The Reading / Listening - Hacking - Level 6

A new crisis is looming between the USA and Russia. It has been brewing since the U.S. presidential election in November amid accusations by Hillary Clinton's team of Russian interference in the electoral process. U.S. officials claimed that Russian intelligence agencies hacked into and stole e-mails from the servers of Ms Clinton's party and released them on the Wikileaks website. The officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to influence American voters into voting for President-elect Donald Trump. President Barack Obama vowed to take action over the allegations and has expelled 35 Russian diplomats from Washington. He has also shut down two Russian intelligence compounds in the U.S.

Russia has responded angrily to the expulsions and has denied any involvement in the alleged hacking. It called the U.S. actions "ungrounded". It is likely there will be a tit-for-tat response from Russia. Moscow has promised an "appropriate response" and "counter-measures". Any retaliation, however, may be less severe due to the upcoming inauguration of Mr Trump as President. A Russian spokesman said: "These decisions were taken by President Obama, but Trump will become the head of state in three weeks' time. Of course, this factor will certainly be taken into account one way or another." Mr Trump seeks to put US-Russian relations on a better footing and has a good relationship with Mr Putin.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Hacking - Level 4  or  Hacking - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/12/29/after-obama-sanctions-russia-trump-says-its-time-to-move-on-to-bigger-and-better-things
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38464612
  • http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/12/30/obama-sanctions-russia-good-move-that-comes-too-late.html


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. HACKING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about hacking. 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?

       crisis / brewing / election / process / intelligence agencies / influence / allegations /
       angrily / hacking / tit-for-tat / response / severe / decisions / factor / relations

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

3. EXPULSIONS: Students A strongly believe it was right that the USA expelled the Russian diplomats; Students B strongly believe it wasn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. CYBERCRIME: How bad are these types of cybercrime How can we fight them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How bad is it?

How do we fight it?

Hacking

 

 

Phishing

 

 

Cyber-bullying

 

 

ID theft

 

 

Illegal downloads

 

 

Revenge porn

 

 
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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. E-MAIL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "e-mail". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. GOOD RELATIONS: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that help good relations between countries at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • sporting ties
  • developmental aid
  • being neighbours
  • cultural exchanges
  • leaders are friends
  • same language
  • same religion
  • trade

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A crisis has been brewing between the USA and Russia for over a year.    T / F
  2. There is a tit-for-tat concerning Hillary Clinton's e-mail being hacked.     T / F
  3. The e-mails were posted on the website Wikipedia.     T / F
  4. The USA expelled two Russian diplomats and closed 35 Russian offices.   T / F
  5. Russia called the U.S. allegations "unearthed".     T / F
  6. Russia has promised to respond with counter-measures.     T / F
  7. Russian retaliation might be toned down because of Donald Trump.     T / F
  8. Donald Trump wants to put US-Russian relations on a good footing.     T / F

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

  1. crisis
  2. accusations
  3. interference
  4. influence
  5. expelled
  6. denied
  7. alleged
  8. retaliation
  9. certainly
  10. footing
  1. supposed
  2. affect
  3. thrown out
  4. repudiated
  5. charges
  6. revenge
  7. unquestionably
  8. critical period
  9. basis
  10. meddling

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

  1. A new crisis is
  2. It has been brewing since the
  3. hacked into and stole e-mails
  4. Obama vowed to take action
  5. shut down two Russian intelligence
  6. Russia has responded
  7. denied any involvement
  8. It is likely there will be a tit-for-tat
  9. head of
  10. put US-Russian relations on a better
  1. from the servers
  2. state
  3. compounds
  4. angrily to the expulsions
  5. looming
  6. response from Russia
  7. over the allegations
  8. footing
  9. in the alleged hacking
  10. U.S. presidential election

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
process
expelled
looming
compounds
vowed
accusations
influence
servers

