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Mass graves in Balochistan reveal over 100 bodies (31st January, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) says it has found 169 bodies in mass graves in the Pakistani province of Balochistan. The corpses are believed to be members of groups calling for greater autonomy and rights for Balochistan. The AHRC suspects they are some of the thousands of Balochs who were reportedly arrested and kidnapped by Pakistan's security agencies. The commission has called on the United Nations to send a fact-finding mission to ascertain the truth behind the killings. Pakistan's government denies the claims made by the AHRC and says the total number of bodies found is just 15. The AHRC expressed "shock and deep concern” over the latest killings.

Balochistan is one of Pakistan’s poorest regions, although it has vast natural resources. Baloch separatists allege that Pakistan is systematically suppressing development in the region to keep its people weak. The people want a whole series of issues addressed. These range from human rights abuses, greater autonomy, increased royalties from the region's abundant natural resources, and full independence. In the period between 2003 and 2012, an estimated 8,000 people from Balochistan were reportedly kidnapped by Pakistani security forces. Pakistani expert Malik Siraj Akbar said: "The international community must play its role in bringing the people behind these crimes to justice."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.dw.de/activists-demand-un-inquiry-into-balochistan-mass-graves/a-17392230
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balochistan_conflict#Human_rights

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. INDEPENDENCE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Independence. 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.

human rights / mass graves / autonomy / arrested / kidnapped / fact-finding / shock / poorest regions / natural resources / development / independence / crimes / justice

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

3. ISSUES: What issues would you like to be addressed in your country? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

Issue	Current state	Changes you would like to see
Human rights
Natural resources
Economy
Environment
Education
Security

4. AUTONOMY: Students A strongly believe all regions who want greater autonomy should be given it; Students B strongly believe this is dangerous. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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

• Freedom from discrimination

• Freedom of movement

• Right to own property

• Right to rest and leisure

• Right to education

• Right to social security

• Freedom of belief and religion

• Freedom from slavery

6. ARRESTED: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "arrested". 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 Pakistan Human Rights Commission found many bodies.	T / F
b.	The bodies are members of Pakistan's security forces.	T / F
c.	An organization has asked the U.N. to find the truth about the killings.	T / F
d.	The Pakistan government said here were fewer bodies than reported.	T / F
e.	Balochistan is rich in natural resources.	T / F
f.	Baloch people want Pakistan to give them more human rights.	T / F
g.	8,000 people were killed in Balochistan between 2003 and 2012.	T / F
h.	An expert on Pakistan advised the international community to stay out.	T / F

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

1.	mass	a.	plentiful
2.	corpses	b.	has a feeling
3.	suspects	c.	holding back
4.	called on	d.	grave
5.	deep	e.	part
6.	regions	f.	dead bodies
7.	suppressing	g.	specialist
8.	abundant	h.	asked
9.	expert	i.	areas
10.	role	j.	large-scale

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

1.	it has found 169 bodies	a.	natural resources
2.	members of groups calling	b.	claims made by the AHRC
3.	send a fact-finding	c.	of issues addressed
4.	Pakistan's government denies the	d.	in the region
5.	expressed shock and deep	e.	mission
6.	it has vast	f.	these crimes to justice
7.	suppressing development	g.	in mass graves
8.	The people want a whole series	h.	Pakistani security forces
9.	reportedly kidnapped by	i.	for greater autonomy
10.	bringing the people behind	j.	concern

GAP FILL

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) says it has found 169 bodies in (1) ____________ graves in the Pakistani (2) ____________ of Balochistan. The corpses are believed to be members of groups (3) ____________ for greater (4) ____________ and rights for Balochistan. The AHRC suspects they are some of the thousands of Balochs who were (5) ____________ arrested and kidnapped by Pakistan's security agencies. The commission has called on the United Nations to send a fact-finding (6) ____________ to ascertain the truth behind the killings. Pakistan's government denies the (7) ____________ made by the AHRC and says the total number of bodies found is just 15. The AHRC expressed "shock and (8) ____________ concern" over the latest killings.

autonomy
claims
province
deep
mass
reportedly
calling
mission

Balochistan is one of Pakistan's poorest (9) ____________, although it has vast natural resources. Baloch separatists (10) ____________ that Pakistan is systematically suppressing development in the region to keep its people weak. The people want a whole series of issues (11) ____________. These range from human rights abuses, greater autonomy, increased (12) ____________ from the region's abundant natural resources, and full (13) ____________. In the period between 2003 and 2012, an estimated 8,000 people from Balochistan were reportedly kidnapped by Pakistani security (14) ____________. Pakistani expert Malik Siraj Akbar said: "The international community must play its (15) ____________ in bringing the people behind these crimes to (16) ____________."

