The Reading / Listening - UFOs and UAPs - Level 6

Speculation regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life is increasing following the release of never-before-seen documents on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects). The Pentagon has declassified and released 161 files containing reports of sightings. These include observations from astronauts during Moon missions, and from the military and civilians on Earth. One notable description was from Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. In 1969, he reported seeing a mysterious light. He said: "I observed what appeared to be a fairly bright light source which we tentatively ascribed to a possible laser." In 1965, Frank Boman reported seeing "trillions of little particles" from the Gemini 7 spacecraft.

The documents were released at the request of President Donald Trump. In a post on social media, President Trump wrote: "In an effort for complete and maximum transparency, it was my honour to direct my administration to identify and provide government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs)." Many organizations welcomed the release of the documents. The Sol Foundation, a research group focused on UAPs, called for a comprehensive review of classified UAP records. It said people should know "the full truth about longstanding government knowledge and programs concerning technologies and vehicles not of human origin".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    UFOs and UAPs - Level 4  or  UFOs and UAPs - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m2epkey44o
  • https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/bright-lights-hot-orbs-ufo-files-shed-light-132777354
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/8/make-up-their-own-minds-pentagon-releases-first-tranche-of-ufo-files


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. UFOS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about UFOs. 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?
       speculation / extraterrestrial life / UFOs / files / Moon missions / astronaut / light /
       documents / request / social media / transparency / administration / truth / human
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. ALIEN LIFE: Students A strongly believe alien life exists; Students B strongly believe it doesn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SPACE: What do you know about these things? What do you want to know? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Want to Know

UFOs

 

 

UAPs

 

 

Black holes

 

 

Apollo

 

 

Artemis II

 

 

The Milky Way

 

 
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. PENTAGON: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "pentagon". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ALIENS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about aliens coming to Earth at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • New technology
  • New languages
  • Cool spaceships
  • Different food
  • Alien music
  • Alien sports
  • Alien games
  • Space travel

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. speculation a. Made public after being secret.
      2. extraterrestrial b. Ideas or guesses about something that is not known for sure.
      3. declassified c. The army, navy, air force, and other armed forces of a country.
      4. military d. People who are not in the military or police; normal people.
      5. civilians e. From outside Earth.
      6. tentatively f. Believed to be caused by something.
      7. ascribed g. In a way that is not completely certain.

    Paragraph 2

      8. request h. Being open and honest about information.
      9. transparency i. Things or events that can be seen or observed.
      10. administration j. An act of asking for something politely or officially.
      11. aerial k. The group of people who run a government.
      12. phenomena l. Very detailed and complete.
      13. comprenensive m. In the air or related to the sky.
      14. origin n. The place where something or someone comes from.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. New files state that extraterrestrial life exists.     T / F
  2. The Pentagon released more than 1,600 files.     T / F
  3. An astronaut on the Apollo 11 mission saw a possible space laser.     T / F
  4. A Gemini 7 astronaut saw trillions of lights.     T / F
  5. President Donald Trump requested the release of the files.     T / F
  6. President Trump wanted the files released for transparency reasons.     T / F
  7. The files contained reports on unidentified aural phenomena.     T / F
  8. The Sol Foundation wants people to know the full truth about aliens.     T / F

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

  1. existence
  2. release
  3. observations
  4. notable
  5. ascribed
  6. transparency
  7. honour
  8. comprehensive
  9. longstanding
  10. origin
  1. significant
  2. well-established
  3. openness
  4. issuing
  5. thorough
  6. comments
  7. source
  8. reality
  9. privilege
  10. connected with

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

  1. Speculation regarding the existence
  2. The Pentagon has declassified and
  3. from the military
  4. he reported seeing a mysterious
  5. trillions of little
  6. complete and maximum
  7. files related to alien and
  8. Many organizations welcomed the
  9. a comprehensive
  10. vehicles not of human
  1. extraterrestrial life
  2. light
  3. review
  4. particles
  5. release of the documents
  6. and civilians
  7. transparency
  8. of extraterrestrial life
  9. origin
  10. released 161 files

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
mysterious
release
particles
existence
source
observations
sightings
military

Speculation regarding the (1) _________________________________ of extraterrestrial life is increasing following the (2) _________________________________ of never-before-seen documents on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects). The Pentagon has declassified and released 161 files containing reports of (3) _________________________________. These include (4) _________________________________ from astronauts during Moon missions, and from the (5) _________________________________ and civilians on Earth. One notable description was from Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. In 1969, he reported seeing a (6) _________________________________ light. He said: "I observed what appeared to be a fairly bright light (7) _________________________________ which we tentatively ascribed to a possible laser." In 1965, Frank Boman reported seeing "trillions of little (8) _________________________________" from the Gemini 7 spacecraft.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
release
effort
origin
truth
identify
request
review
alien

