The Reading / Listening - Passports - Level 6

The passport of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has risen to the top spot on the list of the world's most powerful passports. This is according to the Passport Index - an online service that provides insights on passports and required visas. UAE passport holders now enjoy the greatest freedom of movement globally of any nationality in the world. The Passport Index shows that UAE passport holders can travel visa-free to 167 countries and require an entry visa from 31 countries. The second most powerful passports are the Singaporean and German passports. The USA passport is ranked at number four. Holders of the Afghanistan passport have the least freedom of movement.

The UAE passport achieved the number-one position on the eve of the country's 47th National Day celebrations. The Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, expressed his pride in his country's achievement in a tweet. He wrote: "A big 'thank you' goes to the working teams for their great efforts to strengthen the UAE's status, enhance its reputation, and facilitate procedures for Emirati citizens. Congratulations to the UAE leadership and people for this worthy achievement." A Passport Index spokesman said: "The Emirati passport has witnessed unprecedented progress globally in the past few years, reflecting the international stature of the country."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Passports - Level 4  or  Passports - Level 5

Sources
  • https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/now-no-1-uae-passport-most-powerful-in-the-world-1.1541685198560
  • https://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-passport-ranked-most-powerful-globally-1.798029
  • http://www.arabnews.com/node/1414136/middle-east


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. PASSPORTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about passports. 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?
       passport / UAE / the top spot / insights / freedom of movement / nationality / visa /
       number one / eve / celebrations / pride / achievement / strengthen / reputation
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. VISA-FREE: Students A strongly believe all travel should be visa-free; Students B strongly believe visas are necessary.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. COUNTRIES: What do you know about these countries and what do you want to know? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I know

What I want to know

UAE

 

 

Singapore

 

 

Germany

 

 

Afghanistan

 

 

Belize

 

 

Namibia

 

 
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. VISA: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "visa". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ACHIEVEMENTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best achievements for a country at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • #1 tourist destination
  • World Cup Final win
  • Best universities
  • Best healthcare
  • Happiest country
  • Richest country
  • Safest country
  • Best passport

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. according to a. A deep understanding of a person or thing.
      2. insight b. A number in a system or scale representing value of something compared to other things.
      3. visa c. As stated or written by or in.
      4. index d. Gave someone or something a position or place within a grading system.
      5. require e. Need for a particular purpose.
      6. ranked f. A person who has or owns something (like a passport or sporting title).
      7. holder g. A stamp or sticker in a passport that allows someone to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.

    Paragraph 2

      8. eve h. Importance or reputation gained by ability or achievement.
      9. independence i. Communicated a thought or feeling in words or by gestures and conduct.
      10. celebration j. A feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction from one's own achievements, or the achievements of other people or things.
      11. expressed k. The day or period of time immediately before an event or occasion.
      12. pride l. The state of a country being free from outside control; not depending on another.
      13. reputation m. The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.
      14. stature n. The action of marking one's pleasure at an important event or occasion by engaging in enjoyable, typically social, activity.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A website called Visa Index said the UAE passport was the world's best.   T / F
  2. UAE passport holders can travel visa-free to 167 countries.     T / F
  3. The USA passport holds the number three spot.     T / F
  4. Afghanistan's passport holders have the least freedom of movement.     T / F
  5. The UAE will hold its 50th National Day celebrations next year.     T / F
  6. The article said the ruler of Abu Dhabi tweeted his thanks to his people.  T / F
  7. The UAE's prime minister congratulated the UAE leadership.     T / F
  8. A website said the UAE's passport reflected the country's global stature.  T / F

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

  1. risen
  2. insights
  3. holders
  4. require
  5. ranked
  6. achieved
  7. eve
  8. reputation
  9. worthy
  10. stature
  1. attained
  2. need
  3. importance
  4. bearers
  5. good name
  6. understanding
  7. noble
  8. day before
  9. classified
  10. ascended