independence
role
allege
royalties
regions
justice
forces
addressed

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	it has found 169 bodies in mass graves in the Pakistani ______
	a. provinces of Balochistan b. provincial of Balochistan c. province of Balochistan d. prove once of Balochistan
2)	The corpses are believed to be members of groups calling for ______
	a. greater automatic b. greater auto-naming c. greater awe toe no me d. greater autonomy
3)	reportedly arrested and kidnapped by Pakistan's ______
	a. security agencies b. securities agencies c. secretive agencies d. secreted agencies
4)	The commission has called on the United Nations to send a fact-______
	a. funding mission b. finding mission c. fending mission d. find in mission
5)	The AHRC expressed shock ______
	a. and deeply concern b. and deep concerned c. and deep concern d. and deeply concerns
6)	Balochistan is one of Pakistan's poorest regions, although it has ______
	a. fast natural resources b. baste natural resources c. past natural resources d. vast natural resources
7)	Baloch separatists allege that Pakistan is systematically ______
	a. surprising development b. suppressing development c. supposing development d. surpassing development
8)	The people want a whole series of ______
	a. issued addressed b. issuance addressed c. issuers addressed d. issues addressed
9)	These range from human rights abuses, greater autonomy, ______
	a. increased royal ties from… b. increased royal tees from… c. increased royal teas from… d. increased royalties from…
10)	play its role in bringing the people behind these ______
	a. crimes to justice b. crimes at justice c. crimes on justice d. crimes up justice

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) says it has found 169 bodies in (1) ___________________ Pakistani province of Balochistan. The corpses are believed to be members of groups calling (2) ___________________ and rights for Balochistan. The AHRC suspects they are some of the thousands of Balochs who were (3) ___________________ kidnapped by Pakistan's security agencies. The commission has called on the United Nations to send a fact-finding (4) ___________________ the truth behind the killings. Pakistan's government (5) ___________________ made by the AHRC and says the total number of bodies found is just 15. The AHRC expressed "(6) ___________________" over the latest killings.

Balochistan is one of Pakistan's (7) ___________________, although it has vast natural resources. Baloch separatists allege that Pakistan is systematically (8) ___________________ in the region to keep its people weak. The people want a whole series of issues addressed. These range from human rights abuses, greater autonomy, (9) ___________________ from the region's abundant natural resources, (10) ___________________. In the period between 2003 and 2012, an estimated 8,000 people from Balochistan were (11) ___________________ Pakistani security forces. Pakistani expert Malik Siraj Akbar said: "The international community must play its role in bringing the people behind (12) ___________________."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How many bodies did the AHRC say it found?
2.	What groups do the AHRC say the dead people belonged to?
3.	Who did the AHRC ask to find out the facts about the killings?
4.	How many bodies did Pakistan say were found?
5.	What two feelings did the AHRC express over the killings?
6.	What is plentiful in Balochistan?
7.	Who is suppressing development, according to Baloch separatists?
8.	What do the Baloch people want addressed?
9.	When were 8,000 people reportedly kidnapped?
10.	Who did a Pakistan expert say had to play a greater role?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How many bodies did the AHRC say it found?	6.	What is plentiful in Balochistan?
	a) 169 b) hundreds c) countless d) 101		a) air b) food c) strawberries d) natural resources
2.	What groups do the AHRC say the dead people belonged to?	7.	Who is suppressing development, according to Baloch separatists?
	a) Free Balochistan Facebook groups b) ethnic groups c) those wanting more autonomy d) bigger and bigger ones		a) the United Nations b) the World Bank c) Pakistan d) the police
3.	Who did the AHRC ask to find out the facts about the killings?	8.	What do the Baloch people want addressed?
	a) village elders b) Pakistan's government c) the police d) the U.N.		a) speeches b) many issues c) envelopes d) e-mails
4.	How many bodies did Pakistan say were found?	9.	When were 8,000 people reportedly kidnapped?
	a) none b) 15 c) it's unsure d) 101		a) last year b) January c) between 2003 and 2012 d) on March 12, 2012
5.	What two feelings did the AHRC express over the killings?	10.	Who did a Pakistan expert say had to play a greater role?
	a) shock and concern b) anger and concern c) shock and fear d) fear and anger		a) the World Bank b) the international community c) security forces d) Baloch people

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Freedom from discrimination

You think freedom from discrimination is the most important human right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are difficult with their HHHHHH. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the right to education, freedom of belief and religion or the right to rest and leisure.

