Breaking News English Lesson: Isolation

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Athlete spends 500 days in underground cave (17th April 2023)

The Reading / Listening - Isolation - Level 6

An elite athlete has just emerged from spending a record-breaking 500 days alone in a cave in Spain. Beatriz Flamini, 50, is an extreme mountaineer. She participated in a scientific study to examine the effects of extreme isolation and deprivation on physical and mental health. She had to live in solitude in a cave 70 metres deep. She embarked on the solitary endeavour on the 20th of November 2021 and emerged from her subterranean abode last Friday. After resurfacing, she was given health check-ups by a doctor and psychologist. Rather than have a shower, she faced inquisitive reporters in a press conference, in which she briefly explained the past 16 months.

Ms Flamini was beaming as she told journalists that time had flown by. She said she was surprised when scientists came to tell her the 500 days had ended. She had been constantly monitored by psychologists and cave experts, but had no contact with anyone else. She lost track of time and all perception of time after day 65 "because it was always four in the morning". She explained her attitude, saying: "The most important thing is being very consistent.…I lived up to my commitment to living in a cave for 500 days." She put her success down to being able to "get on very well with myself". She did admit to having occasional cravings for roast chicken.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Isolation - Level 4 or Isolation - Level 5

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/14/spanish-woman-emerges-after-spending-500-days-living-alone-in-cave
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/woman-emerges-cave-spending-really-140737153.html
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/14/spanish-climber-leaves-cave-after-500-days-in-isolation

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. ISOLATION: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about isolation. 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?
elite / athlete / cave / mountaineer / isolation / deprivation / solitary / check-up /
time / psychologists / perception / commitment / success / cravings / roast chicken
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BEING ALONE: Students A strongly believe we all need to spend time being completely alone; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. 500 DAYS: What would you do if you spent 500 days in these places? Would you enjoy it? Why (not)? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What?	Enjoy?	Why (not)?
In a cave
On a deserted island
In a jungle
In your room
On Antarctica
In the desert

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. ATHLETE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "athlete". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SOLITUDE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to come from solitude at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Clear thinking
Book reading
No stress
Lots of sleep
Knowing yourself
No social media
Problem solving
Creativity

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	elite	a.	The state or situation of being alone.
2.	emerged	b.	Having or showing an interest in learning things; curious.
3.	isolation	c.	Superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.
4.	deprivation	d.	Moved out of or away from something and became visible.
5.	solitude	e.	The lack or denial of something considered to be a necessity.
6.	endeavour	f.	An attempt to achieve a goal.
7.	inquisitive	g.	Being far away from other places, buildings, or people; remote.

Paragraph 2

8.	beaming	h.	The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.
9.	constantly	i.	Acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.
10.	expert	j.	The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.
11.	perception	k.	Smiling broadly; grinning.
12.	consistent	l.	A powerful desire for something.
13.	commitment	m.	Continuously over a period of time; always.
14.	craving	n.	A person who is very knowledgeable about or skilful in a particular area.

Before reading / listening

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

An athlete trained for 500 days in a cave for a race. T / F
The athlete was a 50-year-old mountaineer. T / F
The cave the athlete spent 500 days in was 70 metres underground. T / F
The first thing the athlete did upon resurfacing was have a shower. T / F
The athlete had counted down the end to the 500 days. T / F
The athlete always got up at 4am when she was in the cave. T / F
She said she got on well with herself. T / F
The athlete lived on roast chicken while she was in the cave. T / F

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

participated
isolation
abode
inquisitive
briefly
beaming
experts
perception
commitment
craving

grinning
awareness
momentarily
longing
responsibility
home
took part
solitariness
specialists
curious

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

An elite
extreme isolation and
She had to live
She embarked on the solitary
she faced inquisitive
she told journalists that time
She had been constantly monitored
She lost track
I lived up
having occasional cravings

had flown by
endeavour
for roast chicken
of time
deprivation
to my commitment
athlete
reporters
by psychologists
in solitude

