The Reading / Listening - Top Gun: Maverick - Level 3

Tom Cruise's latest blockbuster film has broken box office records across America. The movie "Top Gun: Maverick" was shown in the biggest ever number of North American movie theatres. The movie magazine "Variety" reported that 4,732 cinemas in the USA and Canada showed "Maverick". This makes it the widest release of all time. The movie also broke another record. It is the best Memorial Day opening film in history. It earned $156 million in the USA. This beats Johnny Depp's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". That movie earned $153 million in 2007. Maverick has also given Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise his first ever $100 million opening weekend at the box office.

Maverick is the sequel to the 1986 film "Top Gun". Cruise goes back to his role as US navy pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The movie's production company Paramount was very happy that "Maverick" had done so well. Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution, said: "These results are ridiculously, over-the-top fantastic. I'm happy for everyone. I'm happy for the company, for Tom, and for the filmmakers." The movie has had rave reviews from critics. The "Independent" in the UK called it a "thrilling" blockbuster. Another UK newspaper, "The Telegraph," called it "absurdly exciting," and "unquestionably the best studio action film in years". At first, Cruise did not want to make the sequel. Now, he is happy he did.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Top Gun: Maverick - Level 0 Top Gun: Maverick - Level 1   or  Top Gun: Maverick - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61630131
  • https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/05/top-gun-maverick-breaks-box-office-records
  • https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/top-gun-maverick-memorial-day-box-office-tom-cruise-movie


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. MOVIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about movies. 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?
       blockbuster / box office / records / movie / number / magazine / history / pirates /
       sequel / navy / pilot / president / domestic / fantastic / reviews / thrilling / exciting
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. MOVIE THEATRES: Students A strongly believe movie theatres are the best place to watch movies; Students B strongly believe it's best to watch movies at home. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES: What do you know about these movies? What made them so popular? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

Why They Are So Good

Top Gun

 

 

Titanic

 

 

Mission Impossible

 

 

Batman / Joker

 

 

Harry Potter

 

 

Star Wars

 

 

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. OFFICE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "office". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. MOVIE GENRES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best movie genres at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Action
  • Fantasy
  • Horror
  • Romance
  • Science fiction
  • Comedy
  • Mystery
  • Animation

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. blockbuster a. The action of making a film, recording, or other product available to the public.
      2. record b. A very, very famous and successful performer or sports player.
      3. magazine c. A thing of great power or size, in particular a film, book, or other product that makes a lot of money.
      4. release d. A collection of writing, articles and pictures often on a particular subject that is sold every week or month.
      5. earned e. The best, fastest, most perfect, worst... performance of its kind.
      6. beat f. Money got from paid work.
      7. superstar g. Defeat someone in a game or other competitive situation.

    Paragraph 2

      8. sequel h. An actor's part in a play, film, etc.
      9. role i. A person who operates the flying controls of an aircraft.
      10. pilot j. A person whose job is to talk about how good or bad movies and books are.
      11. domestic k. A movie or book that continues the story of an earlier one.
      12. over-the-top l. In a way that nobody can say it isn't true.
      13. critic m. Too much; very, very, very.
      14. unquestionably n. Happening inside a country; not foreign or international.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The latest Tom Cruise movie broke a box office.     T / F
  2. Tom Cruises' new movie played in over 4,700 cinemas in North America. T / F
  3. Top Gun: Maverick did not earn as much as Pirates of the Caribbean.     T / F
  4. Cruise never had a $100 million opening weekend before this movie.    T / F
  5. Top Gun: Maverick is the prequel to the 2006 Top Gun movie.     T / F
  6. The producers were happy for Tom Cruise and all the filmmakers.     T / F
  7. Top Gun: Maverick got bad reviews from movie critics.     T / F
  8. Cruise was always very enthusiastic about making the movie.     T / F

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

  1. latest
  2. movie theatre
  3. reported
  4. earned
  5. beats
  6. role
  7. domestic
  8. reviews
  9. thrilling
  10. unquestionably
  1. ratings
  2. made
  3. betters
  4. cinema
  5. national
  6. announced
  7. exciting
  8. most recent
  9. without doubt
  10. part