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

  1. risen to the top
  2. This is according
  3. an online service that provides
  4. passport holders can travel visa-
  5. the least freedom
  6. expressed his
  7. A big
  8. enhance its
  9. unprecedented
  10. reflecting the international
  1. insights on passports
  2. 'thank you'
  3. of movement
  4. stature of the country
  5. pride
  6. to the Passport Index
  7. progress
  8. spot on the list
  9. free to 167 countries
  10. reputation

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
freedom
entry
required
least
according
ranked
visa-free
risen

The passport of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has (1) ____________ to the top spot on the list of the world's most powerful passports. This is (2) ____________ to the Passport Index - an online service that provides insights on passports and (3) ____________ visas. UAE passport holders now enjoy the greatest (4) ____________ of movement globally of any nationality in the world. The Passport Index shows that UAE passport holders can travel (5) ____________ to 167 countries and require an (6) ____________ visa from 31 countries. The second most powerful passports are the Singaporean and German passports. The USA passport is (7) ____________ at number four. Holders of the Afghanistan passport have the (8) ____________ freedom of movement.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
celebrations
facilitate
witnessed
achieved
stature
efforts
pride
worthy

The UAE passport (9) ____________ the number-one position on the eve of the country's 47th National Day (10) ____________. The Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, expressed his (11) ____________ in his country's achievement in a tweet. He wrote: "A big 'thank you' goes to the working teams for their great (12) ____________ to strengthen the UAE's status, enhance its reputation, and (13) ____________ procedures for Emirati citizens. Congratulations to the UAE leadership and people for this (14) ____________ achievement." A Passport Index spokesman said: "The Emirati passport has (15) ____________ unprecedented progress globally in the past few years, reflecting the international (16) ____________ of the country."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The passport of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has risen to the top ______ list
     a.  spotty on the
     b.  spotted on the
     c.  spotter on the
     d.  spot on the
2)  an online service that provides insights on passports and ______
     a.  require the visas
     b.  requirement visas
     c.  required visas
     d.  requiring visas
3)  The Passport Index shows that UAE passport holders can travel visa-______ countries
     a.  free 267
     b.  free to 267
     c.  free to 167
     d.  free two 167
4)  The USA passport is ______ number four
     a.  ranked at
     b.  ranked that
     c.  rank that
     d.  rank tat
5)  Holders of the Afghanistan passport have the ______ movement
     a.  lest freedom of
     b.  least freedom of
     c.  last freedom of
     d.  lost freedom of

6)  The UAE passport achieved the number-one position ______
     a.  on the ewe
     b.  on the leave
     c.  on the eve
     d.  on the evening
7)  His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ______
     a.  expressed his proud
     b.  expressed his pride
     c.  expressed his played
     d.  expressed his plied
8)  Congratulations to the UAE leadership and people for this ______
     a.  worth he achievement
     b.  swarthy achievement
     c.  were thee achievement
     d.  worthy achievement
9)  The Emirati passport has witnessed unprecedented progress globally ______ years
     a.  in the post flew
     b.  inner past flew
     c.  in the past few
     d.  inner past few
10)  reflecting the international ______ country
     a.  stature of the
     b.  statute of the
     c.  statue of the
     d.  stat chew of the

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The passport of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (1) ___________________ the top spot on the list of the world's most powerful passports. This is according to the Passport Index - (2) ___________________ that provides insights on passports and required visas. UAE passport holders now enjoy the (3) ___________________ movement globally of any nationality in the world. The Passport Index shows that UAE passport holders can travel visa-free to 167 countries and (4) ___________________ visa from 31 countries. The second most powerful passports are the Singaporean and German passports. The USA passport (5) ___________________ number four. Holders of the Afghanistan passport (6) ___________________ freedom of movement.