Role B – Right to education

You think the right to education is the most important human right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their difficult. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): freedom from discrimination, freedom of belief and religion or the right to rest and leisure.

Role C – Freedom of belief and religion

You think freedom of belief and religion is the most important human right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their difficult. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the right to education, freedom from discrimination or the right to rest and leisure.

Role D – Right to rest and leisure

You think the right to rest and leisure is the most important human right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their difficult. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the right to education, freedom of belief and religion or freedom from discrimination.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

human

rights

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:

mass
members
some
send
truth
deep

vast
keep
whole
full
expert
behind

INDEPENDENCE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Independence 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.

INDEPENDENCE 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 'independence'?
c)	What did you think about what you read?
d)	Do you think the killers will ever be found or brought to justice?
e)	What's the best way for regions to get greater autonomy?
f)	Should the U.N. go to Balochistan to investigate?
g)	Who do you believe about the number of dead?
h)	Should this be a bigger news story?
i)	What would happen if the truth about the killings was found?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What do you know about Balochistan?
c)	Why doesn't Pakistan exploit Balochistan's natural resources?
d)	Why might Pakistan want to keep the Baloch people weak?
e)	What issues in your country do you want addressed?
f)	Which regions of the world do you think should get independence?
g)	Should the map of the world be changed, with new countries created?
h)	When do you think people will stop killing each other over ethnicity?
i)	What questions would you like to ask Malik Siraj Akbar?

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.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) says it has found 169 bodies in mass graves in the Pakistani (1) ____ of Balochistan. The corpses are believed to be members of groups (2) ____ for greater autonomy and rights for Balochistan. The AHRC suspects they are some of the thousands of Balochs who were (3) ____ arrested and kidnapped by Pakistan's security agencies. The commission has called (4) ____ the United Nations to send a fact-finding mission to ascertain the truth behind the killings. Pakistan's government (5) ____ the claims made by the AHRC and says the total number of bodies found is just 15. The AHRC expressed "shock and deep concern" (6) ____ the latest killings.

Balochistan is one of Pakistan's poorest regions, although it has (7) ____ natural resources. Baloch separatists allege that Pakistan is systematically suppressing development in the region to keep its people (8) ____. The people want a whole series of issues addressed. These range from human rights abuses, greater autonomy, increased (9) ____ from the region's abundant natural resources, and full independence. In the period between 2003 and 2012, an (10) ____ 8,000 people from Balochistan were reportedly kidnapped by Pakistani security forces. Pakistani expert Malik Siraj Akbar said: "The international community must(11) ____ its role in bringing the people (12) ____ these crimes to justice."

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

1.	(a)	proving	(b)	provincial	(c)	proves	(d)	province
2.	(a)	shouting	(b)	screaming	(c)	whispering	(d)	calling
3.	(a)	reporting	(b)	reportedly	(c)	reporters	(d)	reports
4.	(a)	as	(b)	on	(c)	off	(d)	it
5.	(a)	refuses	(b)	abandons	(c)	denies	(d)	dejects
6.	(a)	over	(b)	out	(c)	in	(d)	under
7.	(a)	fast	(b)	vast	(c)	past	(d)	last
8.	(a)	weak	(b)	skinny	(c)	frail	(d)	pale
9.	(a)	VIPs	(b)	royalties	(c)	dignitaries	(d)	luminaries
10.	(a)	accounted	(b)	accredited	(c)	estimated	(d)	inquired
11.	(a)	act	(b)	participate	(c)	play	(d)	depict
12.	(a)	reversal	(b)	rear	(c)	beyond	(d)	behind

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the Pakistani rpnvceio of Balochistan
2.	The cespros are believed to be members of …
3.	greater atomouyn
4.	The oicimsnmos has called on the United Nations
5.	cetsrniaa the truth behind the killings
6.	The AHRC expressed "shock and deep norecnc"
Paragraph 2
7.	Baloch satsaiperst allege that…
8.	Pakistan is systematically ssnsrieupgp development
9.	increased toriyales
10.	the region's nanbdtau natural resources
11.	an ttsemeida 8,000 people
12.	bringing the people behind these crimes to tsciuje

