Breaking News English Lesson: Alcatraz

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Donald Trump may reopen Alcatraz as a prison (8th May 2025)

The Reading / Listening - Alcatraz - Level 3

US President Donald Trump says he wants to reopen the famous prison Alcatraz. The prison is on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay. The jail was in use between 1934 and 1963. It was used to house high-profile prisoners. These included the gangsters Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Officially, no one ever escaped alive from the prison. In 1973, Alcatraz opened to the public and became a tourist attraction. President Trump wants the island to return to housing dangerous criminals. Trump said: "Alcatraz represents something very strong, very powerful." He wants it to be a symbol of law and order. He added: "America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders."

The USA's head of border control, Tom Homan, liked the idea of reopening Alcatraz as a prison. He said it could be "an option for significant public safety threats and national security threats". However, some people think Alcatraz should not become a prison again. Hugh Hurwitz, a former acting director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, disagreed with the idea. He told the BBC: "It's not realistic to think you can repair it. You'd have to tear it up and start over." He said the island needed too many repairs and that some buildings are "literally falling apart". He pointed out some problems. He said: "There are no security upgrades. No cameras. No fencing. You can't run a prison [like that]."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Alcatraz - Level 0, Alcatraz - Level 1 or Alcatraz - Level 2

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly5d9yzr7wo
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/05/us/trump-alcatraz-prison-history-hnk
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/05/nx-s1-5387239/trump-alcatraz-reopen

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. PRISON: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about prison. 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?
Alcatraz / island / prisoners / prison / gangsters / tourist attraction / symbol / law /
border control / safety threat / repairs / buildings / security / cameras / fencing
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SOLITARY CONFINEMENT: Students A strongly believe solitary confinement is the best punishment for criminals; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CRIMES: How serious are the crimes in the table below? What is the best punishment for them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Seriousness	Punishment
Burglary
Shoplifting
Pickpocketing
Speeding
Littering
Public disorder

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

Prison
Fines
House arrest
Death penalty
Community service
Ankle tags
Chain gangs
Police warnings

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	island	a.	Very bad and mean; wanting to hurt someone.
2.	house (verb)	b.	Very well known; many people talk about it.
3.	high-profile	c.	Got away from a place, like a jail.
4.	prisoners	d.	Land with water all around it.
5.	escaped	e.	Had many problems or troubles.
6.	plagued	f.	Give someone or something a place to live or stay.
7.	vicious	g.	People kept in jail.

Paragraph 2

8.	option	h.	From before; not now.
9.	significant	i.	Fix something that is broken.
10.	threats	j.	Control or manage something like a shop, department or public service.
11.	former	k.	Important or big.
12.	repair	l.	Breaking or not working anymore.
13.	falling apart	m.	Things that can cause danger or harm.
14.	run	n.	A choice; something you can choose.

Before reading / listening

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

Donald Trump will reopen the Alcatraz prison next week. T / F
Alcatraz was used as a prison for more than 100 years. T / F
Alcatraz is now a place that attracts tourists. T / F
President Trump said Alcatraz was a symbol of crime and violence. T / F
The USA's head of border control is against reopening Alcatraz. T / F
An ex-Federal Bureau of Prisons worker wants to reopen Alcatraz. T / F
Alcatraz needs many repairs. T / F
There are no cameras at Alcatraz. T / F

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

famous
prison
escaped
return
symbol
head
threats
repair
falling apart
run

dangers
go back
sign
got away (from)
breaking up
well known
operate
boss
jail
fix

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

The prison is on a
The jail was in use between
It was used to house high-
no one ever escaped
a symbol of law
national security
the island needed too many
some buildings are literally falling
He pointed
You can't run a

profile prisoners
out some problems
and order
prison like that
1934 and 1963
alive from the prison
apart
rocky island
repairs
threats