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

  1. Cruise's latest blockbuster film has broken box
  2. 4,732 cinemas in the USA and Canada
  3. This makes it the widest release
  4. the best Memorial Day opening film in
  5. That movie earned
  6. U.S. navy
  7. over-the-
  8. The movie has had rave reviews
  9. The "Independent" in the UK called it a
  10. unquestionably the best studio action film
  1. history
  2. $153 million in 2007
  3. thrilling blockbuster
  4. top
  5. showed "Maverick"
  6. in years
  7. of all time
  8. pilot
  9. office records
  10. from critics

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
showed
blockbuster
beats
ever
first
opening
time
earned

Tom Cruise's latest (1) _____________________ film has broken box office records across America. The movie "Top Gun: Maverick" was shown in the biggest (2) _____________________ number of North American movie theatres. The movie magazine "Variety" reported that 4,732 cinemas in the USA and Canada (3) _____________________ "Maverick". This makes it the widest release of all (4) _____________________. The movie also broke another record. It is the best Memorial Day (5) _____________________ film in history. It earned $156 million in the USA. This (6) _____________________ Johnny Depp's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". That movie (7) _____________________ $153 million in 2007. Maverick has also given Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise his (8) _____________________ ever $100 million opening weekend at the box office.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
pilot
filmmakers
sequel
years
ridiculously
exciting
well
rave

Maverick is the (9) _____________________ to the 1986 film "Top Gun". Cruise goes back to his role as US navy (10) _____________________ Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The movie's production company Paramount was very happy that "Maverick" had done so (11) _____________________. Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution, said: "These results are (12) _____________________, over-the-top fantastic. I'm happy for everyone. I'm happy for the company, for Tom, and for the (13) _____________________." The movie has had (14) _____________________ reviews from critics. The "Independent" in the UK called it a "thrilling" blockbuster. Another UK newspaper, "The Telegraph," called it "absurdly (15) _____________________," and "unquestionably the best studio action film in (16) _____________________". At first, Cruise did not want to make the sequel. Now, he is happy he did.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Tom Cruise's latest blockbuster film has broken box office ______
     a.  record across America
     b.  reckons across America
     c.  accords across America
     d.  records across America
2)  The movie "Top Gun: Maverick" was shown in the ______
     a.  biggest never number
     b.  biggest ever number
     c.  biggest even number
     d.  biggest every number
3)  The movie magazine "Variety" reported ______
     a.  that 4,732 cinema
     b.  that 4,732 sinner mas
     c.  that 4,732 sin amass
     d.  that 4,732 cinemas
4)  It is the best Memorial Day opening ______
     a.  film in history
     b.  film on history
     c.  film at history
     d.  film as history
5)  his first ever $100 million opening weekend at ______
     a.  the boxing office
     b.  the box offers
     c.  the box off fist
     d.  the box office

6)  the 1986 film "Top Gun". Cruise goes back to his role as ______
     a.  US navvy pilot
     b.  US neigh V-pilot
     c.  US navy pilot
     d.  US nay vie pilot
7)  Paramount was very happy that "Maverick" had ______
     a.  done swell
     b.  done sow well
     c.  done sew well
     d.  done so well
8)  These results are ridiculously, over-______
     a.  the-stop fantastic
     b.  the-atop fantastic
     c.  the-top fantastic
     d.  that-top fantastic
9)  The movie has had rave ______
     a.  review from critics
     b.  reviews from critics
     c.  reviews from critic
     d.  review from critic
10)  absurdly exciting and unquestionably the best studio action ______
     a.  film on years
     b.  film at years
     c.  film in years
     d.  film of years

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Tom Cruise's latest blockbuster (1) ____________________ box office records across America. The movie "Top Gun: Maverick" was shown in the biggest (2) ____________________ North American movie theatres. The movie magazine "Variety" reported that 4,732 cinemas in the USA and Canada showed "Maverick". (3) ____________________ the widest release of all time. The movie also broke another record. It is the best Memorial Day opening (4) ____________________. It earned $156 million in the USA. This beats Johnny Depp's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". (5) ____________________ $153 million in 2007. Maverick has also given Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise (6) ____________________ $100 million opening weekend at the box office.