A new crisis is (1) ____________ between the USA and Russia. It has been brewing since the U.S. presidential election in November amid (2) ____________ by Hillary Clinton's team of Russian interference in the electoral (3) ____________. U.S. officials claimed that Russian intelligence agencies hacked into and stole e-mails from the (4) ____________ of Ms Clinton's party and released them on the Wikileaks website. The officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to (5) ____________ American voters into voting for President-elect Donald Trump. President Barack Obama (6) ____________ to take action over the allegations and has (7) ____________ 35 Russian diplomats from Washington. He has also shut down two Russian intelligence (8) ____________ in the U.S.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
response
state
severe
account
angrily
footing
retaliation
inauguration

Russia has responded (9) ____________ to the expulsions and has denied any involvement in the alleged hacking. It called the U.S. actions "ungrounded". It is likely there will be a tit-for-tat (10) ____________ from Russia. Moscow has promised an "appropriate response" and "counter-measures". Any (11) ____________, however, may be less (12) ____________ due to the upcoming (13) ____________ of Mr Trump as President. A Russian spokesman said: "These decisions were taken by President Obama, but Trump will become the head of (14) ____________ in three weeks' time. Of course, this factor will certainly be taken into (15) ____________ one way or another." Mr Trump seeks to put US-Russian relations on a better (16) ____________ and has a good relationship with Mr Putin.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  It has been brewing since the U.S. presidential election in November ______
     a.  a middle accusations
     b.  amid accusations
     c.  a mid accusation
     d.  aimed accusation

2)  claimed that Russian intelligence agencies hacked into and stole e-mails ______
     a.  from the servers
     b.  from the serves
     c.  from the serve arts
     d.  from the surface

3)  Putin wanted to influence American voters into voting for President-______
     a.  erect Donald Trump
     b.  select Donald Trump
     c.  electric Donald Trump
     d.  elect Donald Trump

4) Obama vowed to take action over the allegations and has ______ diplomats
     a.  exhaled 35 Russian
     b.  expunged 35 Russian
     c.  extolled 35 Russian
     d.  expelled 35 Russian

5)  He has also shut down two Russian intelligence ______ U.S.
     a.  con pounds in the
     b.  compounds in the
     c.  com bounds in the
     d.  combines in the

6)  Russia has responded angrily to the expulsions and has denied ______
     a.  some involvement
     b.  any involvements
     c.  any involvement
     d.  all involvement

7)  It is likely there will be a tit-for-tat ______ Russia
     a.  responses for
     b.  responses from
     c.  response for
     d.  response from

8)  Any retaliation, however, may be less severe ______ inauguration
     a.  due too the incoming
     b.  dew to the upcoming
     c.  due to the upcoming
     d.  due to the incoming

9)  but Trump will become the head of state in three ______
     a.  weeks' times
     b.  weeks' time
     c.  weeks' timed
     d.  weeks' timely

10)  Mr Trump seeks to put US-Russian relations on ______
     a.  a better fasting
     b.  a better legging
     c.  a better footing
     d.  a better handing

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new (1) ___________________ between the USA and Russia. It has been brewing since the U.S. presidential election in November (2) ___________________ by Hillary Clinton's team of Russian interference in the electoral process. U.S. officials claimed that Russian intelligence agencies hacked into and stole e-mails (3) ___________________ of Ms Clinton's party and released them on the Wikileaks website. The officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin (4) ___________________ American voters into voting for President-elect Donald Trump. President Barack Obama (5) ___________________ action over the allegations and has expelled 35 Russian diplomats from Washington. He has also shut down two Russian (6) ___________________ in the U.S.

Russia has responded angrily to the expulsions (7) ___________________ any involvement in the alleged hacking. It called the U.S. actions "ungrounded". It is likely there will (8) ___________________ response from Russia. Moscow has promised an "(9) ___________________" and "counter-measures". Any retaliation, however, may (10) ___________________ due to the upcoming inauguration of Mr Trump as President. A Russian spokesman said: "These decisions were taken by President Obama, but Trump will become the (11) ___________________ three weeks' time. Of course, this factor will certainly be taken into account one way or another." Mr Trump seeks to put US-Russian relations on (12) ___________________ and has a good relationship with Mr Putin.