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

prisoners
dangerous
rocky
repeat
use
symbol
attraction
alive

US President Donald Trump says he wants to reopen the famous prison Alcatraz. The prison is on a (1) ______________________________________________ island in San Francisco Bay. The jail was in (2) ______________________________________________ between 1934 and 1963. It was used to house high-profile (3) ______________________________________________. These included the gangsters Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Officially, no one ever escaped (4) ______________________________________________ from the prison. In 1973, Alcatraz opened to the public and became a tourist (5) ______________________________________________. President Trump wants the island to return to housing (6) ______________________________________________ criminals. Trump said: "Alcatraz represents something very strong, very powerful." He wants it to be a (7) ______________________________________________ of law and order. He added: "America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and (8) ______________________________________________ criminal offenders."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

threats
repair
run
border
upgrades
disagreed
option
buildings

The USA's head of (9) ______________________________________________ control, Tom Homan, liked the idea of reopening Alcatraz as a prison. He said it could be "an (10) ______________________________________________ for significant public safety threats and national security (11) ______________________________________________". However, some people think Alcatraz should not become a prison again. Hugh Hurwitz, a former acting director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, (12) ______________________________________________ with the idea. He told the BBC: "It's not realistic to think you can (13) ______________________________________________ it. You'd have to tear it up and start over." He said the island needed too many repairs and that some (14) ______________________________________________ are "literally falling apart". He pointed out some problems. He said: "There are no security (15) ______________________________________________. No cameras. No fencing. You can't (16) ______________________________________________ a prison [like that]."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) US President Donald Trump says he wants to reopen ______
     a. the famously prison
     b. the infamously prison
     c. infamously prison
     d. the famous prison
2) In 1973, Alcatraz opened to the public and became ______
     a. a tourist attracting
     b. a tourist attract shun
     c. a tourist attraction
     d. a touristy attraction
3) President Trump wants the island to return to ______
     a. house in dangerous criminals
     b. housing dangerously criminals
     c. housing dangerous criminals
     d. housing dangerous criminal
4) He wants it to be a symbol of ______
     a. law and order
     b. law end order
     c. law an dawdle
     d. law an doodle
5) America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and ______
     a. repeats criminal offenders
     b. repeat criminals offenders
     c. repeat criminal offender
     d. repeat criminal offenders

6) He said it could be an option for significant ______
     a. public safe tee threats
     b. public safely threats
     c. public safety threats
     d. public safe tea threats
7) a former acting director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, disagreed ______
     a. wither the idea
     b. within the idea
     c. withers the idea
     d. with the idea
8) You'd have to tear it up ______
     a. and start over
     b. and start under
     c. and start outer
     d. and start inner
9) the island needed too many repairs and that some buildings are ______
     a. literally falling a part
     b. literally falling apart
     c. literally falling apartment
     d. literally falling app art
10) There are no security upgrades. No cameras. No fencing. You can't run a ______
     a. prison likes that
     b. prison liked that
     c. prison like what
     d. prison like that

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

US President Donald Trump says he wants to (1) __________________________________________________ prison Alcatraz. The prison is on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay. The jail was in use between 1934 and 1963. It was (2) __________________________________________________ high-profile prisoners. These included the gangsters Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Officially, no one (3) __________________________________________________ from the prison. In 1973, Alcatraz opened to the public and became a tourist attraction. President Trump wants the island to (4) __________________________________________________ dangerous criminals. Trump said: "Alcatraz represents something very strong, very powerful." He wants it to be a symbol of (5) __________________________________________________. He added: "America has been plagued by vicious, violent, (6) __________________________________________________ offenders."

The USA's head (7) __________________________________________________, Tom Homan, liked the idea of reopening Alcatraz as a prison. He said it could be "(8) __________________________________________________ significant public safety threats and national security threats". However, some people think Alcatraz should not become a prison again. Hugh Hurwitz, (9) __________________________________________________ director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, disagreed with the idea. He told the BBC: "It's not realistic to think you can repair it. You'd have to (10) __________________________________________________ and start over." He said the island needed too many repairs and that some buildings are "(11) __________________________________________________". He pointed out some problems. He said: "There are no security upgrades. No cameras. No fencing. You can't (12) __________________________________________________ [like that]."

Comprehension questions

What kind of island is Alcatraz on?
Who was George "Machine Gun" Kelly?
How many prisoners successfully escaped from Alcatraz?
When did Alcatraz become a tourist attraction?
What does President Trump want Alcatraz to be a symbol of?
What is Tom Homan's job?
Where did Hugh Hurwitz used to work?
What did Hugh Hurwitz say the island needed?
What did Hugh Hurwitz say was happening to the buildings on Alcatraz?
What did Hugh Hurwitz say there was a lack of on Alcatraz?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of island is Alcatraz on?
a) an isolated island
b) a deserted one
c) a paradise island
d) a rocky one
2) Who was George "Machine Gun" Kelly?
a) a prison boss
b) a gangster
c) a government worker
d) a builder
3) How many prisoners successfully escaped from Alcatraz?
a) many
b) a few
c) none
d) one
4) When did Alcatraz become a tourist attraction?
a) 1973
b) 1934
c) 1963
d) 1983
5) What does President Trump want Alcatraz to be a symbol of?
a) light and dark
b) goodness and light
c) law and order
d) peace and harmony

