Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Religious Freedom

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* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (S. Africa male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(200 - 500 wpm)

* Gap-fill

Religious intolerance on the rise (22nd May, 2013)

The report opened with a quote from President Barack Obama, who said religious freedom was, "an essential part of human dignity, and without it our world cannot know lasting peace". The report outlined how nations were repressing religious freedom. It said: "Numerous governments imposed…undue and inappropriate restrictions on religious groups and abused their members, in some cases as part of formal government law and practice." The report also warned that denying freedom of worship increased the danger of political and societal instability. It said such a policy: "Undercuts society's ability to counter and combat the biased and warped interpretations of religion that violent extremists propagate."

Sources:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/kerry-blasphemy-apostasy-anti-semitism-troubling-trends-in-intl-religious-freedom-report-96277/
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm#wrapper

WARM-UPS

1. RELIGION: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about religion. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

report / highlighted / intolerance / challenges / discrimination / religious freedom / human dignity / lasting peace / restrictions / instability / interpretations / extremists

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. DISCRIMINATION: What exists in your country? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s).

Against…	What kind / How bad?	How to fight and reduce it?
race / colour
sex
age
religion
income level
dialect

4. TOLERANCE: Students A strongly believe everyone in the world will be tolerant of others one day; Students B strongly believe this will never happen. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. FREEDOMS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most important at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

religious freedom
choice of who to marry
freedom to travel
freedom of speech

freedom to join a union
freedom to be creative
freedom to work anywhere
freedom to wear anything

6. FREEDOM: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'freedom'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	The Vatican in Rome has published a report about religious freedom.	T / F
b.	John Kerry talked about challenges for people to worship freely.	T / F
c.	Kerry said there was an increasing intolerance against Muslims & Jews.	T / F
d.	Kerry said attacking religious freedom did not affect a nation's stability.	T / F
e.	The report opened with words from a Hindu teacher.	T / F
f.	Obama said there could be no lasting peace without religious freedom.	T / F
g.	The article mentions three nations where there is no religious freedom.	T / F
h.	The report suggests religious intolerance creates extremism.	T / F

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

1.	highlighted	a.	encounter
2.	summary	b.	refusing
3.	face	c.	security
4.	trend	d.	overview
5.	stability	e.	needless
6.	essential	f.	spread
7.	lasting	g.	pointed out
8.	undue	h.	vital
9.	denying	i.	long-term
10.	propagate	j.	shift

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

1.	It shines light on the	a.	anti-Islamic sentiment
2.	a particularly	b.	of human dignity
3.	a rise in	c.	own stability
4.	undermine or	d.	interpretations of religion
5.	they threaten their country's	e.	worrying trend
6.	an essential part	f.	challenges people face
7.	…how nations were repressing	g.	extremists
8.	the danger of political and	h.	attack religious freedom
9.	biased and warped	i.	religious freedom
10.	violent	j.	societal instability

GAP FILL

A report from the U.S. State Department has (1) ____________ the rise of religious intolerance worldwide. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave reporters a (2) ____________ of the "International Religious Freedom" report. He said: "[It] (3) ____________ light on the challenges people face as they seek nothing more than basic religious freedom and the right to worship as they (4) ____________." Kerry said a particularly worrying (5) ____________ was the increased discrimination against Jews and Muslims around the world. The report highlighted a rise in anti-Islamic (6) ____________ in Europe and Asia, and an increase in anti-Semitism in other parts of the world. Kerry warned that: "When countries (7) ____________ or attack religious freedom, they threaten their country's own (8) ____________."

sentiment
wish
summary
stability
highlighted
undermine
shines
trend

The report opened with a (9) ____________ from President Barack Obama, who said religious freedom was, "an essential part of human (10) ____________, and without it our world cannot know (11) ____________ peace". The report outlined how nations were repressing religious freedom. It said: "Numerous governments (12) ____________ …undue and inappropriate restrictions on religious groups and abused their members, in some (13) ____________ as part of formal government law and practice." The report also warned that (14) ____________ freedom of worship increased the danger of political and societal instability. It said such a policy: "Undercuts society's ability to (15) ____________ and combat the biased and warped interpretations of religion that (16) ____________ extremists propagate."

