The Reading / Listening - Google Earth - Level 3

Google has announced it will make a flight simulator available to the public. The simulator has existed since 2007, but has only been on the desktop version of Google Earth. People had to download the program and install it on their desktop. The new version will be browser-based. Anyone can now access the flight simulator on a web browser, without having to download or install anything. On its website, Google said: "The flight simulator is designed for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training." You will be able to fly all over the world using Google's map technology. Google said users may experience issues "when flying near ground level in regions below sea level".

To use the flight simulator, you will have to open the Google Earth website and click on the "Explore Earth" button in the top right corner. This will take you to a page showing a picture of Earth set against the black of space. You can then choose where in the world you want to fly to, from, or around by typing your desired location in the search bar. To start flying, you need to click on "Tools" in the menu bar and then select "Flight simulator" from the drop-down menu. The controls are shown on Google's developer website. CNET.com wrote: "Google Earth's flight simulator has access to the entire Google Earth database, so you can fly to almost anywhere on Earth and check out various landmarks."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Google Earth - Level 0,  Google Earth - Level 1   or  Google Earth - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/google-earths-flight-simulator-is-now-on-browsers-heres-how-to-play/
  • https://www.theverge.com/tech/949749/google-earth-flight-simulator-browser-experimental
  • https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/earth/flight-simulator


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. EARTH: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Earth. 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?
       Google / Earth / flight simulators / downloads / desktop / web browser / maps / flying
       explore / the black of space / locations / drop-down menus / databases / landmarks
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. GOOGLE EARTH: Students A strongly believe Google Earth should be a part of all geography lessons at school; Students B strongly believe not. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. GOOGLE: What do you know about these Google products? How useful are they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

Usefulness

Google Earth

 

 

Google Search

 

 

Google Maps

 

 

Google Gemini AI

 

 

Google Drive

 

 

Google Chrome

 

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

  • Flight simulators
  • Racing simulators
  • Space simulators
  • Military simulators
  • Surgery simulators
  • Romance simulators
  • English simulators
  • Policing simulators

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. announced a. Was real or was present in the past.
      2. available b. The activity of finding out about a place or thing.
      3. the public c. Told people something officially.
      4. flight d. Able to be used or gotten.
      5. existed e. A trip in an aircraft.
      6. casual f. Relaxed and not formal or professional
      7. exploration g. All people in a town, city, or country.

    Paragraph 2

      8. simulator h. The whole of something.
      9. desired i. The things used to make a machine or system work.
      10. location j. To choose something from a group.
      11. select k. A program or machine that copies a real activity or situation.
      12. controls l. An important or famous place or building that all people know and (perhaps) want to visit.
      13. entire m. Wanted or hoped for.
      14. landmark n. The place where something is.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Google's flight simulators first came out in 2007.     T / F
  2. People will need to download an app to play the new flight simulator.     T / F
  3. Google said the simulator is more for fun than serious flight training.     T / F
  4. Google said the simulator works best when flying near ground level.    T / F
  5. You don't have to go open Google Earth to access the simulator.     T / F
  6. When have to click a location in a search bar on the simulator page.     T / F
  7. You can find the simulator controls on Google's developer site.     T / F
  8. The simulator gives you access to just 80% of Google Earth's database.  T / F

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

  1. available
  2. version
  3. install
  4. exploration
  5. issues
  6. showing
  7. access
  8. select
  9. entire
  10. various
  1. trips
  2. whole
  3. difficulties
  4. put
  5. different
  6. ready for use
  7. choose
  8. entry
  9. edition
  10. displaying

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

  1. make its flight simulator
  2. The simulator has existed
  3. download the program and install
  4. The flight simulator is designed for casual
  5. in regions below
  6. typing your desired location in the
  7. you need to click on "Tools"
  8. select "Flight simulator" from the drop-
  9. flight simulator has access to the entire
  10. check out various
  1. it on their desktop
  2. Google Earth database
  3. sea level
  4. in the menu bar
  5. available to the public
  6. exploration
  7. landmarks
  8. since 2007
  9. search bar
  10. down menu

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
able
available
designed
install
level
existed
issues
access

Google has announced it will make its flight simulator                     (1) ______________________________________________ to the public. The simulator has            (2) ______________________________________________ since 2007, but has only been on the desktop version of Google Earth. People had to download the program and (3) ______________________________________________ it on their desktop. The new version will be browser-based. Anyone can now                     (4) ______________________________________________ the flight simulator on a web browser, without having to download or install anything. On its website, Google said: "The flight simulator is (5) ______________________________________________ for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training." You will be (6) ______________________________________________ to fly all over the world using Google's map technology. Google said users may experience (7) ______________________________________________ "when flying near ground level in regions below sea (8) ______________________________________________".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
menu
click
entire
black
landmarks
typing
showing
drop

