The Reading / Listening - Mummies - Level 6

A museum in Scotland has removed the remains of an ancient Egyptian mummy from an exhibition because there is no documented evidence that the deceased gave consent for their remains to be displayed. Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum took away the remains of a priest named Nakht, a mummified male head, and other body parts. In place of the exhibits, visitors found signs explaining that the remains had been removed "as a mark of respect". The museum said the decision "reflects contemporary museum practice". It added: "In the absence of consent, we believe removing ancient Egyptian human remains from display is more respectful to the deceased individuals."

The decision has provoked widespread criticism. Scottish politician Murdo Fraser called the move "woke madness". He argued that museums should showcase history rather than hide it. A museum visitor complained that his daughter was upset at not being able to see the exhibits. An education campaigner said the decision "represents the triumph of educational stupidity and ignorance". He added: "It is not possible to seek permission from those who died thousands of years ago." However, the museum defended its action. It cited the International Council of Museums' Code of Ethics, which says museums "should uphold the inherent dignity of human remains".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Mummies - Level 4  or  Mummies - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/kelvingrove-egyptian-remains-removed-consent-nekht-coffin-00103289
  • https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/woke-nonsense-museum-slammed-stupidity-131153433.html
  • https://www.newsweek.com/egyptian-mummies-removed-from-museum-over-lack-of-deads-consent-12606631


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. MUSEUMS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about museums. 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?
       museum / remains / mummy / exhibition / consent / priest / visitors / decision /
       criticism / woke / madness / history / stupidity / ignorance / permission / dignity
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. RESPECT: Students A strongly believe we should respect ancient human remains by not putting them on display; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. MUSEUMS: Would you like to go to these real museums? Why (not)? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Go?

Why (not)?

Meguro Parasite Museum

 

 

Avanos Hair Museum

 

 

Museum of Bad Art

 

 

International Museum of Toilets

 

 

Dog Collar Museum

 

 

Treasure Island Garlic Museum

 

 

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

  • Mummies
  • Fashion
  • Dinosaurs
  • Food
  • Movie memorabilia
  • J-Pop history
  • The English language
  • Earth's future

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. remains a. A person who has died.
      2. ancient b. The parts of a dead person’s body that are still there.
      3. evidence c. Facts or information that show something is true.
      4. the deceased d. Objects or things shown to people in a museum.
      5. consent e. From today / the present time.
      6. exhibits f. From a very long time ago.
      7. contemporary g. Agreement to let something happen.

    Paragraph 2

      8. provoked h. A great success or victory.
      9. criticism i. The respect that every person deserves.
      10. woke j. Being allowed to do something.
      11. triumph k. Caring strongly about social problems and treating people fairly, especially in ways some people disagree with.
      12. ignorance l. Not knowing something or not understanding it.
      13. permission m. Caused a strong reaction or feeling.
      14. dignity n. Words or actions that show that someone thinks something is wrong.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A museum removed a mummy because it did not have ID papers.     T / F
  2. The exhibits at the museum included body parts of an Egyptian king.     T / F
  3. There was no indication on display cases as to why they were empty.     T / F
  4. The museum said it was not so respectful to display human remains.     T / F
  5. A politician said the issue of consent was madness.     T / F
  6. The politician said museums should not hide history.     T / F
  7. The politician said we should look for signed consent from the deceased.  T / F
  8. The museum cited a code of ethics from world museums.     T / F

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

  1. removed
  2. remains
  3. evidence
  4. mark
  5. absence
  6. provoked
  7. madness
  8. triumph
  9. cited
  10. uphold
  1. given rise to
  2. proof
  3. lack
  4. quoted
  5. taken away
  6. victory
  7. body parts
  8. sign
  9. preserve
  10. stupidity

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

  1. there is no documented
  2. a mummified
  3. a mark of
  4. the absence
  5. more respectful to the deceased
  6. The decision has provoked widespread
  7. museums should showcase history
  8. his daughter
  9. stupidity
  10. the museum defended
  1. respect
  2. was upset
  3. its action
  4. individuals
  5. evidence
  6. and ignorance
  7. of consent
  8. criticism
  9. male head
  10. rather than hide it

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
priest
mark
documented
believe
individuals
remains
male
reflects

A museum in Scotland has removed the (1) _________________________________ of an ancient Egyptian mummy from an exhibition because there is no (2) _________________________________ evidence that the deceased gave consent for their remains to be displayed. Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum took away the remains of a (3) _________________________________ named Nakht, a mummified (4) _________________________________ head, and other body parts. In place of the exhibits, visitors found signs explaining that the remains had been removed "as a (5) _________________________________ of respect". The museum said the decision "(6) _________________________________ contemporary museum practice". It added: "In the absence of consent, we (7) _________________________________ removing ancient Egyptian human remains from display is more respectful to the deceased (8) _________________________________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
triumph
criticism
uphold
showcase
seek
woke
cited
upset

