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Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence (12th August, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Singapore celebrated its fiftieth birthday on Saturday. The tiny nation became an independent country on August 8th, 1965. The climax of the celebrations was the largest fireworks display ever seen in Singapore. Tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets to celebrate. The country has been counting down to this anniversary since New Year's Eve. There have been hundreds of events to mark the fifty years since independence. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave a special National Day message to the nation. He said that Singapore could look forward to "new peaks" ahead. He added that: "The journey ahead is uncharted. But we must press on, because we aspire to do better for ourselves and our children."

Singapore has come a long way in the past fifty years. It became independent from Britain when it was thrown out of the Federation of Malaysia after social unrest. The country was very poor back then but the leadership of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew made Singapore wealthy. He died earlier this year but there was an empty seat for him at the parade. He made Singapore into one of the world's wealthiest countries. It is the fourth most important global financial centre and is home to the world's second busiest port. A woman said she felt sad that Mr Lee could not live long enough to be at the anniversary. She said: "We definitely feel that something is missing this year, and I still feel the pain in my heart."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ndp-2015--50-years-and-counting-143325681.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singaporeans-celebrate-50th-national-day-with-nostalgic-and-touching-parade-at-the-padang
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33815132

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. SINGAPORE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Singapore. 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?

fiftieth / birthday / independent / celebrations / fireworks / anniversary / message / a long way / social unrest / wealthy / parade / financial centre / definitely / heart

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

3. MY COUNTRY: Complete this table with your partner(s) and share what you wrote. Change partners often.

	Good things	Bad things
History
Government
Flag
Environment
People
Lifestyle

4. INDEPENDENCE: Students A strongly believe more people should get their own country and become independent; Students B strongly believe this should not happen. 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. CELEBRATE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best ways to celebrate at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• Fireworks

• Street party

• National holiday

• Festivals

• Dinner with friends

• Museum exhibition

• Ice cream

• Music concerts

6. FIREWORKS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "fireworks". 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.	Singapore celebrated its 50th anniversary on a Sunday.	T / F
b.	A fireworks display was the biggest the world has even seen.	T / F
c.	The anniversary countdown started on New Year's Eve.	T / F
d.	Singapore's leader said the country looked forward to new perks.	T / F
e.	Singapore was thrown out of a Malaysia-based group.	T / F
f.	There was an empty seat was for the founding PM of Singapore.	T / F
g.	Singapore is the world's fourth most important financial centre.	T / F
h.	A woman said she had a pain in her foot because of the anniversary.	T / F

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

1.	tiny	a.	met
2.	climax	b.	trip
3.	gathered	c.	rich
4.	journey	d.	high point
5.	aspire	e.	passed away
6.	past	f.	economic
7.	wealthy	g.	small
8.	died	h.	certainly
9.	financial	i.	aim for
10.	definitely	j.	previous

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

1.	celebrated its	a.	independence
2.	Tens of	b.	back then
3.	fifty years since	c.	to do better
4.	The journey	d.	in the past fifty years
5.	we aspire	e.	in my heart
6.	come a long way	f.	fiftieth birthday
7.	social	g.	thousands of people
8.	The country was very poor	h.	unrest
9.	home to the world's	i.	ahead
10.	feel the pain	j.	second busiest port

GAP FILL

Singapore celebrated its fiftieth birthday on Saturday. The tiny (1) ____________ became an independent country on August 8th, 1965. The climax of the celebrations was the largest fireworks (2) ____________ ever seen in Singapore. Tens of thousands of people (3) ____________ in the streets to celebrate. The country has been counting (4) ____________ to this anniversary since New Year's Eve. There have been hundreds of events to (5) ____________ the fifty years since independence. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave a special National Day (6) ____________ to the nation. He said that Singapore could look (7) ____________ to "new peaks" ahead. He added that: "The journey ahead is uncharted. But we must (8) ____________ on, because we aspire to do better for ourselves and our children."

mark
nation
forward
gathered
display
press
down
message

Singapore has come a long way in the (9) ____________ fifty years. It became independent from Britain when it was thrown out of the Federation of Malaysia after social (10) ____________. The country was very poor back then but the leadership of (11) ____________ Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew made Singapore wealthy. He died earlier this year but there was an (12) ____________ seat for him at the parade. He made Singapore into one of the world's wealthiest countries. It is the fourth most important global (13) ____________ centre and is home to the world's second busiest (14) ____________. A woman said she felt sad that Mr Lee could not live long enough to be at the anniversary. She said: "We (15) ____________ feel that something is missing this year, and I still feel the (16) ____________ in my heart."

