Breaking News English Lesson: Sea Bridge

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Longest sea bridge links Hong Kong to China (24th October, 2018)

The Reading / Listening - Hong Kong Sea Bridge - Level 3

The world's longest sea bridge has opened. It links Hong Kong and Macau to mainland China. The bridge is called the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and is 55 kilometres long. The bridge took over a decade to construct. Builders had to make artificial islands in the Pearl River Delta to provide the supports for the bridge. There is also a 6.7-kilometre underwater tunnel in the middle of the bridge. This is to allow ships to sail through the Delta. The new bridge stretches longer than 14 Golden Gate Bridges lined up end to end. The bridge will greatly cut the time it takes to travel from mainland China to Hong Kong and Macau. The journey time to Macau has been cut from over three hours to just 30 minutes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the bridge on Thursday. He hopes the new crossing will help to connect 68 million people in 11 different cities. China's government believes that up to 29,000 cars will cross the sea link daily by the year 2030. A trade and tourism expert said: "This makes Hong Kong a lot more accessible for goods, passengers and trade, so this is a benefit from the economic perspective." The bridge will be open to tourists to drive across it. However, local car owners will not be able to cross the bridge unless they have a special permit. Most drivers will take a shuttle bus to make the journey. The shuttle buses will cost $8-$10 for a single trip.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Hong Kong Sea Bridge - Level 0, Hong Kong Sea Bridge - Level 1 or Hong Kong Sea Bridge - Level 2

Sources

http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-hong-kong-mega-bridge-20181022-story.html
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/17/c_136902782.htm
https://abcnews.go.com/International/worlds-longest-sea-bridge-opens-macau-hong-kong/story?id=58662116

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. BRIDGES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bridges. 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?
sea / bridge / mainland / decade / artificial / islands / underwater / tunnel / journey /
opening ceremony / connect / daily / trade / tourism / passengers / permit / shuttle
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SEA: Students A strongly believe bridges should not be built in the sea; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ~EST: What are the world's record breakers? What do you think of them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What?	What do you think?
Tallest building
Longest tunnel
Best hotel
Coldest place
Most expensive house
Longest bridge

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. CHINA: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "China". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. TRANSPORT LINKS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important transport links at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

railway stations
taxi ranks
space ports
cycle lanes
bridges
tunnels
airports
ports

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	mainland	a.	A period of ten years.
2.	decade	b.	Made or produced by human beings rather than in nature, especially as a copy of something that is natural.
3.	construct	c.	An act of travelling from one place to another.
4.	artificial	d.	Build or make something.
5.	provide	e.	In a row, next to each other.
6.	lined up	f.	A large area of land that includes the biggest part of a country (and not its islands).
7.	journey	g.	Make available for use; supply.

Paragraph 2

8.	attended	h.	A special religious or public event, usually one for an anniversary or special event.
9.	ceremony	i.	Join together to provide access and communication.
10.	connect	j.	An official document that lets someone do something.
11.	daily	k.	A person who has a lot of knowledge in a particular area.
12.	expert	l.	Done, produced, or occurring every day or every weekday.
13.	perspective	m.	Went to an event; was present somewhere.
14.	permit	n.	A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

The new bridge links Hong Kong, Macau and China. T / F
The new bridge took over 20 years to build. T / F
Construction of the bridge included the making of manmade islands. T / F
The bridge will cut over two hours from the journey time to Macau. T / F
The new bridge will connect 11 million people in 68 different cities. T / F
As many as 29,000 cars will cross the bridge every day by next year. T / F
Only tourists can drive across the bridge without a special permit. T / F
There is a shuttle bus that will take people across the bridge for $20. T / F

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

links
construct
artificial
greatly
just
expert
perspective
car
permit
trip

manmade
specialist
only
motor vehicle
build
license
journey
connects
viewpoint
considerably

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

The world's longest sea bridge
It links Hong Kong and Macau to mainland
The bridge took over a decade
artificial
The journey time to Macau
Xi Jinping attended the opening
the new crossing will help to
A trade and
this is a benefit from the economic
Most drivers will take a

ceremony of the bridge
has been cut
perspective
to construct
connect 68 million people
China
tourism expert
shuttle bus
has opened
islands

