Breaking News English Lesson: Trillionaire Musk

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Elon Musk becomes world's first trillionaire (15th June 2026)

The Reading / Listening - Trillionaire Musk - Level 6

Elon Musk has become the world's first ever trillionaire following the initial public offering (IPO) of his rocket company SpaceX. The IPO on Wall Street added nearly $870 billion to Mr Musk's wealth. He has amassed almost $290 billion from Tesla. He also has eye-watering equity in X, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. Musk is now worth more than the world's next four richest individuals combined. The bulk of Musk's unfathomable wealth is tied up in stock holdings across these business ventures, rather than in cash. SpaceX's IPO was the largest in history, raising $75 billion. It surpassed the previous record of $29.4 billion set by the oil company Aramco in 2019.

Elon Musk is a super-entrepreneur. He made his initial fortune by helping to create PayPal. That netted him about $176 million, which he used to start SpaceX in 2002, and invest in Tesla. SpaceX pioneered the reuse of rocket boosters and now dominates the space travel industry. It accounted for more than half of all rocket launches last year. The company also has 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbit. Musk's aspiration is to "make life multiplanetary". He wants anyone to be able to travel to space. At the IPO, he said: "Whoever you are watching this, SpaceX wants to be able to take you to the Moon, take you to Mars, and ultimately beyond." He added: "Not just a few astronauts, I mean literally you."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Trillionaire Musk - Level 4 or Trillionaire Musk - Level 5

Sources

https://apnews.com/article/musk-spacex-tesla-ipo-trillionaire-billionaire-worth-rockets-7723f82b6063a9a17c194e25982cd66d
https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/article/elon-musk-becomes-worlds-first-trillionaire-143438765.html
https://fortune.com/2026/06/12/where-does-musk-live-spacex-stock-ipo-net-worth-trillionaire-homes-texas/

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. BEING A TRILLIONAIRE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about being a trillionaire. 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?
trillionaire / IPO / rocket company / wealth / equity / business ventures / cash / oil /
entrepreneur / fortune / invest / space travel / orbit / aspiration / the Moon / Mars
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. ENTREPRENEUR: Students A strongly believe anyone can be an entrepreneur; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ELON MUSK COMPANIES: What do you know about these companies associated with Elon Musk? What do you think of them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	What I Think
Space X
X
Tesla
PayPal
Neuralink
The Boring Company

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. ROCKET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "rocket". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SPACE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most interesting things at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

The Sun
Mars
Black holes
Shooting stars
The Moon
Comets
Saturn
Space dust

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	initial public offering (IPO)	a.	Extremely difficult to understand because it is so great.
2.	amassed	b.	Extremely large or surprising.
3.	eyewatering	c.	Collected or gained a large amount of something over time.
4.	equity	d.	Went past or became greater than something.
5.	unfathomable	e.	The first sale of a company's shares to the public.
6.	venture	f.	Part ownership of a company.
7.	surpassed	g.	A business project that involves risk.

Paragraph 2

8.	entrepreneur	h.	Was the first to develop or use something.
9.	fortune	i.	A strong hope or wish to achieve something.
10.	netted	j.	Made up part of a total number or amount.
11.	pioneered	k.	A large amount of money or valuable things owned by a person.
12.	accounted for	l.	In the end.
13.	aspiration	m.	A person who starts and runs a business.
14.	ultimately	n.	Earned or received, especially money.