lasting
violent
denying
quote
imposed
dignity
counter
cases

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	highlighted the rise of religious ______
	a. intolerance the world over b. intolerance world and wide c. intolerance worldwide d. intolerance world wild
2)	challenges people face as they seek nothing more than ______
	a. basics religious freedom b. basic religious freedom c. basically religious freedom d. bases religious freedom
3)	Kerry said a particularly worrying trend was the increased discrimination against ______
	a. Jews and Muslim b. Jew and Muslim c. Jews and Muslims d. Jew and Muslims
4)	a rise in anti-Islamic sentiment in Europe and Asia, and an increase ______
	a. in anti-Semitism b. on anti-Semitism c. an anti-Semitism d. and anti-Semitism
5)	When countries undermine or attack religious freedom, they threaten their ______
	a. country's own stability b. country zone stability c. country-sewn stability d. countries own stability
6)	religious freedom was an essential part ______
	a. of human dignities b. of human dignify c. of human dignity d. of human dignified
7)	without it our world cannot ______
	a. know lasting peace b. know last in peace c. no lasting peace d. no last in peace
8)	Numerous governments imposed undue and ______
	a. inappropriate restrictions b. in appropriate restrictions c. inappropriateness restrictions d. inner pro-rata restrictions
9)	denying freedom of worship increased the danger of political ______
	a. and society all instability b. and so site tall instability c. and societal instability d. and social instability
10)	the biased and warped interpretations of religion that ______
	a. violent extremists prop a gate b. violent extremists proper gate c. violent extremists propagate d. violent extremists pro pay gate

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A report from the U.S. State Department has (1) ____________________ religious intolerance worldwide. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave (2) ____________________ the "International Religious Freedom" report. He said: "[It] shines light on the challenges people (3) _________________ more than basic religious freedom and the right to worship as they wish." Kerry said a (4) ______________________ was the increased discrimination against Jews and Muslims around the world. The report highlighted (5) ____________________ sentiment in Europe and Asia, and an increase in anti-Semitism in other parts of the world. Kerry warned that: "When countries (6) ____________________ religious freedom, they threaten their country's own stability."

The report opened with a quote from President Barack Obama, who said religious freedom was, "(7) ____________________ human dignity, and without it our world cannot (8) ____________________ ". The report outlined how nations were repressing religious freedom. It said: "Numerous governments imposed…undue and (9) ____________________ on religious groups and abused their members, in some cases as part of formal government law and practice." The report also (10) ___________________ of worship increased the danger (11) ____________________ instability. It said such a policy: "Undercuts society's ability to counter and combat the biased and warped interpretations of (12) ________________________ propagate."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who compiled the report?
2.	What did John Kerry give reporters?
3.	What trend did Kerry say was worrying?
4.	Where was anti-Islamic feeling on the increase?
5.	What do countries threaten by reducing religious freedom?
6.	What did Obama say was non-existent without religious freedom?
7.	According to the report, who was repressing religious freedom?
8.	Who are some governments abusing?
9.	What would denying freedom of worship lead to?
10.	Who spreads twisted versions of religion?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who compiled the report?	6.	What did Obama say was non-existent without religious freedom?
	a) a Buddhist organisation b) the World Council of Churches c) the Vatican d) the U.S. State Department		a) diversity b) long-lasting peace c) churches d) prayers
2.	What did John Kerry give reporters?	7.	According to the report, who was repressing religious freedom?
	a) a piece of his mind b) a summary of the report c) chocolates d) his autograph		a) ordinary people b) the media / press c) terrorist groups d) numerous governments
3.	What trend did Kerry say was worrying?	8.	Who are some governments abusing?
	a) the increase in cult religions b) the falling number of worshippers c) the discrimination against Jews and Muslims d) the rise in atheism		a) members of religious groups b) refugees c) women and children d) terrorists
4.	Where was anti-Islamic feeling on the increase?	9.	What would denying freedom of worship lead to?
	a) Europe and Asia b) the USA c) South America d) Africa		a) more wars b) fewer religious holidays c) political and societal instability d) falling numbers of worshippers
5.	What do countries threaten by reducing religious freedom?	10.	Who spreads twisted versions of religion?
	a) printers of holy books b) their independence c) their own stability d) places of worship		a) religious leaders b) extremists c) newspapers d) some national leaders

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Religious freedom

You think religious freedom is the most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their freedom. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): freedom of speech, freedom to marry who you choose or freedom to wear what you want.

Role B – Freedom of speech

You think freedom of speech is the most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their freedom. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): religious freedom, freedom to marry who you choose or freedom to wear what you want.

Role C – Freedom to marry who you choose

You think freedom to marry who you choose is the most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their freedom. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): freedom of speech, religious freedom or freedom to wear what you want.