Maverick is (7) ____________________ the 1986 film "Top Gun". Cruise goes back to his role as (8) ____________________ Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The movie's production company Paramount was very happy that "Maverick" had (9) ____________________. Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution, said: "These results are ridiculously, over-the-top fantastic. I'm happy for everyone. I'm happy for the company, for Tom, and for the filmmakers." The movie has (10) ____________________ from critics. The "Independent" in the UK called it a "thrilling" blockbuster. Another UK newspaper, "The Telegraph," called it "absurdly exciting," and "unquestionably the (11) ____________________ film in years". At first, Cruise did not want to (12) ____________________. Now, he is happy he did.

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of records did the new Tom Cruise movie break?
  2. How many movie theatres showed the movie?
  3. How much did the movie earn in its opening weekend?
  4. When was the movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' released?
  5. What did Tom Cruise achieve for the first time with this movie?
  6. What job does Tom Cruise do in his role in the new movie?
  7. How did the producers of the new movie feel?
  8. What did the newspaper the "Independent" call the movie?
  9. Who said the movie was the best action movie in years?
  10. How did Tom Cruise initially feel about making the movie?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of records did the new Tom Cruise movie break?
a) athletics records
b) vinyl records
c) box office records
d) stunt records
2) How many movie theatres showed the movie?
a) 4,732
b) 7,432
c) 4,372
d) 3,743
3) How much did the movie earn in its opening weekend?
a) $155 million
b) $156 million
c) $158 million
d) $157 million
4) When was the movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' released?
a) 1907
b) 1997
c) 2017
d) 2007
5) What did Tom Cruise achieve for the first time with this movie?
a) fame
b) an Oscar
c) a $100 million opening weekend
d) a score of 10/10

6) What job does Tom Cruise do in his role in the new movie?
a) sailor
b) US navy pilot
c) engineer
d) movie producer
7) How did the producers of the new movie feel?
a) overjoyed
b) awe-inspired
c) ecstatic
d) happy
8) What did the newspaper the "Independent" call the movie?
a) a telegraph
b) a thrilling blockbuster
c) a rave review
d) a harsh critic
9) Who said the movie was the best action movie in years?
a) CNN
b) the Telegraph newspaper
c) the New York Post
d) the BBC
10) How did Tom Cruise initially feel about making the movie?
a) He didn't want to make it.
b) happy
c) very, very positive
d) undecided

Role play

Role  A – Action
You think action is the best movie genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): comedy, romance or science fiction.

Role  B – Comedy
You think comedy is the best movie genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): action, romance or science fiction.

Role  C – Romance
You think romance is the best movie genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): comedy, action or science fiction.

Role  D – Science Fiction
You think science fiction is the best movie genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): comedy, romance or action.

After reading / listening

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

'movie'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'theatre'.

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

    • latest
    • magazine
    • widest
    • best
    • beats
    • given
    • 1986
    • well
    • top
    • rave
    • exciting
    • happy

    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 - Top Gun: Maverick

    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 'movie'?
    3. What are your favourite movies?
    4. Do you want to see the latest Tom Cruise movie?
    5. What do you think of Tom Cruise?
    6. What do you think of action movies?
    7. Do you like going to the movie theater?
    8. Is Top Gun better than Pirates of the Caribbean?
    9. Who is the better actor, Tom Cruise or Johnny Depp?
    10. Why do we like movies so much?

    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 'theatre'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Are sequels and prequels ever better than the original?
    5. Who are you happy for?
    6. What is the best movie you've seen this year?
    7. Would you like to be a movie star?
    8. Which country makes the best movies?
    9. What's the worst movie you've ever seen?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Tom Cruise?