To use the flight simulator, you will have to open the Google Earth website and (9) ______________________________________________ on the "Explore Earth" button in the top right corner. This will take you to a page (10) ______________________________________________ a picture of Earth set against the (11) ______________________________________________ of space. You can then choose where in the world you want to fly to, from, or around by (12) ______________________________________________ your desired location in the search bar. To start flying, you need to click on "Tools" in the (13) ______________________________________________ bar and then select "Flight simulator" from the (14) ______________________________________________ -down menu. The controls are shown on Google's developer website. CNET.com wrote: "Google Earth's flight simulator has access to the (15) ______________________________________________ Google Earth database, so you can fly to almost anywhere on Earth and check out various (16) ______________________________________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Google has announced it will make its flight simulator available ______
     a.  to a public
     b.  to the public
     c.  to the private
     d.  to the publicity
2)  The simulator has existed since 2007, but has only been on ______
     a.  the desktop vision
     b.  the desktop verse on
     c.  the desktop version
     d.  the desktop virtual
3)  Anyone can now access the flight simulator on ______
     a.  a web browses
     b.  a web browsing
     c.  a web browse
     d.  a web browser
4)  You will be able to fly all over the world using ______
     a.  Google's nap technology
     b.  Google's map technology
     c.  Google's tap technology
     d.  Google's lap technology
5)  users may experience issues when flying near ground level in regions ______
     a.  below sea level
     b.  below see level
     c.  below seal level
     d.  below seen level

6)  To use the flight simulator, you will have to open the Google Earth ______
     a.  website and creek
     b.  website and clique
     c.  website and crick
     d.  website and click
7)  the "Explore Earth" button in the ______
     a.  top light corner
     b.  top right corner
     c.  top bright corner
     d.  top right corn are
8)  choose where in the world you want to fly to, from, or around by typing ______
     a.  your desire location
     b.  your desired rotation
     c.  your desired location
     d.  your desire lotion
9)  click on "Tools" in the menu bar and then select "Flight simulator" from the ______
     a.  drip-down guide
     b.  drop-down chart
     c.  drip-down menu
     d.  drop-down menu
10)  you can fly to almost anywhere on Earth and check ______
     a.  out varies landmarks
     b.  out varieties landmarks
     c.  out variously landmarks
     d.  out various landmarks

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Google has announced it will make its flight simulator available (1) __________________________________________________. The simulator has existed since 2007, but has only been on the (2) __________________________________________________ Google Earth. People had to download the program and install it on their desktop. The new version will be browser-based. Anyone (3) __________________________________________________ the flight simulator on a web browser, without having to download (4) __________________________________________________. On its website, Google said: "The flight simulator is designed for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training." You will be able to (5) __________________________________________________ the world using Google's map technology. Google said users may experience issues "when flying near ground level in regions (6) __________________________________________________".

(7) __________________________________________________ flight simulator, you will have to open the Google Earth website and click on the "Explore Earth" button in the (8) __________________________________________________. This will take you to a page showing a picture of Earth set against the (9) __________________________________________________. You can then choose where in the world you want to fly to, from, or around by typing your desired location in (10) __________________________________________________. To start flying, you need to click on "Tools" in the menu bar and then select "Flight simulator" from the drop-down menu. The controls are shown on Google's developer website. CNET.com wrote: "Google Earth's flight simulator has access (11) __________________________________________________ Google Earth database, so you can fly to almost anywhere on Earth and check (12) __________________________________________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. Who will Google make its flight simulator available to?
  2. When did the flight simulator first come out?
  3. What will we need to play the flight simulator?
  4. What did Google say the flight simulator was designed for?
  5. What might you experience when flying near very low below sea level?
  6. What website do you have to access first to play the flight simulator?
  7. What will people see a picture of before they reach the flight simulator?
  8. In which option on the menu bar can people find a drop-down menu?
  9. Where can people get the controls for flight simulator?
  10. What variety of things does the article say people can check out?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who will Google make its flight simulator available to?
a) pilots
b) subscribers
c) the public
d) schoolchildren
2) When did the flight simulator first come out?
a) 2007
b) 2012
c) 2017
d) 2022
3) What will we need to play the flight simulator?
a) a computer
b) a web browser
c) a smartphone
d) money
4) What did Google say the flight simulator was designed for?
a) schools
b) children
c) space travel training
d) casual exploration
5) What might you experience when flying near very low below sea level?
a) air sickness
b) G-forces
c) issues
d) backaches