Before reading / listening

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

An initial private offering made Elon Musk a trillionaire. T / F
The IPO for SpaceX took place on the London Stock Exchange. T / F
Mr Musk is wealthier than the nest four richest people combined. T / F
The previous record for an IPO was set in 2019. T / F
Musk used money he got from PayPal to start SpaceX. T / F
SpaceX launched a quarter of all rockets launched last year. T / F
There are 10,000 Starlink satellites orbiting the Earth. T / F
Musk wants to send just a few astronauts into space. T / F

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

initial
amassed
worth
bulk
set
netted
invest
accounted for
aspiration
literally

constituted
major part
earned
opening
exactly
piled up
hope
established
put money into
valued at

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

He has amassed
He also has eye-
Musk's unfathomable wealth is
SpaceX's IPO was
It surpassed the previous
He made his initial fortune by
SpaceX pioneered the reuse
It accounted for more than half of all
Musk's aspiration is to make life
take you to Mars, and ultimately

watering equity in X
of rocket boosters
record of $29.4 billion
multiplanetary
almost $290 billion
rocket launches
the largest in history
helping to create PayPal
beyond
tied up in stock holdings

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

unfathomable
wealth
set
following
history
individuals
ventures
watering

Elon Musk has become the world's first ever trillionaire (1) _________________________________ the initial public offering (IPO) of his rocket company SpaceX. The IPO on Wall Street added nearly $870 billion to Mr Musk's (2) _________________________________. He has amassed almost $290 billion from Tesla. He also has eye-(3) _________________________________ equity in X, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. Musk is now worth more than the world's next four richest (4) _________________________________ combined. The bulk of Musk's (5) _________________________________ wealth is tied up in stock holdings across these business (6) _________________________________, rather than in cash. SpaceX's IPO was the largest in (7) _________________________________, raising $75 billion. It surpassed the previous record of $29.4 billion (8) _________________________________ by the oil company Aramco in 2019.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

reuse
initial
multiplanetary
orbit
literally
netted
accounted
aspiration

Elon Musk is a super-entrepreneur. He made his (9) _________________________________ fortune by helping to create PayPal. That (10) _________________________________ him about $176 million, which he used to start SpaceX in 2002, and invest in Tesla. SpaceX pioneered the (11) _________________________________ of rocket boosters and now dominates the space travel industry. It (12) _________________________________ for more than half of all rocket launches last year. The company also has 10,000 Starlink satellites in (13) _________________________________. Musk's (14) _________________________________ is to "make life (15) _________________________________ ". He wants anyone to be able to travel to space. At the IPO, he said: "Whoever you are watching this, SpaceX wants to be able to take you to the Moon, take you to Mars, and ultimately beyond." He added: "Not just a few astronauts, I mean (16) _________________________________ you."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Musk has become the world's first ever trillionaire following the ______
     a. initials publicity offering
     b. initial public offering
     c. initially public offering
     d. initial publicity offering
2) The IPO on Wall Street added nearly $870 billion to ______
     a. Mr Musk's wealth
     b. Mr Musk's wealthy
     c. Mr Musk's wealthier
     d. Mr Musk's wealthiest
3) He also has eye-______
     a. watering equity in X
     b. watering equity on X
     c. watering equity an X
     d. watering equity annex
4) The bulk of Musk's unfathomable wealth is tied up ______
     a. in stack holdings
     b. in stuck holdings
     c. in stick holdings
     d. in stock holdings
5) It surpassed the previous record ______
     a. to $29.4 billion
     b. at $29.4 billion
     c. of $29.4 billion
     d. by $29.4 billion

6) He made his initial fortune by helping ______
     a. to procreate PayPal
     b. to recreate PayPal
     c. to create PayPal
     d. to recreate PayPal
7) $176 million, which he used to start SpaceX in 2002, and ______
     a. ingest in Tesla
     b. invests in Tesla
     c. invest on Tesla
     d. invest in Tesla
8) It accounted for more than half of ______
     a. all rocket lunches
     b. fall rocket launches
     c. all rocket launches
     d. fall rockets launches
9) SpaceX wants to be able to take you to the Moon, take you to Mars, ______
     a. and ultimate beyond
     b. and ultimatum beyond
     c. end ultimately beyond
     d. and ultimately beyond
10) Not just a few astronauts, I ______
     a. mean literally you
     b. mean literal you
     c. mean literary you
     d. mean literate you

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Elon Musk has become the world's first ever trillionaire (1) _______________________________________________ public offering (IPO) of his rocket company SpaceX. The IPO on Wall Street added nearly $870 billion to Mr Musk's wealth. He (2) _______________________________________________ $290 billion from Tesla. He also (3) _______________________________________________ in X, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. Musk is now worth more than the world's next (4) _______________________________________________ combined. The bulk of Musk's (5) _______________________________________________ tied up in stock holdings across these business ventures, rather than in cash. SpaceX's IPO was the largest in history, raising $75 billion. It (6) _______________________________________________ record of $29.4 billion set by the oil company Aramco in 2019.

