitschkos face today."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

The Klitschko Brothers - Level 4 or The Klitschko Brothers - Level 5

Sources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/two-ukrainian-brothers-former-world-boxing-champs-ready-to-fight-russian-troops/ar-AAUjZiB
https://sports.yahoo.com/vitali-klitschko-an-outspoken-putin-critic-may-have-signed-his-own-death-warrant-145626700.html
https://www.boxinginsider.com/headlines/vitali-klitschko-shown-fully-engaged-in-military-defense-of-ukraine/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. BRAVERY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bravery. 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?
Ukraine / fight / take up arms / capital / boxing / champion / war / defend / freedom
siblings / compatriots / citizens / outspoken / critics / bravery / danger / defeat
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BOXER MAYOR: Students A strongly believe boxers have got what it takes to be great mayors; Students B strongly believe other. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. FIGHT: Which of these things would you fight for? How far would you go? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Why?	How Far?
Democracy
Freedom
Food
Equality
Religious belief
The environment

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. CAPITAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "capital". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BRAVERY: Rank these with your partner. Put the bravest things at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Standing in front of a tank
Criticising national leaders
Taking up arms
Becoming a soldier
Deactivating a bomb
Entering a burning building
Standing up against tyrants
Staying to fight

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	former	a.	Began fighting or got ready to fight with weapons.
2.	vowed	b.	Was the most important or conspicuous person or thing.
3.	take up arms	c.	Having previously been a particular thing.
4.	glittering	d.	Promised to do a specified thing.
5.	bloody	e.	Shining with a shimmering or sparkling light.
6.	dominated	f.	Involving or characterized by bloodshed or cruelty.
7.	might	g.	Great and impressive power or strength, especially of a nation, large organization, or natural force.

Paragraph 2

8.	siblings	h.	Serious and immediate danger.
9.	compatriot	i.	Brothers and sisters.
10.	mounting	j.	Very honest in stating one's opinions, especially if they are shocking or controversial.
11.	outspoken	k.	Extremely large or great, especially in scale or degree.
12.	peril	l.	A fellow citizen or national of a country.
13.	immense	m.	A task which is easily accomplished.
14.	child's play	n.	Organizing and initiating a campaign or other course of action.

Before reading / listening

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

Two heavyweight greats are going to fight each other. T / F
The elder brother is the mayor of Kyiv. T / F
Vitali Klitschko said the only choice he has is to fight. T / F
The younger brother was a boxing world champion in two divisions. T / F
The city of Kyiv has given residents 18,000 rifles. T / F
Only one of the brothers has criticised Russia's president. T / F
Yahoo Sports said it wasn't so brave to step into a boxing ring. T / F
Yahoo said boxing was child's play compared to the fight in Kyiv. T / F

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

former
vowed
current
bloody
defend
joined
outspoken
aware
immense
child's play

vocal
incumbent
huge
protect
conscious
promised
easy
ex-
enlisted in
cruel

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

vowed to take
the current
He retired from a glittering
It's already a bloody
We will defend ourselves with
joined the ranks
mounting a
outspoken
an immense amount of
That's child's

of their compatriots
critics
all our might
up arms
bravery
career in boxing
play
mayor of Kyiv
defence of their city
war

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

mayor
glittering
might
greatest
bloody
vowed
divisions
choice

Two former Ukrainian boxing world champions have joined what is probably the (1) _____________________ fight of their lives. The two are brothers, and they have (2) _____________________ to take up arms to help defend the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Vitali Klitschko, 50, is the current (3) _____________________ of Kyiv. He retired from a (4) _____________________ career in boxing in 2013, having been heavyweight champion for over a decade. He told reporters that he would fight. He said: "I don't have another (5) _____________________. I have to do that. I'll be fighting. It's already a (6) _____________________ war." Vitali's brother Wladimir, 45, dominated the heavyweight and superheavyweight (7) _____________________ for 15 years. He tweeted: "Destruction and death come upon us....We will defend ourselves with all our (8) _____________________ and fight for freedom and democracy."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