6) What is Tom Homan's job?
a) the USA's head of immigration
b) the USA's head of border control
c) the USA's head of prisons
d) the USA's head of farming
7) Where did Hugh Hurwitz used to work?
a) the Federal Bureau of Investigation
b) the Federal Bureau of Border Control
c) the Federal Bureau of Prisons
d) the Federal Bureau of Farming
8) What did Hugh Hurwitz say the island needed?
a) many repairs
b) shops
c) apartments
d) machine guns
9) What did Hugh Hurwitz say was happening to the buildings on Alcatraz?
a) They are selling fast.
b) They are sinking.
c) They are falling apart.
d) They are becoming full of rats.
10) What did Hugh Hurwitz say there was a lack of on Alcatraz?
a) restaurants, stores and cafes
b) security upgrades, cameras and fencing
c) prison officers and police officers
d) street lights and roads

Role play

Role A – Prison
You think prison is the worst punishment. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their punishments aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least bad of these (and why): fines, community service or chain gangs.

Role B – Fines
You think fines are the worst punishment. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their punishments aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least bad of these (and why): prison, community service or chain gangs.

Role C – Community Service
You think community service is the worst punishment. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their punishments aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least bad of these (and why): fines, prison or chain gangs.

Role D – Chain Gangs
You think chain gangs are the worst punishment. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their punishments aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least bad of these (and why): fines, community service or prison.

After reading / listening

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

'island'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'prison'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

famous

house

alive

return

strong

repeat

border

option

former

repair

falling

run

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 - Alcatraz

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 'prison'?
What do you know about Alcatraz?
What is the purpose of prisons?
What are prisons like in your country?
What should happen to gangsters and dangerous criminals?
How long should a prisoner stay in their cell each day?
Are prisons the best way to punish people?
Is crime a big problem in your country?
Should all prisons be on islands?

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 'island'?
What do you think about what you read?
Should Alcatraz be reopened as a prison?
What do you think life inside a prison is like?
What are your favourite movies about prisons?
What do you think when people escape from prisons?
Should prisons stop people from committing crimes?
What will prisons be like in the future?
What questions would you like to ask the prison authorities?

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)

US President Donald Trump says he wants to reopen the (1) ____ prison Alcatraz. The prison is on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay. The jail was (2) ____ use between 1934 and 1963. It was used to (3) ____ high-profile prisoners. These included the gangsters Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Officially, no one ever escaped (4) ____ from the prison. In 1973, Alcatraz opened to the public and became a tourist attraction. President Trump wants the island to return to housing (5) ____ criminals. Trump said: "Alcatraz represents something very strong, very powerful." He wants it to be a symbol (6) ____ law and order. He added: "America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders."

The USA's head of border control, Tom Homan, liked the idea (7) ____ reopening Alcatraz as a prison. He said it could be "an option for significant public safety (8) ____ and national security threats". However, some people think Alcatraz should not become a prison again. Hugh Hurwitz, a former acting director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, disagreed (9) ____ the idea. He told the BBC: "It's not realistic to think you can repair it. You'd have to tear it (10) ____ and start over." He said the island needed too many repairs and that some buildings are "literally (11) ____ apart". He pointed out some problems. He said: "There are no security upgrades. No cameras. No fencing. You can't (12) ____ a prison [like that]."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) famous (b) famously (c) fame (d) family
(a) at (b) to (c) in (d) by
(a) home (b) accommodation (c) house (d) rent
(a) lived (b) lively (c) live (d) alive
(a) danger (b) endanger (c) dangerous (d) endangered
(a) at (b) of (c) on (d) to
(a) at (b) of (c) on (d) up
(a) threatens (b) threats (c) treats (d) treaties
(a) at (b) on (c) with (d) to
(a) at (b) on (c) of (d) up
(a) feel (b) falls (c) fell (d) falling
(a) hop (b) walk (c) run (d) jump

Spelling

Paragraph 1

reopen the ufasmo prison Alcatraz
high-erpfiol prisoners
These included the eggsarsnt
no one ever pecseda alive from the prison
a otisurt attraction
a lbsoym of law and order