Elon Musk is a super-entrepreneur. He made his (7) _______________________________________________ helping to create PayPal. That netted him about $176 million, which he used to start SpaceX in 2002, and invest in Tesla. SpaceX pioneered the (8) _______________________________________________ boosters and now dominates the space travel industry. It (9) _______________________________________________ than half of all rocket launches last year. The company also has 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbit. Musk's (10) _______________________________________________ "make life multiplanetary". He wants anyone to be able to travel to space. At the IPO, he said: "Whoever you are watching this, SpaceX wants to be able to take you to the Moon, take you to Mars, (11) _______________________________________________." He added: "Not just (12) _______________________________________________, I mean literally you."

Comprehension questions

How did SpaceX raise money on Wall Street?
From where did Elon Musk get $290 billion?
What is most of Mr Musk's wealth tied up in?
How much money did SpaceX raise?
When was the previous record for an IPO set?
What did Musk help to create that helped him set up SpaceX?
What did SpaceX pioneer the use of?
How many Starlink satellites are there in orbit?
What does Musk want to make life?
Where does Musk want to go besides the Moon?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How did SpaceX raise money on Wall Street?
a) an OPI
b) OIP
c) an IPO
d) an IOP
2) From where did Elon Musk get $290 billion?
a) Tesla
b) PayPal
c) X
d) Neuralink
3) What is most of Mr Musk's wealth tied up in?
a) stock holdings
b) cryptocurrency
c) PayPal
d) futures
4) How much money did SpaceX raise?
a) $74 billion
b) $75 billion
c) $76 billion
d) $77 billion

5) When was the previous record for an IPO set?
a) 2016
b) 2017
c) 2018
d) 2019

6) What did Musk help to create that helped him set up SpaceX?
a) a cryptocurrency
b) PayPal
c) Tesla
d) a boring company
7) What did SpaceX pioneer the use of?
a) reusable rocket boosters
b) space navigation
c) rocket fuel
d) IPOs
8) How many Starlink satellites are there in orbit?
a) five thousand
b) one-hundred thousand
c) ten thousand
d) a million
9) What does Musk want to make life?
a) happy
b) perfect
c) a challenge
d) multiplanetary
10) Where does Musk want to go besides the Moon?
a) to Mars and beyond
b) to the Sun and Moon
c) to infinity and beyond
d) to Jupiter and Saturn

Role play

Role A – The Sun
You think the Sun is the most interesting part of space. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Moon, black holes or Mars.

Role B – The Moon
You think the Moon is the most interesting part of space. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Sun, black holes or Mars.

Role C – Black Holes
You think black holes are the most interesting part of space. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Moon, the Sun or Mars.

Role D – Mars
You think Mars is the most interesting part of space. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Moon, black holes or the Sun.

After reading / listening

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

'trillionaire'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'space'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

following

added

amassed

next

tied

surpassed

super

start

reuse

orbit

watching

added

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 - Trillionaire Musk

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 'trillionaire'?
What do you know about Elon Musk?
What do you think of someone being a trillionaire?
What do you know about SpaceX?
What do you know about Tesla?
What business would you like to start?
What would you do with $1,000,000,000,000?
What will you do to become wealthier
What advice do you have for Elon Musk?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'space'?
What do you think about what you read?
Would you be a good entrepreneur?
Would you like to go into space?
Why do so many super-rich people build space rockets?
What do you think of making our lives 'multiplanetary'?
What will space travel be like in 100 years from now?
What will tourists to Mars do there?
What questions would you like to ask Elon Musk?