The documents were released at the (9) _________________________________ of President Donald Trump. In a post on social media, President Trump wrote: "In an (10) _________________________________ for complete and maximum transparency, it was my honour to direct my administration to (11) _________________________________ and provide government files related to (12) _________________________________ and extraterrestrial life and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs)." Many organizations welcomed the (13) _________________________________ of the documents. The Sol Foundation, a research group focused on UAPs, called for a comprehensive (14) _________________________________ of classified UAP records. It said people should know "the full (15) _________________________________ about longstanding government knowledge and programs concerning technologies and vehicles not of human (16) _________________________________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Speculation regarding the existence of extraterrestrial ______
     a.  live is increasing
     b.  life is increase in
     c.  life is increasing
     d.  alive is increasing
2)  The Pentagon has declassified and ______
     a.  release 161 files
     b.  releases 161 files
     c.  released 161 files
     d.  relieves 161 files
3)  from astronauts during Moon missions, and from the military and ______
     a.  civilians on Earth
     b.  civilians in Earth
     c.  civilian son Earth
     d.  civilize on Earth
4)  a fairly bright light source which we tentatively ascribed to ______
     a.  a posse ball laser
     b.  ape ossify laser
     c.  a possible laser
     d.  a possibly laser
5)  In 1965, Frank Boman reported seeing "trillions ______"
     a.  of little particles
     b.  of little particle
     c.  off little particles
     d.  of little party calls

6)  In an effort for complete ______
     a.  and maximum transparent
     b.  and maximum transparency
     c.  and maximal transparency
     d.  end maximum transparency
7)  identify and provide government files related to alien ______
     a.  and extra-terraced life
     b.  and extraterrestrial life
     c.  and ultra-terrestrial life
     d.  and intra-terrestrial life
8)  The Sol Foundation, a research group ______
     a.  focused on UAPs
     b.  focuses on UAPs
     c.  focus son UAPs
     d.  focus don UAPs
9)  a research group focused on UAPs, called for ______
     a.  a comprehensive preview
     b.  a comprehensive reviews
     c.  a comprehensive review
     d.  a comprehensive reviewed
10)  knowledge and programs concerning technologies and vehicles not ______
     a.  of human original
     b.  of human origin
     c.  of humane origin
     d.  off human origin

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Speculation regarding (1) _______________________________________________ extraterrestrial life is increasing (2) _______________________________________________ of never-before-seen documents on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects). The Pentagon has declassified and released 161 files containing reports of sightings. These include observations from astronauts during Moon missions, and from the (3) _______________________________________________ on Earth. One notable description was from Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. In 1969, he reported (4) _______________________________________________ light. He said: "I observed what appeared to be a fairly bright light source (5) _______________________________________________ ascribed to a possible laser." In 1965, Frank Boman reported seeing "(6) _______________________________________________ particles" from the Gemini 7 spacecraft.

The documents were released (7) _______________________________________________ of President Donald Trump. In a post on social media, President Trump wrote: "In an effort for complete (8) _______________________________________________, it was my honour to direct my administration to identify and provide government files (9) _______________________________________________ and extraterrestrial life and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs)." Many organizations welcomed the release of the documents. The Sol Foundation, a research group focused on UAPs, called for (10) _______________________________________________ of classified UAP records. It said people should know "(11) _______________________________________________ about longstanding government knowledge and programs concerning technologies and vehicles not (12) _______________________________________________".

Comprehension questions

  1. What is increasing about the existence of extraterrestrial life?
  2. How many declassified files were released?
  3. On which Apollo mission did an astronaut believe he saw a laser?
  4. What did astronaut Frank Boman see trillions of?
  5. What is the name of the spacecraft that Frank Boman was on?
  6. What did President Trump want to achieve with the release of the files?
  7. What were the files about besides UFOs?
  8. What kind of organization is the Sol Foundation?
  9. What did the Sol Foundation believe people should know?
  10. What vehicles did the Sol Foundation want people to know about?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What is increasing about the existence of extraterrestrial life?
a) money
b) speculation
c) manga stories
d) paranoia and fear
2) How many declassified files were released?
a) 164
b) 163
c) 162
d) 161
3) On which Apollo mission did an astronaut believe he saw a laser?
a) 11
b) 12
c) 13
d) 14
4) What did astronaut Frank Boman see trillions of?
a) stars
b) lights
c) little particles
d) asteroids
5) What is the name of the spacecraft that Frank Boman was on?
a) Cancer 7
b) Gemini 7
c) Taurus 7
d) Virgo 7