Role D – Freedom to wear what you want

You think freedom to wear what you want is the most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their freedom. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): freedom of speech, freedom to marry who you choose or religious freedom.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

religious

freedom

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:

highlighted
summary
face
trend
sentiment
threaten

quote
human
numerous
abused
denying
violent

RELIGION SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about religion 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

RELIGION DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'religion'?
c)	Why aren't people tolerant toward other religions?
d)	What role does religion play in your life?
e)	Do you accept and respect people from all religions?
f)	Why do some countries see religion as something dangerous?
g)	Why are there so many different religions?
h)	Why is there an increase in discrimination against Jews and Muslims?
i)	Does greater religious freedom lead to a more peaceful society?
j)	What do you like and dislike about religion?

Religious intolerance on the rise – 22nd May, 2013

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Is religious freedom "an essential part of human dignity"?
c)	What do you think of people who do not believe in God?
d)	Which countries do you think repress religion or religions?
e)	If all religions promote peace, love and respect for all, why is there so much hate in the world?
f)	Is fighting a war in the name of God a contradiction?
g)	Does religion bring the world together?
h)	What would Jesus, the Prophet Mohamed, Buddha, etc. think of our world today?
i)	Are religious people happier than non-religious people?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the author of the report?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

A report from the U.S. State Department has (1) ____ the rise of religious intolerance worldwide. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave reporters a (2) ____ of the "International Religious Freedom" report. He said: "[It] shines light on the challenges people face (3) ____ they seek nothing more than basic religious freedom and the right to worship as they (4) ____." Kerry said a particularly worrying trend was the increased discrimination against Jews and Muslims around the world. The report highlighted a rise (5) ____ anti-Islamic sentiment in Europe and Asia, and an increase in anti-Semitism in other parts of the world. Kerry warned that: "When countries undermine or attack religious freedom, they threaten their country's own (6) ____."

The report opened with a quote from President Barack Obama, who said religious freedom was, "an essential part of human (7) ____, and without it our world cannot know lasting peace". The report outlined how nations were (8) ____ religious freedom. It said: "Numerous governments imposed…undue and inappropriate restrictions on religious groups and abused their members, in some (9) ____ as part of formal government law and practice." The report also warned that (10) ____ freedom of worship increased the danger of political and societal instability. It said (11) ____ a policy: "Undercuts society's ability to counter and combat the biased and warped interpretations of religion that violent extremists (12) ____."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	highlighted	(b)	heightened	(c)	highs	(d)	highly
2.	(a)	summation	(b)	summons	(c)	summary	(d)	summersault
3.	(a)	gas	(b)	was	(c)	has	(d)	as
4.	(a)	wishing	(b)	wish	(c)	wishes	(d)	wishy-washy
5.	(a)	at	(b)	to	(c)	by	(d)	in
6.	(a)	instability	(b)	stable	(c)	stability	(d)	stabilise
7.	(a)	digress	(b)	dignity	(c)	digestion	(d)	digraphic
8.	(a)	repressing	(b)	repressed	(c)	repressive	(d)	represses
9.	(a)	cases	(b)	causes	(c)	castes	(d)	cassis
10.	(a)	deniable	(b)	denied	(c)	denying	(d)	deny
11.	(a)	thus	(b)	much	(c)	so	(d)	such
12.	(a)	rotavate	(b)	propagate	(c)	motivate	(d)	surrogate

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	tghhighdiel the rise
2.	the eeshnalglc people face
3.	a crriyaluatpl worrying trend
4.	increased mditiinonscari
5.	a rise in anti-Islamic etntnsime
6.	nthaerte their country's own stability
Paragraph 2
7.	an lstsneaei part
8.	human itdingy
9.	oprtarepaniip restrictions
10.	giyendn freedom of worship
11.	ibedas and warped interpretations
12.	violent sirtmesxte

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	worship as they wish." Kerry said a particularly worrying trend was the increased discrimination against Jews and Muslims
( )	how nations were repressing religious freedom. It said: "Numerous governments imposed…undue and
( )	the danger of political and societal instability. It said such a policy: "Undercuts society's ability to
( )	an increase in anti-Semitism in other parts of the world. Kerry warned that: "When countries
( )	around the world. The report highlighted a rise in anti-Islamic sentiment in Europe and Asia, and
( )	light on the challenges people face as they seek nothing more than basic religious freedom and the right to
( )	was, "an essential part of human dignity, and without it our world cannot know lasting peace". The report outlined
( )	as part of formal government law and practice." The report also warned that denying freedom of worship increased
( )	undermine or attack religious freedom, they threaten their country's own stability."
( )	of State John Kerry gave reporters a summary of the "International Religious Freedom" report. He said: "[It] shines
( )	The report opened with a quote from President Barack Obama, who said religious freedom
( )	inappropriate restrictions on religious groups and abused their members, in some cases
( )	counter and combat the biased and warped interpretations of religion that violent extremists propagate."
( 1 )	A report from the U.S. State Department has highlighted the rise of religious intolerance worldwide. U.S. Secretary