6) What website do you have to access first to play the flight simulator?
a) Google Drive
b) Google Earth
c) Explore Earth
d) Earth Flight
7) What will people see a picture of before they reach the flight simulator?
a) a map
b) a pilot's cap
c) an airplane cockpit
d) Earth
8) In which option on the menu bar can people find a drop-down menu?
a) World
b) Tools
c) View
d) Fly
9) Where can people get the controls for flight simulator?
a) from an online store
b) the Google developer website
c) at a convenience store
d) from an electronic store
10) What variety of things does the article say people can check out?
a) landmarks
b) supermarkets
c) pilot uniforms
d) airplane controls

Role play

Role  A – Flight Simulators
You think flight simulators are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their simulators aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): war zone simulators, surgery simulators or dating simulators.

Role  B – War Zone Simulators
You think war zone simulators are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their simulators aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): flight simulators, surgery simulators or dating simulators.

Role  C – Surgery Simulators
You think surgery simulators are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their simulators aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): war zone simulators, flight simulators or dating simulators.

Role  D – Dating Simulators
You think dating simulators are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their simulators aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): war zone simulators, surgery simulators or flight simulators.

After reading / listening

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

'Google'

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

    • and 'Earth'.

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

    • • 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:

    • public
    • version
    • without
    • casual
    • fly
    • sea
    • open
    • page
    • choose
    • drop
    • entire
    • various

    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 - Google Earth

    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 'Google'?
    3. What do you know about flight simulators?
    4. What apps are on your desktop and phone?
    5. Will you be trying Google's flight simulator?
    6. What do you know about Google Earth?
    7. How often do you use Google Maps?
    8. Where would you fly to on the flight simulator?
    9. Would you like to be an airline pilot?
    10. What do you think of flying?

    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 'Earth'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think when you see a picture of Earth?
    5. What is your most desired location around the world?
    6. What do you think is in the black of space?
    7. What are your experiences of flying in airplanes?
    8. What are your favourite landmarks?
    9. How difficult is it to be a pilot?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Google?

    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)

    Google has announced it will make its flight simulator available (1) ____ the public. The simulator has existed since 2007, but has (2) ____ been on the desktop version of Google Earth. People had to download the program and install (3) ____ on their desktop. The new version will be browser-based. Anyone can now access the flight simulator on a web browser, (4) ____ having to download or install anything. On its website, Google said: "The flight simulator is designed for casual exploration (5) ____ than high-fidelity aerodynamic training." You will be able to fly all over the world using Google's map technology. Google said users may experience issues "when flying near ground level in regions below (6) ____ level".

    To use the flight simulator, you will have to open the Google Earth website and click (7) ____ the "Explore Earth" button in the top right corner. This will take you to a page showing a picture of Earth set (8) ____ the black of space. You can then choose where in the world you want to fly to, from, or around by typing your (9) ____ location in the search bar. To start flying, you need to click on "Tools" in the menu bar and then select "Flight simulator" from the drop-(10) ____ menu. The controls are shown on Google's developer website. CNET.com wrote: "Google Earth's flight simulator has access to the (11) ____ Google Earth database, so you can fly to almost anywhere on Earth and check (12) ____ various landmarks."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     of     (b)     to     (c)     by     (d)     at    
    (a)     simple     (b)     only     (c)     so     (d)     to    
    (a)     program     (b)     every     (c)     them     (d)     it    
    (a)     with     (b)     without     (c)     wither     (d)     within    
    (a)     instead     (b)     rather     (c)     prefer     (d)     other    
    (a)     seeing     (b)     sea     (c)     sea     (d)     seen    
    (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     on     (d)     up    
    (a)     against     (b)     for     (c)     up     (d)     around    
    (a)     desiring     (b)     desire     (c)     desires     (d)     desired    
    (a)     along     (b)     down     (c)     in     (d)     up    
    (a)     tire     (b)     entire     (c)     retire     (d)     attire    
    (a)     out     (b)     up     (c)     in     (d)     of

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. on the desktop rosnvei
    2. download the program and aintlls it
    3. sacesc the flight simulator on a web browser
    4. designed for caalsu exploration
    5. users may epnxeeiecr issues
    6. in rginose below sea level

    Paragraph 2

    1. click on the "Explore Earth" botunt
    2. in the top right croenr
    3. typing your desired oatnoilc
    4. in the rscahe bar
    5. the teneri Google Earth database
    6. check out uarsoiv landmarks