The UAE passport achieved the number-one position (7) ___________________ of the country's 47th National Day celebrations. The Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, expressed (8) ___________________ his country's achievement in a tweet. He wrote: "A big 'thank you' goes to the working teams for their (9) ___________________ strengthen the UAE's status, enhance its reputation, and facilitate procedures for Emirati citizens. Congratulations to the UAE leadership (10) ___________________ this worthy achievement." A Passport Index spokesman said: "The Emirati (11) ___________________ unprecedented progress globally in the past few years, reflecting the international (12) ___________________ country."

Comprehension questions

  1. What is the name of the website which created the passport list?
  2. How many countries can UAE passport holders travel to visa-free?
  3. What passports are the second most powerful?
  4. Where is the USA passport ranked?
  5. Which passport affords its bearer the least freedom of movement?
  6. What National Day celebrations has the UAE just held?
  7. What other position does the UAE's prime minister hold?
  8. How did His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Al Maktoum thank people?
  9. What did Sheikh Mohammad Al Maktoum say had been enhanced?
  10. What progress did a passport website say the UAE passport had made?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What is the name of the website which created the passport list?
a) Passport Index
b) Visa Index
c) Tourism Index
d) Travel Index
2)  How many countries can UAE passport holders travel to visa-free?
a) 176
b) 47
c) 167
d) 31
3)  What passports are the second most powerful?
a) the USA and British passports
b) the Singaporean and USA passports
c) the USA and German passports
d) the Singaporean and German passports
4)  Where is the USA passport ranked?
a) second
b) fourth
c) third
d) eighth
5)  Which passport affords its bearer the least freedom of movement?
a) Afghanistan's
b) Iraq's
c) Yemen's
d) Syria's

6)  What National Day celebrations has the UAE just held?
a) its 48th National Day celebrations
b) its 49th National Day celebrations
c) its 46th National Day celebrations
d) its 47th National Day celebrations
7)  What other position does the UAE's prime minister hold?
a) Finance Minister
b) Secretary of State
c) Ruler of Dubai
d) Foreign Secretary
8)  How did His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Al Maktoum thank people?
a) on TV
b) via Twitter
c) on radio
d) in a newspaper
9)  What did Sheikh Mohammad Al Maktoum say had been enhanced?
a) the UAE's tourism industry
b) UAE visas
c) the UAE's reputation
d) diplomatic relations
10)  What progress did a passport website say the UAE passport had made?
a) slight progress
b) unprecedented progress
c) steady progress
d) unheard-of progress

Role play

Role  A – Strongest Passport
You think having the strongest passport is the biggest achievement for a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their achievements. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): richest country, World Cup champions or best universities.

Role  B – Richest Country
You think being the richest country is the biggest achievement for a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their achievements. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): strongest passport, World Cup champions or best universities.

Role  C – World Cup Champions
You think being World Cup champions is the biggest achievement for a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their achievements. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): richest country, strongest passport or best universities.

Role  D – Best Universities
You think having the best universities is the biggest achievement for a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their achievements. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): richest country, World Cup champions or strongest passport.

After reading / listening

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

'passport'

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

    • and 'visa'.

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

    • • 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:

    • eve
    • ruler
    • pride
    • big
    • worthy
    • few
    • spot
    • according
    • enjoy
    • free
    • 31
    • least

    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 - UAE passport world's 'most powerful'

    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 'passport'?
    3. How strong is the passport of your country?
    4. Why is the UAE passport so strong?
    5. What do you think of your passport?
    6. Why are passports necessary?
    7. How useful is visa-free travel?
    8. Should we be able to travel freely anywhere in the world?
    9. What different kinds of visas are there?
    10. What will passports of the future be like?

    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 'visa'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How important are passports?
    5. What do you know about the UAE?
    6. How does your country celebrate its independence day?
    7. How proud are you of your country?
    8. What is your country's biggest achievement?
    9. What is the international stature of your country?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the Passport Index?

    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 passport of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has (1) ____ to the top spot on the list of the world's most powerful passports. This is according (2) ____ the Passport Index - an online service that provides insights on passports and (3) ____ visas. UAE passport holders now enjoy the greatest freedom of movement globally of any nationality in the world. The Passport Index shows that UAE passport holders can travel visa-(4) ____ to 167 countries and require an entry visa from 31 countries. The second most powerful passports are the Singaporean and German passports. The USA passport is ranked (5) ____ number four. Holders of the Afghanistan passport have the (6) ____ freedom of movement.