The decision has provoked widespread (9) _________________________________. Scottish politician Murdo Fraser called the move "(10) _________________________________ madness". He argued that museums should (11) _________________________________ history rather than hide it. A museum visitor complained that his daughter was (12) _________________________________ at not being able to see the exhibits. An education campaigner said the decision "represents the (13) _________________________________ of educational stupidity and ignorance". He added: "It is not possible to (14) _________________________________ permission from those who died thousands of years ago." However, the museum defended its action. It (15) _________________________________ the International Council of Museums' Code of Ethics, which says museums "should (16) _________________________________ the inherent dignity of human remains".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A museum in Scotland has removed the remains of an ______
     a.  ancient Egyptian mummy
     b.  an agent Egyptian mummy
     c.  agent Egyptian mummy
     d.  nonchalant Egyptian mummy
2)  there is no documented evidence that the ______
     a.  desist gave consent
     b.  deceased gave consent
     c.  decreased gave consent
     d.  diseased gave consent
3)  a priest named Nakht, a mummified male head, and ______
     a.  other embody parts
     b.  another body parts
     c.  other body part
     d.  other body parts
4)  signs explaining that the remains had been removed as a ______
     a.  marks of respect
     b.  marque of respect
     c.  mark of respect
     d.  mark off respect
5)  ancient Egyptian human remains from display is more respectful to ______
     a.  the deceased individualize
     b.  the deceased indivisible
     c.  the deceased in residuals
     d.  the deceased individuals

6)  Scottish politician Murdo Fraser called the ______
     a.  move awoke madness
     b.  move woken madness
     c.  move woke madness
     d.  move wok madness
7)  He argued that museums should showcase history rather ______
     a.  than hide it
     b.  than hid it
     c.  than hidden it
     d.  than hi ditto
8)  A museum visitor complained that his daughter was upset at not being able to ______
     a.  seen the exhibits
     b.  see the exhibits
     c.  see them exhibits
     d.  seer exhibits
9)  the decision represents the triumph of educational ______
     a.  stupidity and ignorant
     b.  stupid oddity and ignorance
     c.  stupidity and ignorance
     d.  stupidity end ignorance
10)  Museums' Code of Ethics, which says museums "should uphold ______
     a.  the inherent dignify
     b.  the inherent dignity
     c.  the inherent indignity
     d.  the coherent dignity

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A museum in Scotland has (1) _______________________________________________ of an ancient Egyptian mummy from an exhibition because there is no documented evidence that the (2) _______________________________________________ for their remains to be displayed. Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum took away the remains of (3) _______________________________________________ Nakht, a mummified male head, and other body parts. In place (4) _______________________________________________, visitors found signs explaining that the remains had been removed "as a (5) _______________________________________________". The museum said the decision "reflects contemporary museum practice". It added: "In (6) _______________________________________________ consent, we believe removing ancient Egyptian human remains from display is more respectful to the deceased individuals."

The (7) _______________________________________________ widespread criticism. Scottish politician Murdo Fraser called the (8) _______________________________________________. He argued that museums should showcase history rather than hide it. A museum visitor complained that his daughter was (9) _______________________________________________ being able to see the exhibits. An education campaigner said the decision "represents the triumph of educational (10) _______________________________________________". He added: "It is not possible to seek permission from those who died thousands of years ago." However, the museum (11) _______________________________________________. It cited the International Council of Museums' Code of Ethics, which says museums "should uphold the (12) _______________________________________________ human remains".

Comprehension questions

  1. What did a museum say ancient dead people had not given?
  2. Who were the remains from?
  3. What did signs in the museum say removing the exhibits was a mark of?
  4. What did the museum say its decision reflected?
  5. Who did the museum say removing the remains was respectful to?
  6. What has the museum's decision provoked?
  7. What did a politician call the decision to not display the remains?
  8. What did the politician say museums should do to history?
  9. What did an education campaigner say the decision was a triumph of?
  10. Who did the campaigner say it was impossible to get permission from?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did a museum say ancient dead people had not given?
a) their signature
b) money
c) consent to be displayed
d) their time
2) Who were the remains from?
a) a priest
b) a king
c) a princess
d) a slave
3) What did signs in the museum say removing the exhibits was a mark of?
a) madness
b) respect
c) commons sense
d) sanity
4) What did the museum say its decision reflected?
a) the sign of the times
b) a mirror
c) intelligent minds
d) contemporary museum practice
5) Who did the museum say removing the remains was respectful to?
a) all Egyptian people
b) family members
c) deceased individuals
d) ancient peoples

