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FBI boss thought his firing was a joke (12th May, 2017)

The Reading / Listening - FBI Boss - Level 6

President Trump has fired James Comey, the now former Director and boss of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is only the second time in US history for the boss of the FBI to be fired. Mr Comey at first thought the news of his firing was a prank and he didn't believe it. He was in Los Angeles to address employees at an FBI field office. While talking to FBI agents, he saw a news program reporting on the fact that President Trump had removed him from his position. FBI staff then confirmed to Mr Comey that he had indeed been fired. The White House hand delivered a letter from President Trump to Mr Comey at his Washington office informing him of his firing, but Comey was not there to receive it.

The sacking is now a huge political story in the USA. Many newspapers and TV news stations are saying Mr Comey was fired because he was investigating President Trump's alleged links to Russia. Journalists are saying the sacking is to try to cover up a scandal concerning President Trump and Russia. The White House denied this, saying the sacking had nothing to do with Russia. Officials stated that Comey was removed from his position because of his mishandling of investigations into Hillary Clinton's e-mails when she was Secretary of State. They said this left him unable to effectively lead the FBI. President Trump said it was time for a "new beginning" at the USA's "crown jewel of law enforcement".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

FBI Boss - Level 4 or FBI Boss - Level 5

Sources

http://news.sky.com/story/shocked-fbi-boss-james-comey-thought-his-firing-was-a-prank-10870875
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/332662-comey-learned-he-was-fired-from-tv-reports
https://www.vox.com/2017/5/9/15602922/james-comey-fired-prank

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. THE FBI: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the FBI. 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?

fired / director / boss / FBI/ / prank / address / agents / news / letter / office /
political / newspapers / investigating / scandal / officials / mishandling / e-mails

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

3. GOOD JOB: Students A strongly believe President Trump is doing a good job as President; Students B strongly believe he isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. SCANDAL: What scandals do you know of? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What?	Damage?
Political
Sports
Business
Celebrity
Local
Environmental

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

6. NEWS STORIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best news stories at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

medical breakthrough
celebrity gossip
happy news
about your leader
political scandal
sports
environment
new inventions

Before reading / listening

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

James Comey becomes the second FBI boss in US history to be fired. T / F
Mr Comey still thinks his firing is a prank. T / F
Comey was in his office in Washington when he heard the news. T / F
President Trump e-mailed Mr Comey the news of his firing. T / F
The news said Mr Comey was investigating Mr Trump's links to Russia. T / F
The White House denied the sacking was part of a cover up. T / F
Officials said Comey was fired because of an investigation into e-mails. T / F
Donald Trump said the FBI was the crown jewel of law enforcement. T / F

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

fired
prank
address
at first
informing
huge
alleged
mishandling
effectively
crown jewel

enormous
initially
successfully
talk to
supposed
sacked
finest example
telling
practical joke
bungling

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

the now
It is only the second time
the news of his firing
a news program reporting
he had indeed
The sacking is now a huge
Trump's alleged
the sacking is to try to cover
the sacking had nothing
it was time for a

been fired
on the fact
new beginning
in US history
political story
up a scandal
former Director and boss
to do with Russia
was a prank
links to Russia

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

second
position
field
informing
fired
prank
hand
fact

President Trump has (1) ____________ James Comey, the now former Director and boss of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is only the (2) ____________ time in US history for the boss of the FBI to be fired. Mr Comey at first thought the news of his firing was a (3) ____________ and he didn't believe it. He was in Los Angeles to address employees at an FBI (4) ____________ office. While talking to FBI agents, he saw a news program reporting on the (5) ____________ that President Trump had removed him from his (6) ____________. FBI staff then confirmed to Mr Comey that he had indeed been fired. The White House (7) ____________ delivered a letter from President Trump to Mr Comey at his Washington office (8) ____________ him of his firing, but Comey was not there to receive it.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

cover
nothing
huge
jewel
scandal
unable
alleged
mishandling

The sacking is now a (9) ____________ political story in the USA. Many newspapers and TV news stations are saying Mr Comey was fired because he was investigating President Trump's (10) ____________ links to Russia. Journalists are saying the sacking is to try to (11) ____________ up a (12) ____________ concerning President Trump and Russia. The White House denied this, saying the sacking had (13) ____________ to do with Russia. Officials stated that Comey was removed from his position because of his (14) ____________ of investigations into Hillary Clinton's e-mails when she was Secretary of State. They said this left him (15) ____________ to effectively lead the FBI. President Trump said it was time for a "new beginning" at the USA's "crown (16) ____________ of law enforcement".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) the now former Director and boss of the Federal Bureau ______
     a. of Investigators
     b. of Investigating
     c. of Investigative
     d. of Investigation

