Breaking News English Lesson: Cage Fights

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Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk to fight in a cage (26th June 2023)

The Reading / Listening - Cage Fights - Level 6

Tech moguls and rivals Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are used to trying to outdo each other in the business world. They vie with each other to amass the greatest riches or attract the most followers. Their rivalry intensified somewhat earlier this week as the two multi-billionaires agreed to a fist fight. Twitter owner Mr Musk challenged Mr Zuckerberg to fisticuffs in a "cage match". Zuckerberg accepted the challenge. It is reported that the potential punch-up between the richest and tenth richest men in the world came about after Meta's Zuckerberg proposed to create a social media platform to rival Twitter. The fight could take place in a mixed martial arts octagon cage in Las Vegas.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) could arrange the fight. The UFC is an American mixed martial arts promotion company. Its president, Dana White, said the event could be the most lucrative ever. He said: "This would be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world.…It would break all pay-per-view records." He suggested viewers might have to pay $100 to watch the Musk-Zuckerberg bout. It is unclear who is favourite to win the contest. Zuckerberg is trained in martial arts and recently won gold in his first jiu-jitsu tournament. Musk joked about his secret weapon. He tweeted: "I have this great move that I call 'The Walrus', where I just lie on top of my opponent and do nothing."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Cage Fights - Level 4 or Cage Fights - Level 5

Sources

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/23/musk-zuckerberg-ufc-cage-match-will-cost-100-dollars.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mark-zuckerberg-elon-musk-fight/
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/23/elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-megarich-cage-fight-dystopian

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. FIGHTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about fights. 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?
mogul / rival / riches / followers / fist fight / cage / punch-up / social media / octagon
mixed martial arts / lucrative / history / pay-per-view / favourite / contest / walrus
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NO FIGHTS: Students A strongly believe all forms of fighting should be banned; Students B strongly believe fighting is necessary. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. FIGHTING: What do you know and think about these forms of fighting? How good are they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	What I Think	How Good They Are
Karate
Boxing
Sumo
Wrestling
Kung-fu
Judo

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

Twitter
TikTok
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Fortnite
Snapchat

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	mogul	a.	Became or made more extreme or strong.
2.	outdo	b.	An important or powerful person, especially in the film or media industry.
3.	vie	c.	Compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something.
4.	intensified	d.	Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.
5.	punch-up	e.	Put forward for consideration by others.
6.	potential	f.	Try to be better than in actions or performances.
7.	proposed	g.	A situation that involves fighting with the fists.

Paragraph 2

8.	promotion	h.	A wrestling or boxing match.
9.	lucrative	i.	Someone who competes with or opposes another in a contest, game, or argument
10.	pay-per-view	j.	A series of contests between a number of competitors, competing for an overall prize.
11.	bout	k.	A television service in which viewers are charged a fee in order to watch a specific programme.
12.	martial	l.	Relating to fighting or war.
13.	tournament	m.	Activity that supports or encourages a cause, venture, or aim.
14.	opponent	n.	Producing a lot of profit.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says Facebook and Twitter are moguls. T / F
Mark Zuckerberg challenged Elon Musk to a fight. T / F
The fight is because Zuckerberg wants to make a site similar to Twitter. T / F
The fight between Musk and Zuckerberg will take place in Silicon Valley. T / F
The two tech rivals will have to fight using mixed martial arts. T / F
The fight could be the most profitable fight in history. T / F
People might have to pay $100 to see the fight on television. T / F
Elon Musk said his secret weapon is to stand on people. T / F

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

moguls
vie
intensified
punch-up
proposed
arrange
lucrative
bout
tournament
opponent

match
escalated
had plans
profitable
competition
tycoons
fight
adversary
compete
fix

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

trying to outdo
They vie with each other
Their rivalry intensified
the potential
create a social media
the event could be
It would break all pay-
It is unclear who is
Zuckerberg is trained
Musk joked about his secret

favourite to win the contest
punch-up
platform to rival Twitter
in martial arts
the most lucrative ever
somewhat
each other
weapon
per-view records
to amass the greatest riches