Paragraph 2

The USA's head of rrodbe control
public safety ahtrtse
a mrrfeo acting director
It's not lriacteis to think you can
buildings are "leytllira falling apart
There are no euiyrtcs upgrade

Put the text back together

(    )    alive from the prison. In 1973, Alcatraz opened to the public and became a tourist
(    )    and order. He added: "America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders."
(    )    attraction. President Trump wants the island to return to housing dangerous
(    )    criminals. Trump said: "Alcatraz represents something very strong, very powerful." He wants it to be a symbol of law
(    )    island in San Francisco Bay. The jail was in use between 1934 and 1963. It was used to house high-
(    )    it. You'd have to tear it up and start over." He said the island needed too many
(    )    of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, disagreed with the idea. He told the BBC: "It's not realistic to think you can repair
(    )    out some problems. He said: "There are no security upgrades. No cameras. No fencing. You can't run a prison [like that]."
(    )    prison. He said it could be "an option for significant public safety threats and national security
(    )    profile prisoners. These included the gangsters Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Officially, no one ever escaped
(    )    repairs and that some buildings are "literally falling apart". He pointed
(    )    The USA's head of border control, Tom Homan, liked the idea of reopening Alcatraz as a
(    )    threats". However, some people think Alcatraz should not become a prison again. Hugh Hurwitz, a former acting director
( 1 )   US President Donald Trump says he wants to reopen the famous prison Alcatraz. The prison is on a rocky

Put the words in the right order

He reopen wants famous to Alcatraz prison the .
The is prison rocky a island on .
It house used prisoners was high-profile to .
In Alcatraz public the to 1973, opened .
He it wants symbol be to a .
He idea Alcatraz reopening the liked of .
People Alcatraz become should not think prison a .
It's realistic not think can to you .
He island too repairs needed said the many .
He buildings some literally said apart are falling .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

US President Donald Trump says he wants to reopen the famously / famous prison Alcatraz. The prison is on / in a rocky island in San Francisco Bay. The jail was in / on use between 1934 and 1963. It was used to house / home high-profile prisoners. These included the gangsters Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Officially / Official, no one ever escaped alive from the prison. In 1973, Alcatraz opened to the private / public and became a tourist attraction. President Trump wants the island to return to housing dangerous criminal / criminals. Trump said: "Alcatraz represents something very strong, very power / powerful." He wants it to be a symbol of law and order. He added: "America has been plagued by / on vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offences / offenders."

The USA's head of border / bordering control, Tom Homan, liked the idea of reopening Alcatraz was / as a prison. He said it could be "an option at / for significant public safety threats and national security threats / treats". However, some people think Alcatraz should not become a prison again. Hugh Hurwitz, a former actor / acting director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, disagreed with the idea. He said / told the BBC: "It's not realistic to think you can repair it / them. You'd have to tear it up and start / finish over." He said the island needed too many repairs and that some buildings are "literally feeling / falling apart". He pointed out some problems. He said: "There are no security upgrades. No cameras. No fencing. You can't run / ran a prison."

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)

_S Pr_s_d_nt D_n_ld Tr_mp s_ys h_ w_nts t_ r__p_n th_ f_m__s pr_s_n _lc_tr_z. Th_ pr_s_n _s _n _ r_cky _sl_nd _n S_n Fr_nc_sc_ B_y. Th_ j__l w_s _n _s_ b_tw__n 1934 _nd 1963. _t w_s _s_d t_ h__s_ h_gh-pr_f_l_ pr_s_n_rs. Th_s_ _ncl_d_d th_ g_ngst_rs _l C_p_n_ _nd G__rg_ "M_ch_n_ G_n" K_lly. _ff_c__lly, n_ _n_ _v_r _sc_p_d _l_v_ fr_m th_ pr_s_n. _n 1973, _lc_tr_z _p_n_d t_ th_ p_bl_c _nd b_c_m_ _ t__r_st _ttr_ct__n. Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp w_nts th_ _sl_nd t_ r_t_rn t_ h__s_ng d_ng_r__s cr_m_n_ls. Tr_mp s__d: "_lc_tr_z r_pr_s_nts s_m_th_ng v_ry str_ng, v_ry p_w_rf_l." H_ w_nts _t t_ b_ _ symb_l _f l_w _nd _rd_r. H_ _dd_d: "_m_r_c_ h_s b__n pl_g__d by v_c___s, v__l_nt, _nd r_p__t cr_m_n_l _ff_nd_rs."

