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China tops US at box office for first time (5th March, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

China's box office takings have beaten those in the USA for the first time ever. China's movie theatres are now the world's most lucrative. This is the result of millions of moviegoers flocking to cinemas across China during the nation's week-long New Year celebrations in February. Sales were also boosted by Valentine's Day, which is becoming increasingly popular in China. China's box office took in a record $650 million in February, compared to $640 million in the USA. The most popular movie with Chinese cinema fans was a movie called The Man From Macau II, which grossed $105 million. The new Jackie Chan flick, Dragon Blade, took second spot, earning $95 million.

China's film industry is growing at breakneck speed. As the number of middle-class people is expanding, so too is the number of new cinemas opening. A huge population shift from the countryside to urban areas is fuelling demand for more cinema screens. Fifteen new screens are being added every day. There are now approximately 23,600 screens in China, which is 475 per cent more than there were in 2008. The USA has 40,000 screens. The forecast is that China will overtake America in the near future. China's movie industry is thriving. It has experienced year-on-year growth of 27 per cent and 36 per cent in the past two years. Much of this success has been without the help of Hollywood blockbusters.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://news.sky.com/story/1436992/china-box-office-overtakes-us-for-first-time
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-tops-us-778499
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/02/chinese-box-office-biggest-world-february

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. MOVIE THEATRES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about movie theatres. 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?

takings / lucrative / moviegoers / celebrations / boosted / popular / record / fans / industry / expanding / middle class / population / countryside / forecast / growth / help

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

3. GOING TO THE MOVIES: How can cinemas be better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Now	Improvements
Location
Ticket prices
Screen
Snacks
Seats
Cinema staff

4. ART: Students A strongly believe movies are art; Students B strongly believe not. 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. GENRES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best movie genres at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• Horror

• Romance

• Action

• Sci-fi

• Anime

• Gangster

• War

• Period drama

6. SCREEN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "screen". 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.	China beat the USA at the box office because of Chinese New Year.	T / F
b.	Valentine's Day also helped China top the USA at the box office.	T / F
c.	China took $100 million more than the USA in February.	T / F
d.	A Jackie Chan movie was the biggest hit in China in February.	T / F
e.	More cinemas are opening because of China's growing middle classes.	T / F
f.	Fifteen new cinema screens are appearing in China each day.	T / F
g.	There are 23,600 cinema screens in the USA.	T / F
h.	Hollywood blockbusters are behind the China overtaking the USA.	T / F

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

1.	takings	a.	position
2.	lucrative	b.	increased
3.	boosted	c.	earned
4.	grossed	d.	about
5.	spot	e.	receipts
6.	breakneck	f.	prediction
7.	shift	g.	flourishing
8.	approximately	h.	profitable
9.	forecast	i.	relocation
10.	thriving	j.	lightning

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

1.	China's box office	a.	moviegoers
2.	China's movie theatres are now the world's	b.	spot
3.	millions of	c.	speed
4.	becoming increasingly	d.	growth of 27 per cent
5.	Dragon Blade took second	e.	most lucrative
6.	growing at breakneck	f.	demand
7.	the number of middle-class people	g.	takings
8.	fuelling	h.	blockbusters
9.	year-on-year	i.	popular
10.	without the help of Hollywood	j.	is expanding

GAP FILL

China's box office (1) ____________ have beaten those in the USA for the first time ever. China's movie theatres are now the world's most (2) ____________. This is the result of millions of moviegoers (3) ____________ to cinemas across China during the nation's week-long New Year celebrations in February. Sales were also (4) ____________ by Valentine's Day, which is becoming (5) ____________ popular in China. China's box office took in a record $650 million in February, (6) ____________ to $640 million in the USA. The most popular movie with Chinese cinema (7) ____________ was a movie called The Man From Macau II, which grossed $105 million. The new Jackie Chan flick, Dragon Blade, took second spot, (8) ____________ $95 million.

increasingly
flocking
earning
takings
fans
lucrative
boosted
compared

China's film industry is growing at (9) ____________ speed. As the number of middle-class people is expanding, so too is the number of new cinemas opening. A huge population (10) ____________ from the countryside to urban areas is (11) ____________ demand for more cinema screens. Fifteen new screens are being added every day. There are now (12) ____________ 23,600 screens in China, which is 475 per cent more than there were in 2008. The USA has 40,000 screens. The (13) ____________ is that China will overtake America in the near future. China's movie industry is (14) ____________. It has experienced year-on-year growth of 27 per cent and 36 per cent in the past two years. Much of this (15) ____________ has been without the help of Hollywood (16) ____________.