6) What did President Trump want to achieve with the release of the files?
a) more funding
b) better education
c) transparency
d) contact with aliens
7) What were the files about besides UFOs?
a) the Hubble space telescope
b) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
c) Asteroids
d) Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs)
8) What kind of organization is the Sol Foundation?
a) a research group
b) a Sun research group
c) a spacecraft builder
d) a space news agency
9) What did the Sol Foundation believe people should know?
a) the full truth
b) the names of astronauts
c) the names of the planets
d) the history of space exploration
10) What vehicles did the Sol Foundation want people to know about?
a) space drones
b) vehicles not of human origin
c) those that can defy gravity
d) those that could drive on Mars

Role play

Role  A – New Technology
You think new technology is the best thing about aliens coming to Earth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): space languages, alien music or space travel.

Role  B – Space Languages
You think learning space languages is the best thing about aliens coming to Earth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): new technology, alien music or space travel.

Role  C – Alien Music
You think alien music is the best thing about aliens coming to Earth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): space languages, new technology or space travel.

Role  D – Space Travel
You think space travel is the best thing about aliens coming to Earth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): space languages, alien music or new technology.

After reading / listening

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

'UFO'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'alien'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • speculation
    • 161
    • missions
    • mysterious
    • bright
    • trillions
    • request
    • media
    • direct
    • release
    • research
    • knowledge

    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 - UFOs and UAPs

    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 'UFO'?
    3. What do you think about extraterrestrial life?
    4. Have you ever seen something strange in the sky?
    5. What would you do if you came across an alien?
    6. Why do many people think the Moon landing was a fake?
    7. How interested are you in looking at the 161 files?
    8. What are your favourite movies about UFOs and aliens?
    9. Would you like to be an astronaut?
    10. What would aliens think of Earth?

    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 'alien'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do aliens look like?
    5. What dangers are there of UFOs landing on Earth?
    6. Would you go inside a UFO if one landed near your house?
    7. What's the difference between UFOs and UAPs?
    8. Are aliens good or bad?
    9. What do you want to know about UFOs?
    10. What questions would you like to ask an alien?

    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)

    Speculation regarding the (1) ____ of extraterrestrial life is increasing following the release of never-before-seen documents on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects). The Pentagon has (2) ____ and released 161 files containing reports of sightings. These include observations from astronauts (3) ____ Moon missions, and from the military and civilians on Earth. One (4) ____ description was from Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. In 1969, he reported seeing a mysterious light. He said: "I observed what appeared to (5) ____ a fairly bright light source which we tentatively ascribed to a possible laser." In 1965, Frank Boman reported seeing "trillions of little (6) ____" from the Gemini 7 spacecraft.

    The documents were released at the (7) ____ of President Donald Trump. In a post on social media, President Trump wrote: "In an effort (8) ____ complete and maximum transparency, it was my honour to direct my administration to identify and provide government files related (9) ____ alien and extraterrestrial life and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs)." Many organizations welcomed the release of the documents. The Sol Foundation, a research group focused on UAPs, called for a (10) ____ review of classified UAP records. It said people should know "the full truth about (11) ____ government knowledge and programs concerning technologies and vehicles not (12) ____ human origin".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     exist     (b)     exists     (c)     existence     (d)     existing    
    2. (a)     declassified     (b)     decluttered     (c)     decaffeinated     (d)     decomposed    
    3. (a)     during     (b)     meanwhile     (c)     while     (d)     awhile    
    4. (a)     notable     (b)     flexible     (c)     stringent     (d)     lethargic    
    5. (a)     turn on     (b)     see     (c)     do     (d)     be    
    6. (a)     vehicle     (b)     icicles     (c)     cuticles     (d)     particles    
    7. (a)     request     (b)     bequeath     (c)     reply     (d)     stress    
    8. (a)     by     (b)     of     (c)     at     (d)     for    
    9. (a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    10. (a)     reprehensive     (b)     comprehensive     (c)     expansive     (d)     sieve    
    11. (a)     notwithstanding     (b)     longstanding     (c)     understanding     (d)     upstanding    
    12. (a)     of     (b)     to     (c)     on     (d)     in