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

supports
takes
decade
through
just
mainland
middle
longer

The world's longest sea bridge has opened. It links Hong Kong and Macau to (1) ____________ China. The bridge is called the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and is 55 kilometres long. The bridge took over a (2) ____________ to construct. Builders had to make artificial islands in the Pearl River Delta to provide the (3) ____________ for the bridge. There is also a 6.7-kilometre underwater tunnel in the (4) ____________ of the bridge. This is to allow ships to sail (5) ____________ the Delta. The new bridge stretches (6) ____________ than 14 Golden Gate Bridges lined up end to end. The bridge will greatly cut the time it (7) ____________ to travel from mainland China to Hong Kong and Macau. The journey time to Macau has been cut from over three hours to (8) ____________ 30 minutes.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

hopes
single
opening
benefit
expert
unless
connect
open

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the (9) ____________ ceremony of the bridge on Thursday. He (10) ____________ the new crossing will help to (11) ____________ 68 million people in 11 different cities. China's government believes that up to 29,000 cars will cross the sea link daily by the year 2030. A trade and tourism (12) ____________ said: "This makes Hong Kong a lot more accessible for goods, passengers and trade, so this is a (13) ____________ from the economic perspective." The bridge will be (14) ____________ to tourists to drive across it. However, local car owners will not be able to cross the bridge (15) ____________ they have a special permit. Most drivers will take a shuttle bus to make the journey. The shuttle buses will cost $8-$10 for a (16) ____________ trip.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) ... and is 55 kilometres long. The bridge took over ______ construct
     a. a decadence to
     b. a decades to
     c. a decade to
     d. a deck aid to
2) Builders had to make artificial islands in the Pearl River Delta to provide the ______
     a. supports four the bridge
     b. supports for the bridge
     c. supports for them bridge
     d. supports for then bridge
3) There is also a 6.7-kilometre underwater tunnel in the ______ bridge
     a. middle off the
     b. middles of their
     c. middle of the
     d. middles of the
4) The new bridge stretches longer than 14 Golden Gate Bridges lined up ______
     a. end two end
     b. end to end
     c. end too ends
     d. ends to end
5) The journey time to Macau has been cut from over three hours ______ minutes
     a. to justice 30
     b. to justly 30
     c. to adjust 30
     d. to just 30

6) Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ______ bridge
     a. ceremony off the
     b. ceremony oft the
     c. ceremony of the
     d. ceremony if the
7) He hopes the new crossing will help to ______ million people
     a. connect 68
     b. connects 68
     c. connection 68
     d. connected 68
8) government believes that up to 29,000 cars will cross the sea ______ the year 2030
     a. link daily buy
     b. link daily by
     c. link daily bye
     d. link daily bay
9) accessible for goods, passengers and trade, so this is a benefit from the ______
     a. economic perspective
     b. economic prescriptive
     c. economic Perspex is
     d. economic per speck tick
10) a shuttle bus to make the journey. The shuttle buses will cost $8-$10 for ______
     a. a singled trip
     b. a single trip
     c. a shingle trip
     d. a sin gall trip

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The world's longest sea (1) ___________________. It links Hong Kong and Macau to mainland China. The bridge is called the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and is 55 kilometres long. The bridge (2) ___________________ decade to construct. Builders had to make artificial islands in the Pearl River Delta to provide (3) ___________________ the bridge. There is also a 6.7-kilometre underwater tunnel in the middle of the bridge. This is to allow ships to sail through the Delta. The new bridge (4) ___________________ 14 Golden Gate Bridges lined (5) ___________________ end. The bridge will greatly cut the time it takes to travel from mainland China to Hong Kong and Macau. The journey time to Macau has (6) ___________________ over three hours to just 30 minutes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (7) ___________________ ceremony of the bridge on Thursday. He hopes the new crossing will help to connect 68 million (8) ___________________ different cities. China's government believes that up to 29,000 cars will cross the sea link daily by the year 2030. A trade (9) ___________________ said: "This makes Hong Kong a lot more accessible for goods, passengers and trade, so this (10) ___________________ from the economic perspective." The bridge will be open to tourists to drive across it. However, local car owners will not be able to cross the bridge unless they have (11) ___________________. Most drivers will take a shuttle bus to make the journey. The shuttle buses will cost $8-$10 for (12) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

How long is the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge?
How long did it take to construct the bridge?
How long is the underwater tunnel that is in the middle of the bridge?
What is the new bridge over 14 times longer than?
How long will it now take to get to Macau?
Who did the article say will attend the opening ceremony?
By when will there be 29,000 cars crossing the bridge every day?
Who said Hong Kong will be more accessible for passengers and trade?
What will local car owners need to drive across the bridge?
How much will the shuttle bus cost to cross the bridge?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How long is the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge?
a) 51 kilometres
b) 53 kilometres
c) 55 kilometres
d) 57 kilometres
2) How long did it take to construct the bridge?
a) more than 10 years
b) exactly 10 years
c) about 10 years
d) less than 10 years
3) How long is the underwater tunnel that is in the middle of the bridge?
a) 7.6-kilometre
b) 5.7-kilometre
c) 7.7-kilometre
d) 6.7-kilometres
4) What is the new bridge over 14 times longer than?
a) Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
b) the Golden Gate Bridge
c) Bosphorus Bridge
d) London Bridge
5) How long will it now take to get to Macau?
a) an hour and 30 minutes
b) 50 minutes
c) 30 minutes
d) an hour