6) What has the museum's decision provoked?
a) a hornet's nest
b) widespread criticism
c) shock
d) curiosity
7) What did a politician call the decision to not display the remains?
a) incomprehensible
b) worrying
c) wrong
d) woke madness
8) What did the politician say museums should do to history?
a) cement it
b) showcase it
c) discuss it
d) rewrite it
9) What did an education campaigner say the decision was a triumph of?
a) a moral code
b) stupidity and ignorance
c) common sense
d) historical correctness
10) Who did the campaigner say it was impossible to get permission from?
a) those who died thousands of years ago
b) family members of the dead
c) a king
d) a priest

Role play

Role  A – Mummies
You think an exhibition on mummies is the best thing to see. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their exhibitions. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): fashion, Earth's future or the English language.

Role  B – Fashion
You think an exhibition on fashion is is the best thing to see. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their exhibitions. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): mummies, Earth's future or the English language.

Role  C – Earth's Future
You think an exhibition on Earth's future is is the best thing to see. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their exhibitions. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): fashion, mummies or the English language.

Role  D – The English Language
You think an exhibition on the English language is is the best thing to see. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their exhibitions. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): fashion, Earth's future or mummies.

After reading / listening

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

'mummy'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'exhibition'.

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

    • removed
    • evidence
    • priest
    • signs
    • reflects
    • individuals
    • widespread
    • history
    • daughter
    • triumph
    • ago
    • human

    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 - Mummies

    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 'mummy'?
    3. How interested are you in mummies?
    4. What are your favourite kinds of museums?
    5. Is it disrespectful to display ancient human remains?
    6. How would you feel if parts of your ancestors were put on display?
    7. How can museums display human remains more respectfully?
    8. When was the last time you went to a museum?
    9. Would you like to see ancient Egyptian mummies?
    10. Are online or physical museums best?

    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 'exhibition'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you know about mummies?
    5. What is your favourite museum?
    6. What do you know about the modern meaning of the word 'woke'?
    7. Does the decision represent 'the triumph of educational stupidity'?
    8. How can we 'uphold the inherent dignity of human remains'?
    9. What exhibition would you really like to see?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the museum?

    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)

    A museum in Scotland has removed the remains of an ancient Egyptian mummy from an exhibition because there is no documented (1) ____ that the deceased gave consent for their remains to (2) ____ displayed. Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum took away the remains of a priest named Nakht, a (3) ____ male head, and other body parts. In place (4) ____ the exhibits, visitors found signs explaining that the remains had been removed "as a mark of respect". The museum said the decision "reflects contemporary museum practice". It added: "In the (5) ____ of consent, we believe removing ancient Egyptian human remains from display is more respectful (6) ____ the deceased individuals."

    The decision has provoked widespread criticism. Scottish politician Murdo Fraser called the move "(7) ____ madness". He argued that museums should showcase history rather than hide it. A museum visitor complained that his daughter was upset (8) ____ not being able to see the exhibits. An education campaigner said the decision "represents the triumph of educational (9) ____ and ignorance". He added: "It is not possible to (10) ____ permission from those who died thousands of years ago." However, the museum defended its action. It (11) ____ the International Council of Museums' Code of Ethics, which says museums "should (12) ____ the inherent dignity of human remains".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     grounds     (b)     demonstrate     (c)     prove     (d)     evidence    
    2. (a)     view     (b)     have     (c)     do     (d)     be    
    3. (a)     disqualified     (b)     mummified     (c)     glorified     (d)     stupefied    
    4. (a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     in    
    5. (a)     absence     (b)     absentia     (c)     absent     (d)     absented    
    6. (a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     up    
    7. (a)     wake     (b)     awake     (c)     waking     (d)     woke    
    8. (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     to     (d)     as    
    9. (a)     stupor     (b)     stupidity     (c)     stupefy     (d)     stupendous    
    10. (a)     reek     (b)     geek     (c)     seek     (d)     meek    
    11. (a)     sighted     (b)     sated     (c)     cited     (d)     slighted    
    12. (a)     foothold     (b)     uphold     (c)     household     (d)     stronghold

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. an cnetnai Egyptian mummy
    2. the remains of a speirt named Nakht
    3. In place of the bsiehitx
    4. optyoearrmnc museum practice
    5. In the bnaeecs of consent
    6. more respectful to the dseeedac individuals