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the itcxsneee of extraterrestrial life
    2. cealsidisfde and released 161 files
    3. from the military and nlscaviii
    4. he reported seeing a yetrisusmo light
    5. we eleitavttyn ascribed to a possible laser
    6. trillions of little plitecasr

    Paragraph 2

    1. at the eusqter of President Donald Trump
    2. complete and maximum ytasprancern
    3. direct my minarstotadiin
    4. unidentified aerial eomnphnea
    5. a enverpsehoimc review
    6. technologies and lesciehv

    Put the text back together

    (    )   astronaut Buzz Aldrin. In 1969, he reported seeing a mysterious light. He said: "I observed what appeared
    (    )   documents. The Sol Foundation, a research group focused on UAPs, called for a "thorough"
    (    )   honour to direct my administration to identify and provide government files related to alien and extraterrestrial
    (    )   knowledge and programs concerning technologies and vehicles not of human origin".
    (    )   life and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs)." Many organizations welcomed the release of the
    (    )   missions, and from the military and civilians on Earth. One notable description was from Apollo 11
    (    )   of never-before-seen documents on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects). The Pentagon has declassified and
    (    )   on social media, President Trump wrote: "In an effort for complete and maximum transparency, it was my
    (    )   released 161 files containing reports of sightings. These include observations from astronauts during Moon
    (    )   review of classified UAP records. It said people should know "the full truth about longstanding government
    (    )   seeing "trillions of little particles" from the Gemini 7 spacecraft.
    (  1  )   Speculation regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life is increasing following the release
    (    )   The documents were released at the request of President Donald Trump. In a post
    (    )   to be a fairly bright light source which we tentatively ascribed to a possible laser." In 1965, Frank Boman reported

    Put the words in the right order

    1. existence   extraterrestrial   life   of   regarding   Speculation   the   .
    2. 161   and   declassified   files   has   released   The   Pentagon   .
    3. astronauts  during  from  include  missions  Moon  observations  These .
    4. a   appeared   be   bright   fairly   light   What   to   .
    5. He   little   particles   reported   seeing   of   trillions   .
    6. an   and   complete   effort   for   In   maximum   transparency   .
    7. alien   and   extraterrestrial   files   Government   life   related   to   .
    8. A   classified   comprehensive   of   records   review   UAP   .
    9. full   It   know   people   said   should   the   truth   .
    10. and   human   not   of   origin   Technologies   vehicles   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Speculation regarding / regard the existence of extraterrestrial life is increasing following / follows the release of never-before-seen documents on UFOs (Unexplained / Unidentified Flying Objects). The Pentagon has declassified and released 161 files containing reports to / of sightings. These include observations from astronauts while / during Moon missions, and from the military / militia and civilians on Earth. One note / notable description was from Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. In 1969, he reported seeing / seen a mysterious light. He said: "I observed what appeared to be a fairly bright light source which we tentatively described / ascribed to a possible laser." In 1965, Frank Boman reported seeing "trillions of little articles / particles" from the Gemini 7 spacecraft.

    The documents were released at / for the request of President Donald Trump. In a post at / on social media, President Trump wrote: "In / On an effort for complete and maximum transparency, it was my honour to direct my administration to / for identify and provide government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life and Unidentified Aerial / Aural Phenomena (UAPs)." Many organizations welcomed the release to / of the documents. The Sol Foundation, a research group focused on / in UAPs, called for a comprehensive review of classify / classified UAP records. It said people should know "the full / fully truth about longstanding government knowledge and programs concerning technologies and vehicles not of human original / origin".

    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)

    Sp_c_l_t__n r_g_rd_ng th_ _x_st_nc_ _f _xtr_t_rr_str__l l_f_ _s _ncr__s_ng f_ll_w_ng th_ r_l__s_ _f n_v_r-b_f_r_-s__n d_c_m_nts _n _F_s (_n_d_nt_f__d Fly_ng _bj_cts). Th_ P_nt_g_n h_s d_cl_ss_f__d _nd r_l__s_d 161 f_l_s c_nt__n_ng r_p_rts _f s_ght_ngs. Th_s_ _ncl_d_ _bs_rv_t__ns fr_m _str_n__ts d_r_ng M__n m_ss__ns, _nd fr_m th_ m_l_t_ry _nd c_v_l__ns _n __rth. _n_ n_t_bl_ d_scr_pt__n w_s fr_m _p_ll_ 11 _str_n__t B_zz _ldr_n. _n 1969, h_ r_p_rt_d s___ng _ myst_r___s l_ght. H_ s__d: "_ _bs_rv_d wh_t _pp__r_d t_ b_ _ f__rly br_ght l_ght s__rc_ wh_ch w_ t_nt_t_v_ly _scr_b_d t_ _ p_ss_bl_ l_s_r." _n 1965, Fr_nk B_m_n r_p_rt_d s___ng "tr_ll__ns _f l_ttl_ p_rt_cl_s" fr_m th_ G_m_n_ 7 sp_c_cr_ft.