6) Who did the article say will attend the opening ceremony?
a) a trade expert
b) China's president
c) a bridge expert
d) the bridge's architect
7) By when will there be 29,000 cars crossing the bridge every day?
a) 2020
b) 2022
c) 2025
d) 2030
8) Who said Hong Kong will be more accessible for passengers and trade?
a) a driver
b) a trade expert
c) an architect
d) an Internet company CEO
9) What will local car owners need to drive across the bridge?
a) a special permit
b) an electric car
c) an advanced driving license
d) a special GPS
10) How much will the shuttle bus cost to cross the bridge?
a) $18-$20
b) $6-$8
c) $9
d) $8-$10

Role play

Role A – Bridges
You think bridges are the most important transport kinks. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their links. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): airports, cycle lanes or space ports.

Role B – Airports
You think airports the most important transport kinks. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their links. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): bridges, cycle lanes or space ports.

Role C – Cycle Lanes
You think cycle lanes the most important transport kinks. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their links. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): airports, bridges or space ports.

Role D – Space Ports
You think space ports the most important transport kinks. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their links. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): airports, cycle lanes or bridges.

After reading / listening

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

'sea'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'bridge'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

president

11

2030

benefit

local

single

opened

55

decade

middle

14

three

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 - Longest sea bridge links Hong Kong to China

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'sea'?
What do you think of the new bridge?
What new bridges does your country need?
How safe is a bridge across the sea?
How safe is a 2.7-kilometre tunnel under the sea?
What would your country be like without bridges?
What is your favourite bridge, and why?
What environmental damage might the bridge have created?
What three adjectives best describe this story?

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 'bridge'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think the opening ceremony was like?
Have you ever attended an opening ceremony?
How proud might Chinese people be about this bridge?
Would you like to see a bridge to the Moon?
How will this bridge benefit Hong Kong and Macau?
Why can't local car owners drive across the bridge?
What questions would you like to ask the bridge's designer?

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)

The world's longest sea bridge has (1) ____. It links Hong Kong and Macau to mainland China. The bridge is called the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and is 55 kilometres long. The bridge took (2) ____ a decade to construct. Builders had to make artificial islands in the Pearl River Delta to provide the supports (3) ____ the bridge. There is also a 6.7-kilometre underwater tunnel in the middle of the bridge. This is to (4) ____ ships to sail through the Delta. The new bridge stretches longer than 14 Golden Gate Bridges lined up (5) ____ to end. The bridge will greatly cut the time it takes to travel from mainland China to Hong Kong and Macau. The journey time to Macau has been cut from over three hours to (6) ____ 30 minutes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony (7) ____ the bridge on Thursday. He hopes the new crossing will help to (8) ____ 68 million people in 11 different cities. China's government believes that up to 29,000 cars will cross the sea link (9) ____ by the year 2030. A trade and tourism expert said: "This makes Hong Kong a lot more accessible for (10) ____, passengers and trade, so this is a benefit from the economic perspective." The bridge will be open to tourists to drive across it. However, local car owners will not be able to cross the bridge (11) ____ they have a special permit. Most drivers will take a shuttle bus to make the journey. The shuttle buses will cost $8-$10 for a single (12) ____.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) opens (b) opening (c) opened (d) openings
(a) over (b) more (c) much (d) longer
(a) for (b) at (c) by (d) as
(a) allow (b) allot (c) allure (d) allude
(a) from (b) end (c) up (d) as
(a) lone (b) up (c) mere (d) just
(a) to (b) as (c) of (d) so
(a) contact (b) respect (c) detect (d) connect
(a) daily (b) day (c) date (d) days
(a) goods (b) good (c) goodness (d) goodies
(a) thus (b) unless (c) though (d) however
(a) trap (b) trope (c) trip (d) traipse

Spelling

Paragraph 1

ianmdanl China
over a edecad to construct
lfaitracii islands
deirpov the supports for the bridge
a 6.7-kilometre underwater unlten
lrytega cut the time it takes

Paragraph 2

attended the opening meryceno
onnccte 68 million people
a lot more ccseaelibs
this is a enebitf
they have a special eirtpm
$10 for a nelgis trip

