The Reading / Listening - Thunderbirds - Level 3

There is good news for fans of the 1960s TV show 'Thunderbirds'. Twenty-two cans of film of the classic show have been found at a house in a town near London, England. The house was owned by a former editor of Thunderbirds who passed away recently. The old video footage was given to the television production company Century 21 Films. This company created special 50th anniversary Thunderbirds shows in 2015. Century 21 spokesperson Stephen La Riviere said the newly found film contains unseen material from the 1960s. Mr Riviere said his company would restore the old films using digital technology. He hopes people can see the new footage in time for the 60th anniversary next year.

Thunderbirds was an instant hit in the 1960s. It is now a cult classic. The show was created by husband and wife team Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. They used a filming technique called Supermarionation to make the TV shows. This used puppets to create lifelike situations. The Andersons also used special effects and models of futuristic buildings and towns. Thunderbirds was filmed between 1964 and 1966. There were two series, which had 32 fifty-minute episodes. The show was set in the 2060s. It was about the adventures of a life-saving organization called International Rescue. The show is famous for its iconic music and its Thunderbirds spacecraft and machines.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Thunderbirds - Level 0 Thunderbirds - Level 1   or  Thunderbirds - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1e848ewnlno
  • https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/thunderbirds-unseen-episode-discovered-newsupdate/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbirds_(TV_series)


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. TV SHOWS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about TV shows. 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?
       good news / fan / the 1960s / film / TV company / digital technology / anniversary /
       Thunderbirds / cult / classic / husband and wife / technique / special effects / music
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. OLD SHOWS: Students A strongly believe old TV shows are better than new TV shows; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TV SHOWS: What are the best TV shows in the categories below? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Best?

Why?

Comedy

 

 

Action

 

 

Cartoon

 

 

Drama

 

 

Science Fiction

 

 

Knowledge

 

 

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

  • Cooking
  • Comedy
  • Fantasy
  • Science fiction
  • Music
  • News
  • Sport
  • Documentary

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. fan  (noun) a. Something that is very good and old, or loved for a long time.
      2. classic b. A gentle way to say someone has died.
      3. former c. A person who really likes something, like a TV show, movie, or music.
      4. passed away d. To make something look or work like it did before.
      5. anniversary e. A special day every year to remember something important.
      6. restore f. A video or part of a movie showing something.
      7. footage g. Something that was before, or from the past.

    Paragraph 2

      8. hit  (noun) h. Something or someone very famous and easy to recognize.
      9. cult i. Things in movies or TV that make things look real, like explosions or magic.
      10. puppet j. A group of TV shows or stories that are connected and continue over time.
      11. special effects k. Something that is very popular and liked by many people.
      12. series l. Something that a small group of people really like, even if it's not very popular.
      13. episode m. One part of a series or TV show.
      14. iconic n. A small figure made of cloth or wood that someone controls to make it move.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Two cans of film were discovered with new episodes of 'Thunderbirds'.     T / F
  2. Cans of film for the 'Thunderbirds' TV show were found in a film studio.   T / F
  3. The 50th anniversary of 'Thunderbirds' was in 2015.     T / F
  4. People might be able to see new material of 'Thunderbirds' next year.     T / F
  5. 'Thunderbirds' was created by a married couple.     T / F
  6. There were no actors in the TV show 'Thunderbirds'.     T / F
  7. There are fifty 32-minute episodes of 'Thunderbirds'.     T / F
  8. 'Thunderbirds' is famous for its calming music.     T / F

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

  1. fans
  2. former
  3. passed away
  4. restore
  5. anniversary
  6. hit
  7. lifelike
  8. episodes
  9. adventures
  10. famous
  1. realistic
  2. repair
  3. commemoration
  4. exploits
  5. shows
  6. previous
  7. well known
  8. enthusiasts
  9. success
  10. died