    Paragraph 2

    1. The decision has krveopod widespread criticism
    2. the decision represents the upmihrt
    3. educational stupidity and neigocarn
    4. seek nrsimpsoei
    5. code of tsiech
    6. the inherent iydtnig of human remains

    Put the text back together

    (    )   "reflects contemporary museum practice". It added: "In the absence of consent, we believe removing ancient
    (  1  )   A museum in Scotland has removed the remains of an ancient Egyptian mummy from an exhibition
    (    )   and ignorance". He added: "It is not possible to seek permission from those who died
    (    )   because there is no documented evidence that the deceased gave consent for their remains to be
    (    )   displayed. Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum took away the remains of a priest
    (    )   Egyptian human remains from display is more respectful to the deceased individuals."
    (    )   explaining that the remains had been removed "as a mark of respect". The museum said the decision
    (    )   hide it. A museum visitor complained that his daughter was upset at not being able to
    (    )   madness". He argued that museums should showcase history rather than
    (    )   Museums' Code of Ethics, which says museums "should uphold the inherent dignity of human remains".
    (    )   named Nakht, a mummified male head, and other body parts. In place of the exhibits, visitors found signs
    (    )   see the exhibits. An education campaigner said the decision "represents the triumph of educational stupidity
    (    )   The decision has provoked widespread criticism. Scottish politician Murdo Fraser called the move "woke
    (    )   thousands of years ago." However, the museum defended its action. It cited the International Council of

    Put the words in the right order

    1. A   has   in   museum   removed   remains   Scotland   the   .
    2. consent   deceased   documented   gave   No   that   the   evidence   .
    3. been   had   removed   remains   Signs   that   the   explaining   .
    4. contemporary   decision   It   museum   practice   reflects   the   said   .
    5. ancient   display   Egyptian   human   from   remains   Removing   .
    6. hide   history   Museums   rather   showcase   should   than   it   .
    7. at   being   exhibits   not   see   to   able   Upset   .
    8. educational   decision   represents   stupidity   The   the   triumph  of   .
    9. ago   died   of   Those   thousands   who   years   .
    10. dignity   human   inherent   of   remains   Uphold   the   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A museum in Scotland has removal / removed the remains of an ancient Egyptian mummy from an exhibition because there is no / not documented evidence that the deceased took / gave consent for their remains to be replayed / displayed. Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum took away the remains of a priest named Nakht, a mummified / petrified male head, and other embody / body parts. In place of the exhibits, visitors found signs explaining what / that the remains had been removed "as a mark / make of respect". The museum said the decision "reflects contemporary museum practice". It added: "In / On the absence of consent, we believe removing ancient Egyptian human remains from display is more respectful to / at the deceased individuals."

    The decision has provocation / provoked widespread criticism. Scottish politician Murdo Fraser called the move "woke / wake madness". He argued that museums should showcase history rather / prefer than hide it. A museum visitor complimented / complained that his daughter was upset to / at not being able to see the exhibits. An education campaigner said the decision "represents the triumph of / to educational stupidity and ignorance". He added: "It is not possible to seek permission on / from those who died thousands of years ago." However, the museum defunded / defended its action. It sighted / cited the International Council of Museums' Code of Ethics, which says museums "should uphold the inherent dignity of human / humane remains".

    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)

    _  m_s__m  _n  Sc_tl_nd  h_s  r_m_v_d  th_  r_m__ns  _f  _n  _nc__nt  _gypt__n  m_mmy  fr_m  _n  _xh_b_t__n  b_c__s_  th_r_  _s  n_  d_c_m_nt_d  _v_d_nc_  th_t  th_  d_c__s_d  g_v_  c_ns_nt  f_r  th__r  r_m__ns  t_  b_  d_spl_y_d.  Gl_sg_w's  K_lv_ngr_v_  _rt  G_ll_ry  _nd  M_s__m  t__k  _w_y  th_  r_m__ns  _f  _  pr__st  n_m_d  N_kht,  _  m_mm_f__d  m_l_  h__d,  _nd  _th_r  b_dy  p_rts.  _n  pl_c_  _f  th_  _xh_b_ts,  v_s_t_rs  f__nd  s_gns  _xpl__n_ng  th_t  th_  r_m__ns  h_d  b__n  r_m_v_d  "_s  _  m_rk  _f  r_sp_ct".  Th_  m_s__m  s__d  th_  d_c_s__n  "r_fl_cts  c_nt_mp_r_ry  m_s__m  pr_ct_c_".  _t  _dd_d:  "_n  th_  _bs_nc_  _f  c_ns_nt,  w_  b_l__v_  r_m_v_ng  _nc__nt  _gypt__n  h_m_n  r_m__ns  fr_m  d_spl_y  _s  m_r_  r_sp_ctf_l  t_  th_  d_c__s_d  _nd_v_d__ls."