forecast
fuelling
success
breakneck
blockbusters
shift
thriving
approximately

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	China's movie theatres are now the world's ______
	a. most loo creative b. most look creative c. most lucrative d. most Luke creative
2)	This is the result of millions of moviegoers ______
	a. flocking to cinemas b. flicking to cinemas c. flecking to cinemas d. frocking to cinemas
3)	Sales were also boosted by Valentine's Day, which is becoming ______ in China
	a. increasing in popular b. increasingly popularity c. increasingly popular d. increasing in popularity
4)	The most popular movie was called The Man From Macau II, which ______
	a. grossed $105 million b. glossed $105 million c. greased $105 million d. grows $105 million
5)	The new Jackie Chan flick, Dragon Blade, took second spot, ______
	a. earn in $95 million b. earnings $95 million c. earned in $95 million d. earning $95 million
6)	China's film industry is growing ______
	a. at breakneck speed b. at broke neck speed c. at breaking neck speed d. at breaks neck speed
7)	As the number of middle-class people is expanding, ______ of new cinemas
	a. so tool is the number b. so to is the number c. so, two is the number d. so too is the number
8)	A huge population shift from the countryside to urban areas is ______
	a. fuel in demand b. fuelling in remand c. fuelling demand d. fuelling remand
9)	The forecast is that China will overtake America in ______
	a. the near future b. the nearly future c. the nears future d. the neared future
10)	China's movie industry is thriving. It has experienced year-on-year ______ per cent
	a. growth for 27 b. growth of 27 c. growth by 27 d. growth at 27

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

China's box office takings have (1) ___________________ the USA for the first time ever. China's movie theatres (2) ___________________ world's most lucrative. This (3) ___________________ millions of moviegoers flocking to cinemas across China during the nation's week-long New Year celebrations in February. Sales were (4) ___________________ Valentine's Day, which is becoming increasingly popular in China. China's box office took in a record $650 million in February, compared to $640 million in the USA. The most popular movie with Chinese (5) ___________________ a movie called The Man From Macau II, which grossed $105 million. The new Jackie Chan flick, Dragon Blade, (6) ___________________, earning $95 million.

China's film industry (7) ___________________ breakneck speed. As the number of middle-class people is expanding, (8) ___________________ number of new cinemas opening. A huge population shift from the countryside (9) ___________________ is fuelling demand for more cinema screens. Fifteen new screens are being (10) ___________________. There are now approximately 23,600 screens in China, which is 475 per cent more than there were in 2008. The USA has 40,000 screens. The forecast is that China will overtake America (11) ___________________. China's movie industry is thriving. It has experienced year-on-year growth of 27 per cent and 36 per cent in the past two years. Much (12) ___________________ has been without the help of Hollywood blockbusters.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What part of China's movie industry is now the world's most lucrative?
2.	What major week-long celebration helped box office sales in China?
3.	What Western celebration is becoming more popular in China?
4.	How much money did American cinemas take in February?
5.	In which place in the top movies for February was a Jackie Chan film?
6.	At what speed is China's film industry growing?
7.	What is fuelling demand for more cinema screens?
8.	How many cinema screens are there in the USA?
9.	When is China expected to overtake the USA for the most screens?
10.	What did China's movie industry not need to be as successful as it is?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What part of China's movie industry is now the world's most lucrative?	6.	At what speed is China's film industry growing?
	a) sales to the USA b) movie theatres c) special effects companies d) movie making		a) at breakneck speed b) at juggernaut speed c) at random speed d) at a snail's pace
2.	What major week-long celebration helped box office sales in China?	7.	What is fuelling demand for more cinema screens?
	a) Christmas b) the Shanghai Film Festival c) the Lantern Festival d) New Year		a) new Chinese actors b) Hong Kong c) a population shift d) gasoline
3.	What Western celebration is becoming more popular in China?	8.	How many cinema screens are there in the USA?
	a) Valentine's Day b) Black Friday c) Pancake Day d) July the 4th		a) 40,000 b) 14,000 c) 26,000 d) 23,600
4.	How much money did American cinemas take in February?	9.	When is China expected to overtake the USA for the most screens?
	a) $95 million b) $650 million c) $640 million d) $105 million		a) in the near future b) next month c) 2019 d) 2050
5.	In which place in the top movies for February was a Jackie Chan film?	10.	What did China's movie industry not need to be as successful as it is?
	a) first b) second c) third d) fourth		a) computer graphics b) oil c) Brad Pitt d) Hollywood blockbusters

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Horror

You think horror movies are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their movie genres aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): romance movies, science fiction movies or action movies.