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

  1. There is good news for fans
  2. a former editor
  3. the newly found film contains
  4. restore the old films using
  5. in time for the 60th
  6. Thunderbirds was an instant hit
  7. It is now a cult
  8. This used puppets to create
  9. The show was set
  10. The show is famous
  1. unseen material
  2. classic
  3. anniversary next year
  4. lifelike situations
  5. of Thunderbirds
  6. for its iconic music
  7. of the 1960s TV show
  8. in the 2060s
  9. digital technology
  10. in the 1960s

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
passed
restore
fans
hopes
classic
newly
footage
special

There is good news for (1) _______________________________________________ of the 1960s TV show 'Thunderbirds'. Twenty-two cans of film of the (2) _______________________________________________ show have been found at a house in a town near London, England. The house was owned by a former editor of Thunderbirds who (3) _______________________________________________ away recently. The old video footage was given to the television production company Century 21 Films. This company created (4) _______________________________________________ 50th anniversary Thunderbirds shows in 2015. Century 21 spokesperson Stephen La Riviere said the (5) _______________________________________________ found film contains unseen material from the 1960s. Mr Riviere said his company would (6) _______________________________________________ the old films using digital technology. He (7) _______________________________________________ people can see the new (8) _______________________________________________ in time for the 60th anniversary next year.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
lifelike
set
iconic
futuristic
saving
hit
technique
series

Thunderbirds was an instant (9) _______________________________________________ in the 1960s. It is now a cult classic. The show was created by husband and wife team Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. They used a filming (10) _______________________________________________ called Supermarionation to make the TV shows. This used puppets to create (11) _______________________________________________ situations. The Andersons also used special effects and models of (12) _______________________________________________ buildings and towns. Thunderbirds was filmed between 1964 and 1966. There were two (13) _______________________________________________, which had 32 fifty-minute episodes. The show was (14) _______________________________________________ in the 2060s. It was about the adventures of a life- (15) _______________________________________________ organization called International Rescue. The show is famous for its (16) _______________________________________________ music and its Thunderbirds spacecraft and machines.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) There is good news for fans of the ______
     a.  1960s TV shown
     b.  1960s TV showing
     c.  1960s TV show
     d.  1960s TV shower
2)  The house was owned by a former editor of Thunderbirds who ______
     a.  passed away recent
     b.  passed away resent
     c.  passed away resending
     d.  passed away recently
3)  spokesperson Stephen La Riviere said the newly found film ______
     a.  contains unseeing material
     b.  contains non-seen material
     c.  contains unseen material
     d.  contains un-scene material
4)  Mr Riviere said his company would restore the old films ______
     a.  using digitally technology
     b.  using digital technology
     c.  using digital technological
     d.  using digit all technology
5)  He hopes people can see the new footage in time for ______
     a.  then 60 anniversary
     b.  the 60th anniversary
     c.  them 60th anniversary
     d.  the 60 anniversary

6)  This used puppets to ______
     a.  create lifelike situations
     b.  create lifelike situation
     c.  create life liked situations
     d.  create live like situations
7)  The Andersons also used special effects and models ______
     a.  off futuristic buildings
     b.  of futuristic buildings
     c.  if futuristic buildings
     d.  oft futuristic buildings
8)  There were two series, which had 32 ______
     a.  fifty-minute episode
     b.  fifty-minute episodic
     c.  fifty-minute epic sodas
     d.  fifty-minute episodes
9)  The show was set in the 2060s. It was about the adventures of a ______
     a.  life-save in organization
     b.  rife-saving organization
     c.  lite-saving organization
     d.  life-saving organization
10)  The show is famous for ______
     a.  its ironic music
     b.  its laconic music
     c.  its iconic music
     d.  its eye comic music

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

There is good (1) __________________________________________________ of the 1960s TV show 'Thunderbirds'. Twenty-two cans of film of the (2) __________________________________________________ been found at a house in a town near London, England. The house was owned by a former editor of Thunderbirds who passed away recently. The (3) __________________________________________________ was given to the television production company Century 21 Films. This (4) __________________________________________________ 50th anniversary Thunderbirds shows in 2015. Century 21 spokesperson Stephen La Riviere said the newly found film contains unseen material from the 1960s. Mr Riviere said his company (5) __________________________________________________ old films using digital technology. He hopes people can see the new footage in time for the 60th (6) __________________________________________________.