outspoken
immense
images
compared
perils
defeat
mounting
cocktails

The boxing siblings have joined the ranks of their compatriots and fellow citizens in (9) _____________________ a defence of their city. Authorities have already distributed 18,000 rifles to Kyiv residents to defend themselves. There are also (10) _____________________ on social media of old women learning to make Molotov (11) _____________________. The two brothers have been (12) _____________________ critics of Russia's President Putin and are aware of the danger they now face. Yahoo Sports highlighted the (13) _____________________ that lie ahead. It wrote: "There is an (14) _____________________ amount of bravery required to slip between the ropes and fight another man who has trained for months to (15) _____________________ you. That's child's play (16) _____________________ to the fight the Klitschkos face today."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) boxing world champions have joined what is probably the greatest fight ______
     a. of their livings
     b. of their alive
     c. of their lives
     d. of their relives
2) The two are brothers, and they have vowed to ______
     a. take up arms
     b. take up alms
     c. take up aims
     d. take up ohms
3) Vitali Klitschko, 50, is the current mayor of Kyiv. He retired from ______
     a. a glitter ring career
     b. a glitter ink career
     c. a glitter rink career
     d. a glittering career
4) I don't have another choice. I have to do that. I'll be fighting. It's already ______
     a. a blooded war
     b. a blood dye war
     c. a bloody war
     d. a blood die war
5) Destruction and death come upon us....We will defend ourselves with ______
     a. all our might
     b. all our may
     c. all our mite
     d. all our could

6) The boxing siblings have joined the ranks of their compatriots ______
     a. and fallow citizens
     b. and fell low citizens
     c. and feel low citizens
     d. and fellow citizens
7) There are also images on social media of old women learning to ______
     a. make Molotov cocktail
     b. make Molotov cocktails
     c. make Molotov mocktail
     d. make Molotov mocktails
8) Russia's President Putin and are aware of the danger ______
     a. they know face
     b. they now phase
     c. they now face
     d. they now faze
9) There is an immense amount of bravery required to slip ______
     a. between the rope
     b. between the ropes
     c. between the dopes
     d. between the mopes
10) fight another man who has trained for months to defeat you. ______
     a. That's child play
     b. That's chilled play
     c. That's child's play
     d. That's child display

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Two former Ukrainian boxing world champions have joined (1) ____________________ the greatest fight of their lives. The two are brothers, and they have (2) ____________________ up arms to help defend the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Vitali Klitschko, 50, is the current mayor of Kyiv. He retired from a (3) ____________________ boxing in 2013, having been heavyweight champion for (4) ____________________. He told reporters that he would fight. He said: "I don't have another choice. I have to do that. I'll be fighting. It's already a bloody war." Vitali's brother Wladimir, 45, dominated the heavyweight and superheavyweight divisions for 15 years. He tweeted: "(5) ____________________ come upon us....We will defend ourselves with all our (6) ____________________ for freedom and democracy."

The boxing siblings have (7) ____________________ of their compatriots and fellow (8) ____________________ a defence of their city. Authorities have already distributed 18,000 rifles to Kyiv residents to defend themselves. There are also images on social media of old women learning to make Molotov cocktails. The two brothers have (9) ____________________ of Russia's President Putin and are aware of the danger they now face. Yahoo Sports highlighted the (10) ____________________ ahead. It wrote: "There is an immense amount of bravery required to slip (11) ____________________ and fight another man who has trained for months to defeat you. That's (12) ____________________ to the fight the Klitschkos face today."

Comprehension questions

What have the brothers vowed to take up?
How old is Vitali Klitschko?
What kind of career does the article say Vitali Klitschko had?
What kind of war did Vitali Klitschko was already taking place?
What did Wladimir Klitschko say he would use to protect freedom?
How many rifles have authorities given to Kyiv citizens?
What are there images of people making on social media?
Who highlighted the perils the Klitschko brothers faced?
What did a website say was required to get into a boxing ring?
What did the website compare getting into a boxing ring to?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What have the brothers vowed to take up?
a) legs
b) arms
c) boxing
d) issues
2) How old is Vitali Klitschko?
a) 42
b) 45
c) 48
d) 50
3) What kind of career does the article say Vitali Klitschko had?
a) long
b) bloody
c) glittering
d) brutal
4) What kind of war did Vitali Klitschko was already taking place?
a) a bloody one
b) a cyber-war
c) a conventional war
d) an elongated war
5) What did Wladimir Klitschko say he would use to protect freedom?
a) his boxing gloves
b) all his might
c) words
d) the Internet

6) How many rifles have authorities given to Kyiv citizens?
a) 18,000
b) 19,000
c) 20,000
d) 22,000
7) What are there images of people making on social media?
a) guns
b) barricades
c) Molotov cocktails
d) fake tanks
8) Who highlighted the perils the Klitschko brothers faced?
a) Yahoo Sports
b) MSN
c) BBC
d) Al Jazeera
9) What did a website say was required to get into a boxing ring?
a) a license
b) gloves
c) skill
d) immense bravery
10) What did the website compare getting into a boxing ring to?
a) being a soldier
b) Formula 1
c) child's play
d) a bull fight

Role play

Role A – Standing in front of a Tank
You think standing in front of a tank is the bravest action. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their actions aren't as brave. Also, tell the others which is the least brave of these (and why): standing up against tyrants, staying to fight or dismantling a bomb.