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

intensified
vie
challenge
rivals
platform
fist
amass
potential

Tech moguls and (1) _____________________ Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are used to trying to outdo each other in the business world. They (2) _____________________ with each other to (3) _____________________ the greatest riches or attract the most followers. Their rivalry (4) _____________________ somewhat earlier this week as the two multi-billionaires agreed to a (5) _____________________ fight. Twitter owner Mr Musk challenged Mr Zuckerberg to fisticuffs in a "cage match". Zuckerberg accepted the (6) _____________________. It is reported that the (7) _____________________ punch-up between the richest and tenth richest men in the world came about after Meta's Zuckerberg proposed to create a social media (8) _____________________ to rival Twitter. The fight could take place in a mixed martial arts octagon cage in Las Vegas.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

break
bout
arrange
move
viewers
weapon
lucrative
gold

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) could (9) _____________________ the fight. The UFC is an American mixed martial arts promotion company. Its president, Dana White, said the event could be the most (10) _____________________ ever. He said: "This would be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world….It would (11) _____________________ all pay-per-view records." He suggested (12) _____________________ might have to pay $100 to watch the Musk-Zuckerberg (13) _____________________. It is unclear who is favourite to win the contest. Zuckerberg is trained in martial arts and recently won (14) _____________________ in his first jiu-jitsu tournament. Musk joked about his secret (15) _____________________. He tweeted: "I have this great (16) _____________________ that I call 'The Walrus', where I just lie on top of my opponent and do nothing."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) moguls and rivals Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are used to trying to ______
     a. outdo each other
     b. out two each other
     c. ow to each other
     d. unto each other
2) They vie with each other to amass the greatest riches or ______
     a. retract the most
     b. at tract the most
     c. a tract the most
     d. attract the most
3) intensified somewhat earlier this week as the two multi-billionaires agreed to ______
     a. a fist flight
     b. a first flight
     c. a fist fight
     d. aphids fight
4) Twitter owner Mr Musk challenged Mr ______
     a. Zuckerberg tooth is decafs
     b. Zuckerberg to feisty coughs
     c. Zuckerberg to first teacups
   d. Zuckerberg to fisticuffs
5) Meta's Zuckerberg proposed to create a social media platform ______
     a. to rival Twitter
     b. to libel Twitter
     c. to rebel Twitter
     d. trivial Twitter

6) Its president, Dana White, said the event could be the ______
     a. most look creative ever
     b. most loo creative ever
     c. most lucrative ever
     d. most laxative ever
7) viewers might have to pay $100 to watch the ______
     a. Musk-Zuckerberg about
     b. Musk-Zuckerberg bout
     c. Musk-Zuckerberg boot
     d. Musk-Zuckerberg bloat
8) Zuckerberg is trained in martial arts and ______
     a. recently one golden
     b. recently won Goldie
     c. recently won gold
     d. recently one gold
9) Musk joked about ______
     a. his secret weapon
     b. his secretes weapon
     c. his seek Crete weapon
     d. hissy cretin weapon
10) I have this great move that I call 'The Walrus', where I just lie on top ______
     a. of my component
     b. of my opponent
     c. of my op pennant
     d. of my hippo meant

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Tech (1) ____________________ Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are used to trying to outdo each other in the business world. They (2) ____________________ other to amass the greatest riches or attract the most followers. Their rivalry intensified somewhat earlier this week as the two multi-billionaires agreed to (3) ____________________. Twitter owner Mr Musk challenged Mr Zuckerberg to fisticuffs in a "cage match". Zuckerberg accepted the challenge. It is reported that (4) ____________________ between the richest and tenth richest men in the world came about after Meta's Zuckerberg (5) ____________________ a social media platform to rival Twitter. The fight could take place in a mixed martial arts (6) ____________________ Las Vegas.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) could (7) ____________________. The UFC is an American mixed martial arts promotion company. Its president, Dana White, said the event could be the (8) ____________________. He said: "This would be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world….It would break all (9) ____________________ records." He suggested viewers might have to pay $100 to watch the Musk-Zuckerberg bout. It is unclear who is favourite to win the contest. Zuckerberg is trained in martial arts and (10) ____________________ in his first jiu-jitsu tournament. Musk joked about (11) ____________________. He tweeted: "I have this great move that I call 'The Walrus', where I just lie on top of my (12) ____________________ nothing."