Put the text back together

(...) up end to end. The bridge will greatly cut the time it takes to travel from mainland China to Hong Kong
(...) Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the bridge on
(...) across it. However, local car owners will not be able to cross the bridge unless they have a special
(...) provide the supports for the bridge. There is also a 6.7-kilometre underwater tunnel in the middle
(...) Thursday. He hopes the new crossing will help to connect 68 million people in 11 different cities. China's
(...) and Macau. The journey time to Macau has been cut from over three hours to just 30 minutes.
(...) expert said: "This makes Hong Kong a lot more accessible for goods, passengers and trade, so this is a
(...) of the bridge. This is to allow ships to sail through the Delta. The new bridge stretches longer than 14 Golden Gate Bridges lined
(...) government believes that up to 29,000 cars will cross the sea link daily by the year 2030. A trade and tourism
(...) China. The bridge is called the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and is 55 kilometres long. The bridge took over
(...) benefit from the economic perspective." The bridge will be open to tourists to drive
(...) a decade to construct. Builders had to make artificial islands in the Pearl River Delta to
(...) permit. Most drivers will take a shuttle bus to make the journey. The shuttle buses will cost $8-$10 for a single trip.
( 1 ) The world's longest sea bridge has opened. It links Hong Kong and Macau to mainland

Put the words in the right order

to took bridge a The decade construct . over
in There a tunnel middle . is the also
allow through . is sail to This to ships
bridge it the cut The takes . will time
been has Macau The to time cut . journey
hopes new help . crossing will He the
in Connect 11 cities . 68,000,000 different people
This Kong Hong accessible . a more makes lot
from is a benefit This the perspective . economic
take Most a will drivers bus . shuttle

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The world's longest sea bridge has opening / opened. It links Hong Kong and Macau to mainland China. The bridge is called the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and is 55 kilometres long / length. The bridge took over a decade to construct. Builders had to make artificially / artificial islands in the Pearl River Delta to provision / provide the supports for the bridge. There is also a 6.7-kilometre underwater tunnel in the middle off / of the bridge. This is to allow ships to sail / sale through the Delta. The new bridge stretches longer than 14 Golden Gate Bridges lined down / up end to end. The bridge will greatly / great cut the time it takes to travel from mainland China to Hong Kong and Macau. The journey time to Macau has been / being cut from over three hours to just / justly 30 minutes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attention / attended the opening ceremony of the bridge on Thursday. He hopes / hops the new crossing will help to divide / connect 68 million people in 11 different cities. China's government believes that down / up to 29,000 cars will cross the sea link day / daily by the year 2030. A trade and tourism expert said: "This makes Hong Kong a lot more access / accessible for goods, passengers and trade, so this is a benefit from the economic perspective." The bridge will be open to / at tourists to drive across them / it. However, local car owners will not be ability / able to cross the bridge unless they have a special permit. Most drivers will take a shuttle bus to make the journey. The shuttle buses will cost $8-$10 for a single trip / trap.

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)

T h_ w_r l d ' s l_n g_s t s__ b r_d g_ h_s _p_n_d . I t l_n k s H_n g K_n g _n d M_c__ t_ m__ n l_n d C h_n_. T h_ b r_d g_ _s c_l l_d t h_ H_n g K_n g - Z h_h__ - M_c__ B r_d g_ _n d _s 5 5 k_l_m_t r_s l_n g . T h_ b r_d g_ t__ k _v_r _ d_c_d_ t_ c_n s t r_c t . B__ l d_r s h_d t_ m_k_ _r t_f_c__ l _s l_n d s _n t h_ P__ r l R_v_r D_l t_ t_ p r_v_d_ t h_ s_p p_r t s f_r t h_ b r_d g_. T h_r_ _s _l s_ _ 6 . 7 - k_l_m_t r_ _n d_r w_t_r t_n n_l _n t h_ m_d d l_ _f t h_ b r_d g_. T h_s _s t_ _l l_w s h_p s t_ s__ l t h r__ g h t h_ D_l t_. T h_ n_w b r_d g_ s t r_t c h_s l_n g_r t h_n 1 4 G_l d_n G_t_ B r_d g_s l_n_d _p _n d t_ _n d . T h_ b r_d g_ w_l l g r__ t l y c_t t h_ t_m_ _t t_k_s t_ t r_v_l f r_m m__ n l_n d C h_n_ t_ H_n g K_n g _n d M_c__ . T h_ j__ r n_y t_m_ t_ M_c__ h_s b__ n c_t f r_m _v_r t h r__ h__ r s t_ j_s t 3 0 m_n_t_s .