    Put the text back together

    (    )   all over the world using Google's map technology. Google said users may experience
    (    )   bar and then select "Flight simulator" from the drop-down menu. The controls are shown on
    (    )   browser, without having to download or install anything. On its website, Google said: "The flight simulator is
    (    )   designed for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training." You will be able to fly
    (    )   Google Earth database, so you can fly to almost anywhere on Earth and check out various landmarks."
    (  1  )   Google has announced it will make its flight simulator available to the public. The simulator has existed
    (    )   Google's developer website. CNET.com wrote: "Google Earth's flight simulator has access to the entire
    (    )   install it on their desktop. The new version will be browser-based. Anyone can now access the flight simulator on a web
    (    )   issues "when flying near ground level in regions below sea level".
    (    )   location in the search bar. To start flying, you need to click on "Tools" in the menu
    (    )   of space. You can then choose where in the world you want to fly to, from, or around by typing your desired
    (    )   right corner. This will take you to a page showing a picture of Earth set against the black
    (    )   since 2007, but has only been on the desktop version of Google Earth. People had to download the program and
    (    )   To use the flight simulator, you will have to open the Google Earth website and click on the "Explore Earth" button in the top

    Put the words in the right order

    1. available   flight   its   Make   public   simulator   the   to   .
    2. and   desktop   Download   install   it   it   on   their   .
    3. Access   a   browser   flight   on   simulator   the   web   .
    4. able   all   be   fly   over   to   will   You   .
    5. Experience   flying   ground   issues   level   near   when   .
    6. Earth   Google   have   open   the   to   website   You'll   .
    7. A   Earth   a     of   page   picture   showing   .
    8. Choose   fly   to   to   want   where   you   .
    9. drop-down   "Flight   from   menu   Select   simulator"   the   .
    10. almost   anywhere   can   Earth   fly   on   to   You   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Google has announced / announcement it will make its flight simulator available to the public. The simulator has exists / existed since 2007, but has only been on the desktop version / vision of Google Earth. People had to download the program and install them / it on their desktop. The new version will being / be browser-based. Anyone can now access the flight simulator on a web browser, without having / have to download or install anything. On its website, Google said: "The flight simulator is designed for / to casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training." You will be ability / able to fly all over the world using Google's map technology. Google said users may experience issues / tissues "when flying near ground level in regions below see / sea level".

    To use the flight simulator, you will have to open the Google Earth website and click / cluck on the "Explore Earth" button in the topping / top right corner. This will take you to the / a page showing a picture of Earth set for / against the black of space. You can then choose where in the world you want to fly to, from, or around by / with typing your desired location in the search bar. To start flying, you need to click in / on "Tools" in the menu bar and then select "Flight simulator" from the drop-down menu. The controls are shown / showing on Google's developer website. CNET.com wrote: "Google Earth's flight simulator has access at / to the entire Google Earth database, so you can fly at / to almost anywhere on Earth and check at / out various landmarks."

    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)

    G__gl_  h_s  _nn__nc_d  _t  w_ll  m_k_  _ts  fl_ght  s_m_l_t_r  _v__l_bl_  t_  th_  p_bl_c.  Th_  s_m_l_t_r  h_s  _x_st_d  s_nc_  2007,  b_t  h_s  _nly  b__n  _n  th_  d_skt_p  v_rs__n  _f  G__gl_  __rth.  P__pl_  h_d  t_  d_wnl__d  th_  pr_gr_m  _nd  _nst_ll  _t  _n  th__r  d_skt_p.  Th_  n_w  v_rs__n  w_ll  b_  br_ws_r-b_s_d.  _ny_n_  c_n  n_w  _cc_ss  th_  fl_ght  s_m_l_t_r  _n  _  w_b  br_ws_r,  w_th__t  h_v_ng  t_  d_wnl__d  _r  _nst_ll  _nyth_ng.  _n  _ts  w_bs_t_,  G__gl_  s__d:  "Th_  fl_ght  s_m_l_t_r  _s  d_s_gn_d  f_r  c_s__l  _xpl_r_t__n  r_th_r  th_n  h_gh-f_d_l_ty  __r_dyn_m_c  tr__n_ng."  Y__  w_ll  b_  _bl_  t_  fly  _ll  _v_r  th_  w_rld  _s_ng  G__gl_'s  m_p  t_chn_l_gy.  G__gl_  s__d  _s_rs  m_y  _xp_r__nc_  _ss__s  "wh_n  fly_ng  n__r  gr__nd  l_v_l  _n  r_g__ns  b_l_w  s__  l_v_l".