    Th_ d_c_m_nts w_r_ r_l__s_d _t th_ r_q__st _f Pr_s_d_nt D_n_ld Tr_mp. _n _ p_st _n s_c__l m_d__, Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp wr_t_: "_n _n _ff_rt f_r c_mpl_t_ _nd m_x_m_m tr_nsp_r_ncy, _t w_s my h_n__r t_ d_r_ct my _dm_n_str_t__n t_ _d_nt_fy _nd pr_v_d_ g_v_rnm_nt f_l_s r_l_t_d t_ _l__n _nd _xtr_t_rr_str__l l_f_ _nd _n_d_nt_f__d __r__l Ph_n_m_n_ (__Ps)." M_ny _rg_n_z_t__ns w_lc_m_d th_ r_l__s_ _f th_ d_c_m_nts. Th_ S_l F__nd_t__n, _ r_s__rch gr__p f_c_s_d _n __Ps, c_ll_d f_r _ c_mpr_h_ns_v_ r_v__w _f cl_ss_f__d __P r_c_rds. _t s__d p__pl_ sh__ld kn_w "th_ f_ll tr_th _b__t l_ngst_nd_ng g_v_rnm_nt kn_wl_dg_ _nd pr_gr_ms c_nc_rn_ng t_chn_l_g__s _nd v_h_cl_s n_t _f h_m_n _r_g_n".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    speculation regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life is increasing following the release of neverbeforeseen documents on ufos unidentified flying objects the pentagon has declassified and released 161 files containing reports of sightings these include observations from astronauts during moon missions and from the military and civilians on earth one notable description was from apollo 11 astronaut buzz aldrin in 1969 he reported seeing a mysterious light he said i observed what appeared to be a fairly bright light source which we tentatively ascribed to a possible laser in 1965 frank boman reported seeing trillions of little particles from the gemini 7 spacecraft

    the documents were released at the request of president donald trump in a post on social media president trump wrote in an effort for complete and maximum transparency it was my honour to direct my administration to identify and provide government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life and unidentified aerial phenomena uaps many organizations welcomed the release of the documents the sol foundation a research group focused on uaps called for a comprehensive review of classified uap records it said people should know the full truth about longstanding government knowledge and programs concerning technologies and vehicles not of human origin

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Speculationregardingtheexistenceofextraterrestriallifeisincreasingf
    ollowingthereleaseofnever-before-seendocumentsonUFOs(Unident
    ifiedFlyingObjects).ThePentagonhasdeclassifiedandreleased161file
    scontainingreportsofsightings.Theseincludeobservationsfromastro
    nautsduringMoonmissions,andfromthemilitaryandciviliansonEarth.
    OnenotabledescriptionwasfromApollo11astronautBuzzAldrin.In196
    9,hereportedseeingamysteriouslight.Hesaid:"Iobservedwhatappea
    redtobeafairlybrightlightsourcewhichwetentativelyascribedtoaposs
    iblelaser."In1965,FrankBomanreportedseeing"trillionsoflittleparticl
    es"fromtheGemini7spacecraft.Thedocumentswerereleasedatthere
    questofPresidentDonaldTrump.Inapostonsocialmedia,PresidentTru
    mpwrote:"Inaneffortforcompleteandmaximumtransparency,itwas
    myhonourtodirectmyadministrationtoidentifyandprovidegovernme
    ntfilesrelatedtoalienandextraterrestriallifeandUnidentifiedAerialPhe
    nomena(UAPs)."Manyorganizationswelcomedthereleaseofthedocu
    ments.TheSolFoundation,aresearchgroupfocusedonUAPs,calledfor
    acomprehensivereviewofclassifiedUAPrecords.Itsaidpeopleshouldk
    now"thefulltruthaboutlongstandinggovernmentknowledgeandprog
    ramsconcerningtechnologiesandvehiclesnotofhumanorigin".

    Free writing

    Write about UFO and UAP for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    There is definitely extraterrestrial life in space. 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. UFOS: Make a poster about UFOs. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE: Write a magazine article about making preparations to meet extraterrestrial life. 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 UFOs. Ask him/her three questions about UFOs. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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.)

    Back to the top

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You