    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)

    Tom Cruise's (1) ____ blockbuster film has broken box office records across America. The movie "Top Gun: Maverick" was (2) ____ in the biggest ever number of North American movie theatres. The movie magazine "Variety" reported that 4,732 cinemas (3) ____ the USA and Canada showed "Maverick". This makes it the widest release of all time. The movie also broke (4) ____ record. It is the best Memorial Day opening film (5) ____ history. It earned $156 million in the USA. This beats Johnny Depp's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". That movie earned $153 million in 2007. Maverick has also given Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise his first (6) ____ $100 million opening weekend at the box office.

    Maverick is the sequel (7) ____ the 1986 film "Top Gun". Cruise goes back to his role as US navy pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The movie's production company Paramount was very happy that "Maverick" had (8) ____ so well. Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution, said: "These results are ridiculously, over-the- (9) ____ fantastic. I'm happy for everyone. I'm happy for the company, for Tom, and for the filmmakers." The movie has had (10) ____ reviews from critics. The "Independent" in the UK called it a "thrilling" blockbuster. Another UK newspaper, "The Telegraph," called it "absurdly exciting," and "unquestionably the best studio action film (11) ____ years". At first, Cruise did not want to (12) ____ the sequel. Now, he is happy he did.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     latter     (b)     latent     (c)     lately     (d)     latest    
    (a)     shows     (b)     showing     (c)     show     (d)     shown     
    (a)     at     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     of    
    (a)     other     (b)     others     (c)     another     (d)     the others    
    (a)     at     (b)     on     (c)     in     (d)     of    
    (a)     ever     (b)     every     (c)     event     (d)     never    
    (a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     in     (d)     on    
    (a)     done     (b)     does     (c)     did     (d)     doing    
    (a)     higher     (b)     top     (c)     end     (d)     bottom    
    (a)     race     (b)     rate     (c)     rave     (d)     rage    
    (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     in     (d)     as    
    (a)     act     (b)     movie     (c)     filming     (d)     make

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Tom Cruise's latest cselkbtruob film
    2. broken box fcefio records
    3. The movie ezamgain "Variety"
    4. the widest eselrae of all time
    5. It areend $156 million
    6. eatirsP of the Caribbean

    Paragraph 2

    1. Maverick is the ueesql to the 1986 film "Top Gun"
    2. back to his role as US navy oitpl
    3. The movie's rdontiuopc company
    4. president of oiemtdsc distribution
    5. over-the-top cnftastai
    6. rave reviews from circsit

    Put the text back together

    (...)  top fantastic. I'm happy for everyone. I'm happy for the company, for Tom, and for the
    (...)  time. The movie also broke another record. It is the best Memorial Day opening film
    (...)  movie earned $153 million in 2007. Maverick has also given Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise
    (...)  filmmakers." The movie has had rave reviews from critics. The "Independent" in the UK called
    (...)  in the biggest ever number of North American movie theatres. The movie magazine "Variety" reported that
    (...)  his first ever $100 million opening weekend at the box office.
    (...)  4,732 cinemas in the USA and Canada showed "Maverick". This makes it the widest release of all
    (...)  it a "thrilling" blockbuster. Another UK newspaper, "The Telegraph," called it "absurdly exciting," and "unquestionably the best studio
    (...)  well. Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution, said: "These results are ridiculously, over-the-
    (...)  Maverick is the sequel to the 1986 film "Top Gun". Cruise goes back to his role as US navy
    (...)  in history. It earned $156 million in the USA. This beats Johnny Depp's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". That
    1  ) Tom Cruise's latest blockbuster film has broken box office records across America. The movie "Top Gun: Maverick" was shown
    (...)  pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The movie's production company Paramount was very happy that "Maverick" had done so
    (...)  action film in years". At first, Cruise did not want to make the sequel. Now, he is happy he did.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. office   records   .   blockbuster   has   His   latest   box   broken
    2. ever   in   Shown   number   biggest   theatres   .   the   of
    3. all   It   is   of   the   widest   release   time   .
    4. another   record   .   The   box   office   broke   also   movie
    5. His   first   opening   $100   million   ever   weekend   .
    6. company   happy  .  movie's   production   Paramount   The   was   very
    7. including   for   everyone,   happy   the   I'm   filmmakers   .
    8. reviews   has   had   critics   .   rave   movie   The   from
    9. film   best   the   Unquestionably   action   in   studio   years   .
    10. did   want   not   sequel   .   to   make   the   Cruise