Comprehension questions

Who are Musk and Zuckerberg trying to outdo?
What do Musk and Zuckerberg want to attract?
What did Elon Musk challenge Mark Zuckerberg to?
What did Mark Zuckerberg propose to create that would rival Twitter?
Where might the fight take place?
What kind of organization might organize the fight?
What might the fight break?
How much might people have to pay to see the fight on television?
In what martial art did Mark Zuckerberg win a tournament?
What does Elon Musk call his secret weapon?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who are Musk and Zuckerberg trying to outdo?
a) martial artists
b) other tech companies
c) each other
d) the UFC
2) What do Musk and Zuckerberg want to attract?
a) followers
b) fans
c) money
d) investment
3) What did Elon Musk challenge Mark Zuckerberg to?
a) a quiz
b) a cage match (fisticuffs)
c) a wrestling match
d) a boxing match
4) What did Mark Zuckerberg propose to create that would rival Twitter?
a) a video upload device
b) a new tech company
c) a dating platform
d) a social media platform
5) Where might the fight take place?
a) Le Havre
b) Los Alamos
c) Las Vegas
d) Los Angeles

6) What kind of organization might organize the fight?
a) the Fight Club
b) a mixed martial arts promotion company
c) a social media giant
d) a TV company
7) What might the fight break?
a) people's hearts
b) the Internet
c) new ground
d) pay-per-view records
8) How much might people have to pay to see the fight on television?
a) $10
b) $100
c) $1,000
d) $10,000
9) In what martial art did Mark Zuckerberg win a tournament?
a) judo
b) jiu-jitsu
c) karate
d) taekwondo
10) What does Elon Musk call his secret weapon?
a) The Walrus
b) The Egg Man
c) The Yellow Matter Custard
d) The Semolina Pilchard

Role play

Role A – Twitter
You think Twitter is the best social media platform. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their platforms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Facebook, TikTok or Instagram.

Role B – Facebook
You think Facebook is the best social media platform. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their platforms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Twitter, TikTok or Instagram.

Role C – TikTok
You think TikTok is the best social media platform. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their platforms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Role D – Instagram
You think Instagram is the best social media platform. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their platforms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Facebook, TikTok or Twitter.

After reading / listening

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

'cage'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'fight'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

rivals

amass

agreed

accepted

tenth

place

president

lucrative

break

unclear

gold

lie

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 - Cage Fights

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 'cage'?
What do you know about Mark Zuckerberg?
Who is your favourite tech mogul?
Do you ever try to outdo people?
Who do you have a rivalry with?
Are rivalries healthy or unhealthy?
What do you think of the tech moguls having a fight?
Which is better, Facebook or Twitter?
What advice do you have for Zuckerberg and Musk?

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 'fight'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you know about Elon Musk?
Would you like to see the two men fight?
Why would this fight be more lucrative than a boxing bout?
Who do you want to win the fight, and why?
Should all forms of fighting be banned?
What do you think of mixed martial arts?
What questions would you like to ask the two moguls?

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)

Tech (1) ____ and rivals Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are used to trying to outdo each other in the business world. They (2) ____ with each other to amass the greatest riches or attract the most followers. Their rivalry intensified (3) ____ earlier this week as the two multi-billionaires agreed to a fist fight. Twitter owner Mr Musk challenged Mr Zuckerberg (4) ____ fisticuffs in a "cage match". Zuckerberg accepted the challenge. It is reported that the potential punch-(5) ____ between the richest and tenth richest men in the world came about after Meta's Zuckerberg proposed to create a social media platform to rival Twitter. The fight could (6) ____ place in a mixed martial arts octagon cage in Las Vegas.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) could (7) ____ the fight. The UFC is an American mixed martial arts promotion company. Its president, Dana White, said the event could be the most (8) ____ ever. He said: "This would be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world….It would (9) ____ all pay-per-view records." He suggested viewers might have to pay $100 to watch the Musk-Zuckerberg bout. It is unclear who is (10) ____ to win the contest. Zuckerberg is trained in martial arts and recently won gold in his first jiu-jitsu tournament. Musk joked about his secret (11) ____. He tweeted: "I have this great move that I call 'The Walrus', where I just lie on top of my (12) ____ and do nothing.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) moguls (b) modules (c) modals (d) mobiles
(a) lie (b) hue (c) vie (d) due
(a) someone (b) somewhere (c) somewhat (d) something
(a) on (b) at (c) of (d) to
(a) up (b) on (c) in (d) down
(a) fake (b) take (c) bake (d) make
(a) strange (b) derange (c) estrange (d) arrange
(a) formative (b) lucrative (c) laxative (d) procreative
(a) snap (b) splinter (c) break (d) fracture
(a) idol (b) jewel (c) darling (d) favourite
(a) munitions (b) armament (c) hostility (d) weapon
(a) component (b) opponent (c) impotent (d) potentate

Spelling

Paragraph 1

Tech gosmlu and rivals
Their rivalry fnnteiesdii somewhat
challenged Mr Zuckerberg to ftiffcuiss
pdorosep to create a social media platform
take place in a mixed rtaialm arts
acoongt cage