Comprehension questions

  1. When did the latest crisis between the USA and Russia begin?
  2. What website did hacked e-mails end up on?
  3. Who did U.S. officials say Vladimir Putin wanted to influence?
  4. How many Russian diplomats were expelled?
  5. What did Barack Obama shut down?
  6. How did Russia respond to the allegations?
  7. What did Russia call the U.S. actions?
  8. What might make retaliatory measures less severe?
  9. Who will become a head of state in three weeks' time?
  10. Where does Mr Trump want to put US-Russian relations?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When did the latest crisis between the USA and Russia begin?
a) 2012
b) November
c) 2011
d) September

2) What website did hacked e-mails end up on?
a) Wikiwiki
b) Wikimedia
c) Wikipedia
d) Wikileaks

3) Who did U.S. officials say Vladimir Putin wanted to influence?
a) U.S. voters
b) the Kremlin
c) intelligence workers
d) Barack Obama

4) How many Russian diplomats were expelled?
a) 33
b) 34
c) 35
d) 36

5) What did Barack Obama shut down?
a) the Russian embassy
b) two Russian intelligence compounds
c) a website
d) an e-mail server

6) How did Russia respond to the allegations?
a) angrily
b) cautiously
c) quickly
d) nonchalantly

7) What did Russia call the U.S. actions?
a) untiled
b) uneven
c) ungrounded
d) unearthed

8) What might make retaliatory measures less severe?
a) Donald Trump as president
b) money
c) apologies
d) talks

9) Who will become a head of state in three weeks' time?
a) Donald Trump
b) Barack Obama
c) Vladimir Putin
d) the Russian ambassador

10) Where does Mr Trump want to put US-Russian relations?
a) in the Pacific Ocean
b) top of the list
c) on the back-burner
d) on a better footing

Role play

Role A —Same Language

You think sharing the same language is best to help good relations between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): trade, leaders being friends or being neighbours.

Role B —Trade

You think trade is best to help good relations between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): same language, leaders being friends or being neighbours.

Role C —Leaders Are Friends

You think leaders being friends is best to help good relations between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): trade, same language or being neighbours.

Role D —Being Neighbours

You think being neighbours is best to help good relations between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why):  trade, leaders being friends or same language.

After reading / listening

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

'counter'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'measure'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • angrily
    • likely
    • counter
    • due
    • head
    • footing
    • crisis
    • since
    • stole
    • voters
    • 35
    • two

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - USA and Russia in election hacking tit-for-tat

    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 'hacking'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why is the USA angry?
    5. Why is Russia angry?
    6. How important is it for the USA and Russia to have good relations?
    7. What do you believe?
    8. How dangerous is spying and hacking?
    9. How serious is the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats?
    10. Why does Russia have intelligence compounds in the USA?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. Why do countries spy on each other?
    3. What do you know about countries hacking each other?
    4. How far could the tit-for-tat go?
    5. What advice do you have for Barack Obama?
    6. What advice do you have for Vladimir Putin?
    7. What counter-measures might Russia take?
    8. What will relations be like in a year's time?
    9. What will US-Russian relations be like under President Trump?
    10. What questions would you like to ask presidents Obama and Putin?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    A new crisis is (1) ____ between the USA and Russia. It has been brewing since the U.S. presidential election in November (2) ____ accusations by Hillary Clinton's team of Russian interference in the electoral process. U.S. officials claimed that Russian intelligence agencies hacked into and stole e-mails from the (3) ____ of Ms Clinton's party and released them on the Wikileaks website. The officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to influence American voters (4) ____ voting for President-elect Donald Trump. President Barack Obama (5) ____ to take action over the allegations and has expelled 35 Russian diplomats from Washington. He has also shut down two Russian intelligence (6) ____ in the U.S.