Thunderbirds was an (7) __________________________________________________ the 1960s. It is now a cult classic. The show was created by husband and wife team Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. They used (8) __________________________________________________ called Supermarionation to make the TV shows. This used puppets to create lifelike situations. The Andersons also (9) __________________________________________________ and models of futuristic buildings and towns. Thunderbirds was filmed between 1964 and 1966. There (10) __________________________________________________, which had 32 fifty-minute episodes. The show was set in the 2060s. It was about the (11) __________________________________________________ life-saving organization called International Rescue. The show is famous for its (12) __________________________________________________ its Thunderbirds spacecraft and machines.

Comprehension questions

  1. Who is there good news for?
  2. How many cans of Thunderbirds film were found?
  3. Who died recently?
  4. What will Century 21 Films use to restore the old films?
  5. When is the 60th anniversary of Thunderbirds?
  6. What was the relationship of the two creators of Thunderbirds?
  7. What is the name of the technique used to make Thunderbirds?
  8. When was Thunderbirds filmed?
  9. In what decade was Thunderbirds set?
  10. What was the music of Thunderbirds like?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who is there good news for?
a) TV companies
b) film companies
c) fans of 1970s TV
d) Thunderbirds fans
2) How many cans of Thunderbirds film were found?
a) 21
b) 22
c) 23
d) 24
3) Who died recently?
a) Parker
b) a Thunderbirds producer
c) a Thunderbirds voice actor
d) the former Thunderbirds editor
4) What will Century 21 Films use to restore the old films?
a) 1960s technology
b) a technology company
c) digital technology
d) Supermarionation
5) When is the 60th anniversary of Thunderbirds?
a) 2028
b) 2027
c) 2026
d) 2025

6) What was the relationship of the two creators of Thunderbirds?
a) father and daughter
b) siblings
c) husband and wife
d) mother and son
7) What is the name of the technique used to make Thunderbirds?
a) Supermarionation
b) Claymation
c) Puppetronics
d) digital imaging
8) When was Thunderbirds filmed?
a) between 1963-1965
b) between 1966-1968
c) between 1964-1966
d) between 1960-1966
9) In what decade was Thunderbirds set?
a) the 2050s
b) the 2060s
c) the 2070s
d) the 2080s
10) What was the music of Thunderbirds like?
a) iconic
b) like hip-hop
c) calming
d) classical

Role play

Role  A – Cooking
You think cooking shows are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their shows. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these shows (and why): comedy, music or sports.

Role  B – Comedy
You think comedy shows are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their shows. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these shows (and why): cooking, music or sports.

Role  C – Music
You think music shows are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their shows. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these shows (and why): comedy, cooking or sports.

Role  D – Sports
You think sports shows are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their shows. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these shows (and why): comedy, music or cooking.

After reading / listening

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

'television'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'video'.

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

    • fans
    • near
    • passed
    • 50
    • 2015
    • 60
    • cult
    • team
    • create
    • towns
    • 32
    • famous

    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 - Thunderbirds

    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 'TV'?
    3. What do you know about the 1960s?
    4. What do you know about the TV show 'Thunderbirds'?
    5. What are your favourite TV shows?
    6. What TV shows did you like when you were a child?
    7. What do you think of old TV shows?
    8. What old TV shows would you like to see again?
    9. Are TV shows or movies best?
    10. Are old TV shows better than new ones?