C h_n_s_ P r_s_d_n t X_ J_n p_n g _t t_n d_d t h_ _p_n_n g c_r_m_n y _f t h_ b r_d g_ _n T h_r s d_y . H_ h_p_s t h_ n_w c r_s s_n g w_l l h_l p t_ c_n n_c t 6 8 m_l l__ n p__ p l_ _n 1 1 d_f f_r_n t c_t__ s . C h_n_' s g_v_r n m_n t b_l__ v_s t h_t _p t_ 2 9 , 0 0 0 c_r s w_l l c r_s s t h_ s__ l_n k d__ l y b y t h_ y__ r 2 0 3 0 . A t r_d_ _n d t__ r_s m _x p_r t s__ d : " T h_s m_k_s H_n g K_n g _ l_t m_r_ _c c_s s_b l_ f_r g__ d s , p_s s_n g_r s _n d t r_d_, s_ t h_s _s _ b_n_f_t f r_m t h_ _c_n_m_c p_r s p_c t_v_. " T h_ b r_d g_ w_l l b_ _p_n t_ t__ r_s t s t_ d r_v_ _c r_s s _t . H_w_v_r , l_c_l c_r _w n_r s w_l l n_t b_ _b l_ t_ c r_s s t h_ b r_d g_ _n l_s s t h_y h_v_ _ s p_c__ l p_r m_t . M_s t d r_v_r s w_l l t_k_ _ s h_t t l_ b_s t_ m_k_ t h_ j__ r n_y . T h_ s h_t t l_ b_s_s w_l l c_s t $ 8 - $ 1 0 f_r _ s_n g l_ t r_p .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the worlds longest sea bridge has opened it links hong kong and macau to mainland china the bridge is called the hong kongzhuhaimacau bridge and is 55 kilometres long the bridge took over a decade to construct builders had to make artificial islands in the pearl river delta to provide the supports for the bridge there is also a 67kilometre underwater tunnel in the middle of the bridge this is to allow ships to sail through the delta the new bridge stretches longer than 14 golden gate bridges lined up end to end the bridge will greatly cut the time it takes to travel from mainland china to hong kong and macau the journey time to macau has been cut from over three hours to just 30 minutes

chinese president xi jinping attended the opening ceremony of the bridge on thursday he hopes the new crossing will help to connect 68 million people in 11 different cities chinas government believes that up to 29000 cars will cross the sea link daily by the year 2030 a trade and tourism expert said this makes hong kong a lot more accessible for goods passengers and trade so this is a benefit from the economic perspective the bridge will be open to tourists to drive across it however local car owners will not be able to cross the bridge unless they have a special permit most drivers will take a shuttle bus to make the journey the shuttle buses will cost 810 for a single trip.

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Theworld'slongestseabridgehasopened.ItlinksHongKongandMacau
tomainlandChina.ThebridgeiscalledtheHongKong-Zhuhai-MacauB
ridgeandis55kilometreslong.Thebridgetookoveradecadetoconstruc
t.BuildershadtomakeartificialislandsinthePearlRiverDeltatoprovidet
hesupportsforthebridge.Thereisalsoa6.7-kilometreunderwatertu
nnelinthemiddleofthebridge.ThisistoallowshipstosailthroughtheDelt
a.Thenewbridgestretcheslongerthan14GoldenGateBridgeslinedupe
ndtoend.Thebridgewillgreatlycutthetimeittakestotravelfrommainla
ndChinatoHongKongandMacau.ThejourneytimetoMacauhasbeencu
tfromoverthreehourstojust30minutes.ChinesePresidentXiJinpingat
tendedtheopeningceremonyofthebridgeonThursday.Hehopesthene
wcrossingwillhelptoconnect68millionpeoplein11differentcities.Chin
a'sgovernmentbelievesthatupto29,000carswillcrossthesealinkdaily
bytheyear2030.Atradeandtourismexpertsaid:"ThismakesHongKon
galotmoreaccessibleforgoods,passengersandtrade,sothisisabenefit
fromtheeconomicperspective."Thebridgewillbeopentotouriststodriv
eacrossit.However,localcarownerswillnotbeabletocrossthebridgeun
lesstheyhaveaspecialpermit.Mostdriverswilltakeashuttlebustomak
ethejourney.Theshuttlebuseswillcost$8-$10forasingletrip.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

There should be a bridge to the Moon one day. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. BRIDGES: Make a poster about bridges. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. WORLD BRIDGE: Write a magazine article about building a bridge that goes around the whole world. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
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 bridges. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas for a new bridge. 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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Breaking News English Lesson: Sea Bridge

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