The Reading / Listening - Acid Attacks - Level 3

Police officers in London have been given 1,000 special kits to deal with acid attacks. This is because the number of crimes using acid on London's streets has been increasing. Two weeks ago, criminals sprayed acid in the faces of people to rob them of their motorbikes. There were five different acid attacks on just one night. The number of crimes involving acid or other dangerous substances has more than doubled in London over the past three years. A leading plastic surgeon today said the number of patients he treats for acid attacks has reached "epidemic" levels in London. Professor Peter Dziewulski said there had been an "explosion" of cases involving acid since the start of last year.

Rapid response police cars will now carry the 1,000 acid attack response kits. The kits include protective clothing and five-litre bottles of water. This allows police officers to give immediate treatment to victims sprayed with acid. Experts have said the rise in acid attacks could be because of a crackdown on knives and guns. Street gangs are now using acid instead because it is easy to buy and easy to hide in soda bottles. Police spokesman Mike West spoke about acid attacks. He said: "These are life-changing injuries." He added: "I am confident that we are stepping up our response to this crime and we are looking for a safer way to identify some of the substances on the streets."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Acid Attacks - Level 0,  Acid Attacks - Level 1   or  Acid Attacks - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/24/london-acid-attacks-police-given-1000-emergency-response-kits
  • http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/plastic-surgeons-facing-epidemic-of-acid-attacks-in-london-expert-says-a3594856.html
  • https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/police-given-kits-to-tackle-acid-attacks-0wtrjmhn5


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. ACID ATTACKS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about acid attacks. 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?

       police / London / crimes / acid / dangerous / plastic surgeon / epidemic / explosion /
       response / protective clothing / treatment / knives / guns / injuries / confident

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

3. LIFE: Students A strongly believe people who attack others with acid should get life in prison; Students B strongly believe this is too much.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. SAFER: How can we keep city streets safer? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Advantages

Disadvantages

More police

 

 

Security cameras

 

 

Stricter punishments

 

 

Neighborhood watch

 

 

Personal alarms

 

 

Better street lighting

 

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

6. DANGEROUS PLACES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most dangerous places at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • suburban streets
  • the countryside
  • apartment buildings
  • parks
  • city centers
  • parking lots
  • shopping malls
  • bars

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The number of acid attacks on London's streets has been decreasing.     T / F
  2. Two weeks ago, there were five acid attacks in one night.     T / F
  3. A plastic surgeon said he hadn't treated any acid attack victims.     T / F
  4. The article said gangs are using acid to create explosions.     T / F
  5. The acid attack kits contain clothes that can protect people.     T / F
  6. The article says the rise in acid attacks is because gangs don't like knives. T / F
  7. Street gangs are hiding acid in soda bottles.     T / F
  8. A police spokesman was confident the police would make the streets safer. T / F

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

  1. deal with
  2. increasing
  3. dangerous
  4. leading
  5. epidemic
  6. protective
  7. allows
  8. hide
  9. confident
  10. identify
  1. hazardous
  2. conceal
  3. widespread
  4. sure
  5. top
  6. handle
  7. recognize
  8. safety
  9. rising
  10. lets

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

  1. the number
  2. acid or other dangerous
  3. A leading plastic
  4. reached "epidemic"
  5. there had been an "explosion" of cases
  6. protective
  7. give immediate
  8. a crackdown
  9. life-changing
  10. we are stepping up our
  1. substances
  2. involving acid
  3. response to this crime
  4. clothing
  5. surgeon
  6. treatment to victims
  7. injuries
  8. levels in London
  9. of crimes using acid
  10. on knives and guns

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
rob
treats
given
since
past
number
levels
involving

Police officers in London have been (1) ____________ 1,000 special kits to deal with acid attacks. This is because the (2) ____________ of crimes using acid on London's streets has been increasing. Two weeks ago, criminals sprayed acid in the faces of people to (3) ____________ them of their motorbikes. There were five different acid attacks on just one night. The number of crimes (4) ____________ acid or other dangerous substances has more than doubled in London over the (5) ____________ three years. A leading plastic surgeon today said the number of patients he (6) ____________ for acid attacks has reached "epidemic" (7) ____________ in London. Professor Peter Dziewulski said there had been an "explosion" of cases involving acid (8) ____________ the start of last year.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
include
injuries
crackdown
identify
carry
stepping
treatment
hide