    Russia has responded (7) ____ to the expulsions and has denied any involvement in the alleged hacking. It called the U.S. actions "ungrounded". It is (8) ____ there will be a tit-for-tat response from Russia. Moscow has promised an "appropriate response" and "counter-measures". Any retaliation, however, may be (9) ____ severe due to the upcoming inauguration of Mr Trump as President. A Russian spokesman said: "These decisions were (10) ____ by President Obama, but Trump will become the (11) ____ of state in three weeks' time. Of course, this factor will certainly be taken into account one way or another." Mr Trump seeks to put US-Russian relations on a better (12) ____ and has a good relationship with Mr Putin.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)      gloomy      (b)      looming      (c)      blooming      (d)      roomy     
    2. (a)      middling      (b)      amid      (c)      mid      (d)      middle     
    3. (a)      survives      (b)      serves      (c)      service      (d)      servers     
    4. (a)      at      (b)      into      (c)      as      (d)      onto     
    5. (a)      wowed      (b)      cowed      (c)      bowed      (d)      vowed     
    6. (a)      confounds      (b)      commands      (c)      compounds      (d)      complains     
    7. (a)      angrily      (b)      anger      (c)      angered      (d)      angers     
    8. (a)      liked      (b)      likelihood      (c)      likely      (d)      liking     
    9. (a)      down      (b)      fewer      (c)      few      (d)      less     
    10. (a)      taken      (b)      dealt      (c)      talked      (d)      had     
    11. (a)      head      (b)      face      (c)      skull      (d)      brain     
    12. (a)      footing      (b)      handing      (c)      legging      (d)      eyeing

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. amid cscaaousnti by Hillary Clinton's team
    2. interference in the crtlaleeo process
    3. Russian intelligence eiagcsen
    4. wanted to einelnfcu American voters
    5. expelled 35 Russian mpatdoisl
    6. shut down two Russian intelligence posdcounm

    Paragraph 2

    1. Russia has eorddnspe angrily
    2. ieeddn any involvement
    3. Moscow has promised an "appropriate epsonesr"
    4. may be less everes
    5. be taken into aoctcun one way or another
    6. put US-Russian relations on a better oingtfo

    Put the text back together

    (    )     over the allegations and has expelled 35 Russian diplomats from Washington. He has also shut

    (    )     them on the Wikileaks website. The officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to

    (    )     November amid accusations by Hillary Clinton's team of Russian interference in the electoral process. U.S. officials

    (    )     down two Russian intelligence compounds in the U.S.

    (    )     or another." Mr Trump seeks to put US-Russian relations on a better footing and has a good relationship with Mr Putin.

    (    )     become the head of state in three weeks' time. Of course, this factor will certainly be taken into account one way

    (    )     influence American voters into voting for President-elect Donald Trump. President Barack Obama vowed to take action

    (    )     Russia has responded angrily to the expulsions and has denied any involvement in the alleged

    (  1  )     A new crisis is looming between the USA and Russia. It has been brewing since the U.S. presidential election in

    (    )     response from Russia. Moscow has promised an "appropriate response" and "counter-

    (    )     claimed that Russian intelligence agencies hacked into and stole e-mails from the servers of Ms Clinton's party and released

    (    )     measures". Any retaliation, however, may be less severe due to the upcoming inauguration of Mr Trump

    (    )     as President. A Russian spokesman said: "These decisions were taken by President Obama, but Trump will

    (    )     hacking. It called the U.S. actions "ungrounded". It is likely there will be a tit-for-tat