Paragraph 2

be the most ceavtrlui ever
He suggested eeiwrsv might have to pay
watch the Musk-Zuckerberg ubto
won gold in his first jiu-jitsu ttnaumrneo
joked about his secret enwpao
I just lie on top of my otpopenn

Put the text back together

(...) records." He suggested viewers might have to pay $100 to watch the Musk-Zuckerberg bout. It is unclear who
(...) billionaires agreed to a fist fight. Twitter owner Mr Musk challenged Mr Zuckerberg to fisticuffs in a
( 1 ) Tech moguls and rivals Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are used to trying to outdo each
(...) other in the business world. They vie with each other to amass the greatest riches or attract
(...) The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) could arrange the fight. The UFC is an American mixed martial
(...) "cage match". Zuckerberg accepted the challenge. It is reported that the potential punch-
(...) is favourite to win the contest. Zuckerberg is trained in martial arts and recently won
(...) social media platform to rival Twitter. The fight could take place in a mixed martial arts octagon cage in Las Vegas.
(...) gold in his first jiu-jitsu tournament. Musk joked about his secret weapon. He tweeted: "I have this great
(...) the most followers. Their rivalry intensified somewhat earlier this week as the two multi-
(...) move that I call 'The Walrus', where I just lie on top of my opponent and do nothing."
(...) up between the richest and tenth richest men in the world came about after Meta's Zuckerberg proposed to create a
(...) ever. He said: "This would be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world….It would break all pay-per-view
(...) arts promotion company. Its president, Dana White, said the event could be the most lucrative

Put the words in the right order

other world in the each Outdo of business .
the riches . other amass Vie each with to
week . earlier intensified this somewhat rivalry Their
a agreed fist to The multi-billionaires fight . two
martial a place in Take octagon . mixed arts
most the The could ever . event be lucrative
records . would said pay-per-view He it all break
win . unclear to favourite is who is It
recently in won He first tournament . his gold
Walrus' . move This 'The that great call I

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Tech moguls and libels / rivals Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are used to trying to outdo / undo each other in the business world. They lie / vie with each other to amass the greatest riches or attract / detract the most followers. Their rivalry intensified somewhat earlier this week as the two multi-billionaires agreed to a mist / fist fight. Twitter owner Mr Musk challenged Mr Zuckerberg to fisticuffs in a "cage match". Zuckerberg incepted / accepted the challenge. It is reported that the portent / potential punch-up between the richest and tenth richest men in the world came around / about after Meta's Zuckerberg proposed to create a social media platform / stage to rival Twitter. The fight could take place in a mixed / fixed martial arts octagon cage in Las Vegas.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) could derange / arrange the fight. The UFC is an American mixed martial / Martian arts promotion company. Its president, Dana White, said the event could be the most laxative / lucrative ever. He said: "This would be the biggest fight ever in the history / historical of the world….It would break / snap all pay-per-view records." He suggested views / viewers might have to pay $100 to watch the Musk-Zuckerberg doubt / bout. It is unclear who is favourite to win the contest. Zuckerberg is trained in martial arts and recent / recently won gold in his first jiu-jitsu tournament. Musk joked about his secret weapon. He tweeted: "I have this great relocate / move that I call 'The Walrus', where I just lie on top of my opponent / component and do nothing."

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_ch m_g_ls _nd r_v_ls _l_n M_sk _nd M_rk Z_ck_rb_rg _r_ _s_d t_ try_ng t_ __td_ __ch _th_r _n th_ b_s_n_ss w_rld. Th_y v__ w_th __ch _th_r t_ _m_ss th_ gr__t_st r_ch_s _r _ttr_ct th_ m_st f_ll_w_rs. Th__r r_v_lry _nt_ns_f__d s_m_wh_t __rl__r th_s w__k _s th_ tw_ m_lt_-b_ll__n__r_s _gr__d t_ _ f_st f_ght. Tw_tt_r _wn_r Mr M_sk ch_ll_ng_d Mr Z_ck_rb_rg t_ f_st_c_ffs _n _ "c_g_ m_tch". Z_ck_rb_rg _cc_pt_d th_ ch_ll_ng_. _t _s r_p_rt_d th_t th_ p_t_nt__l p_nch-_p b_tw__n th_ r_ch_st _nd t_nth r_ch_st m_n _n th_ w_rld c_m_ _b__t _ft_r M_t_'s Z_ck_rb_rg pr_p_s_d t_ cr__t_ _ s_c__l m_d__ pl_tf_rm t_ r_v_l Tw_tt_r. Th_ f_ght c__ld t_k_ pl_c_ _n _ m_x_d m_rt__l _rts _ct_g_n c_g_ _n L_s V_g_s.