Rapid response police cars will now (9) ____________ the 1,000 acid attack response kits. The kits (10) ____________ protective clothing and five-litre bottles of water. This allows police officers to give immediate (11) ____________ to victims sprayed with acid. Experts have said the rise in acid attacks could be because of a (12) ____________ on knives and guns. Street gangs are now using acid instead because it is easy to buy and easy to (13) ____________ in soda bottles. Police spokesman Mike West spoke about acid attacks. He said: "These are life-changing (14) ____________." He added: "I am confident that we are (15) ____________ up our response to this crime and we are looking for a safer way to (16) ____________ some of the substances on the streets."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  This is because the number of crimes using acid on London's streets ______
     a.  has been increasing
     b.  have been increasing
     c.  had been increasing
     d.  had being increasing

2)  Two weeks ago, criminals sprayed acid in the faces of people ______
     a.  to rob them
     b.  to lob them
     c.  to sob them
     d.  to bob them

3)  crimes involving acid or other dangerous substances has ______
     a.  more than double
     b.  more than doubling
     c.  more than doubled
     d.  more than doublet

4)  the number of patients he treats for acid attacks has ______ levels
     a.  reached "epidermis"
     b.  reached "epic medic"
     c.  reached "epee demark"
     d.  reached "epidemic"

5)  there had been an "explosion" of cases involving acid since ______ last year
     a.  the start off
     b.  the started of
     c.  the start of
     d.  the starts of

6)  This allows police officers to give immediate ______
     a.  treatment two victims
     b.  treatment to victims
     c.  treatment too victims
     d.  treatment thru victims

7)  the rise in acid attacks could be because of a crackdown on ______
     a.  knives on guns
     b.  knives in guns
     c.  knives sand guns
     d.  knives and guns

8)  Street gangs are now using acid instead because it is easy to buy ______
     a.  uneasy to hide
     b.  and easy to hidden
     c.  and easily to hide
     d.  and easy to hide

9)  I am confident that we are stepping up our response ______
     a.  to this crimes
     b.  to this grime
     c.  to these crime
     d.  to this crime

10)  we are looking for a safer way to identify some ______
     a.  of then substances
     b.  of the substances
     c.  of them substances
     d.  of these substances

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Police officers in London have been given 1,000 special (1) ___________________ acid attacks. This is because the number of crimes using acid on London's streets (2) ___________________. Two weeks ago, criminals sprayed acid (3) ___________________ people to rob them of their motorbikes. There were five different acid attacks on just one night. The number of crimes involving (4) ___________________ dangerous substances has more than doubled in London over the past three years. A leading plastic surgeon today said (5) ___________________ patients he treats for acid attacks has reached "epidemic" levels in London. Professor Peter Dziewulski said there had (6) ___________________ of cases involving acid since the start of last year.

Rapid response police cars (7) ___________________ the 1,000 acid attack response kits. The kits include protective clothing and five-litre bottles of water. (8) ___________________ officers to give immediate treatment to victims sprayed with acid. Experts have said (9) ___________________ acid attacks could be because of a crackdown on knives and guns. Street gangs are now using acid instead because (10) ___________________ to buy and easy (11) ___________________ soda bottles. Police spokesman Mike West spoke about acid attacks. He said: "These are life-changing injuries." He added: "I am confident that we are (12) ___________________ response to this crime and we are looking for a safer way to identify some of the substances on the streets."

Comprehension questions

  1. What has been happening to the number of crimes in London using acid?
  2. When did criminals spray acid in people's faces?
  3. How many acid attacks did the article say happened on one night?
  4. What is the job of the guy who said attacks had reached "epidemic" levels?
  5. When did the "explosion" of acid attacks start?
  6. What kind of clothing do the kits contain?
  7. What kind of treatment do the kits allow police officers to provide?
  8. Where do the street gangs hide their acid?
  9. What kind of injuries did a police spokesman say acid attacks caused?
  10. What is the police stepping up?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What has been happening to the number of acid crimes in London?
a) they've been going up and down
b) they've been decreasing
c) they've been increasing
d) they've stayed the same

2) When did criminals spray acid in people's faces?
a) two weeks ago
b) last night
c) last year
d) two years ago

3) How many acid attacks did the article say happened on one night?
a) 8
b) 7
c) 6
d) 5

4) What is the job of the guy who said attacks had reached "epidemic" levels?
a) a journalist
b) a plastic surgeon
c) a policeman
d) an acid seller

5) When did the "explosion" of acid attacks start?
a) last month
b) 2012
c) the start of last year
d) two weeks ago

6) What kind of clothing do the kits contain?
a) silk clothing
b) protective clothing
c) dark clothing
d) fashion items

7) What kind of treatment do the kits allow police officers to provide?
a) top quality treatment
b) fair treatment
c) nice treatment
d) immediate treatment

8) Where do the street gangs hide their acid?
a) in gardens
b) in soda bottles
c) in garages
d) in vacuum flasks

9) What kind of injuries did a police spokesman say acid attacks caused?
a) life-changing injuries
b) moderate injuries
c) facial injuries
d) big injuries

10) What is the police stepping up?
a) upstairs
b) steps
c) ladders
d) its response

Role play

Role  A – Parks

You think parks are the most dangerous places in or around a city. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their places are safe. Also, tell the others which is the safest of these (and why): city centers, shopping malls or the countryside.