unrest
financial
past
definitely
empty
founding
pain
port

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The tiny nation became an independent ______ 8th, 1965
	a. country on August b. country in August c. country of August d. country at August
2)	The climax of the celebrations was the largest fireworks display ______ Singapore
	a. ever been in b. ever seen in c. ever being in d. ever seeing in
3)	Tens of thousands of people gathered in the ______
	a. streets too celebrate b. streets for celebrate c. streets of celebrate d. streets to celebrate
4)	The country has been counting down to this anniversary ______ Eve
	a. from New Year's b. since New Year's c. then New Year's d. before New Year's
5)	But we must press on, because we aspire ______
	a. to do better b. to put better c. to my better d. to done better
6)	Singapore has come a long way in the ______
	a. past fifteen years b. past fifties years c. past fiftieth years d. past fifty years
7)	He died earlier this year but there was an empty seat for ______
	a. him sat the parade b. him at the parade c. him mat the parade d. him that the parade
8)	the fourth most important global financial centre and is home to the world's ______
	a. second busy port b. second busiest port c. second busier port d. second busiest sport
9)	Mr Lee could not live long enough to ______ anniversary
	a. be on the b. be at the c. be of the d. be that the
10)	We definitely feel that something is missing this year, and I still feel the ______
	a. pain in my heart b. pain on my heart c. pain to my heart d. pain by my heart

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Singapore (1) ___________________ birthday on Saturday. The tiny nation became an independent country on August 8th, 1965. The climax of the celebrations was the largest fireworks (2) ___________________ in Singapore. Tens of thousands of people gathered (3) ___________________ celebrate. The country has been counting down to this anniversary since New Year's Eve. There have been hundreds of events (4) ___________________ years since independence. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave a special National Day message to the nation. He said that Singapore (5) ___________________ to "new peaks" ahead. He added that: "The journey ahead is uncharted. But we must press on, because (6) ___________________ better for ourselves and our children."

Singapore has come (7) ___________________ the past fifty years. It became independent from Britain when it was thrown out of the Federation of Malaysia (8) ___________________. The country was very poor back then but the leadership of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew made Singapore wealthy. He died earlier this year but there (9) ___________________ for him at the parade. He made Singapore into one of the world's wealthiest countries. It is the fourth (10) ___________________ financial centre and is home to the world's second busiest port. A woman said she felt sad that Mr Lee could not (11) ___________________ to be at the anniversary. She said: "We definitely feel that something is missing this year, and I still feel the (12) ___________________."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	On what day of the week was the anniversary?
2.	How many people gathered in the streets?
3.	When did the countdown to the anniversary begin?
4.	What did the Prime Minister say Singapore could look forward to?
5.	What did the Prime Minister say about the journey ahead?
6.	Where has Singapore come in the last 50 years?
7.	Why was Singapore thrown out of the Federation of Malaysia?
8.	Where is the world's fourth largest financial centre?
9.	Where is the world's second busiest port?
10.	Where did a woman say she felt pain?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	On what day of the week was the anniversary?	6.	Where has Singapore come in the last 50 years?
	a) Monday b) Sunday c) Saturday d) Friday		a) via India b) a long way c) to South-East Asia d) next door
2.	How many people gathered in the streets?	7.	Why was Singapore thrown out of the Federation of Malaysia?
	a) tens of thousands b) hundreds of thousands c) tens of millions d) hundreds of millions		a) social unrest b) war c) not following rules d) money
3.	When did the countdown to the anniversary begin?	8.	Where is the world's fourth largest financial centre?
	a) Jan 31 b) Feb 1 c) March 31 d) July 1		a) New York b) Tokyo c) Singapore d) Dubai
4.	What did the Prime Minister say Singapore could look forward to?	9.	Where is the world's second busiest port?
	a) new parks b) new peaks c) new perks d) new packs		a) Dubai b) Shanghai c) New York d) Singapore
5.	What did the Prime Minister say about the journey ahead?	10.	Where did a woman say she felt pain?
	a) it was bumpy b) it was exciting c) it would be difficult d) it was uncharted		a) her heart b) her brain c) her foot d) her back

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Fireworks

You think fireworks is the best way for a country to celebrate. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): music concerts, street parties are or a national holiday.