    Th_  d_c_s__n  h_s  pr_v_k_d  w_d_spr__d  cr_t_c_sm.  Sc_tt_sh  p_l_t_c__n  M_rd_  Fr_s_r  c_ll_d  th_  m_v_  "w_k_  m_dn_ss".  H_  _rg__d  th_t  m_s__ms  sh__ld  sh_wc_s_  h_st_ry  r_th_r  th_n  h_d_  _t.  _  m_s__m  v_s_t_r  c_mpl__n_d  th_t  h_s  d__ght_r  w_s  _ps_t  _t  n_t  b__ng  _bl_  t_  s__  th_  _xh_b_ts.  _n  _d_c_t__n  c_mp__gn_r  s__d  th_  d_c_s__n  "r_pr_s_nts  th_  tr__mph  _f  _d_c_t__n_l  st_p_d_ty  _nd  _gn_r_nc_".  H_  _dd_d:  "_t  _s  n_t  p_ss_bl_  t_  s__k  p_rm_ss__n  fr_m  th_s_  wh_  d__d  th__s_nds  _f  y__rs  _g_."  H_w_v_r,  th_  m_s__m  d_f_nd_d  _ts  _ct__n.  _t  c_t_d  th_  _nt_rn_t__n_l  C__nc_l  _f  M_s__ms'  C_d_  _f  _th_cs,  wh_ch  s_ys  m_s__ms  "sh__ld  _ph_ld  th_  _nh_r_nt  d_gn_ty  _f  h_m_n  r_m__ns".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a museum in scotland has removed the remains of an ancient egyptian mummy from an exhibition because there is no documented evidence that the deceased gave consent for their remains to be displayed glasgow s kelvingrove art gallery and museum took away the remains of a priest named nakht a mummified male head and other body parts in place of the exhibits visitors found signs explaining that the remains had been removed as a mark of respect the museum said the decision reflects contemporary museum practice it added in the absence of consent we believe removing ancient egyptian human remains from display is more respectful to the deceased individuals

    the decision has provoked widespread criticism scottish politician murdo fraser called the move woke madness he argued that museums should showcase history rather than hide it a museum visitor complained that his daughter was upset at not being able to see the exhibits an education campaigner said the decision represents the triumph of educational stupidity and ignorance he added it is not possible to seek permission from those who died thousands of years ago however the museum defended its action it cited the international council of museums code of ethics which says museums should uphold the inherent dignity of human remains

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AmuseuminScotlandhasremovedtheremainsofanancientEgyptianm
    ummyfromanexhibitionbecausethereisnodocumentedevidencethat
    thedeceasedgaveconsentfortheirremainstobedisplayed.Glasgow'sK
    elvingroveArtGalleryandMuseumtookawaytheremainsofapriestnam
    edNakht,amummifiedmalehead,andotherbodyparts.Inplaceoftheex
    hibits,visitorsfoundsignsexplainingthattheremainshadbeenremove
    d"asamarkofrespect".Themuseumsaidthedecision"reflectscontemp
    orarymuseumpractice".Itadded:"Intheabsenceofconsent,webeliev
    eremovingancientEgyptianhumanremainsfromdisplayismorerespec
    tfultothedeceasedindividuals."Thedecisionhasprovokedwidespread
    criticism.ScottishpoliticianMurdoFrasercalledthemove"wokemadne
    ss".Hearguedthatmuseumsshouldshowcasehistoryratherthanhideit
    .Amuseumvisitorcomplainedthathisdaughterwasupsetatnotbeinga
    bletoseetheexhibits.Aneducationcampaignersaidthedecision"repre
    sentsthetriumphofeducationalstupidityandignorance".Headded:"Iti
    snotpossibletoseekpermissionfromthosewhodiedthousandsofyears
    ago."However,themuseumdefendeditsaction.ItcitedtheInternation
    alCouncilofMuseums'CodeofEthics,whichsaysmuseums"shoulduph
    oldtheinherentdignityofhumanremains".

    Free writing

    Write about mummies and consent for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    It is wrong to display human remains in museums. 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. MUSEUMS: Make a poster about museums. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. REMAINS: Write a magazine article about banning exhibitions of human remains in museums. 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 museums. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to improve museums. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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