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	the killings. Pakistan's government denies the claims made by the AHRC and says the total
( )	on the United Nations to send a fact-finding mission to ascertain the truth behind
( )	independence. In the period between 2003 and 2012, an estimated 8,000 people from Balochistan were reportedly
( 1 )	The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) says it has found 169 bodies in mass
( )	its people weak. The people want a whole series of issues addressed. These range from human
( )	number of bodies found is just 15. The AHRC expressed "shock and deep concern" over the latest killings.
( )	resources. Baloch separatists allege that Pakistan is systematically suppressing development in the region to keep
( )	graves in the Pakistani province of Balochistan. The corpses are believed to be members of groups calling for greater
( )	rights abuses, greater autonomy, increased royalties from the region's abundant natural resources, and full
( )	kidnapped by Pakistani security forces. Pakistani expert Malik Siraj Akbar said: "The international
( )	reportedly arrested and kidnapped by Pakistan's security agencies. The commission has called
( )	Balochistan is one of Pakistan's poorest regions, although it has vast natural
( )	community must play its role in bringing the people behind these crimes to justice."
( )	autonomy and rights for Balochistan. The AHRC suspects they are some of the thousands of Balochs who were

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	in in province bodies graves Pakistani 169 mass the.
2.	greater for calling groups of Members autonomy.
3.	finding mission to ascertain the truth Send a fact -.
4.	made Pakistan's by government the denies AHRC claims.
5.	over killings shock concern latest Expressed deep the and.
6.	in region Systematically development the suppressing.
7.	a of want series addressed people whole issues The.
8.	resources natural abundant region's the from Royalties.
9.	community international The role its play must.
10.	people justice behind these Bringing crimes the to.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) says it has found 169 bodies in mass graves in the Pakistani provincial / province of Balochistan. The corpses are believed / beliefs to be members of groups calling for greater autonomy and rights for Balochistan. The AHRC suspicion / suspects they are some of the thousands of Balochs who were reported / reportedly arrested and kidnapped by Pakistan's secretive / security agencies. The commission has called on / off the United Nations to send a fact-finding mission to retain / ascertain the truth behind the killings. Pakistan's government denies the clams / claims made by the AHRC and says the total number of bodies found is / are just 15. The AHRC expressed "shock and deep concern" over / above the latest killings.

Balochistan is one of Pakistan's poorest regions / regionals, although it has vast / vastly natural resources. Baloch separatists / separates allege that Pakistan is systematically supposing / suppressing development in the region to keep its people weak. The people want a whole serious / series of issues addressed. These range / ranging from human rights abuses, greater autonomy, increased royalties / royals from the region's abundant natural resources, and full independence. In the period between / to 2003 and 2012, an estimated 8,000 people from Balochistan were reportedly kidnapped by Pakistani security forces / farces. Pakistani expert Malik Siraj Akbar said: "The international community must play its role in bringing the people behind these crimes to / at justice."

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)

Th_ _s__n H_m_n R_ghts C_mm_ss__n (_HRC) s_ys _t h_s f__nd 169 b_d__s _n m_ss gr_v_s _n th_ P_k_st_n_ pr_v_nc_ _f B_l_ch_st_n. Th_ c_rps_s _r_ b_l__v_d t_ b_ m_mb_rs _f gr__ps c_ll_ng f_r gr__t_r __t_n_my _nd r_ghts f_r B_l_ch_st_n. Th_ _HRC s_sp_cts th_y _r_ s_m_ _f th_ th__s_nds _f B_l_chs wh_ w_r_ r_p_rt_dly _rr_st_d _nd k_dn_pp_d by P_k_st_n's s_c_r_ty _g_nc__s. Th_ c_mm_ss__n h_s c_ll_d _n th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns t_ s_nd _ f_ct-f_nd_ng m_ss__n t_ _sc_rt__n th_ tr_th b_h_nd th_ k_ll_ngs. P_k_st_n's g_v_rnm_nt d_n__s th_ cl__ms m_d_ by th_ _HRC _nd s_ys th_ t_t_l n_mb_r _f b_d__s f__nd _s j_st 15. Th_ _HRC _xpr_ss_d "sh_ck _nd d__p c_nc_rn" _v_r th_ l_t_st k_ll_ngs.