Role B – Music concerts

You think music concerts are the best way for a country to celebrate. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): fireworks, street parties are or a national holiday.

Role C – Street parties

You think street parties are the best way for a country to celebrate. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): music concerts, fireworks or a national holiday.

Role D – A National holiday

You think a national holiday is the best way for a country to celebrate. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): music concerts, street parties are or fireworks.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

tiny

nation

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:

1965
ever
people
since
special
children

past
poor
earlier
empty
sad
pain

SINGAPORE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Singapore 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.

SINGAPORE 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 'Singapore'?
3)	What do you know about Singapore?
4)	What do you know about your country's independence?
5)	What happens on your country's national day?
6)	How proud are you of your country?
7)	Should there be more countries in the world?
8)	What important anniversaries are there in your country?
9)	What is the 'journey ahead' for your country?
10)	What does your country aspire to do?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	How has your country changed in the past 50 years?
13)	What social unrest has there been in your country?
14)	How could your country become more wealthy?
15)	Who is the greatest leader your country has had?
16)	Why is your country important in the world?
17)	How do you feel when you hear the name of your country?
18)	What are the bad things about your country?
19)	What is the saddest part of your country's history?
20)	What questions would you like to ask Singapore's leader?

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

Singapore celebrated its fiftieth birthday on Saturday. The (1) ____ nation became an independent country on August 8th, 1965. The (2) ____ of the celebrations was the largest fireworks display ever seen in Singapore. Tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets to (3) ____. The country has been counting down to this anniversary since New Year's Eve. There have been hundreds of events to (4) ____ the fifty years since independence. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave a special National Day message to the nation. He said that Singapore could look forward to "new (5) ____" ahead. He added that: "The journey ahead is uncharted. But we must press on, because we (6) ____ to do better for ourselves and our children."

Singapore has come a (7) ____ way in the past fifty years. It became independent from Britain when it was thrown out of the Federation of Malaysia after social unrest. The country was very poor (8) ____ then but the leadership of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (9) ____ Singapore wealthy. He died earlier this year but there was an empty seat for him at the (10) ____. He made Singapore into one of the world's wealthiest countries. It is the fourth most important global financial centre and is (11) ____ to the world's second busiest port. A woman said she felt sad that Mr Lee could not live long enough to be at the anniversary. She said: "We definitely feel that something is missing this year, and I (12) ____ feel the pain in my heart."

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

1.	(a)	nano	(b)	tiny	(c)	micro	(d)	beta
2.	(a)	relax	(b)	climax	(c)	apex	(d)	maximum
3.	(a)	celebration	(b)	celebrates	(c)	celebrating	(d)	celebrate
4.	(a)	make	(b)	mark	(c)	market	(d)	Mach
5.	(a)	packs	(b)	parks	(c)	perks	(d)	peaks
6.	(a)	respire	(b)	conspire	(c)	aspire	(d)	inspire
7.	(a)	long	(b)	lengthy	(c)	longish	(d)	longevity
8.	(a)	past	(b)	after	(c)	back	(d)	pre
9.	(a)	being	(b)	had	(c)	did	(d)	made
10.	(a)	parade	(b)	charade	(c)	unmade	(d)	tirade
11.	(a)	home	(b)	house	(c)	resident	(d)	accommodation
12.	(a)	still	(b)	yet	(c)	much	(d)	many

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	an nenpietendd country
2.	The climax of the rletanioescb
3.	uaohstnsd of people
4.	a spiecla National Day message
5.	The ueyjorn ahead
6.	we peaisr to do better
Paragraph 2
7.	ialcos unrest
8.	Lee Kuan Yew made Singapore hlewyat
9.	inlncfiaa centre
10.	the world's second tssuieb port
11.	live long gohneu
12.	We ltyfdieein feel that