Role B – Romance

You think romance movies are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their movie genres aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): horror movies, science fiction movies or action movies.

Role C – Science Fiction

You think science fiction movies are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their movie genres aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): romance movies, horror movies or action movies.

Role D – Action

You think action movies are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their movie genres aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): romance movies, science fiction movies or horror movies.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

box

office

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:

beaten
result
boosted
record
fans
spot

speed
shift
areas
2008
overtake
help

MOVIE THEATRES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about movie theatres 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.

MOVIE THEATRES DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'movie'?
3)	How important are movies?
4)	In what ways are movie theatres better than watching on TV?
5)	Which is the better word, 'movie theatre' or 'cinema'?
6)	What did you think about what you read?
7)	How might China being number one change Hollywood?
8)	What do you think of going to the movies?
9)	Are American movies the best?
10)	What are your favourite movies, and why?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	Are you looking forward to seeing more Chinese movies in cinemas?
13)	How different are Hollywood movies to those made in your country?
14)	What would you do to improve movie theatres?
15)	What do you think about the price of a movie ticket?
16)	Why are movies onscreen before they are downloadable?
17)	What kind of movie actor do you think you could be?
18)	Are movies art?
19)	What would the world be like without movies?
20)	What questions would you like to ask a movie boss in China?

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

China's box office takings have beaten (1) ____ in the USA for the first time ever. China's movie theatres are now the world's most (2) ____. This is the result of millions of moviegoers (3) ____ to cinemas across China during the nation's week-long New Year celebrations in February. Sales were also boosted by Valentine's Day, which is becoming (4) ____ popular in China. China's box office took in a record $650 million in February, compared to $640 million in the USA. The most popular movie with Chinese cinema (5) ____ was a movie called The Man From Macau II, which grossed $105 million. The new Jackie Chan flick, Dragon Blade, took second (6) ____, earning $95 million.

China's film industry is growing at (7) ____ speed. As the number of middle-class people is expanding, so (8) ____ is the number of new cinemas opening. A huge population shift from the countryside to urban areas is (9) ____ demand for more cinema screens. Fifteen new screens are being added every day. There are now approximately 23,600 screens in China, which is 475 per cent more than there were in 2008. The USA has 40,000 screens. The forecast is that China will (10) ____ America in the near future. China's movie industry is (11) ____. It has experienced year-on-year growth of 27 per cent and 36 per cent in the past two years. Much of this success has been without the help of Hollywood (12) ____.

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

1.	(a)	they	(b)	these	(c)	them	(d)	those
2.	(a)	adaptive	(b)	suggestive	(c)	reflective	(d)	lucrative
3.	(a)	flaking	(b)	flocking	(c)	flicking	(d)	flecking
4.	(a)	increases	(b)	increased	(c)	increasingly	(d)	increase
5.	(a)	fans	(b)	goers	(c)	enthuses	(d)	audience
6.	(a)	spot	(b)	dot	(c)	mark	(d)	sight
7.	(a)	turtleneck	(b)	bottleneck	(c)	rubberneck	(d)	breakneck
8.	(a)	too	(b)	such	(c)	as	(d)	for
9.	(a)	oiling	(b)	fuelling	(c)	gassing	(d)	heating
10.	(a)	elevate	(b)	trespass	(c)	overtake	(d)	cede
11.	(a)	driving	(b)	tightening	(c)	thriving	(d)	thieving
12.	(a)	blockades	(b)	blockbusters	(c)	blockages	(d)	blocks

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the world's most vilrceaut
2.	millions of revoismoeg
3.	week-long New Year ensotclibare
4.	becoming cyngesalnrii popular
5.	which sesdrgo $105 million
6.	anergin $95 million
Paragraph 2
7.	growing at recbnkkae speed
8.	from the countryside to nrbau areas
9.	lfguilne demand for more cinema screens
10.	oapaxtlpemiry 23,600 screens
11.	China's movie industry is rvigithn
12.	Hollywood otubskslberc