    Put the words in the right order

    1. and new looming USA is the Russia crisis A between .
    2. U.S.   the   since   brewing   been   has   It   election   presidential   .
    3. stole   mails   servers   and   -   the   into   e   from   Hacked   .
    4. allegations   take   Barack   action   Obama   over   vowed   the   to   .
    5. He   two   has   Russian   also  intelligence   shut   compounds   down   .
    6. to   expulsions   has   angrily   the   Russia   responded   .
    7. It   is   for-  likely  there   tat  will  response  be  from  a   Russia   tit-  .
    8. Any   may   retaliation   be   ,   less   however   severe   ,   .
    9. the   head   of   state   in   three   weeks'   time  Trump   will  become  .
    10. Russian  US-  put   to  seeks  Trump  footing   better  a  on   relations  .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new crisis / crises is looming between the USA and Russia. It has been brewing / baking since the U.S. presidential election in November amid accusation / accusations by Hillary Clinton's team of Russian interference in / on the electoral process. U.S. officials claimed that Russian intelligence agencies hacked into and stole / stolen e-mails from the servers of Ms Clinton's party and released those / them on the Wikileaks website. The officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted by / to influence American voters onto / into voting for President-elect Donald Trump. President Barack Obama vowed to take action over / under the allegations and has expelled / exhaled 35 Russian diplomats from Washington. He has also shut down two Russian intelligence compounds in the U.S.

    Russia has responded angry / angrily to the expulsions and has denied some / any involvement in the alleged / allegation hacking. It called the U.S. actions "ungrounded". It is likelihood / likely there will be a tit-for-tat response from Russia. Moscow has promised / promise an "appropriate response" and "counter-measures". Any retaliation, however, may be less severe / severely due to the upcoming inauguration of Mr Trump as President. A Russian spokesman said: "These decisions were taking / taken by President Obama, but Trump will become the head for / of state in three weeks' time. Of course, this factor will certainly / certain be taken into account one way or another." Mr Trump seeks to put US-Russian relations on a better footing / handing and has a good relationship with Mr Putin.

    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)

    _ n_w cr_s_s _s l__m_ng b_tw__n th_ _S_ _nd R_ss__. _t h_s b__n br_w_ng s_nc_ th_ _.S. pr_s_d_nt__l _l_ct__n _n N_v_mb_r _m_d _cc_s_t__ns by H_ll_ry Cl_nt_n's t__m _f R_ss__n _nt_rf_r_nc_ _n th_ _l_ct_r_l pr_c_ss. _.S. _ff_c__ls cl__m_d th_t R_ss__n _nt_ll_g_nc_ _g_nc__s h_ck_d _nt_ _nd st_l_ _-m__ls fr_m th_ s_rv_rs _f Ms Cl_nt_n's p_rty _nd r_l__s_d th_m _n th_ W_k_l__ks w_bs_t_. Th_ _ff_c__ls s__d R_ss__n Pr_s_d_nt Vl_d_m_r P_t_n w_nt_d t_ _nfl__nc_ _m_r_c_n v_t_rs _nt_ v_t_ng f_r Pr_s_d_nt-_l_ct D_n_ld Tr_mp. Pr_s_d_nt B_r_ck _b_m_ v_w_d t_ t_k_ _ct__n _v_r th_ _ll_g_t__ns _nd h_s _xp_ll_d 35 R_ss__n d_pl_m_ts fr_m W_sh_ngt_n. H_ h_s _ls_ sh_t d_wn tw_ R_ss__n _nt_ll_g_nc_ c_mp__nds _n th_ _.S.