    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 'video'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What classic shows do you know of?
    5. What do you think of TV shows that use puppets?
    6. How much do you like science fiction?
    7. What will TV shows be like in the future?
    8. What will life be like in the 1960s?
    9. What shows have the best music?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the TV company?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    There is good news for (1) ____ of the 1960s TV show 'Thunderbirds'. Twenty-two cans of film of the classic show have been found at a house in a town (2) ____ London, England. The house was owned by a former editor of Thunderbirds who passed away recently. The old video (3) ____ was given to the television production company Century 21 Films. This company created special 50th anniversary Thunderbirds shows in 2015. Century 21 spokesperson Stephen La Riviere said the newly (4) ____ film contains unseen material (5) ____ the 1960s. Mr Riviere said his company would restore the old films using digital technology. He hopes people can see the new footage (6) ____ time for the 60th anniversary next year.

    Thunderbirds was an instant (7) ____ in the 1960s. It is now a cult classic. The show was created by husband and wife team Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. They used a filming technique called Supermarionation (8) ____ make the TV shows. This used puppets to create lifelike situations. The Andersons also used special effects and models (9) ____ futuristic buildings and towns. Thunderbirds was filmed between 1964 and 1966. There were two series, which had 32 fifty-minute episodes. The show was (10) ____ in the 2060s. It was about the adventures (11) ____ a life-saving organization called International Rescue. The show is famous for its (12) ____ music and its Thunderbirds spacecraft and machines.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     fines     (b)     fens     (c)     fins     (d)     fans    
    2. (a)     neared     (b)     nears     (c)     nearly     (d)     near    
    3. (a)     feet     (b)     footage     (c)     footing     (d)     footfall    
    4. (a)     find     (b)     finds     (c)     found     (d)     fund    
    5. (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     from     (d)     by    
    6. (a)     time     (b)     tome     (c)     tame     (d)     temp    
    7. (a)     whack     (b)     hit     (c)     punch     (d)     slap    
    8. (a)     to     (b)     for     (c)     by     (d)     at    
    9. (a)     to     (b)     of     (c)     on     (d)     by    
    10. (a)     let     (b)     met     (c)     set     (d)     get    
    11. (a)     to     (b)     together     (c)     of     (d)     but    
    12. (a)     laconic     (b)     ironic     (c)     ionic     (d)     iconic

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. film of the scalcis show
    2. owned by a former oietdr
    3. passed away rtcneeyl
    4. unseen mlaraiet from the 1960s
    5. people can see the new ooefatg
    6. in time for the 60th rnarvyesina

    Paragraph 2

    1. Thunderbirds was an istnnta hit in the 1960s
    2. It is now a cult ilasccs
    3. They used a filming eechitqun
    4. This used puppets to create ifikllee situations
    5. models of trsuicufit buildings
    6. famous for its cciion music

    Put the text back together

    (...)  of a life-saving organization called International Rescue. The show is famous
    (...)  editor of Thunderbirds who passed away recently. The old video footage was given to the television production
    (...)  by husband and wife team Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. They used a filming technique called Supermarionation to
    (...)  Thunderbirds was an instant hit in the 1960s. It is now a cult classic. The show was created
    (...)  spokesperson Stephen La Riviere said the newly found film contains unseen material from the
    (...)  make the TV shows. This used puppets to create lifelike situations. The Andersons also used special
    (...)  show have been found at a house in a town near London, England. The house was owned by a former
    (...)  for its iconic music and its Thunderbirds spacecraft and machines.
    (...)  1960s. Mr Riviere said his company would restore the old films using digital
    (...)  effects and models of futuristic buildings and towns. Thunderbirds was filmed between 1964 and 1966. There were two
    (...)  technology. He hopes people can see the new footage in time for the 60th anniversary next year.
    (  1  ) There is good news for fans of the 1960s TV show 'Thunderbirds'. Twenty-two cans of film of the classic
    (...)  series, which had 32 fifty-minute episodes. The show was set in the 2060s. It was about the adventures
    (...)  company Century 21 Films. This company created special 50th anniversary Thunderbirds shows in 2015. Century 21