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	nation. He said that Singapore could look forward to "new peaks" ahead. He added that: "The journey ahead is
( )	seen in Singapore. Tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets to celebrate. The country has been counting
( )	country on August 8th, 1965. The climax of the celebrations was the largest fireworks display ever
( )	out of the Federation of Malaysia after social unrest. The country was very poor back then but the leadership of
( )	most important global financial centre and is home to the world's second busiest port. A woman said she felt
( )	Singapore has come a long way in the past fifty years. It became independent from Britain when it was thrown
( )	empty seat for him at the parade. He made Singapore into one of the world's wealthiest countries. It is the fourth
( )	since independence. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave a special National Day message to the
( 1 )	Singapore celebrated its fiftieth birthday on Saturday. The tiny nation became an independent
( )	founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew made Singapore wealthy. He died earlier this year but there was an
( )	down to this anniversary since New Year's Eve. There have been hundreds of events to mark the fifty years
( )	feel that something is missing this year, and I still feel the pain in my heart."
( )	uncharted. But we must press on, because we aspire to do better for ourselves and our children."
( )	sad that Mr Lee could not live long enough to be at the anniversary. She said: "We definitely

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	birthday fiftieth its celebrated Singapore Saturday on .
2.	in fireworks Singapore display ever The seen largest .
3.	of people the Tens of in thousands gathered streets .
4.	Events years to since mark independence the fifty .
5.	better for ourselves and our children We aspire to do .
6.	the in way long a come has Singapore years fifty past .
7.	very was country The then back poor .
8.	at the parade There was an empty seat for him .
9.	centre is most financial It fourth global the important .
10.	something that feel definitely We missing is .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Singapore celebrated its fifty / fiftieth birthday on Saturday. The tiny nation became an independent country on August 8th, 1965. The climate / climax of the celebrations was the largest fireworks display / displayed ever seen in Singapore. Tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets to celebration / celebrate. The country has been counting down to this anniversary since / then New Year's Eve. There have been hundreds / hundred of events to mark / make the fifty years since independence. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave / given a special National Day message to the nation. He said that Singapore could looking / look forward to "new peaks" ahead. He added that: "The journey ahead is uncharted. But we must press off / on, because we aspire to do better for ourselves and our children."

Singapore has come a long way in the past / part fifty years. It became independent from Britain when it was threw / thrown out of the Federation of Malaysia after social unrest. The country was very poor past / back then but the leadership of founding / finding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew made Singapore wealthy. He died earlier this year but there was an / the empty seat for him at the parade. He made Singapore into / onto one of the world's wealthiest countries. It is the fourth most / mostly important global financial centre and is home to the world's second busier / busiest port. A woman said she felt sad that Mr Lee could not live long / length enough to be at the anniversary. She said: "We definitely / definite feel that something is missing this year, and I still feel the pain in my heart."

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)

S_ng_p_r_ c_l_br_t_d _ts f_ft__th b_rthd_y _n S_t_rd_y. Th_ t_ny n_t__n b_c_m_ _n _nd_p_nd_nt c__ntry _n __g_st 8th, 1965. Th_ cl_m_x _f th_ c_l_br_t__ns w_s th_ l_rg_st f_r_w_rks d_spl_y _v_r s__n _n S_ng_p_r_. T_ns _f th__s_nds _f p__pl_ g_th_r_d _n th_ str__ts t_ c_l_br_t_. Th_ c__ntry h_s b__n c__nt_ng d_wn t_ th_s _nn_v_rs_ry s_nc_ N_w Y__r's _v_. Th_r_ h_v_ b__n h_ndr_ds _f _v_nts t_ m_rk th_ f_fty y__rs s_nc_ _nd_p_nd_nc_. S_ng_p_r_'s Pr_m_ M_n_st_r L__ Hs__n L__ng g_v_ _ sp_c__l N_t__n_l D_y m_ss_g_ t_ th_ n_t__n. H_ s__d th_t S_ng_p_r_ c__ld l__k f_rw_rd t_ "n_w p__ks" _h__d. H_ _dd_d th_t: "Th_ j__rn_y _h__d _s _nch_rt_d. B_t w_ m_st pr_ss _n, b_c__s_ w_ _sp_r_ t_ d_ b_tt_r f_r __rs_lv_s _nd __r ch_ldr_n."