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	now the world's most lucrative. This is the result of millions of moviegoers flocking to cinemas
( )	The Man From Macau II, which grossed $650 million. The new Jackie Chan flick, Dragon Blade, took second spot, earning $95 million.
( )	than there were in 2008. The USA has 40,000 screens. The forecast is that China will overtake America in the near
( )	China's film industry is growing at breakneck speed. As the number of middle-class people is
( )	added every day. There are now approximately 23,600 screens in China, which is 475 per cent more
( )	in China. China's box office took in a record $650 million in February, compared to
( )	$640 million in the USA. The most popular movie with Chinese cinema fans was a movie called
( )	expanding, so too is the number of new cinemas opening. A huge population shift from the
( )	and 36 per cent in the past two years. Much of this success has been without the help of Hollywood blockbusters.
( )	future. China's movie industry is thriving. It has experienced year-on-year growth of 27 per cent
( )	across China during the nation's week-long New Year celebrations in
( )	countryside to urban areas is fuelling demand for more cinema screens. Fifteen new screens are being
( )	February. Sales were also boosted by Valentine's Day, which is becoming increasingly popular
( 1 )	China's box office takings have beaten those in the USA for the first time ever. China's movie theatres are

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	USA China's box office takings have beaten those in the .
2.	now the Movie world's theatres most are lucrative .
3.	flocking of moviegoers cinemas result of to The millions .
4.	a record $650 China's box office million took in .
5.	Chinese most cinema popular fans movie with The .
6.	growing China's at film breakneck industry speed is .
7.	expanding number - is The middle people of class .
8.	the from shift population huge A countryside .
9.	new every screens day are being Fifteen added .
10.	year cent year- experienced per has 27 on- It of growth .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

China's box office takings / taking have beaten those in the USA for the first time ever. China's movie theatres are now the world's most laxative / lucrative. This is the result of millions of moviegoers flaking / flocking to cinemas across China during / daring the nation's week-long New Year celebrations in February. Sales were also boasted / boosted by Valentine's Day, which is becoming increasingly / increasing popular in China. China's box office took in a record / recording $650 million in February, compared to $640 million in the USA. The most popular movie without / with Chinese cinema fans was a movie called The Man From Macau II, which grossed / greased $105 million. The new Jackie Chan flick, Dragon Blade, took second spot, earning / earned $95 million.

China's film industry is growth / growing at breakneck speed. As the number of middle-class people is expansion / expanding, so too is the numeral / number of new cinemas opening. A hugely / huge population shift from the countryside to urban areas is fuelling / fuels demand for more cinema screens. Fifteen new screens are being added every day. There are now approximated / approximately 23,600 screens in China, which is 475 per cent more than there / they were in 2008. The USA has 40,000 screens. The forecast is that China will overtake America in the near / neared future. China's movie industry is thrive / thriving. It has experienced year-on-year growth of 27 per cent and 36 per cent in the past two years. Much of this success has been without the help / helpings of Hollywood blockbusters.

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)

Ch_n_'s b_x _ff_c_ t_k_ngs h_v_ b__t_n th_s_ _n th_ _S_ f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ _v_r. Ch_n_'s m_v__ th__tr_s _r_ n_w th_ w_rld's m_st l_cr_t_v_. Th_s _s th_ r_s_lt _f m_ll__ns _f m_v__g__rs fl_ck_ng t_ c_n_m_s _cr_ss Ch_n_ d_r_ng th_ n_t__n's w__k-l_ng N_w Y__r c_l_br_t__ns _n F_br__ry. S_l_s w_r_ _ls_ b__st_d by V_l_nt_n_'s D_y, wh_ch _s b_c_m_ng _ncr__s_ngly p_p_l_r _n Ch_n_. Ch_n_'s b_x _ff_c_ t__k _n _ r_c_rd $650 m_ll__n _n F_br__ry, c_mp_r_d t_ $640 m_ll__n _n th_ _S_. Th_ m_st p_p_l_r m_v__ w_th Ch_n_s_ c_n_m_ f_ns w_s _ m_v__ c_ll_d Th_ M_n Fr_m M_c__ __, wh_ch gr_ss_d $105 m_ll__n. Th_ n_w J_ck__ Ch_n fl_ck, Dr_g_n Bl_d_, t__k s_c_nd sp_t, __rn_ng $95 m_ll__n.