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)

Elon Musk has become the world's first ever trillionaire following the (1) ____ public offering (IPO) of his rocket company SpaceX. The IPO on Wall Street added nearly $870 billion to Mr Musk's wealth. He has (2) ____ almost $290 billion from Tesla. He also has eye-(3) ____ equity in X, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. Musk is now (4) ____ more than the world's next four richest individuals combined. The bulk of Musk's unfathomable wealth is tied up in stock (5) ____ across these business ventures, rather than in cash. SpaceX's IPO was the largest in history, raising $75 billion. It surpassed the previous record of $29.4 billion (6) ____ by the oil company Aramco in 2019.

Elon Musk is a super-entrepreneur. He made his (7) ____ fortune by helping to create PayPal. That netted him about $176 million, which he used to start SpaceX in 2002, and invest (8) ____ Tesla. SpaceX pioneered the reuse of rocket boosters and now dominates the space travel industry. It (9) ____ for more than half of all rocket launches last year. The company also has 10,000 Starlink satellites (10) ____ orbit. Musk's aspiration is to "make life multiplanetary". He wants anyone to be able to travel to space. At the IPO, he said: "(11) ____ you are watching this, SpaceX wants to be able to take you to the Moon, take you to Mars, and ultimately (12) ____." He added: "Not just a few astronauts, I mean literally you."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) initials (b) initially (c) initial (d) initialize
(a) amassed (b) massed (c) massive (d) massing
(a) watering (b) tracking (c) rolling (d) balling
(a) worth (b) worthy (c) worthwhile (d) worthiness
(a) holdouts (b) holdings (c) hold ups (d) holds
(a) get (b) bet (c) let (d) set
(a) iterate (b) increase (c) initial (d) incentive
(a) to (b) up (c) of (d) in
(a) accounted (b) booked (c) balanced (d) profited
(a) in (b) up (c) of (d) by
(a) Whomever (b) Whoever (c) Whomsoever (d) Whom
(a) bequeath (b) behind (c) beyond (d) beneath

Spelling

Paragraph 1

following the iaiitnl public offering (IPO)
He has msaedsa almost $290 billion
He also has eye-watering uiyeqt in X
the world's next four richest iunddialisv
Musk's mefnoluatabh wealth
It sedspsaru the previous record

Paragraph 2

Elon Musk is a super-nnreereptreu
10,000 Starlink sesaetllit
Musk's ritpnsaoia
make life eruaniaytmllpt
take you to Mars, and aeluytlimt beyond
just a few uosnatrtas

Put the text back together

(    )   $176 million, which he used to start SpaceX in 2002, and invest in Tesla. SpaceX pioneered the reuse of rocket
(    )   are watching this, SpaceX wants to be able to take you to the Moon, take you to Mars, and ultimately
(    )   beyond." He added: "Not just a few astronauts, I mean literally you."
(    )   boosters and now dominates the space travel industry. It accounted for more than half
( 1 )   Elon Musk has become the world's first ever trillionaire following the initial public
(    )   Elon Musk is a super-entrepreneur. He made his initial fortune by helping to create PayPal. That netted him about
(    )   of all rocket launches last year. The company also has 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbit. Musk's aspiration is
(    )   offering (IPO) of his rocket company SpaceX. The IPO on Wall Street added nearly $870 billion to Mr Musk's
(    )   richest individuals combined. The bulk of Musk's unfathomable wealth is tied up in stock holdings across these business
(    )   the previous record of $29.4 billion set by the oil company Aramco in 2019.
(    )   to "make life multiplanetary". He wants anyone to be able to travel to space. At the IPO, he said: "Whoever you
(    )   ventures, rather than in cash. SpaceX's IPO was the largest in history, raising $75 billion. It surpassed
(    )   watering equity in X, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. Musk is now worth more than the world's next four
(    )   wealth. He has amassed almost $290 billion from Tesla. He also has eye-