    Put the words in the right order

    1. fans   There's   the   for   1960s   .   of   good   news
    2. a   The   owned   house   by   former   was   editor   .
    3. contains   newly   The   unseen   found   film   material   .
    4. technology   .   restore   old   digital   It'll   the   using   films
    5. the   He   can   footage   .   see   hopes   new   people
    6. an   was   in   instant   hit   Thunderbirds   1960s   .   the
    7. They   called   a   technique   filming   used   Supermarionation   .
    8. situations   .   lifelike   create   to   used   This   puppets
    9. It's   a   organization   .   of   life-saving   adventures   about   the
    10. is   The   show   iconic   music   .   famous   for   its

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    There is good news for fan / fans of the 1960s TV show 'Thunderbirds'. Twenty-two cans of film of / at the classic show have been found at a house in a town nearly / near London, England. The house was owned by a firmer / former editor of Thunderbirds who passed away recently / recent. The old video footage was given to the television production company / companion Century 21 Films. This company created specially / special 50th anniversary Thunderbirds shows in 2015. Century 21 spokesperson Stephen La Riviere said the newly / newsy found film contains unseen material from the 1960s. Mr Riviere said his company would restore / storage the old films using digital technology. He hopes people can see the new footage in time / times for the 60th anniversary next year.

    Thunderbirds was an instantly / instant hit in the 1960s. It is now a cult classic. The show / shown was created by husband and wife teams / team Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. They used a filming technique called Supermarionation to make / fake the TV shows. This used puppets to create lifetime / lifelike situations. The Andersons also used special effects / affects and models of futuristic buildings and towns / town. Thunderbirds was filmed between 1964 and 1966. There were two serious / series, which had 32 fifty-minute episodes. The show was set in the 2060s. It was about the adventures to / of a life-saving organization called International Rescue. The show is famous for its ironic / iconic music and its Thunderbirds spacecraft and machines.

    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)

    Th_r_  _s  g__d  n_ws  f_r  f_ns  _f  th_  1960s  TV  sh_w  'Th_nd_rb_rds'.  Tw_nty-tw_  c_ns  _f  f_lm  _f  th_  cl_ss_c  sh_w  h_v_  b__n  f__nd  _t  _  h__s_  _n  _  t_wn  n__r  L_nd_n,  _ngl_nd.  Th_  h__s_  w_s  _wn_d  by  _  f_rm_r  _d_t_r  _f  Th_nd_rb_rds  wh_  p_ss_d  _w_y  r_c_ntly.  Th_  _ld  v_d__  f__t_g_  w_s  g_v_n  t_  th_  t_l_v_s__n  pr_d_ct__n  c_mp_ny  C_nt_ry  21  F_lms.  Th_s  c_mp_ny  cr__t_d  sp_c__l  50th  _nn_v_rs_ry  Th_nd_rb_rds  sh_ws  _n  2015.  C_nt_ry  21  sp_k_sp_rs_n  St_ph_n  L_  R_v__r_  s__d  th_  n_wly  f__nd  f_lm  c_nt__ns  _ns__n  m_t_r__l  fr_m  th_  1960s.  Mr  R_v__r_  s__d  h_s  c_mp_ny  w__ld  r_st_r_  th_  _ld  f_lms  _s_ng  d_g_t_l  t_chn_l_gy.  H_  h_p_s  p__pl_  c_n  s__  th_  n_w  f__t_g_  _n  t_m_  f_r  th_  60th  _nn_v_rs_ry  n_xt  y__r.