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Tom Cruise's latest / earliest blockbuster film has broken box office records across America. The movie "Top Gun: Maverick" was showing / shown in the biggest ever / even number of North American movie theatres. The movie magazine "Variety" reporter / reported that 4,732 cinemas in the USA and Canada showed "Maverick". This makes it / them the widest release of all time. The movie also damaged / broke another record. It is the best Memorial Day opening film on / in history. It earned $156 million in the USA. This beats / wins Johnny Depp's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". That movie earned / earnings $153 million in 2007. Maverick has also given Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise his first ever $100 million opening weekend at / in the box office.

    Maverick is the sequence / sequel to the 1986 film "Top Gun". Cruise goes back to his role / roll as US navy pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The movie's production company Paramount was very happy / happily that "Maverick" had done so well. Chris Aronson, president of drastic / domestic distribution, said: "These result / results are ridiculously, over-the-top fantastic. I'm happy for everyone. I'm happy for / from the company, for Tom, and for the filmmakers." The movie has had rave / grave reviews from critics. The "Independent" in the UK called it a "thrilling" blockbuster. Other / Another UK newspaper, "The Telegraph," called it "absurd / absurdly exciting," and "unquestionably the best studio action film in years". At first, Cruise did not want to make the sequel. Now, he is happy / happily he did.

    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)

    T_m  Cr__s_'s  l_t_st  bl_ckb_st_r  f_lm  h_s  br_k_n  b_x  _ff_c_  r_c_rds  _cr_ss  _m_r_c_.  Th_  m_v__  "T_p  G_n:  M_v_r_ck"  w_s  sh_wn  _n  th_  b_gg_st  _v_r  n_mb_r  _f  N_rth  _m_r_c_n  m_v__  th__tr_s.  Th_  m_v__  m_g_z_n_  "V_r__ty"  r_p_rt_d  th_t  4,732  c_n_m_s  _n  th_  _S_  _nd  C_n_d_  sh_w_d  "M_v_r_ck".  Th_s  m_k_s  _t  th_  w_d_st  r_l__s_  _f  _ll  t_m_.  Th_  m_v__  _ls_  br_k_  _n_th_r  r_c_rd.  _t  _s  th_  b_st  M_m_r__l  D_y  _p_n_ng  f_lm  _n  h_st_ry.  _t  __rn_d  $156  m_ll__n  _n  th_  _S_.  Th_s  b__ts  J_hnny  D_pp's  "P_r_t_s  _f  th_  C_r_bb__n:  _t  W_rld's  _nd".  Th_t  m_v__  __rn_d  $153  m_ll__n  _n  2007.  M_v_r_ck  h_s  _ls_  g_v_n  H_llyw__d  s_p_rst_r  T_m  Cr__s_  h_s  f_rst  _v_r  $100  m_ll__n  _p_n_ng  w__k_nd  _t  th_  b_x  _ff_c_.