Role B – Standing up against Tyrants
You think standing up against tyrants is the bravest action. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their actions aren't as brave. Also, tell the others which is the least brave of these (and why): standing in front of a tank, staying to fight or dismantling a bomb.

Role C – Staying to Fight
You think staying to fight is the bravest action. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their actions aren't as brave. Also, tell the others which is the least brave of these (and why): standing up against tyrants, standing in front of a tank or dismantling a bomb.

Role D – Deactivating a Bomb
You think dismantling a bomb is the bravest action. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their actions aren't as brave. Also, tell the others which is the least brave of these (and why): standing up against tyrants, staying to fight or standing in front of a tank.

After reading / listening

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

'boxing'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'champion'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

former

vowed

current

decade

bloody

might

ranks

rifles

cocktails

immense

ropes

play

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 - The Klitschko Brothers

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 'boxing'?
What do you think of boxing?
What do you know about Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko?
What has been the greatest fight of your life?
Why might a boxer be a good mayor?
What do you think of the brothers for fighting for Ukraine?
Would you fight for your country?
How important are freedom and democracy to you?
What advice do you have for the Klitschko brothers?

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 'champion'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of the attack on Kyiv?
What is the difference between the names Kyiv and Kiev?
What are the dangers the Klitschko brothers face?
How brave are the Klitschko brothers?
What is the biggest show of bravery you've ever displayed?
What kind of person makes a good boxer?
What questions would you like to ask the Klitschko brothers?

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)

Two (1) ____ Ukrainian boxing world champions have joined what is probably the greatest fight of their lives. The two are brothers, and they have (2) ____ to take up arms to help defend the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Vitali Klitschko, 50, is the current mayor of Kyiv. He retired from a (3) ____ career in boxing in 2013, having been heavyweight champion for over a decade. He told reporters that he would fight. He said: "I don't have another (4) ____. I have to do that. I'll be fighting. It's already a bloody war." Vitali's brother Wladimir, 45, dominated the heavyweight and superheavyweight (5) ____ for 15 years. He tweeted: "Destruction and death come upon us....We will defend ourselves with all our (6) ____ and fight for freedom and democracy."

The boxing siblings have joined the (7) ____ of their compatriots and fellow citizens in mounting a defence of their city. Authorities have already distributed 18,000 rifles to Kyiv (8) ____ to defend themselves. There are also images on social media of old women learning to make Molotov cocktails. The two brothers have been (9) ____ critics of Russia's President Putin and are aware of the danger they now face. Yahoo Sports highlighted the perils that (10) ____ ahead. It wrote: "There is an immense amount of bravery required to slip between the (11) ____ and fight another man who has trained for months to defeat you. That's (12) ____ play compared to the fight the Klitschkos face today."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) firmer (b) farmer (c) framer (d) former
(a) rowed (b) bowed (c) wowed (d) vowed
(a) sparkles (b) glittering (c) glistened (d) shine
(a) choose (b) chosen (c) choice (d) choosy
(a) divisions (b) multiplies (c) additions (d) subtractions
(a) might (b) may (c) could (d) would
(a) hanks (b) tanks (c) banks (d) ranks
(a) residents (b) resides (c) residential (d) residence
(a) speak up (b) outspoken (c) speaker (d) spoken
(a) lay (b) lit (c) lie (d) lee
(a) threads (b) twines (c) ropes (d) yarns
(a) toy (b) child's (c) hobby (d) big

Spelling

Paragraph 1

ovdew to take up arms
a rnglgttiei career in boxing
for over a aeeddc
Wladimir, 45, admndtieo
euortndcits and death
freedom and mcoeydarc

Paragraph 2

The boxing sgilsbin have joined the ranks
their omcprattsio and fellow citizens
direibtdtsu 18,000 rifles
toepsnuok critics
highlighted the lsepir that lie ahead
an mseinme amount of bravery