    T_  _s_  th_  fl_ght  s_m_l_t_r,  y__  w_ll  h_v_  t_  _p_n  th_  G__gl_  __rth  w_bs_t_  _nd  cl_ck  _n  th_  "_xpl_r_  __rth"  b_tt_n  _n  th_  t_p  r_ght  c_rn_r.  Th_s  w_ll  t_k_  y__  t_  _  p_g_  sh_w_ng  _  p_ct_r_  _f  __rth  s_t  _g__nst  th_  bl_ck  _f  sp_c_.  Y__  c_n  th_n  ch__s_  wh_r_  _n  th_  w_rld  y__  w_nt  t_  fly  t_,  fr_m,  _r  _r__nd  by  typ_ng  y__r  d_s_r_d  l_c_t__n  _n  th_  s__rch  b_r.  T_  st_rt  fly_ng,  y__  n__d  t_  cl_ck  _n  "T__ls"  _n  th_  m_n_  b_r  _nd  th_n  s_l_ct  "Fl_ght  s_m_l_t_r"  fr_m  th_  dr_p-d_wn  m_n_.  Th_  c_ntr_ls  _r_  sh_wn  _n  G__gl_'s  d_v_l_p_r  w_bs_t_.  CN_T.c_m  wr_t_:  "G__gl_  __rth's  fl_ght  s_m_l_t_r  h_s  _cc_ss  t_  th_  _nt_r_  G__gl_  __rth  d_t_b_s_,  s_  y__  c_n  fly  t_  _lm_st  _nywh_r_  _n  __rth  _nd  ch_ck  __t  v_r___s  l_ndm_rks."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    google has announced it will make its flight simulator available to the public the simulator has existed since 2007 but has only been on the desktop version of google earth people had to download the program and install it on their desktop the new version will be browserbased anyone can now access the flight simulator on a web browser without having to download or install anything on its website google said the flight simulator is designed for casual exploration rather than highfidelity aerodynamic training you will be able to fly all over the world using googles map technology google said users may experience issues when flying near ground level in regions below sea level

    to use the flight simulator you will have to open the google earth website and click on the explore earth button in the top right corner this will take you to a page showing a picture of earth set against the black of space you can then choose where in the world you want to fly to from or around by typing your desired location in the search bar to start flying you need to click on tools in the menu bar and then select flight simulator from the dropdown menu the controls are shown on googles developer website cnetcom wrote google earths flight simulator has access to the entire google earth database so you can fly to almost anywhere on earth and check out various landmarks

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Googlehasannounceditwillmakeitsflightsimulatoravailabletothepub
    lic.Thesimulatorhasexistedsince2007,buthasonlybeenonthedeskto
    pversionofGoogleEarth.Peoplehadtodownloadtheprogramandinstal
    litontheirdesktop.Thenewversionwillbebrowser-based.Anyonecann
    owaccesstheflightsimulatoronawebbrowser,withouthavingtodownl
    oadorinstallanything.Onitswebsite,Googlesaid:"Theflightsimulatori
    sdesignedforcasualexplorationratherthanhigh-fidelityaerodynamict
    training."YouwillbeabletoflyallovertheworldusingGoogle'smaptechn
    ology.Googlesaidusersmayexperienceissues"whenflyingneargroun
    dlevelinregionsbelowsealevel".Tousetheflightsimulator,youwillhav
    etoopentheGoogleEarthwebsiteandclickonthe"ExploreEarth"button
    inthetoprightcorner.ThiswilltakeyoutoapageshowingapictureofEart
    hsetagainsttheblackofspace.Youcanthenchoosewhereintheworldyo
    uwanttoflyto,from,oraroundbytypingyourdesiredlocationinthesearc
    hbar.Tostartflying,youneedtoclickon"Tools"inthemenubarandthens
    elect"Flightsimulator"fromthedrop-downmenu.Thecontrolsareshow
    nonGoogle'sdeveloperwebsite.CNET.comwrote:"GoogleEarth'sfligh
    tsimulatorhasaccesstotheentireGoogleEarthdatabase,soyoucanflyt
    oalmostanywhereonEarthandcheckoutvariouslandmarks."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Google Earth should become part of all geography lessons at schools. 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. FLIGHT SIMULATORS: Make a poster about flight simulators. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. GOOGLE EARTH: Write a magazine article about making Google Earth and the flight simulator part geography lessons at school. 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 Earth. Ask him/her three questions about Earth. 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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