    M_v_r_ck  _s  th_  s_q__l  t_  th_  1986  f_lm  "T_p  G_n".  Cr__s_  g__s  b_ck  t_  h_s  r_l_  _s  _S  n_vy  p_l_t  P_t_  "M_v_r_ck"  M_tch_ll.  Th_  m_v__'s  pr_d_ct__n  c_mp_ny  P_r_m__nt  w_s  v_ry  h_ppy  th_t  "M_v_r_ck"  h_d  d_n_  s_  w_ll.  Chr_s  _r_ns_n,  pr_s_d_nt  _f  d_m_st_c  d_str_b_t__n,  s__d:  "Th_s_  r_s_lts  _r_  r_d_c_l__sly,  _v_r-th_-t_p  f_nt_st_c.  _'m  h_ppy  f_r  _v_ry_n_.  _'m  h_ppy  f_r  th_  c_mp_ny,  f_r  T_m,  _nd  f_r  th_  f_lmm_k_rs."  Th_  m_v__  h_s  h_d  r_v_  r_v__ws  fr_m  cr_t_cs.  Th_  "_nd_p_nd_nt"  _n  th_  _K  c_ll_d  _t  _  "thr_ll_ng"  bl_ckb_st_r.  _n_th_r  _K  n_wsp_p_r,  "Th_  T_l_gr_ph,"  c_ll_d  _t  "_bs_rdly  _xc_t_ng,"  _nd  "_nq__st__n_bly  th_  b_st  st_d__  _ct__n  f_lm  _n  y__rs".  _t  f_rst,  Cr__s_  d_d  n_t  w_nt  t_  m_k_  th_  s_q__l.  N_w,  h_  _s  h_ppy  h_  d_d.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    tom cruises latest blockbuster film has broken box office records across america the movie top gun maverick was shown in the biggest ever number of north american movie theatres the movie magazine variety reported that 4732 cinemas in the usa and canada showed maverick this makes it the widest release of all time the movie also broke another record it is the best memorial day opening film in history it earned 156 million in the usa this beats johnny depps pirates of the caribbean at worlds end that movie earned 153 million in 2007 maverick has also given hollywood superstar tom cruise his first ever 100 million opening weekend at the box office

    maverick is the sequel to the 1986 film top gun cruise goes back to his role as us navy pilot pete maverick mitchell the movies production company paramount was very happy that maverick had done so well chris aronson president of domestic distribution said these results are ridiculously overthetop fantastic im happy for everyone im happy for the company for tom and for the filmmakers the movie has had rave reviews from critics the independent in the uk called it a thrilling blockbuster another uk newspaper the telegraph called it absurdly exciting and unquestionably the best studio action film in years at first cruise did not want to make the sequel now he is happy he did

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TomCruise'slatestblockbusterfilmhasbrokenboxofficerecordsacross
    America.Themovie"TopGun:Maverick"wasshowninthebiggestevern
    umberofNorthAmericanmovietheatres.Themoviemagazine"Variety
    "reportedthat4,732cinemasintheUSAandCanadashowed"Maverick"
    .Thismakesitthewidestreleaseofalltime.Themoviealsobrokeanother
    record.ItisthebestMemorialDayopeningfilminhistory.Itearned$156
    millionintheUSA.ThisbeatsJohnnyDepp's"PiratesoftheCaribbean:At
    World'sEnd".Thatmovieearned$153millionin2007.Maverickhasalso
    givenHollywoodsuperstarTomCruisehisfirstever$100millionopening
    weekendattheboxoffice.Maverickisthesequeltothe1986film"TopGu
    n".CruisegoesbacktohisroleasUSnavypilotPete"Maverick"Mitchell.T
    hemovie'sproductioncompanyParamountwasveryhappythat"Maver
    ick"haddonesowell.ChrisAronson,presidentofdomesticdistribution,s
    aid:"Theseresultsareridiculously,over-the-topfantastic.I'mhappyfo
    reveryone.I'mhappyforthecompany,forTom,andforthefilmmakers."
    Themoviehashadravereviewsfromcritics.The"Independent"intheUK
    calledita"thrilling"blockbuster.AnotherUKnewspaper,"TheTelegrap
    h,"calledit"absurdlyexciting,"and"unquestionablythebeststudioacti
    onfilminyears".Atfirst,Cruisedidnotwanttomakethesequel.Now,heis
    happyhedid.

    Free writing

    Write about Top Gun: Maverick for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Movies are best seen in movie theatres. 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. MOVIES: Make a poster about movies. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. MOVIE THEATRES: Write a magazine article about making movies only available in movie theatres and not on the Internet. 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 movies. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on movies. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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