2) only the second time in US history for the boss of the FBI ______
     a. too been fired
     b. to be fired
     c. to being fired
     d. too be fired

3) Mr Comey at first thought the news of his firing ______
     a. was a plank
     b. was a prank
     c. was a spank
     d. was a sprang

4) While talking to FBI agents, he saw a news program reporting ______
     a. on the fact
     b. in the fact
     c. onto the fact
     d. into the fact

5) …Mr Comey at his Washington office informing him ______
     a. of this firing
     b. of his firing
     c. of his fire in
     d. of this fire in

6) fired because he was investigating President Trump's alleged ______
     a. links two Russia
     b. links too Russia
     c. links to Russia
     d. links through Russia

7) Journalists are saying the sacking is to try to cover ______
     a. up a scandal
     b. on a scandal
     c. down a scandal
     d. of a scandal

8) The White House denied this, saying the sacking had nothing ______ Russia
     a. to have with
     b. to be with
     c. to get with
     d. to do with

9) They said this left him unable to effectively ______
     a. leads the FBI
     b. leader the FBI
     c. leaded the FBI
     d. lead the FBI

10) time for a "new beginning" at the USA's "crown ______ enforcement"
     a. jewel of roar
     b. jewel of law
     c. jewel of lore
     d. jewel of raw

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

President Trump has fired James Comey, (1) ___________________ Director and boss of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is only the second (2) ___________________ for the boss of the FBI to be fired. Mr Comey at first thought the news of his (3) ___________________ and he didn't believe it. He was in Los Angeles to address employees at an FBI field office. While talking to FBI agents, he saw a news program reporting on the fact that President Trump had removed (4) ___________________ position. FBI staff then confirmed to Mr Comey that he had indeed been fired. The White House hand (5) ___________________ from President Trump to Mr Comey at his Washington office informing (6) ___________________, but Comey was not there to receive it.

The sacking (7) ___________________ political story in the USA. Many newspapers and TV news stations are saying Mr Comey was fired because he was investigating President Trump's (8) ___________________ Russia. Journalists are saying the sacking (9) ___________________ a scandal concerning President Trump and Russia. The White House denied this, saying the sacking (10) ___________________ with Russia. Officials stated that Comey was removed from his position because of his mishandling of investigations into Hillary Clinton's (11) ___________________ was Secretary of State. They said this left him unable to effectively lead the FBI. President Trump said it was time for a "new beginning" at the USA's "(12) ___________________ law enforcement".

Comprehension questions

How many FBI directors had been fired before James Comey?
What did Comey initially believe news of his firing was?
In what city was Mr Comey when he found out?
Who was Mr Comey talking to when he found out?
Who hand delivered a letter to Mr Comey?
What is now a huge political story in the USA?
What are journalists calling the sacking of Mr Comey?
Whose e-mails had James Comey been investigating?
What did officials say Mr Comey was unable to do effectively?
What did Mr Trump say was the US's "crown jewel of law enforcement"?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many FBI directors had been fired before James Comey?
a) 0
b) 3
c) 2
d) 1

2) What did Comey initially believe news of his firing was?
a) fake news
b) a practical joke
c) fair
d) what he expected

3) In what city was Mr Comey when he found out?
a) New York
b) Washington
c) Los Angeles
d) Port Moresby

4) Who was Mr Comey talking to when he found out?
a) FBI agents
b) his best friend
c) Donald Trump
d) a journalist

5) Who hand delivered a letter to Mr Comey?
a) an FBI agent
b) a police officer
c) the White House
d) a journalist

6) What is now a huge political story in the USA?
a) the 2020 Presidential election
b) Comey's sacking
c) life on Mars
d) the Democrats

7) What are journalists calling the sacking of Mr Comey?
a) the beginning of the end
b) Donald vs. James
c) the end of the beginning
d) a cover up

8) Whose e-mails had James Comey been investigating?
a) Hillary Clinton's
b) the Vice President's
c) Donald Trump's
d) Barack Obama's

9) What did officials say Mr Comey was unable to do effectively?
a) mishandle investigations
b) e-mail
c) lead the FBI
d) address FBI agents

10) What did Mr Trump say was the US's "crown jewel of law enforcement"?
a) NYPD
b) the FBI
c) LAPD
d) the CIA

Role play

Role A – Political Scandal

You think political scandal is the best news to read about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their kind of news. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): sports, celebrity gossip or happy news.