    The UAE passport achieved the number-one position on the (7) ____ of the country's 47th National Day celebrations. The Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, expressed his (8) ____ in his country's achievement in a tweet. He wrote: "A big 'thank you' (9) ____ to the working teams for their great efforts to strengthen the UAE's status, enhance its reputation, and facilitate procedures for Emirati citizens. Congratulations to the UAE leadership and people for this (10) ____ achievement." A Passport Index spokesman said: "The Emirati passport has (11) ____ unprecedented progress globally in the past few years, (12) ____ the international stature of the country."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     riser     (b)     arisen     (c)     risen     (d)     rising    
    2. (a)     to     (b)     by     (c)     of     (d)     at    
    3. (a)     required     (b)     requires     (c)     requirement     (d)     requiring    
    4. (a)     free     (b)     freely     (c)     freed     (d)     freedom    
    5. (a)     by     (b)     on     (c)     in     (d)     at    
    6. (a)     lost     (b)     last     (c)     lest     (d)     least    
    7. (a)     eve     (b)     ewe     (c)     ere     (d)     ebb    
    8. (a)     proud     (b)     proudly     (c)     proudest     (d)     pride    
    9. (a)     goes     (b)     comes     (c)     enters     (d)     thanks    
    10. (a)     swarthy     (b)     worthy     (c)     earthy     (d)     pithy    
    11. (a)     juror     (b)     witnessed     (c)     judged     (d)     observe    
    12. (a)     reflecting     (b)     mirror     (c)     deflects     (d)     shines

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the world's most rwoeupfl passports
    2. This is dcorancgi to the Passport Index
    3. an online service that provides stgnhsii
    4. of any tiaonynltai in the world
    5. rriueqe an entry visa from 31 countries
    6. have the least freedom of meonvtme

    Paragraph 2

    1. vehiedca the number-one position
    2. National Day eestlracobni
    3. pride in his country's cithnmveeea
    4. efforts to strengthen the UAE's sastut
    5. facilitate epuesdrocr for Emirati citizens
    6. pdcnuenedtere progress

    Put the text back together

    (...)  celebrations. The Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
    (...)  powerful passports. This is according to the Passport Index - an online service that provides insights
    (...)  four. Holders of the Afghanistan passport have the least freedom of movement.
    (...)  on passports and required visas. UAE passport holders now enjoy the greatest freedom of movement globally of any nationality
    (...)  you' goes to the working teams for their great efforts to strengthen the UAE's status, enhance its
    (...)  The UAE passport achieved the number-one position on the eve of the country's 47th National Day
    (...)  reputation, and facilitate procedures for Emirati citizens. Congratulations to the UAE leadership and people for this worthy
    (...)  free to 167 countries and require an entry visa from 31 countries. The second most powerful passports
    (...)  in the world. The Passport Index shows that UAE passport holders can travel visa-
    (...)  are the Singaporean and German passports. The USA passport is ranked at number
    (...)  progress globally in the past few years, reflecting the international stature of the country."
    (...)  achievement." A Passport Index spokesman said: "The Emirati passport has witnessed unprecedented
    (...)  expressed his pride in his country's achievement in a tweet. He wrote: "A big 'thank
    (  1  ) The passport of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has risen to the top spot on the list of the world's most

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the risen has spot. top to The UAE
    2. holders greatest freedom enjoy of movement. Passport the
    3. can travel 167 countries. visa-free to holders Passport
    4. entry countries. Require 31 visa from an
    5. number ranked at is four. passport The USA
    6. National its eve Day On the celebrations. of
    7. to 'thank teams. you' goes A the big
    8. UAE's Their status. great to efforts the strengthen
    9. citizens. its facilitate procedures for reputation and Enhance
    10. Emirati witnessed passport globally. has The unprecedented progress