S_ng_p_r_ h_s c_m_ _ l_ng w_y _n th_ p_st f_fty y__rs. _t b_c_m_ _nd_p_nd_nt fr_m Br_t__n wh_n _t w_s thr_wn __t _f th_ F_d_r_t__n _f M_l_ys__ _ft_r s_c__l _nr_st. Th_ c__ntry w_s v_ry p__r b_ck th_n b_t th_ l__d_rsh_p _f f__nd_ng Pr_m_ M_n_st_r L__ K__n Y_w m_d_ S_ng_p_r_ w__lthy. H_ d__d __rl__r th_s y__r b_t th_r_ w_s _n _mpty s__t f_r h_m _t th_ p_r_d_. H_ m_d_ S_ng_p_r_ _nt_ _n_ _f th_ w_rld's w__lth__st c__ntr__s. _t _s th_ f__rth m_st _mp_rt_nt gl_b_l f_n_nc__l c_ntr_ _nd _s h_m_ t_ th_ w_rld's s_c_nd b_s__st p_rt. _ w_m_n s__d sh_ f_lt s_d th_t Mr L__ c__ld n_t l_v_ l_ng _n__gh t_ b_ _t th_ _nn_v_rs_ry. Sh_ s__d: "W_ d_f_n_t_ly f__l th_t s_m_th_ng _s m_ss_ng th_s y__r, _nd _ st_ll f__l th_ p__n _n my h__rt."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

singapore celebrated its fiftieth birthday on saturday the tiny nation became an independent country on august 8th 1965 the climax of the celebrations was the largest fireworks display ever seen in singapore tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets to celebrate the country has been counting down to this anniversary since new year's eve there have been hundreds of events to mark the fifty years since independence singapore's prime minister lee hsien loong gave a special national day message to the nation he said that singapore could look forward to "new peaks" ahead he added that "the journey ahead is uncharted but we must press on because we aspire to do better for ourselves and our children"

singapore has come a long way in the past fifty years it became independent from britain when it was thrown out of the federation of malaysia after social unrest the country was very poor back then but the leadership of founding prime minister lee kuan yew made singapore wealthy he died earlier this year but there was an empty seat for him at the parade he made singapore into one of the world's wealthiest countries it is the fourth most important global financial centre and is home to the world's second busiest port a woman said she felt sad that mr lee could not live long enough to be at the anniversary she said "we definitely feel that something is missing this year and i still feel the pain in my heart"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

SingaporecelebrateditsfiftiethbirthdayonSaturday.Thetinynationbe
cameanindependentcountryonAugust8th,1965.Theclimaxofthecele
brationswasthelargestfireworksdisplayeverseeninSingapore.Tensof
thousandsofpeoplegatheredinthestreetstocelebrate.Thecountryhas
beencountingdowntothisanniversarysinceNewYear'sEve.Therehave
beenhundredsofeventstomarkthefiftyyearssinceindependence.Sing
apore'sPrimeMinisterLeeHsienLoonggaveaspecialNationalDaymess
agetothenation.HesaidthatSingaporecouldlookforwardto"newpeak
s"ahead.Headdedthat:"Thejourneyaheadisuncharted.Butwemustpr
esson,becauseweaspiretodobetterforourselvesandourchildren."Sin
gaporehascomealongwayinthepastfiftyyears.Itbecameindependent
fromBritainwhenitwasthrownoutoftheFederationofMalaysiaaftersoc
ialunrest.Thecountrywasverypoorbackthenbuttheleadershipoffoun
dingPrimeMinisterLeeKuanYewmadeSingaporewealthy.Hediedearli
erthisyearbuttherewasanemptyseatforhimattheparade.HemadeSin
gaporeintooneoftheworld'swealthiestcountries.Itisthefourthmosti
mportantglobalfinancialcentreandishometotheworld'ssecondbusies
tport.AwomansaidshefeltsadthatMrLeecouldnotlivelongenoughtobe
attheanniversary.Shesaid:"Wedefinitelyfeelthatsomethingismissin
gthisyear,andIstillfeelthepaininmyheart."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

It is easy for a good leader to make a country wealthy. 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 Singapore. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. INDEPENDENCE: Write a magazine article about independence. Include imaginary interviews with people who think there should be more countries in the world.

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 Singapore. Ask him/her three questions about Singapore. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make it more famous. 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

F

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	tiny	a.	small
2	climax	b.	high point
3.	gathered	c.	met
4.	journey	d.	trip
5.	aspire	e.	aim for
6.	past	f.	previous
7.	wealthy	g.	rich
8.	died	h.	passed away
9.	financial	i.	economic
10.	definitely	j.	certainly

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Saturday
2.	Tens of thousands
3.	New Year’s Eve
4.	New peaks
5.	It was uncharted
6.	A long way
7.	Social unrest
8.	Singapore
9.	Singapore
10.	Her heart

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

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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Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence (12th August, 2015)

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