Role B – Sports

You think sports is the best news to read about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their kind of news. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): political scandal, celebrity gossip or happy news.

Role C – Celebrity Gossip

You think celebrity gossip is the best news to read about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their kind of news. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): sports, political scandal or happy news.

Role D – Happy News

You think happy news is the best news to read about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their kind of news. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): sports, celebrity gossip or political scandal.

After reading / listening

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

'boss'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'fired'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

huge

links

scandal

nothing

unable

crown

former

second

prank

fact

indeed

receive

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 - FBI boss thought his firing was a joke

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What springs to mind when you hear the word 'FBI'?
What springs to mind when you hear the name Donald Trump?
What do you know about the FBI?
How big is this news in your country?
Has anyone ever played a prank on you?
What do you think of US politics?
Why is this such big news?
Do you think the firing will change things in the FBI?
What is your country's equivalent of the FBI?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'fired'?
What do you think about what you read?
What's the latest big political story in your country?
What do you know about the story alleging Trump's links to Russia?
What would happen if the scandal turned out to be true?
Do you think news organizations in the US are out to get Mr Trump?
What do you know about the Hillary Clinton e-mail story?
How is Donald Trump doing as US President?
What questions would you like to ask James Comey?

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)

President Trump has fired James Comey, the (1) ____ former Director and boss of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is only the second (2) ____ in US history for the boss of the FBI to be fired. Mr Comey at first thought the news of his firing was a (3) ____ and he didn't believe it. He was in Los Angeles to address employees at an FBI field office. While talking to FBI agents, he saw a news program reporting (4) ____ the fact that President Trump had removed him from his position. FBI staff then (5) ____ to Mr Comey that he had indeed been fired. The White House hand delivered a letter from President Trump to Mr Comey at his Washington office (6) ____ him of his firing, but Comey was not there to receive it.

The sacking is now a huge (7) ____ story in the USA. Many newspapers and TV news stations are saying Mr Comey was fired because he was investigating President Trump's (8) ____ links to Russia. Journalists are saying the sacking is to try to cover (9) ____ a scandal concerning President Trump and Russia. The White House denied this, saying the sacking had nothing to (10) ____ with Russia. Officials stated that Comey was removed from his position because of his mishandling of investigations into Hillary Clinton's e-mails when she was Secretary of State. They said this left him unable to (11) ____ lead the FBI. President Trump said it was time for a "new beginning" at the USA's "(12) ____ jewel of law enforcement".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) now (b) new (c) gnaw (d) know
(a) timed (b) timing (c) time (d) timely
(a) plank (b) plaque (c) prank (d) plague
(a) at (b) to (c) in (d) on
(a) conformed (b) confined (c) confirmed (d) conferred
(a) information (b) informing (c) informed (d) inform
(a) politico (b) political (c) politic (d) politician
(a) allegory (b) alleged (c) allegro (d) allegation
(a) on (b) over (c) up (d) in
(a) take (b) be (c) have (d) do
(a) affectively (b) affectionately (c) affectedly (d) effectively
(a) headband (b) garland (c) tiara (d) crown

Spelling

Paragraph 1

the now eorrfm Director and boss
Federal ruaBeu of Investigation
in Los Angeles to rdadses employees
talking to FBI gaestn
hand drdeeielv a letter
niringfom him of his firing

Paragraph 2

a huge liaitlpco story
he was taisetingvgin President Trump
aedlegl links to Russia
his nhsaldimnig of investigations
etevifcflye lead the FBI
crown elejw

Put the text back together

( ) indeed been fired. The White House hand delivered a letter from President Trump to Mr Comey at

( ) his Washington office informing him of his firing, but Comey was not there to receive it.