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

embarked
emerged
briefly
deprivation
inquisitive
solitude
abode
extreme

An elite athlete has just (1) _____________________ from spending a record-breaking 500 days alone in a cave in Spain. Beatriz Flamini, 50, is an (2) _____________________ mountaineer. She participated in a scientific study to examine the effects of extreme isolation and (3) _____________________ on physical and mental health. She had to live in (4) _____________________ in a cave 70 metres deep. She (5) _____________________ on the solitary endeavour on the 20th of November 2021 and emerged from her subterranean (6) _____________________ last Friday. After resurfacing, she was given health check-ups by a doctor and psychologist. Rather than have a shower, she faced (7) _____________________ reporters in a press conference, in which she (8) _____________________ explained the past 16 months.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

perception
constantly
down
beaming
cravings
attitude
experts
consistent

Ms Flamini was (9) _____________________ as she told journalists that time had flown by. She said she was surprised when scientists came to tell her the 500 days had ended. She had been (10) _____________________ monitored by psychologists and cave (11) _____________________, but had no contact with anyone else. She lost track of time and all (12) _____________________ of time after day 65 "because it was always four in the morning". She explained her (13) _____________________, saying: "The most important thing is being very (14) _____________________ ….I lived up to my commitment to living in a cave for 500 days." She put her success (15) _____________________ to being able to "get on very well with myself". She did admit to having occasional (16) _____________________ for roast chicken.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) An elite athlete has just emerged from spending a record-breaking ______
     a. 500 days lonely
     b. 500 days loner
     c. 500 days all-in
     d. 500 days alone
2) She participated in a scientific study to examine the effects ______
     a. of extremes isolation
     b. of extreme isolation
     c. of extremity isolation
     d. of egg stream isolation
3) emerged from her subterranean ______
     a. a bod last Friday
     b. a body last Friday
     c. abode last Friday
     d. ab ode last Friday
4) Rather than have a shower, she ______
     a. faced inquisitive reporters
     b. faced inquisitively reporters
     c. faced inquisition reporters
   d. faced inquisitiveness reporters
5) in a press conference, in which she briefly explained the ______
     a. paste 16 months
     b. parsed 16 months
     c. passed 16 months
     d. past 16 months

6) Ms Flamini was beaming as she told journalists that time ______
     a. had flew by
     b. had grown by
     c. had frown by
     d. had flown by
7) She had been constantly monitored by psychologists ______
     a. and cave expert
     b. and cave expertise
     c. and cave experts
     d. and cave expats
8) The most important thing is ______
     a. being verily consistent
     b. being veery consistent
     c. being vary consistent
     d. being very consistent
9) She put her success down to being able to "get on very ______"
     a. well within myself
     b. well with mine self
     c. well with myself
     d. well with my safe
10) She did admit to ______
     a. having occasional cravings
     b. having occasional carvings
     c. having occasional cave-ins
     d. having occasional crave vines

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

An elite athlete has just (1) ____________________ a record-breaking 500 days alone in a cave in Spain. Beatriz Flamini, 50, is an extreme mountaineer. She participated in a scientific study to (2) ____________________ of extreme isolation and deprivation on physical and mental health. She had to (3) ____________________ in a cave 70 metres deep. She embarked on the solitary endeavour on the 20th of November 2021 and (4) ____________________ subterranean abode last Friday. After resurfacing, she was given health check-ups by a doctor and psychologist. Rather than have a shower, (5) ____________________ reporters in a press conference, in (6) ____________________ explained the past 16 months.

Ms Flamini (1) ____________________ she told journalists that time (2) ____________________. She said she was surprised when scientists came to tell her the 500 days had ended. She (3) ____________________ monitored by psychologists and cave experts, but had no contact with anyone else. She lost track of time and (4) ____________________ time after day 65 "because it was always four in the morning". She explained her attitude, saying: "The most important thing is (5) ____________________ ….I lived up to my commitment to living in a cave for 500 days." She put her success down to being able to "get on very well with myself". She did admit to having occasional (6) ____________________ chicken.

Comprehension questions

In which country was the cave?
What sport does the woman do?
How far down was the cave?
What was she given when she resurfaced?
What did she do instead of having a shower?
What did the athlete say had flown by?
Who told the woman the 500 days had ended?
When did the woman lose track of time?
What time did the woman say it always was in the cave?
What did the woman have a craving for?