Put the text back together

( 1 ) Two former Ukrainian boxing world champions have joined what is probably the greatest fight of their
(...) capital Kyiv. Vitali Klitschko, 50, is the current mayor of Kyiv. He retired from a glittering
(...) themselves. There are also images on social media of old women learning to make Molotov cocktails. The two brothers have been outspoken
(...) that lie ahead. It wrote: "There is an immense amount of bravery required to slip between
(...) you. That's child's play compared to the fight the Klitschkos face today."
(...) lives. The two are brothers, and they have vowed to take up arms to help defend the Ukrainian
(...) a defence of their city. Authorities have already distributed 18,000 rifles to Kyiv residents to defend
(...) The boxing siblings have joined the ranks of their compatriots and fellow citizens in mounting
(...) the ropes and fight another man who has trained for months to defeat
(...) and death come upon us....We will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy."
(...) war." Vitali's brother Wladimir, 45, dominated the heavyweight and superheavyweight divisions for 15 years. He tweeted: "Destruction
(...) reporters that he would fight. He said: "I don't have another choice. I have to do that. I'll be fighting. It's already a bloody
(...) critics of Russia's President Putin and are aware of the danger they now face. Yahoo Sports highlighted the perils
(...) career in boxing in 2013, having been heavyweight champion for over a decade. He told

Put the words in the right order

up They have vowed arms . to take
boxing . from career in glittering retired He a
a champion Having heavyweight decade . for been over
fight a bloody war . it's because I'll already
defend will our with ourselves might . We all
joined The their siblings ranks of the compatriots .
Kyiv have distributed rifles residents . to 18,000 Authorities
Molotov to people cocktails . learning make of Images
of aware They face . are danger the they
man . between Slip to another fight ropes the

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Two former Ukrainian boxing world champions have joined / joint what is probably the greatest fight of their lives. The two are brothers, and they have wowed / vowed to take up arms to help defence / defend the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Vitali Klitschko, 50, is the currant / current mayor of Kyiv. He retired from a glitter / glittering career in boxing in 2013, having been heavyweight champion for over a decade / decadence. He told reporters that he would fight. He said: "I don't have another chosen / choice. I have to do that. I'll be fighting. It's already a bloody / blood war." Vitali's brother Wladimir, 45, dominated the heavyweight and superheavyweight divisions for 15 years. He tweeted: "Destruction and death come upon / anon us....We will defend ourselves with all our might / may and fight for freedom and democracy."

The boxing siblings have joined the rinks / ranks of their compatriots and fellow citizens in mounting / dismounting a defence of their city. Authorities have already distributed 18,000 rifles to Kyiv residence / residents to defend themselves. There are also images / image on social media of old women learning to make Molotov cocktails. The two brothers have been outspoken critics / criticises of Russia's President Putin and are beware / aware of the danger they now head / face. Yahoo Sports highlighted the perils that lay / lie ahead. It wrote: "There is an immense amount of bravery required to slip / ship between the ropes and fight another man who has trained for months to defeat you. That's child's pay / play compared to the fight the Klitschkos face today."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

Tw_ f_rm_r _kr__n__n b_x_ng w_rld ch_mp__ns h_v_ j__n_d wh_t _s pr_b_bly th_ gr__t_st f_ght _f th__r l_v_s. Th_ tw_ _r_ br_th_rs, _nd th_y h_v_ v_w_d t_ t_k_ _p _rms t_ h_lp d_f_nd th_ _kr__n__n c_p_t_l Ky_v. V_t_l_ Kl_tschk_, 50, _s th_ c_rr_nt m_y_r _f Ky_v. H_ r_t_r_d fr_m _ gl_tt_r_ng c_r__r _n b_x_ng _n 2013, h_v_ng b__n h__vyw__ght ch_mp__n f_r _v_r _ d_c_d_. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs th_t h_ w__ld f_ght. H_ s__d: "_ d_n't h_v_ _n_th_r ch__c_. _ h_v_ t_ d_ th_t. _'ll b_ f_ght_ng. _t's _lr__dy _ bl__dy w_r." V_t_l_'s br_th_r Wl_d_m_r, 45, d_m_n_t_d th_ h__vyw__ght _nd s_p_rh__vyw__ght d_v_s__ns f_r 15 y__rs. H_ tw__t_d: "D_str_ct__n _nd d__th c_m_ _p_n _s....W_ w_ll d_f_nd __rs_lv_s w_th _ll __r m_ght _nd f_ght f_r fr__d_m _nd d_m_cr_cy."