( ) employees at an FBI field office. While talking to FBI agents, he saw a news program reporting on the fact

( ) concerning President Trump and Russia. The White House denied this, saying the sacking had nothing to

( 1 ) President Trump has fired James Comey, the now former Director and boss of the Federal Bureau of

( ) first thought the news of his firing was a prank and he didn't believe it. He was in Los Angeles to address

( ) The sacking is now a huge political story in the USA. Many newspapers and TV news stations are

( ) that President Trump had removed him from his position. FBI staff then confirmed to Mr Comey that he had

( ) do with Russia. Officials stated that Comey was removed from his position because of his mishandling

( ) saying Mr Comey was fired because he was investigating President Trump's alleged links

( ) effectively lead the FBI. President Trump said it was time for a "new beginning" at the USA's "crown jewel of law enforcement".

( ) of investigations into Hillary Clinton's e-mails when she was Secretary of State. They said this left him unable to

( ) to Russia. Journalists are saying the sacking is to try to cover up a scandal

( ) Investigation (FBI). It is only the second time in US history for the boss of the FBI to be fired. Mr Comey at

Put the words in the right order

history time fired boss for in The to the US second be FBI .
Comey prank a was firing his of news the thought first at .
was He employees address to Angeles Los in .
the news fact program He reporting saw on a .
he staff to that FBI confirmed Comey had then Mr .
is now a huge political story in the USA The sacking .
are saying the sacking is to cover up a scandal Journalists .
mishandling his of because position his from Removed .
left lead him the unable FBI to This effectively .
enforcement A new beginning at the USA's crown jewel of law .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

President Trump has fired / fried James Comey, the now firmer / former Director and boss of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is only the second time / times in US history for the boss of the FBI to be fired. Mr Comey at first / firstly thought the news of his firing was a plank / prank and he didn't believe it. He was in Los Angeles to redress / address employees at an FBI field office. While talking to FBI agents, he saw a news program reporting on the factual / fact that President Trump had removed him from his position. FBI staff then conformed / confirmed to Mr Comey that he had indeed been fired. The White House hand / handed delivered a letter from President Trump to Mr Comey at his Washington office informing him of his firing, but Comey was not there / here to receive it.

The sacking is now a huge political / politic story in the USA. Many newspapers and TV news stations are saying / said Mr Comey was fired because he was investigation / investigating President Trump's alleged links to Russia. Journalists are saying the sacking is to trial / try to cover up a scandal concerning / concerns President Trump and Russia. The White House denied this, saying the sacking had nothing to do within / with Russia. Officials stated that Comey was removal / removed from his position because of his mishandling of investigations into Hillary Clinton's e-mails when she was Secretary of State. They said this left him inability / unable to effectively lead the FBI. President Trump said it was time for a "newly / new beginning" at the USA's "crown jewel of lawyer / law enforcement".

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)

Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp h_s f_r_d J_m_s C_m_y, th_ n_w f_rm_r D_r_ct_r _nd b_ss _f th_ F_d_r_l B_r___ _f _nv_st_g_t__n (FB_). _t _s _nly th_ s_c_nd t_m_ _n _S h_st_ry f_r th_ b_ss _f th_ FB_ t_ b_ f_r_d. Mr C_m_y _t f_rst th__ght th_ n_ws _f h_s f_r_ng w_s _ pr_nk _nd h_ d_dn't b_l__v_ _t. H_ w_s _n L_s _ng_l_s t_ _ddr_ss _mpl_y__s _t _n FB_ f__ld _ff_c_. Wh_l_ t_lk_ng t_ FB_ _g_nts, h_ s_w _ n_ws pr_gr_m r_p_rt_ng _n th_ f_ct th_t Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp h_d r_m_v_d h_m fr_m h_s p_s_t__n. FB_ st_ff th_n c_nf_rm_d t_ Mr C_m_y th_t h_ h_d _nd__d b__n f_r_d. Th_ Wh_t_ H__s_ h_nd d_l_v_r_d _ l_tt_r fr_m Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp t_ Mr C_m_y _t h_s W_sh_ngt_n _ff_c_ _nf_rm_ng h_m _f h_s f_r_ng, b_t C_m_y w_s n_t th_r_ t_ r_c__v_ _t.