Ch_n_'s f_lm _nd_stry _s gr_w_ng _t br__kn_ck sp__d. _s th_ n_mb_r _f m_ddl_-cl_ss p__pl_ _s _xp_nd_ng, s_ t__ _s th_ n_mb_r _f n_w c_n_m_s _p_n_ng. _ h_g_ p_p_l_t__n sh_ft fr_m th_ c__ntrys_d_ t_ _rb_n _r__s _s f__ll_ng d_m_nd f_r m_r_ c_n_m_ scr__ns. F_ft__n n_w scr__ns _r_ b__ng _dd_d _v_ry d_y. Th_r_ _r_ n_w _ppr_x_m_t_ly 23,600 scr__ns _n Ch_n_, wh_ch _s 475 p_r c_nt m_r_ th_n th_r_ w_r_ _n 2008. Th_ _S_ h_s 40,000 scr__ns. Th_ f_r_c_st _s th_t Ch_n_ w_ll _v_rt_k_ _m_r_c_ _n th_ n__r f_t_r_. Ch_n_'s m_v__ _nd_stry _s thr_v_ng. _t h_s _xp_r__nc_d y__r-_n-y__r gr_wth _f 27 p_r c_nt _nd 36 p_r c_nt _n th_ p_st tw_ y__rs. M_ch _f th_s s_cc_ss h_s b__n w_th__t th_ h_lp _f H_llyw__d bl_ckb_st_rs.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

china's box office takings have beaten those in the usa for the first time ever china's movie theatres are now the world's most lucrative this is the result of millions of moviegoers flocking to cinemas across china during the nation's week-long new year celebrations in february sales were also boosted by valentine's day which is becoming increasingly popular in china china's box office took in a record $650 million in february compared to $640 million in the usa the most popular movie with chinese cinema fans was a movie called the man from macau ii which grossed $105 million the new jackie chan flick dragon blade took second spot earning $95 million

china's film industry is growing at breakneck speed as the number of middle-class people is expanding so too is the number of new cinemas opening a huge population shift from the countryside to urban areas is fuelling demand for more cinema screens fifteen new screens are being added every day there are now approximately 23600 screens in china which is 475 per cent more than there were in 2008 the usa has 40000 screens the forecast is that china will overtake america in the near future china's movie industry is thriving it has experienced year-on-year growth of 27 per cent and 36 per cent in the past two years much of this success has been without the help of hollywood blockbusters

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

China'sboxofficetakingshavebeatenthoseintheUSAforthefirsttimee
ver.China'smovietheatresarenowtheworld'smostlucrative.Thisisthe
resultofmillionsofmoviegoersflockingtocinemasacrossChinaduringt
henation'sweek-longNewYearcelebrationsinFebruary.Saleswereals
oboostedbyValentine'sDay,whichisbecomingincreasinglypopularin
China.China'sboxofficetookinarecord$650millioninFebruary,compa
redto$640millionintheUSA.ThemostpopularmoviewithChinesecine
mafanswasamoviecalledTheManFromMacauII,whichgrossed$105m
illion.ThenewJackieChanflick,DragonBlade,tooksecondspot,earning
$95million.China'sfilmindustryisgrowingatbreakneckspeed.Asthen
umberofmiddle-classpeopleisexpanding,sotooisthenumberofnewc
inemasopening.Ahugepopulationshiftfromthecountrysidetourbanar
easisfuellingdemandformorecinemascreens.Fifteennewscreensare
beingaddedeveryday.Therearenowapproximately23,600screensin
China,whichis475percentmorethantherewerein2008.TheUSAhas40
,000screens.TheforecastisthatChinawillovertakeAmericainthenearf
uture.China'smovieindustryisthriving.Ithasexperiencedyear-on-
yeargrowthof27percentand36percentinthepasttwoyears.Muchofthi
ssuccesshasbeenwithoutthehelpofHollywoodblockbusters.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

The best movies in the world are made in the USA. 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 movie theatres around the world. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. HOLLYWOOD: Write a magazine article about Hollywood. Include imaginary interviews with people who think the best movies are from Hollywood, and with those who disagree.

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 a movie expert. Ask him/her three questions about movie theatres. Give him/her three ideas on how to make them better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	takings	a.	receipts
2	lucrative	b.	profitable
3.	boosted	c.	increased
4.	grossed	d.	earned
5.	spot	e.	position
6.	breakneck	f.	lightning
7.	shift	g.	relocation
8.	approximately	h.	about
9.	forecast	i.	prediction
10.	thriving	j.	flourishing

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Movie theatres
2.	New Year
3.	Valentine's Day
4.	$640 million
5.	Second
6.	Breakneck speed
7.	A huge population shift to urban areas
8.	40,000
9.	In the near future
10.	Hollywood blockbusters

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

a

10.

d

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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China tops US at box office for first time (5th March, 2015)

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