Th_ _lt_m_t_ F_ght_ng Ch_mp__nsh_p (_FC) c__ld _rr_ng_ th_ f_ght. Th_ _FC _s _n _m_r_c_n m_x_d m_rt__l _rts pr_m_t__n c_mp_ny. _ts pr_s_d_nt, D_n_ Wh_t_, s__d th_ _v_nt c__ld b_ th_ m_st l_cr_t_v_ _v_r. H_ s__d: "Th_s w__ld b_ th_ b_gg_st f_ght _v_r _n th_ h_st_ry _f th_ w_rld…._t w__ld br__k _ll p_y-p_r-v__w r_c_rds." H_ s_gg_st_d v__w_rs m_ght h_v_ t_ p_y $100 t_ w_tch th_ M_sk-Z_ck_rb_rg b__t. _t _s _ncl__r wh_ _s f_v__r_t_ t_ w_n th_ c_nt_st. Z_ck_rb_rg _s tr__n_d _n m_rt__l _rts _nd r_c_ntly w_n g_ld _n h_s f_rst j__-j_ts_ t__rn_m_nt. M_sk j_k_d _b__t h_s s_cr_t w__p_n. H_ tw__t_d: "_ h_v_ th_s gr__t m_v_ th_t _ c_ll 'Th_ W_lr_s', wh_r_ _ j_st l__ _n t_p _f my _pp_n_nt _nd d_ n_th_ng."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

tech moguls and rivals elon musk and mark zuckerberg are used to trying to outdo each other in the business world they vie with each other to amass the greatest riches or attract the most followers their rivalry intensified somewhat earlier this week as the two multibillionaires agreed to a fist fight twitter owner mr musk challenged mr zuckerberg to fisticuffs in a cage match zuckerberg accepted the challenge it is reported that the potential punchup between the richest and tenth richest men in the world came about after metas zuckerberg proposed to create a social media platform to rival twitter the fight could take place in a mixed martial arts octagon cage in las vegas

the ultimate fighting championship ufc could arrange the fight the ufc is an american mixed martial arts promotion company its president dana white said the event could be the most lucrative ever he said this would be the biggest fight ever in the history of the worldit would break all payperview records he suggested viewers might have to pay 100 to watch the muskzuckerberg bout it is unclear who is favourite to win the contest zuckerberg is trained in martial arts and recently won gold in his first jiujitsu tournament musk joked about his secret weapon he tweeted i have this great move that i call the walrus where i just lie on top of my opponent and do nothing

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TechmogulsandrivalsElonMuskandMarkZuckerbergareusedtotrying
tooutdoeachotherinthebusinessworld.Theyviewitheachothertoama
ssthegreatestrichesorattractthemostfollowers.Theirrivalryintensifie
dsomewhatearlierthisweekasthetwomulti-billionairesagreedtoafis
tfight.TwitterownerMrMuskchallengedMrZuckerbergtofisticuffsina"
cagematch".Zuckerbergacceptedthechallenge.Itisreportedthatthep
otentialpunch-upbetweentherichestandtenthrichestmenintheworl
dcameaboutafterMeta'sZuckerbergproposedtocreateasocialmediap
latformtorivalTwitter.Thefightcouldtakeplaceinamixedmartialartso
ctagoncageinLasVegas.TheUltimateFightingChampionship(UFC)co
uldarrangethefight.TheUFCisanAmericanmixedmartialartspromotio
ncompany.Itspresident,DanaWhite,saidtheeventcouldbethemostlu
crativeever.Hesaid:"Thiswouldbethebiggestfighteverinthehistoryof
theworld….Itwouldbreakallpay-per-viewrecords."Hesuggestedview
ersmighthavetopay$100towatchtheMusk-Zuckerbergbout.Itisuncl
earwhoisfavouritetowinthecontest.Zuckerbergistrainedinmartialart
sandrecentlywongoldinhisfirstjiu-jitsutournament.Muskjokedabou
thissecretweapon.Hetweeted:"IhavethisgreatmovethatIcall'TheWa
lrus',whereIjustlieontopofmyopponentanddonothing."

Free writing

Write about Zuckerberg-Musk cage fight for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

A cage fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg is a ridiculous idea. 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. TECH MOGULS: Make a poster about tech moguls. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. CAGE FIGHT: Write a magazine article about the proposed cage fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. 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 cage fights. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on these fights. 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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Breaking News English Lesson: Cage Fights

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