Th_ _S_'s h__d _f b_rd_r c_ntr_l, T_m H_m_n, l_k_d th_ _d__ _f r__p_n_ng _lc_tr_z _s _ pr_s_n. H_ s__d _t c__ld b_ "_n _pt__n f_r s_gn_f_c_nt p_bl_c s_f_ty thr__ts _nd n_t__n_l s_c_r_ty thr__ts". H_w_v_r, s_m_ p__pl_ th_nk _lc_tr_z sh__ld n_t b_c_m_ _ pr_s_n _g__n. H_gh H_rw_tz, _ f_rm_r _ct_ng d_r_ct_r _f th_ F_d_r_l B_r___ _f Pr_s_ns, d_s_gr__d w_th th_ _d__. H_ t_ld th_ BBC: "_t's n_t r__l_st_c t_ th_nk y__ c_n r_p__r _t. Y__'d h_v_ t_ t__r _t _p _nd st_rt _v_r." H_ s__d th_ _sl_nd n__d_d t__ m_ny r_p__rs _nd th_t s_m_ b__ld_ngs _r_ "l_t_r_lly f_ll_ng _p_rt". H_ p__nt_d __t s_m_ pr_bl_ms. H_ s__d: "Th_r_ _r_ n_ s_c_r_ty _pgr_d_s. N_ c_m_r_s. N_ f_nc_ng. Y__ c_n't r_n _ pr_s_n l_k_ th_t."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

us president donald trump says he wants to reopen the famous prison alcatraz the prison is on a rocky island in san francisco bay the jail was in use between 1934 and 1963 it was used to house highprofile prisoners these included the gangsters al capone and george machine gun kelly officially no one ever escaped alive from the prison in 1973 alcatraz opened to the public and became a tourist attraction president trump wants the island to return to housing dangerous criminals trump said alcatraz represents something very strong very powerful he wants it to be a symbol of law and order he added america has been plagued by vicious violent and repeat criminal offenders

the usas head of border control tom homan liked the idea of reopening alcatraz as a prison he said it could be an option for significant public safety threats and national security threats however some people think alcatraz should not become a prison again hugh hurwitz a former acting director of the federal bureau of prisons disagreed with the idea he told the bbc its not realistic to think you can repair it youd have to tear it up and start over he said the island needed too many repairs and that some buildings are literally falling apart he pointed out some problems he said there are no security upgrades no cameras no fencing you cant run a prison like that

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

USPresidentDonaldTrumpsayshewantstoreopenthefamousprisonAl
catraz.TheprisonisonarockyislandinSanFranciscoBay.Thejailwasinu
sebetween1934and1963.Itwasusedtohousehigh-profileprisoners.T
heseincludedthegangstersAlCaponeandGeorge"MachineGun"Kelly.
Officially,nooneeverescapedalivefromtheprison.In1973,Alcatrazop
enedtothepublicandbecameatouristattraction.PresidentTrumpwant
stheislandtoreturntohousingdangerouscriminals.Trumpsaid:"Alcatr
azrepresentssomethingverystrong,verypowerful."Hewantsittobeas
ymboloflawandorder.Headded:"Americahasbeenplaguedbyvicious,
violent,andrepeatcriminaloffenders."TheUSA'sheadofbordercontrol
,TomHoman,likedtheideaofreopeningAlcatrazasaprison.Hesaiditco
uldbe"anoptionforsignificantpublicsafetythreatsandnationalsecurit
ythreats".However,somepeoplethinkAlcatrazshouldnotbecomeapri
sonagain.HughHurwitz,aformeractingdirectoroftheFederalBureauof
Prisons,disagreedwiththeidea.HetoldtheBBC:"It'snotrealistictothin
kyoucanrepairit.You'dhavetotearitupandstartover."Hesaidtheisland
neededtoomanyrepairsandthatsomebuildingsare"literallyfallingapa
rt".Hepointedoutsomeproblems.Hesaid:"Therearenosecurityupgra
des.Nocameras.Nofencing.Youcan'trunaprison[likethat]."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The world needs more prisons. 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. BEST PUNISHMENT: Make a poster about prisons being the best form of punishment. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. MORE PRISONS: Write a magazine article about building more prisons. 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 prisons. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make prisons better. 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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