Th_ b_x_ng s_bl_ngs h_v_ j__n_d th_ r_nks _f th__r c_mp_tr__ts _nd f_ll_w c_t_z_ns _n m__nt_ng _ d_f_nc_ _f th__r c_ty. __th_r_t__s h_v_ _lr__dy d_str_b_t_d 18,000 r_fl_s t_ Ky_v r_s_d_nts t_ d_f_nd th_ms_lv_s. Th_r_ _r_ _ls_ _m_g_s _n s_c__l m_d__ _f _ld w_m_n l__rn_ng t_ m_k_ M_l_t_v c_ckt__ls. Th_ tw_ br_th_rs h_v_ b__n __tsp_k_n cr_t_cs _f R_ss__'s Pr_s_d_nt P_t_n _nd _r_ _w_r_ _f th_ d_ng_r th_y n_w f_c_. Y_h__ Sp_rts h_ghl_ght_d th_ p_r_ls th_t l__ _h__d. _t wr_t_: "Th_r_ _s _n _mm_ns_ _m__nt _f br_v_ry r_q__r_d t_ sl_p b_tw__n th_ r_p_s _nd f_ght _n_th_r m_n wh_ h_s tr__n_d f_r m_nths t_ d_f__t y__. Th_t's ch_ld's pl_y c_mp_r_d t_ th_ f_ght th_ Kl_tschk_s f_c_ t_d_y."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

two former ukrainian boxing world champions have joined what is probably the greatest fight of their lives. the two are brothers, and they have vowed to take up arms to help defend the ukrainian capital kyiv. vitali klitschko, 50, is the current mayor of kyiv. he retired from a glittering career in boxing in 2013, having been heavyweight champion for over a decade. he told reporters that he would fight. he said: "i don't have another choice. i have to do that. i'll be fighting. it's already a bloody war." vitali's brother wladimir, 45, dominated the heavyweight and superheavyweight divisions for 15 years. he tweeted: "destruction and death come upon us....we will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy."

the boxing siblings have joined the ranks of their compatriots and fellow citizens in mounting a defence of their city. authorities have already distributed 18,000 rifles to kyiv residents to defend themselves. there are also images on social media of old women learning to make molotov cocktails. the two brothers have been outspoken critics of russia's president putin and are aware of the danger they now face. yahoo sports highlighted the perils that lie ahead. it wrote: "there is an immense amount of bravery required to slip between the ropes and fight another man who has trained for months to defeat you. that's child's play compared to the fight the klitschkos face today."

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TwoformerUkrainianboxingworldchampionshavejoinedwhatisproba
blythegreatestfightoftheirlives.Thetwoarebrothers,andtheyhavevo
wedtotakeuparmstohelpdefendtheUkrainiancapitalKyiv.VitaliKlitsc
hko,50,isthecurrentmayorofKyiv.Heretiredfromaglitteringcareerinb
oxingin2013,havingbeenheavyweightchampionforoveradecade.He
toldreportersthathewouldfight.Hesaid:"Idon'thaveanotherchoice.I
havetodothat.I'llbefighting.It'salreadyabloodywar."Vitali'sbrother
Wladimir,45,dominatedtheheavyweightandsuperheavyweightdivisi
onsfor15years.Hetweeted:"Destructionanddeathcomeuponus....W
ewilldefendourselveswithallourmightandfightforfreedomanddemoc
racy."Theboxingsiblingshavejoinedtheranksoftheircompatriotsandf
ellowcitizensinmountingadefenceoftheircity.Authoritieshavealread
ydistributed18,000riflestoKyivresidentstodefendthemselves.There
arealsoimagesonsocialmediaofoldwomenlearningtomakeMolotovco
cktails.ThetwobrothershavebeenoutspokencriticsofRussia'sPreside
ntPutinandareawareofthedangertheynowface.YahooSportshighligh
tedtheperilsthatlieahead.Itwrote:"Thereisanimmenseamountofbra
veryrequiredtoslipbetweentheropesandfightanothermanwhohastra
inedformonthstodefeatyou.That'schild'splaycomparedtothefightthe
Klitschkosfacetoday."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

It is better to leave danger to save your life live than it is to stay and fight. 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. BRAVERY: Make a poster about bravery. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. TAKE UP ARMS: Write a magazine article about people taking up arms to defend their country. 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 bravery. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three examples of times you were brave. 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: Klitschko Brothers

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