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	the Highlighted worldwide intolerance religious of rise.
2.	face on the It challenges shines people light.
3.	highlighted The rise sentiment report. a anti-Islamic in
4.	parts anti-Semitism in of in An the other increase world.
5.	threaten country's stability They their own.
6.	human Religious an of was part dignity freedom essential.
7.	how Outlined freedom religious repressing were nations.
8.	government As law part and of practice formal.
9.	societal danger instability of political Increased and the.
10.	The religion of interpretations warped and biased.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A report from the U.S. State Department has highlighted / heightened the rise of religious intolerance worldwide. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave reporters a summation / summary of the "International Religious Freedom" report. He said: "[It] shines doubt / light on the challenges people face as / has they seek nothing / anything more than basic religious freedom and the right to worship as they wish / wishing." Kerry said a particularly worrying trendy / trend was the increased discrimination for / against Jews and Muslims around the world. The report highlighted a rise in anti-Islamic sentiment in Europe and Asia, and an increase in anti-Semitism in other parts of the world. Kerry warned that: "When countries mine / undermine or attack religious freedom, they threaten their country's own stability / instability."

The report opened / opener with a quote from President Barack Obama, who said religious freedom was, "an essence / essential part of human dignity / dignified, and without it our world cannot know lasting / lasted peace". The report outlined how nations were repressing religious freedom. It said: "Numerous governments imposed…undue / duly and inappropriate restrictions on / at religious groups and abused their members, in some causes / cases as part of formal government law and practical / practice." The report also warned that denying / denial freedom of worship increased the danger of political and societal instability. It said such a policy: "Undercuts society's ability to counter and combat the biased and warped interpretations of religion that violent extremes / extremists propagate."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ r_p_rt fr_m th_ _.S. St_t_ D_p_rtm_nt h_s h_ghl_ght_d th_ r_s_ _f r_l_g___s _nt_l_r_nc_ w_rldw_d_. _.S. S_cr_t_ry _f St_t_ J_hn K_rry g_v_ r_p_rt_rs _ s_mm_ry _f th_ "_nt_rn_t__n_l R_l_g___s Fr__d_m" r_p_rt. H_ s__d: "[_t] sh_n_s l_ght _n th_ ch_ll_ng_s p__pl_ f_c_ _s th_y s__k n_th_ng m_r_ th_n b_s_c r_l_g___s fr__d_m _nd th_ r_ght t_ w_rsh_p _s th_y w_sh." K_rry s__d _ p_rt_c_l_rly w_rry_ng tr_nd w_s th_ _ncr__s_d d_scr_m_n_t__n _g__nst J_ws _nd M_sl_ms _r__nd th_ w_rld. Th_ r_p_rt h_ghl_ght_d _ r_s_ _n _nt_-_sl_m_c s_nt_m_nt _n __r_p_ _nd _s__, _nd _n _ncr__s_ _n _nt_-S_m_t_sm _n _th_r p_rts _f th_ w_rld. K_rry w_rn_d th_t: "Wh_n c__ntr__s _nd_rm_n_ _r _tt_ck r_l_g___s fr__d_m, th_y thr__t_n th__r c__ntry's _wn st_b_l_ty."