Put the words in the right order

become ever first has Musk the trillionaire world's .
$290 billion almost amassed from has He Tesla .
four individuals more next richest than the Worth .
across business holdings in stock Tied up ventures .
history in IPO largest SpaceX The the was .
boosters of pioneered reuse rocket SpaceX the .
all half launches More of rocket than .
able anyone be He to to travel wants .
and beyond Mars, Take to ultimately you .
a astronauts, few I just mean Not you .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Elon Musk has become the world's first ever trillionaire following / followed the initial public offering (IPO) of his rocket company SpaceX. The IPO in / on Wall Street added nearly $870 billion to Mr Musk's wealth. He has massive / amassed almost $290 billion from Tesla. He also has eye-watering / eye-level equity in X, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. Musk is now worth / wealthy more than the world's next four richest individuals combination / combined. The bulk at / of Musk's unfathomable wealth is tied over / up in stock holdings across these business ventures, rather than in cash. SpaceX's IPO was the largest in / on history, raising $75 billion. It surpassed the previous / impervious record of $29.4 billion set by the oil company Aramco in 2019.

Elon Musk is a super-entrepreneur. He made his initial fortune on / by helping to create PayPal. That snared / netted him about $176 million, which he used to start SpaceX in 2002, and invest on / in Tesla. SpaceX pioneered the reuse of rocket boosters / boasters and now dominates the space travel industry. It accounted to / for more than half of all rocket launches last year. The company also has 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbital / orbit. Musk's aspiration is to "make life / live multiplanetary". He wants anyone to be able to travel to space. At the IPO, he said: "Whoever / Whomever you are watching this, SpaceX wants to be able to take you to the Moon, take you to Mars, and ultimately behind / beyond." He added: "Not just a few astronauts, I mean literally / literal you."

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)

_l_n M_sk h_s b_c_m_ th_ w_rld’s f_rst _v_r tr_ll__n__r_ f_ll_w_ng th_ _n_t__l p_bl_c _ff_r_ng (_P_) _f h_s r_ck_t c_mp_ny Sp_c_X. Th_ _P_ _n W_ll Str__t _dd_d n__rly $870 b_ll__n t_ Mr M_sk's w__lth. H_ h_s _m_ss_d _lm_st $290 b_ll__n fr_m T_sl_. H_ _ls_ h_s _y_-w_t_r_ng _q__ty _n X, N__r_l_nk, _nd th_ B_r_ng C_mp_ny. M_sk _s n_w w_rth m_r_ th_n th_ w_rld's n_xt f__r r_ch_st _nd_v_d__ls c_mb_n_d. Th_ b_lk _f M_sk's _nf_th_m_bl_ w__lth _s t__d _p _n st_ck h_ld_ngs _cr_ss th_s_ b_s_n_ss v_nt_r_s, r_th_r th_n _n c_sh. Sp_c_X's _P_ w_s th_ l_rg_st _n h_st_ry, r__s_ng $75 b_ll__n. _t s_rp_ss_d th_ pr_v___s r_c_rd _f $29.4 s_t by th_ __l c_mp_ny _r_mc_ _n 2019.