Role  B – City Centers

You think city centers are the most dangerous places in or around a city. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their places are safe. Also, tell the others which is the safest of these (and why): parks, shopping malls or the countryside.

Role  C – Shopping Malls

You think shopping malls are the most dangerous places in or around a city. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their places are safe. Also, tell the others which is the safest of these (and why): city centers, parks or the countryside.

Role  D – The Countryside

You think the countryside is the most dangerous place in or around a city. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their places are safe. Also, tell the others which is the safest of these (and why):  city centers, shopping malls or parks.

After reading / listening

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

'acid'

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

    • and 'attack'.

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

    • • 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:

    • cars
    • clothing
    • give
    • guns
    • hide
    • some
    • deal
    • ago
    • just
    • over
    • today
    • since

    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 - London police given 1,000 acid attack kits

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'acid'?
    3. How much crime is there in your town?
    4. What punishment should people get for acid attacks?
    5. Why might crimes be increasing?
    6. How safe are the streets in your country?
    7. Are there any areas in your town you would never walk at night?
    8. Should the government ban acid?
    9. How can the government reduce these crimes?
    10. What do you think about London?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'attack'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How much good do you think the kits will do?
    5. Why are so many young people turning to crime?
    6. Are cities more dangerous today than in the past?
    7. What do you think of gangs?
    8. What has brought the rise of gang culture?
    9. What advice do you have for the police?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the police officers?

    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)

    Police officers in London have been given 1,000 special kits to (1) ____ with acid attacks. This is because the number (2) ____ crimes using acid on London's streets has been increasing. Two weeks ago, criminals sprayed acid in the faces of people to (3) ____ them of their motorbikes. There were five different acid attacks on just one night. The number of crimes (4) ____ acid or other dangerous substances has more than doubled in London over the past three years. A leading plastic surgeon today said the number of patients he treats (5) ____ acid attacks has reached "epidemic" levels in London. Professor Peter Dziewulski said there had been an "explosion" of (6) ____ involving acid since the start of last year.

    Rapid response police cars will now carry the 1,000 acid attack response kits. The kits (7) ____ protective clothing and five-litre bottles of water. This allows police officers to (8) ____ immediate treatment to victims sprayed with acid. Experts have said the rise (9) ____ acid attacks could be because of a crackdown on knives and guns. Street gangs are now using acid (10) ____ because it is easy to buy and easy to hide in soda bottles. Police spokesman Mike West spoke about acid attacks. He said: "These are life-changing (11) ____." He added: "I am confident that we are stepping up our response to this crime and we are (12) ____ for a safer way to identify some of the substances on the streets."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     dealt     (b)     dealing     (c)     ideal     (d)     deal    
    2. (a)     at     (b)     by     (c)     to     (d)     of    
    3. (a)     lob     (b)     rob     (c)     sob     (d)     mob    
    4. (a)     involvement     (b)     involves     (c)     involving     (d)     involve    
    5. (a)     for     (b)     from     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    6. (a)     cases     (b)     bags     (c)     boxes     (d)     containers    
    7. (a)     inclusion     (b)     include     (c)     inclusive     (d)     include    
    8. (a)     give     (b)     take     (c)     be     (d)     mean    
    9. (a)     on     (b)     in     (c)     to     (d)     by    
    10. (a)     rather     (b)     prefer     (c)     instead     (d)     as    
    11. (a)     injured     (b)     injuring     (c)     injuries     (d)     injurious    
    12. (a)     looks     (b)     looking     (c)     looked     (d)     look

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. pesialc kits to deal with acid attacks
    2. the number of ecsimr using acid
    3. apresdy acid in the faces
    4. other naurgeods substances
    5. A leading plastic oesgrun
    6. an seixlpono of cases

    Paragraph 2

    1. The kits include itcvpeetor clothing
    2. give ammtiidee treatment
    3. a aodcrkcwn on knives and guns
    4. These are life-changing isjrnuei
    5. I am nitfodecn
    6. ndeytifi some of the substances