B_l_ch_st_n _s _n_ _f P_k_st_n's p__r_st r_g__ns, _lth__gh _t h_s v_st n_t_r_l r_s__rc_s. B_l_ch s_p_r_t_sts _ll_g_ th_t P_k_st_n _s syst_m_t_c_lly s_ppr_ss_ng d_v_l_pm_nt _n th_ r_g__n t_ k__p _ts p__pl_ w__k. Th_ p__pl_ w_nt _ wh_l_ s_r__s _f _ss__s _ddr_ss_d. Th_s_ r_ng_ fr_m h_m_n r_ghts _b_s_s, gr__t_r __t_n_my, _ncr__s_d r_y_lt__s fr_m th_ r_g__n's _b_nd_nt n_t_r_l r_s__rc_s, _nd f_ll _nd_p_nd_nc_. _n th_ p_r__d b_tw__n 2003 _nd 2012, _n _st_m_t_d 8,000 p__pl_ fr_m B_l_ch_st_n w_r_ r_p_rt_dly k_dn_pp_d by P_k_st_n_ s_c_r_ty f_rc_s. P_k_st_n_ _xp_rt M_l_k S_r_j _kb_r s__d: "Th_ _nt_rn_t__n_l c_mm_n_ty m_st pl_y _ts r_l_ _n br_ng_ng th_ p__pl_ b_h_nd th_s_ cr_m_s t_ j_st_c_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the asian human rights commission (ahrc) says it has found 169 bodies in mass graves in the pakistani province of balochistan the corpses are believed to be members of groups calling for greater autonomy and rights for balochistan the ahrc suspects they are some of the thousands of balochs who were reportedly arrested and kidnapped by pakistan's security agencies the commission has called on the united nations to send a fact-finding mission to ascertain the truth behind the killings pakistan's government denies the claims made by the ahrc and says the total number of bodies found is just 15 the ahrc expressed "shock and deep concern" over the latest killings

balochistan is one of pakistan's poorest regions although it has vast natural resources baloch separatists allege that pakistan is systematically suppressing development in the region to keep its people weak the people want a whole series of issues addressed these range from human rights abuses greater autonomy increased royalties from the region's abundant natural resources and full independence in the period between 2003 and 2012 an estimated 8000 people from balochistan were reportedly kidnapped by pakistani security forces pakistani expert malik siraj akbar said "the international community must play its role in bringing the people behind these crimes to justice"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheAsianHumanRightsCommission(AHRC)saysithasfound169bodiesinmass
gravesinthePakistaniprovinceofBalochistan.Thecorpsesarebelievedtobeme
mbersofgroupscallingforgreaterautonomyandrightsforBalochistan.TheAHRC
suspectstheyaresomeofthethousandsofBalochswhowerereportedlyarrested
andkidnappedbyPakistan'ssecurityagencies.Thecommissionhascalledonthe
UnitedNationstosendafact-findingmissiontoascertainthetruthbehindthekilli
ngs.Pakistan'sgovernmentdeniestheclaimsmadebytheAHRCandsaysthetotal
numberofbodiesfoundisjust15.TheAHRCexpressed"shockanddeepconcern"o
verthelatestkillings.BalochistanisoneofPakistan'spoorestregions,althoughith
asvastnaturalresources.BalochseparatistsallegethatPakistanissystematicall
ysuppressingdevelopmentintheregiontokeepitspeopleweak.Thepeoplewant
awholeseriesofissuesaddressed.Theserangefromhumanrightsabuses,greate
rautonomy,increasedroyaltiesfromtheregion'sabundantnaturalresources,an
dfullindependence.Intheperiodbetween2003and2012,anestimated8,000peo
plefromBalochistanwerereportedlykidnappedbyPakistanisecurityforces.Paki
staniexpertMalikSirajAkbarsaid:"Theinternationalcommunitymustplayitsrol
einbringingthepeoplebehindthesecrimestojustice."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

If the majority of a region wants independence, they should have it. 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 Balochistan. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. INDEPENDENCE: Make a poster about independence movements around the world. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. AUTONOMY: Write a magazine article about a country seeking greater autonomy. Include imaginary interviews with people who want to break free from the government.

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 independence movements. Ask her/him three questions about independence. Give him/her three of your opinions on which regions of the world should be given their independence. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	mass	a.	large-scale
2.	corpses	b.	dead bodies
3.	suspects	c.	has a feeling
4.	called on	d.	asked
5.	deep	e.	grave
6.	regions	f.	areas
7.	suppressing	g.	holding back
8.	abundant	h.	plentiful
9.	expert	i.	specialist
10.	role	j.	part

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	169
2.	Groups calling for greater autonomy
3.	The United Nations
4.	15
5.	Shock and concern
6.	Natural resources
7.	Pakistan
8.	A whole series of issues
9.	Between 2003 and 2012
10.	The international community

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

d

7.

c

8.

b

9.

c

10.

b

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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Mass graves in Balochistan reveal over 100 bodies (31st January, 2014)

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