Th_ r_p_rt _p_n_d w_th _ q__t_ fr_m Pr_s_d_nt B_r_ck _b_m_, wh_ s__d r_l_g___s fr__d_m w_s, "_n _ss_nt__l p_rt _f h_m_n d_gn_ty, _nd w_th__t _t __r w_rld c_nn_t kn_w l_st_ng p__c_". Th_ r_p_rt __tl_n_d h_w n_t__ns w_r_ r_pr_ss_ng r_l_g___s fr__d_m. _t s__d: "N_m_r__s g_v_rnm_nts _mp_s_d…_nd__ _nd _n_ppr_pr__t_ r_str_ct__ns _n r_l_g___s gr__ps _nd _b_s_d th__r m_mb_rs, _n s_m_ c_s_s _s p_rt _f f_rm_l g_v_rnm_nt l_w _nd pr_ct_c_." Th_ r_p_rt _ls_ w_rn_d th_t d_ny_ng fr__d_m _f w_rsh_p _ncr__s_d th_ d_ng_r _f p_l_t_c_l _nd s_c__t_l _nst_b_l_ty. _t s__d s_ch _ p_l_cy: "_nd_rc_ts s_c__ty's _b_l_ty t_ c__nt_r _nd c_mb_t th_ b__s_d _nd w_rp_d _nt_rpr_t_t__ns _f r_l_g__n th_t v__l_nt _xtr_m_sts pr_p_g_t_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a report from the us state department has highlighted the rise of religious intolerance worldwide us secretary of state john kerry gave reporters a summary of the "international religious freedom" report he said "[it] shines light on the challenges people face as they seek nothing more than basic religious freedom and the right to worship as they wish" kerry said a particularly worrying trend was the increased discrimination against jews and muslims around the world the report highlighted a rise in anti-islamic sentiment in europe and asia and an increase in anti-semitism in other parts of the world kerry warned that "when countries undermine or attack religious freedom they threaten their country's own stability"

the report opened with a quote from president barack obama who said religious freedom was "an essential part of human dignity and without it our world cannot know lasting peace" the report outlined how nations were repressing religious freedom it said "numerous governments imposed…undue and inappropriate restrictions on religious groups and abused their members in some cases as part of formal government law and practice" the report also warned that denying freedom of worship increased the danger of political and societal instability it said such a policy "undercuts society's ability to counter and combat the biased and warped interpretations of religion that violent extremists propagate"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AreportfromtheU.S.StateDepartmenthashighlightedtheriseofreligious
intoleranceworldwide.U.S.SecretaryofStateJohnKerrygavereportersa
summaryofthe"InternationalReligiousFreedom"report.Hesaid:"[It]shines
lightonthechallengespeoplefaceastheyseeknothingmorethanbasicreligious
freedomandtherighttoworshipastheywish."Kerrysaidaparticularlyworrying
trendwastheincreaseddiscriminationagainstJewsandMuslimsaroundtheworld.
Thereporthighlightedariseinanti-IslamicsentimentinEuropeandAsia,andan
increaseinanti-Semitisminotherpartsoftheworld.Kerrywarnedthat:
"Whencountriesundermineorattackreligiousfreedom,theythreatentheircountry's
ownstability."ThereportopenedwithaquotefromPresidentBarackObama,who
saidreligiousfreedomwas,"anessentialpartofhumandignity,andwithoutitour
worldcannotknowlastingpeace".Thereportoutlinedhownationswererepressing
religiousfreedom.Itsaid:"Numerousgovernmentsimposed…undueand
inappropriaterestrictionsonreligiousgroupsandabusedtheirmembers,insome
casesaspartofformalgovernmentlawandpractice."Thereportalsowarnedthat
denyingfreedomofworshipincreasedthedangerofpoliticalandsocietal
instability.Itsaidsuchapolicy:"Undercutssociety'sabilitytocounterandcombat
thebiasedandwarpedinterpretationsofreligionthatviolentextremistspropagate."

FREE WRITING

Write about religion for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Religious intolerance is one of the biggest dangers to our security. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about religion. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. RELIGION: Make a poster about religious tolerance. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE: Write a magazine article about religious intolerance. Include imaginary interviews with people who have been subjected to religious intolerance.

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 religious intolerance. Ask him/her three questions about religion. Give him/her three of your ideas on how people can be more tolerant. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	highlighted	a.	pointed out
2.	summary	b.	overview
3.	face	c.	encounter
4.	trend	d.	shift
5.	stability	e.	security
6.	essential	f.	vital
7.	lasting	g.	long-term
8.	undue	h.	needless
9.	denying	i.	refusing
10.	propagate	j.	spread

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The U.S. State Department
2.	A summary of the report
3.	Discrimination against Jews and Muslims
4.	Europe and Asia
5.	Their own stability
6.	Long-lasting peace
7.	Nations / Numerous governments
8.	Members of religious groups
9.	Political and societal instability
10.	Violent extremists

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

10.

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Breaking News English

* 26-page lesson (40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (S. Africa male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation - (10 sentences)

* Speed Reading (200 - 500 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI
lesson (PDF)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(200 - 500 wpm)