    R_ss__ h_s r_sp_nd_d _ngr_ly t_ th_ _xp_ls__ns _nd h_s d_n__d _ny _nv_lv_m_nt _n th_ _ll_g_d h_ck_ng. _t c_ll_d th_ _.S. _ct__ns "_ngr__nd_d". _t _s l_k_ly th_r_ w_ll b_ _ t_t-f_r-t_t r_sp_ns_ fr_m R_ss__. M_sc_w h_s pr_m_s_d _n "_ppr_pr__t_ r_sp_ns_" _nd "c__nt_r-m__s_r_s". _ny r_t_l__t__n, h_w_v_r, m_y b_ l_ss s_v_r_ d__ t_ th_ _pc_m_ng _n__g_r_t__n _f Mr Tr_mp _s Pr_s_d_nt. _ R_ss__n sp_k_sm_n s__d: "Th_s_ d_c_s__ns w_r_ t_k_n by Pr_s_d_nt _b_m_, b_t Tr_mp w_ll b_c_m_ th_ h__d _f st_t_ _n thr__ w__ks' t_m_. _f c__rs_, th_s f_ct_r w_ll c_rt__nly b_ t_k_n _nt_ _cc__nt _n_ w_y _r _n_th_r." Mr Tr_mp s__ks t_ p_t _S-R_ss__n r_l_t__ns _n _ b_tt_r f__t_ng _nd h_s _ g__d r_l_t__nsh_p w_th Mr P_t_n.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new crisis is looming between the usa and russia it has been brewing since the us presidential election in november amid accusations by hillary clinton's team of russian interference in the electoral process us officials claimed that russian intelligence agencies hacked into and stole e-mails from the servers of ms clinton's party and released them on the wikileaks website the officials said russian president vladimir putin wanted to influence american voters into voting for president-elect donald trump president barack obama vowed to take action over the allegations and has expelled 35 russian diplomats from washington he has also shut down two russian intelligence compounds in the us

    russia has responded angrily to the expulsions and has denied any involvement in the alleged hacking it called the us actions "ungrounded" it is likely there will be a tit-for-tat response from russia moscow has promised an "appropriate response" and "counter-measures" any retaliation however may be less severe due to the upcoming inauguration of mr trump as president a russian spokesman said "these decisions were taken by president obama but trump will become the head of state in three weeks' time of course this factor will certainly be taken into account one way or another" mr trump seeks to put us-russian relations on a better footing and has a good relationship with mr putin

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AnewcrisisisloomingbetweentheUSAandRussia.Ithasbeenbrewingsi
    ncetheU.S.presidentialelectioninNovemberamidaccusationsbyHillar
    yClinton'steamofRussianinterferenceintheelectoralprocess.U.S.offi
    cialsclaimedthatRussianintelligenceagencieshackedintoandstolee-
    mailsfromtheserversofMsClinton'spartyandreleasedthemontheWiki
    leakswebsite.TheofficialssaidRussianPresidentVladimirPutinwanted
    toinfluenceAmericanvotersintovotingforPresident-electDonaldT
    rump.PresidentBarackObamavowedtotakeactionovertheallegations
    andhasexpelled35RussiandiplomatsfromWashington.Hehasalsoshu
    tdowntwoRussianintelligencecompoundsintheU.S.Russiahasrespon
    dedangrilytotheexpulsionsandhasdeniedanyinvolvementinthealleg
    edhacking.ItcalledtheU.S.actions"ungrounded".Itislikelytherewillb
    eatit-for-tatresponsefromRussia.Moscowhaspromisedan"appropri
    ateresponse"and"counter-measures".Anyretaliation,however,m
    aybelesssevereduetotheupcominginaugurationofMrTrumpasPresid
    ent.ARussianspokesmansaid:"ThesedecisionsweretakenbyPresiden
    tObama,butTrumpwillbecometheheadofstateinthreeweeks'time.Of
    course,thisfactorwillcertainlybetakenintoaccountonewayoranother.
    "MrTrumpseekstoputUS-Russianrelationsonabetterfootingandhas
    agoodrelationshipwithMrPutin.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Hacking is one of the biggest dangers in the world today. Discuss.

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    Homework

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

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

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

    4. RUSSIA-US RELATIONS: Write a magazine article about Russia-US relations being the most important in the world. Include imaginary interviews with people who believe this and with those who do not.

    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 hacking. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on what we can do to stop this problem. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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