    Th_nd_rb_rds  w_s  _n  _nst_nt  h_t  _n  th_  1960s.  _t  _s  n_w  _  c_lt  cl_ss_c.  Th_  sh_w  w_s  cr__t_d  by  h_sb_nd  _nd  w_f_  t__m  G_rry  _nd  Sylv__  _nd_rs_n.  Th_y  _s_d  _  f_lm_ng  t_chn_q__  c_ll_d  S_p_rm_r__n_t__n  t_  m_k_  th_  TV  sh_ws.  Th_s  _s_d  p_pp_ts  t_  cr__t_  l_f_l_k_  s_t__t__ns.  Th_  _nd_rs_ns  _ls_  _s_d  sp_c__l  _ff_cts  _nd  m_d_ls  _f  f_t_r_st_c  b__ld_ngs  _nd  t_wns.  Th_nd_rb_rds  w_s  f_lm_d  b_tw__n  1964  _nd  1966.  Th_r_  w_r_  tw_  s_r__s,  wh_ch  h_d  32  f_fty-m_n_t_  _p_s_d_s.  Th_  sh_w  w_s  s_t  _n  th_  2060s.  _t  w_s  _b__t  th_  _dv_nt_r_s  _f  _  l_f_-s_v_ng  _rg_n_z_t__n  c_ll_d  _nt_rn_t__n_l  R_sc__.  Th_  sh_w  _s  f_m__s  f_r  _ts  _c_n_c  m_s_c  _nd  _ts  Th_nd_rb_rds  sp_c_cr_ft  _nd  m_ch_n_s.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    there is good news for fans of the 1960s tv show thunderbirds twentytwo cans of film of the classic show have been found at a house in a town near london england the house was owned by a former editor of thunderbirds who passed away recently the old video footage was given to the television production company century 21 films this company created special 50th anniversary thunderbirds shows in 2015 century 21 spokesperson stephen la riviere said the newly found film contains unseen material from the 1960s mr riviere said his company would restore the old films using digital technology he hopes people can see the new footage in time for the 60th anniversary next year

    thunderbirds was an instant hit in the 1960s it is now a cult classic the show was created by husband and wife team gerry and sylvia anderson they used a filming technique called supermarionation to make the tv shows this used puppets to create lifelike situations the andersons also used special effects and models of futuristic buildings and towns thunderbirds was filmed between 1964 and 1966 there were two series which had 32 fiftyminute episodes the show was set in the 2060s it was about the adventures of a lifesaving organization called international rescue the show is famous for its iconic music and its thunderbirds spacecraft and machines

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Thereisgoodnewsforfansofthe1960sTVshow'Thunderbirds'.Twenty-
    twocansoffilmoftheclassicshowhavebeenfoundatahouseinatownnea
    rLondon,England.ThehousewasownedbyaformereditorofThunderbi
    rdswhopassedawayrecently.Theoldvideofootagewasgiventothetele
    visionproductioncompanyCentury21Films.Thiscompanycreatedspe
    cial50thanniversaryThunderbirdsshowsin2015.Century21spokespe
    rsonStephenLaRivieresaidthenewlyfoundfilmcontainsunseenmateri
    alfromthe1960s.MrRivieresaidhiscompanywouldrestoretheoldfilms
    usingdigitaltechnology.Hehopespeoplecanseethenewfootageintime
    forthe60thanniversarynextyear.Thunderbirdswasaninstanthitinthe
    1960s.Itisnowacultclassic.Theshowwascreatedbyhusbandandwifet
    eamGerryandSylviaAnderson.TheyusedafilmingtechniquecalledSu
    permarionationtomaketheTVshows.Thisusedpuppetstocreatelifelik
    esituations.TheAndersonsalsousedspecialeffectsandmodelsoffuturi
    sticbuildingsandtowns.Thunderbirdswasfilmedbetween1964and19
    66.Thereweretwoseries,whichhad32fifty-minuteepisodes.Theshow
    wassetinthe2060s.Itwasabouttheadventuresofalife-savingorganiz
    ationcalledInternationalRescue.Theshowisfamousforitsiconicmusic
    anditsThunderbirdsspacecraftandmachines.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Old TV shows are better than new TV shows. 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. TV SHOWS: Make a poster about TV shows. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. SCIENCE FICTION: Write a magazine article about science fiction always becoming science fact. Include imaginary interviews with people who agree and disagree with 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 TV shows. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on the best shows. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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