_l_n M_sk _s _ s_p_r-_ntr_pr_n__r. H_ m_d_ h_s _n_t__l f_rt_n_ by h_lp_ng t_ cr__t_ P_yP_l. Th_t n_tt_d h_m _b__t $176 m_ll__n, wh_ch h_ _s_d t_ st_rt Sp_c_X _n 2002, _nd _nv_st _n T_sl_. Sp_c_X p__n__r_d th_ r__s_ _f r_ck_t b__st_rs _nd n_w d_m_n_t_s th_ sp_c_ tr_v_l _nd_stry. _t _cc__nt_d f_r m_r_ th_n h_lf _f _ll r_ck_t l__nch_s l_st y__r. Th_ c_mp_ny _ls_ h_s 10,000 St_rl_nk s_t_ll_t_s _n _rb_t. M_sk's _sp_r_t__n _s t_ "m_k_ l_f_ m_lt_pl_n_t_ry". H_ w_nts _ny_n_ t_ b_ _bl_ t_ tr_v_l t_ sp_c_. _t th_ _P_, h_ s__d: "Wh__v_r y__ _r_ w_tch_ng th_s, Sp_c_X w_nts t_ b_ _bl_ t_ t_k_ y__ t_ th_ M__n, t_k_ y__ t_ M_rs, _nd _lt_m_t_ly b_y_nd." H_ _dd_d: "N_t j_st _ f_w _str_n__ts, _ m__n l_t_r_lly y__."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

elon musk has become the worlds first ever trillionaire following the initial public offering ipo of his rocket company spacex the ipo on wall street added nearly $870 billion to mr musks wealth he has amassed almost $290 billion from tesla he also has eyewatering equity in x neuralink and the boring company musk is now worth more than the worlds next four richest individuals combined the bulk of musks unfathomable wealth is tied up in stock holdings across these business ventures rather than in cash spacexs ipo was the largest in history raising $75 billion it surpassed the previous record of $294 billion set by the oil company aramco in 2019

elon musk is a superentrepreneur he made his initial fortune by helping to create paypal that netted him about $176 million which he used to start spacex in 2002 and invest in tesla spacex pioneered the reuse of rocket boosters and now dominates the space travel industry it accounted for more than half of all rocket launches last year the company also has 10000 starlink satellites in orbit musks aspiration is to make life multiplanetary he wants anyone to be able to travel to space at the ipo he said whoever you are watching this spacex wants to be able to take you to the moon take you to mars and ultimately beyond he added not just a few astronauts i mean literally you

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

ElonMuskhasbecometheworld'sfirstevertrillionairefollowingtheinitia
lpublicoffering(IPO)ofhisrocketcompanySpaceX.TheIPOonWallStre
etaddednearly$870billiontoMrMusk'swealth.Hehasamassedalmost
$290billionfromTesla.Healsohaseye-wateringequityinX,Neuralink,a
ndtheBoringCompany.Muskisnowworthmorethantheworld'snextfou
rrichestindividualscombined.ThebulkofMusk'sunfathomablewealthi
stiedupinstockholdingsacrossthesebusinessventures,ratherthaninc
ash.SpaceX'sIPOwasthelargestinhistory,raising$75billion.Itsurpass
edthepreviousrecordof$29.4billionsetbytheoilcompanySaudiAramc
oin2019.ElonMuskisasuper-entrepreneur.Hemadehisinitialfortuneb
yhelpingtocreatePayPal.Thatnettedhimabout$176million,whichheu
sedtostartSpaceXin2002,andinvestinTesla.SpaceXpioneeredthereu
seofrocketboostersandnowdominatesthespacetravelindustry.Itacc
ountedformorethanhalfofallrocketlauncheslastyear.Thecompanyals
ohas10,000Starlinksatellitesinorbit.Musk'saspirationisto"makelife
multiplanetary".Hewantsanyonetobeabletotraveltospace.AttheIPO,
hesaid:"Whoeveryouarewatchingthis,SpaceXwantstobeabletotake
youtotheMoon,takeyoutoMars,andultimatelybeyond."Headded:"No
tjustafewastronauts,Imeanliterallyyou."

Free writing

Write about Elon Musk trillionaire for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

All schoolchildren should have lessons on how to be an entrepreneur. 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. BEING A TRILLIONAIRE: Make a poster about being a trillionaire. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. THE SUPER-RICH: Write a magazine article about requiring the super-rich to give more money to help the poor. 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 being a trillionaire. Ask him/her three questions about being a trillionaire. 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

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Answers

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

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Breaking News English Lesson: Trillionaire Musk

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