Multiple choice quiz

1) In which country was the cave?
a) France
b) Argentina
c) Spain
d) Thailand
2) What sport does the woman do?
a) extreme mountaineering
b) caving
c) long-distance skiing
d) long-distance swimming
3) How far down was the cave?
a) 90 metres
b) 70 metres
c) 60 metres
d) 80 metres
4) What was she given when she resurfaced?
a) a certificate
b) a bath towel
c) her favourite food
d) health check-ups
5) What did she do instead of having a shower?
a) have a bath
b) jump in a river
c) face reporters' questions
d) check her email

6) What did the athlete say had flown by?
a) flies
b) time
c) life
d) birds
7) Who told the woman the 500 days had ended?
a) journalists
b) her husband
c) her children
d) scientists
8) When did the woman lose track of time?
a) after 56 days
b) after 65 days
c) after 60 days
d) after 70 days
9) What time did the woman say it always was in the cave?
a) 6am
b) 4am
c) 9pm
d) 4pm
10) What did the woman have a craving for?
a) roast chicken
b) music
c) hot baths
d) the Internet

Role play

Role A – Clear Thinking
You think clear thinking is the best thing about solitude. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): lots of sleep, no social media or knowing yourself.

Role B – Lots of Sleep
You think lots of sleep is the best thing about solitude. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): clear thinking, no social media or knowing yourself.

Role C – No Social Media
You think no social media is the best thing about solitude. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): lots of sleep, clear thinking or knowing yourself.

Role D – Knowing Yourself
You think knowing yourself is the best thing about solitude. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): lots of sleep, no social media or clear thinking.

After reading / listening

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

'athlete'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'cave'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

elite

study

solitude

emerged

rather

past

flown

ended

track

65

important

cravings

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 - Isolation

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 'cave'?
What do you think of caves?
What's the longest time you've spent alone?
What happens to people who are isolated from everything?
How would isolation affect your mental health?
How long could you spend in a cave?
What would you do if you spent 500 days alone?
What would you miss if you spent 500 days in a cave?
What's the first thing you would do after being isolated?

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 'isolation'?
What do you think about what you read?
How do you feel when you go into a cave?
What's the longest time you could spend alone?
Are there any good things to being isolated?
Do you get on well with yourself?
What do you have occasional cravings for?
What do you think of roast chicken?
What questions would you like to ask the elite athlete?

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)

An elite athlete has just (1) ____ from spending a record-breaking 500 days alone in a cave in Spain. Beatriz Flamini, 50, is an (2) ____ mountaineer. She participated in a scientific study to examine the effects of extreme isolation and deprivation (3) ____ physical and mental health. She had to live in solitude in a cave 70 metres deep. She embarked on the (4) ____ endeavour on the 20th of November 2021 and emerged from her subterranean (5) ____ last Friday. After resurfacing, she was given health check-ups by a doctor and psychologist. Rather than have a shower, she faced inquisitive reporters in a press conference, (6) ____ which she briefly explained the past 16 months.

Ms Flamini was (7) ____ as she told journalists that time had flown (8) ____. She said she was surprised when scientists came to tell her the 500 days had ended. She had been constantly monitored by psychologists and cave experts, but had no contact with (9) ____ else. She lost track of time and all perception of time after day 65 "because it was always four in the morning". She explained her attitude, saying: "The most important thing is being very consistent….I lived (10) ____ to my commitment to living in a cave for 500 days." She put her success (11) ____ to being able to "get on very well with myself". She did admit to having occasional (12) ____ for roast chicken.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) emerged (b) emerging (c) emergence (d) emergent
(a) extremity (b) extremely (c) extreme (d) extremes
(a) at (b) by (c) of (d) on
(a) solitaire (b) solitary (c) solitude (d) solitarily
(a) goad (b) bode (c) mode (d) abode
(a) by (b) at (c) in (d) so
(a) gleaming (b) beaming (c) seaming (d) teaming
(a) by (b) up (c) over (d) across
(a) anyone (b) no one (c) someone (d) everyone
(a) on (b) off (c) up (d) down
(a) on (b) off (c) up (d) down
(a) caving (b) cravings (c) carvings (d) cave-ins

Spelling

Paragraph 1

the effects of extreme isolation and opadertivin
She embarked on the tsriyaol endeavour
emerged from her aeurebstnarn abode
a doctor and gtyhisclospo
she faced niivqiiesut reporters
in a press corefcneen