    Put the text back together

    (    )     of patients he treats for acid attacks has reached "epidemic" levels in London. Professor Peter Dziewulski said there had

    (    )     doubled in London over the past three years. A leading plastic surgeon today said the number

    (    )     and guns. Street gangs are now using acid instead because it is easy to buy and easy to hide in soda

    (  1  )     Police officers in London have been given 1,000 special kits to deal with acid attacks. This is

    (    )     clothing and five-litre bottles of water. This allows police officers to give immediate treatment to victims sprayed

    (    )     Rapid response police cars will now carry the 1,000 acid attack response kits. The kits include protective

    (    )     bottles. Police spokesman Mike West spoke about acid attacks. He said: "These are life-

    (    )     because the number of crimes using acid on London's streets has been increasing. Two weeks ago, criminals sprayed

    (    )     changing injuries." He added: "I am confident that we are stepping up our response to this

    (    )     crime and we are looking for a safer way to identify some of the substances on the streets."

    (    )     been an "explosion" of cases involving acid since the start of last year.

    (    )     with acid. Experts have said the rise in acid attacks could be because of a crackdown on knives

    (    )     night. The number of crimes involving acid or other dangerous substances has more than

    (    )     acid in the faces of people to rob them of their motorbikes. There were five different acid attacks on just one

    Put the words in the right order

    1. 1,000   have   special   Officers   given   London   been   kits   in   .
    2. crimes   streets   using   The   acid   number   on   of   London's   .
    3. them   people   in   to  the   Criminals   faces   sprayed   of   acid  rob   .
    4. past   More   in   the   years   doubled   over   three   than   London   .
    5. of   acid   patients   attacks   he   The   treats   number   for   .
    6. police   allows   This   treatment   immediate   give   to   officers   .
    7. rise   in  acid   attacks   could   be   because   of   a   crackdown  The   .
    8. acid  Street  because   gangs   it   are   is  now   easy   instead   using  .
    9. our   response   crime   up   stepping   are   We   this   to
    10. Identify   streets   the   on   substances   the   of   some   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Police officers in London have been / being given 1,000 special kits to deal with acid attacks. This is because the numeral / number of crimes using acid on London's streets has been increased / increasing. Two weeks ago, criminals sprayed acid in the faces of people to robe / rob them of their motorbikes. There were five different / difference acid attacks on just one night. The number of crimes involved / involving acid or other dangerous substances has more than doubled in London over the passed / past three years. A leading plastic surgeon today said the number of patients / patient he treats for acid attacks has reached / reach "epidemic" levels in London. Professor Peter Dziewulski said there had been an "explosion" of cases involving acid for / since the start of last year.

    Rapid response police cars will now carry the 1,000 acid attack response kits. The kits include / including protective clothing and five-litre bottles of water. This allow / allows police officers to give immediate treating / treatment to victims sprayed with acid / acidity. Experts have said the rise in acid attacks could be because of a cracking / crackdown on knives and guns. Street gangs are now using acid instead because it is easily / easy to buy and easy to hide / hidden in soda bottles. Police spokesman Mike West spoke / spoken about acid attacks. He said: "These are life-changing injuries." He added: "I am confident that we are stepping up our responsive / response to this crime and we are looking for a safer way to identify some of the substances on / at the streets."

    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)

    P_l_c_ _ff_c_rs _n L_nd_n h_v_ b__n g_v_n 1,000 sp_c__l k_ts t_ d__l w_th _c_d _tt_cks. Th_s _s b_c__s_ th_ n_mb_r _f cr_m_s _s_ng _c_d _n L_nd_n's str__ts h_s b__n _ncr__s_ng. Tw_ w__ks _g_, cr_m_n_ls spr_y_d _c_d _n th_ f_c_s _f p__pl_ t_ r_b th_m _f th__r m_t_rb_k_s. Th_r_ w_r_ f_v_ d_ff_r_nt _c_d _tt_cks _n j_st _n_ n_ght. Th_ n_mb_r _f cr_m_s _nv_lv_ng _c_d _r _th_r d_ng_r__s s_bst_nc_s h_s m_r_ th_n d__bl_d _n L_nd_n _v_r th_ p_st thr__ y__rs. _ l__d_ng pl_st_c s_rg__n t_d_y s__d th_ n_mb_r _f p_t__nts h_ tr__ts f_r _c_d _tt_cks h_s r__ch_d "_p_d_m_c" l_v_ls _n L_nd_n. Pr_f_ss_r P_t_r Dz__w_lsk_ s__d th_r_ h_d b__n _n "_xpl_s__n" _f c_s_s _nv_lv_ng _c_d s_nc_ th_ st_rt _f l_st y__r.