Th_ s_ck_ng _s n_w _ h_g_ p_l_t_c_l st_ry _n th_ _S_. M_ny n_wsp_p_rs _nd TV n_ws st_t__ns _r_ s_y_ng Mr C_m_y w_s f_r_d b_c__s_ h_ w_s _nv_st_g_t_ng Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp's _ll_g_d l_nks t_ R_ss__. J__rn_l_sts _r_ s_y_ng th_ s_ck_ng _s t_ try t_ c_v_r _p _ sc_nd_l c_nc_rn_ng Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp _nd R_ss__. Th_ Wh_t_ H__s_ d_n__d th_s, s_y_ng th_ s_ck_ng h_d n_th_ng t_ d_ w_th R_ss__. _ff_c__ls st_t_d th_t C_m_y w_s r_m_v_d fr_m h_s p_s_t__n b_c__s_ _f h_s m_sh_ndl_ng _f _nv_st_g_t__ns _nt_ H_ll_ry Cl_nt_n's _-m__ls wh_n sh_ w_s S_cr_t_ry _f St_t_. Th_y s__d th_s l_ft h_m _n_bl_ t_ _ff_ct_v_ly l__d th_ FB_. Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp s__d _t w_s t_m_ f_r _ "n_w b_g_nn_ng" _t th_ _S_'s "cr_wn j_w_l _f l_w _nf_rc_m_nt".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

president trump has fired james comey the now former director and boss of the federal bureau of investigation (fbi) it is only the second time in us history for the boss of the fbi to be fired mr comey at first thought the news of his firing was a prank and he didn't believe it he was in los angeles to address employees at an fbi field office while talking to fbi agents he saw a news program reporting on the fact that president trump had removed him from his position fbi staff then confirmed to mr comey that he had indeed been fired the white house hand delivered a letter from president trump to mr comey at his washington office informing him of his firing but comey was not there to receive it

the sacking is now a huge political story in the usa many newspapers and tv news stations are saying mr comey was fired because he was investigating president trump's alleged links to russia journalists are saying the sacking is to try to cover up a scandal concerning president trump and russia the white house denied this saying the sacking had nothing to do with russia officials stated that comey was removed from his position because of his mishandling of investigations into hillary clinton's e-mails when she was secretary of state they said this left him unable to effectively lead the fbi president trump said it was time for a "new beginning" at the usa's "crown jewel of law enforcement"

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

PresidentTrumphasfiredJamesComey,thenowformerDirectorandbo
ssoftheFederalBureauofInvestigation(FBI).Itisonlythesecondtimein
UShistoryforthebossoftheFBItobefired.MrComeyatfirstthoughtthen
ewsofhisfiringwasaprankandhedidn'tbelieveit.HewasinLosAngelest
oaddressemployeesatanFBIfieldoffice.WhiletalkingtoFBIagents,hes
awanewsprogramreportingonthefactthatPresidentTrumphadremov
edhimfromhisposition.FBIstaffthenconfirmedtoMrComeythathehad
indeedbeenfired.TheWhiteHousehanddeliveredaletterfromPresiden
tTrumptoMrComeyathisWashingtonofficeinforminghimofhisfiring,b
utComeywasnottheretoreceiveit.Thesackingisnowahugepoliticalsto
ryintheUSA.ManynewspapersandTVnewsstationsaresayingMrCome
ywasfiredbecausehewasinvestigatingPresidentTrump'sallegedlinks
toRussia.Journalistsaresayingthesackingistotrytocoverupascandalc
oncerningPresidentTrumpandRussia.TheWhiteHousedeniedthis,sa
yingthesackinghadnothingtodowithRussia.OfficialsstatedthatCome
ywasremovedfromhispositionbecauseofhismishandlingofinvestigati
onsintoHillaryClinton'se-mailswhenshewasSecretaryofState.Theys
aidthislefthimunabletoeffectivelyleadtheFBI.PresidentTrumpsaidit
wastimefora"newbeginning"attheUSA's"crownjeweloflawenforcem
ent".

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

President Trump has been a great and strong President so far. 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 the FBI. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. COVER UP: Write a magazine article about James Comet being fired as part of a cover up. Include imaginary interviews with people who believe this and with people who don't believe it.

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 the FBI. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on law enforcement agencies. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

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Answers

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

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