Paragraph 2

constantly mrnitedoo
lost track of time and all coipepretn
She explained her atidtuet
being very incssotnte
I lived up to my ctnomimmte
occasional inarcgvs for roast chicken

Put the text back together

(...) well with myself". She did admit to having occasional cravings for roast chicken.
(...) endeavour on the 20th of November 2021 and emerged from her subterranean abode last Friday. After resurfacing,
(...) health. She had to live in solitude in a cave 70 metres deep. She embarked on the solitary
(...) shower, she faced inquisitive reporters in a press conference, in which she briefly explained the past 16 months.
(...) scientists came to tell her the 500 days had ended. She had been constantly monitored by psychologists and cave
(...) she was given health check-ups by a doctor and psychologist. Rather than have a
(...) Ms Flamini was beaming as she told journalists that time had flown by. She said she was surprised when
(...) study to examine the effects of extreme isolation and deprivation on physical and mental
(...) important thing is being very consistent….I lived up to my commitment
(...) experts, but had no contact with anyone else. She lost track of time and all perception
(...) of time after day 65 "because it was always four in the morning". She explained her attitude, saying: "The most
(...) alone in a cave in Spain. Beatriz Flamini, 50, is an extreme mountaineer. She participated in a scientific
(...) to living in a cave for 500 days." She put her success down to being able to "get on very
( 1 ) An elite athlete has just emerged from spending a record-breaking 500 days

Put the words in the right order

in Spending days 500 record-breaking a a cave .
to effects of Studies the extreme isolation . examine
in embarked endeavour solitary on She the 2021 .
given health check-ups by was She a doctor .
faced She press inquisitive reporters conference . in a
that by . journalists flown She time had told
had She monitored by been constantly psychologists .
of track lost 65 . She after time day
thing The very consistent . important most is being
cravings for roast occasional to chicken . Admit having

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

An elite / elitism athlete has just emerged from spending a record-breaking 500 days alone in a cave in Spain. Beatriz Flamini, 50, is an extreme / extremity mountaineer. She participated in a scientific study to examine the affects / effects of extreme isolation and deprivation / deprived on physical and mental health. She had to live in / on solitude in a cave 70 metres deep. She disembarked / embarked on the solitary endeavour on the 20th of November 2021 and emerged from her subterranean implode / abode last Friday. After resurfacing, she was given health / healthy check-ups by a doctor and psychologist. Rather than have a shower, she faced / headed inquisitive reporters in a press conference, in which she briefed / briefly explained the past 16 months.

Ms Flamini was beaming / gleaming as she told journalists that time had flown / driven by. She said she was surprised when scientists came to tell her the 500 days had ended. She had been constantly monitoring / monitored by psychologists and cave expats / experts, but had no contact / contract with anyone else. She lost track / tack of time and all perception of time after day 65 "because it was always four on / in the morning". She explained her attitude, saying: "The most important thing is being very consistent….I lived down / up to my commitment to living in a cave for 500 days." She put her success up / down to being able to "get on very well with myself". She did admit to having occasional carvings / cravings for roast chicken.

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)

_n _l_t_ _thl_t_ h_s j_st _m_rg_d fr_m sp_nd_ng _ r_c_rd-br__k_ng 500 d_ys _l_n_ _n _ c_v_ _n Sp__n. B__tr_z Fl_m_n_, 50, _s _n _xtr_m_ m__nt__n__r. Sh_ p_rt_c_p_t_d _n _ sc__nt_f_c st_dy t_ _x_m_n_ th_ _ff_cts _f _xtr_m_ _s_l_t__n _nd d_pr_v_t__n _n phys_c_l _nd m_nt_l h__lth. Sh_ h_d t_ l_v_ _n s_l_t_d_ _n _ c_v_ 70 m_tr_s d__p. Sh_ _mb_rk_d _n th_ s_l_t_ry _nd__v__r _n th_ 20th _f N_v_mb_r 2021 _nd _m_rg_d fr_m h_r s_bt_rr_n__n _b_d_ l_st Fr_d_y. _ft_r r_s_rf_c_ng, sh_ w_s g_v_n h__lth ch_ck-_ps by _ d_ct_r _nd psych_l_g_st. R_th_r th_n h_v_ _ sh_w_r, sh_ f_c_d _nq__s_t_v_ r_p_rt_rs _n _ pr_ss c_nf_r_nc_, _n wh_ch sh_ br__fly _xpl__n_d th_ p_st 16 m_nths.