    R_p_d r_sp_ns_ p_l_c_ c_rs w_ll n_w c_rry th_ 1,000 _c_d _tt_ck r_sp_ns_ k_ts. Th_ k_ts _ncl_d_ pr_t_ct_v_ cl_th_ng _nd f_v_-l_tr_ b_ttl_s _f w_t_r. Th_s _ll_ws p_l_c_ _ff_c_rs t_ g_v_ _mm_d__t_ tr__tm_nt t_ v_ct_ms spr_y_d w_th _c_d. _xp_rts h_v_ s__d th_ r_s_ _n _c_d _tt_cks c__ld b_ b_c__s_ _f _ cr_ckd_wn _n kn_v_s _nd g_ns. Str__t g_ngs _r_ n_w _s_ng _c_d _nst__d b_c__s_ _t _s __sy t_ b_y _nd __sy t_ h_d_ _n s_d_ b_ttl_s. P_l_c_ sp_k_sm_n M_k_ W_st sp_k_ _b__t _c_d _tt_cks. H_ s__d: "Th_s_ _r_ l_f_-ch_ng_ng _nj_r__s." H_ _dd_d: "_ _m c_nf_d_nt th_t w_ _r_ st_pp_ng _p __r r_sp_ns_ t_ th_s cr_m_ _nd w_ _r_ l__k_ng f_r _ s_f_r w_y t_ _d_nt_fy s_m_ _f th_ s_bst_nc_s _n th_ str__ts."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    police officers in london have been given 1000 special kits to deal with acid attacks this is because the number of crimes using acid on london's streets has been increasing two weeks ago criminals sprayed acid in the faces of people to rob them of their motorbikes there were five different acid attacks on just one night the number of crimes involving acid or other dangerous substances has more than doubled in london over the past three years a leading plastic surgeon today said the number of patients he treats for acid attacks has reached "epidemic" levels in london professor peter dziewulski said there had been an "explosion" of cases involving acid since the start of last year

    rapid response police cars will now carry the 1000 acid attack response kits the kits include protective clothing and five-litre bottles of water this allows police officers to give immediate treatment to victims sprayed with acid experts have said the rise in acid attacks could be because of a crackdown on knives and guns street gangs are now using acid instead because it is easy to buy and easy to hide in soda bottles police spokesman mike west spoke about acid attacks he said "these are life-changing injuries" he added "i am confident that we are stepping up our response to this crime and we are looking for a safer way to identify some of the substances on the streets"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    PoliceofficersinLondonhavebeengiven1,000specialkitstodealwithaci
    dattacks.ThisisbecausethenumberofcrimesusingacidonLondon'sstr
    eetshasbeenincreasing.Twoweeksago,criminalssprayedacidinthefa
    cesofpeopletorobthemoftheirmotorbikes.Therewerefivedifferentaci
    dattacksonjustonenight.Thenumberofcrimesinvolvingacidorotherd
    angeroussubstanceshasmorethandoubledinLondonoverthepastthre
    eyears.Aleadingplasticsurgeontodaysaidthenumberofpatientshetre
    atsforacidattackshasreached"epidemic"levelsinLondon.ProfessorPe
    terDziewulskisaidtherehadbeenan"explosion"ofcasesinvolvingacids
    incethestartoflastyear.Rapidresponsepolicecarswillnowcarrythe1,0
    00acidattackresponsekits.Thekitsincludeprotectiveclothingandfive-
    litrebottlesofwater.Thisallowspoliceofficerstogiveimmediatetreatm
    enttovictimssprayedwithacid.Expertshavesaidtheriseinacidattacksc
    ouldbebecauseofacrackdownonknivesandguns.Streetgangsarenow
    usingacidinsteadbecauseitiseasytobuyandeasytohideinsodabottles.
    PolicespokesmanMikeWestspokeaboutacidattacks.Hesaid:"Thesear
    elife-changinginjuries."Headded:"Iamconfidentthatwearesteppin
    gupourresponsetothiscrimeandwearelookingforasaferwaytoidentify
    someofthesubstancesonthestreets."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    City streets are becoming more dangerous. 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. STREET CRIME: Make a poster about street crime. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. SAFER STREETS: Write a magazine article about the safety of our streets. Include imaginary interviews with people who think our streets are becoming safer and with those who think our streets are becoming more dangerous.

    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 acid attacks. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions. 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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