Ms Fl_m_n_ w_s b__m_ng _s sh_ t_ld j__rn_l_sts th_t t_m_ h_d fl_wn by. Sh_ s__d sh_ w_s s_rpr_s_d wh_n sc__nt_sts c_m_ t_ t_ll h_r th_ 500 d_ys h_d _nd_d. Sh_ h_d b__n c_nst_ntly m_n_t_r_d by psych_l_g_sts _nd c_v_ _xp_rts, b_t h_d n_ c_nt_ct w_th _ny_n_ _ls_. Sh_ l_st tr_ck _f t_m_ _nd _ll p_rc_pt__n _f t_m_ _ft_r d_y 65 "b_c__s_ _t w_s _lw_ys f__r _n th_ m_rn_ng". Sh_ _xpl__n_d h_r _tt_t_d_, s_y_ng: "Th_ m_st _mp_rt_nt th_ng _s b__ng v_ry c_ns_st_nt…._ l_v_d _p t_ my c_mm_tm_nt t_ l_v_ng _n _ c_v_ f_r 500 d_ys." Sh_ p_t h_r s_cc_ss d_wn t_ b__ng _bl_ t_ "g_t _n v_ry w_ll w_th mys_lf". Sh_ d_d _dm_t t_ h_v_ng _cc_s__n_l cr_v_ngs f_r r__st ch_ck_n.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

an elite athlete has just emerged from spending a recordbreaking 500 days alone in a cave in spain beatriz flamini 50 is an extreme mountaineer she participated in a scientific study to examine the effects of extreme isolation and deprivation on physical and mental health she had to live in solitude in a cave 70 metres deep she embarked on the solitary endeavour on the 20th of november 2021 and emerged from her subterranean abode last friday after resurfacing she was given health checkups by a doctor and psychologist rather than have a shower she faced inquisitive reporters in a press conference in which she briefly explained the past 16 months

ms flamini was beaming as she told journalists that time had flown by she said she was surprised when scientists came to tell her the 500 days had ended she had been constantly monitored by psychologists and cave experts but had no contact with anyone else she lost track of time and all perception of time after day 65 because it was always four in the morning she explained her attitude saying the most important thing is being very consistenti lived up to my commitment to living in a cave for 500 days she put her success down to being able to get on very well with myself she did admit to having occasional cravings for roast chicken

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Aneliteathletehasjustemergedfromspendingarecord-breaking500d
aysaloneinacaveinSpain.BeatrizFlamini,50,isanextrememountaine
er.Sheparticipatedinascientificstudytoexaminetheeffectsofextreme
isolationanddeprivationonphysicalandmentalhealth.Shehadtolivein
solitudeinacave70metresdeep.Sheembarkedonthesolitaryendeavo
uronthe20thofNovember2021andemergedfromhersubterraneanab
odelastFriday.Afterresurfacing,shewasgivenhealthcheck-upsbyado
ctorandpsychologist.Ratherthanhaveashower,shefacedinquisitiver
eportersinapressconference,inwhichshebrieflyexplainedthepast16
months.MsFlaminiwasbeamingasshetoldjournaliststhattimehadflo
wnby.Shesaidshewassurprisedwhenscientistscametotellherthe500
dayshadended.Shehadbeenconstantlymonitoredbypsychologistsan
dcaveexperts,buthadnocontactwithanyoneelse.Shelosttrackoftime
andallperceptionoftimeafterday65"becauseitwasalwaysfourinthem
orning".Sheexplainedherattitude,saying:"Themostimportantthingi
sbeingveryconsistent….Iliveduptomycommitmenttolivinginacavefo
r500days."Sheputhersuccessdowntobeingableto"getonverywellwit
hmyself".Shedidadmittohavingoccasionalcravingsforroastchicken.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We should all spend long periods of time alone to think about life. 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. ISOLATION: Make a poster about isolation. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. TIME ALONE: Write a magazine article about all of us having to spend time alone with no contact with others. 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 isolation. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on being alone. 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

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Answers

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

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Breaking News English Lesson: Isolation

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