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The passport of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has arisen / risen to the top spot on the list of the world's most / must powerful passports. This is according to the Passport Index - an online service that provides sights / insights on passports and requirement / required visas. UAE passport holders now enjoy the greatest freely / freedom of movement globally of any nationality in the world. The Passport Index shows / shown that UAE passport holders can travel visa-free in / to 167 countries and require an entry visa from 31 countries. The second most powerfully / powerful passports are the Singaporean and German passports. The USA passport is ranked / raked at number four. Holders of the Afghanistan passport have the least / last freedom of movement.

    The UAE passport achieved the number-one position on the eve / ewe of the country's 47th National Day celebratory / celebrations. The Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, expressed his proud / pride in his country's achievement in a tweet. He wrote: "A big 'thank you' goes / go to the working teams for their great efforts to stronger / strengthen the UAE's status, enhance its reputation / repetition, and facilitate procedures for Emirati citizens. Congratulations to the UAE leadership and people for this worthy / worth achievement." A Passport Index spokesman said: "The Emirati passport has witnesses / witnessed unprecedented progress globe / globally in the past few years, reflecting the international stature / statute of the country."

    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_ p_s s p_r t _f t h_ U n_t_d A r_b E m_r_t_s ( U A E ) h_s r_s_n t_ t h_ t_p s p_t _n t h_ l_s t _f t h_ w_r l d ' s m_s t p_w_r f_l p_s s p_r t s . T h_s _s _c c_r d_n g t_ t h_ P_s s p_r t I n d_x - _n _n l_n_ s_r v_c_ t h_t p r_v_d_s _n s_g h t s _n p_s s p_r t s _n d r_q__ r_d v_s_s . U A E p_s s p_r t h_l d_r s n_w _n j_y t h_ g r__ t_s t f r__ d_m _f m_v_m_n t g l_b_l l y _f _n y n_t__ n_l_t y _n t h_ w_r l d . T h_ P_s s p_r t I n d_x s h_w s t h_t U A E p_s s p_r t h_l d_r s c_n t r_v_l v_s_- f r__ t_ 1 6 7 c__ n t r__ s _n d r_q__ r_ _n _n t r y v_s_ f r_m 3 1 c__ n t r__ s . T h_ s_c_n d m_s t p_w_r f_l p_s s p_r t s _r_ t h_ S_n g_p_r__ n _n d G_r m_n p_s s p_r t s . T h_ U S A p_s s p_r t _s r_n k_d _t n_m b_r f__ r . H_l d_r s _f t h_ A f g h_n_s t_n p_s s p_r t h_v_ t h_ l__ s t f r__ d_m _f m_v_m_n t .

    T h_ U A E p_s s p_r t _c h__ v_d t h_ n_m b_r -_n_ p_s_t__ n _n t h_ _v_ _f t h_ c__ n t r y ' s 4 7 t h N_t__ n_l D_y c_l_b r_t__ n s . T h_ P r_m_ M_n_s t_r _f t h_ U A E _n d R_l_r _f D_b__ , H_s H_g h n_s s S h__ k h M_h_m m_d B_n R_s h_d A l M_k t__ m , _x p r_s s_d h_s p r_d_ _n h_s c__ n t r y ' s _c h__ v_m_n t _n _ t w__ t . H_ w r_t_: " A b_g ' t h_n k y__ ' g__ s t_ t h_ w_r k_n g t__ m s f_r t h__ r g r__ t _f f_r t s t_ s t r_n g t h_n t h_ U A E ' s s t_t_s , _n h_n c_ _t s r_p_t_t__ n , _n d f_c_l_t_t_ p r_c_d_r_s f_r E m_r_t_ c_t_z_n s . C_n g r_t_l_t__ n s t_ t h_ U A E l__ d_r s h_p _n d p__ p l_ f_r t h_s w_r t h y _c h__ v_m_n t . " A P_s s p_r t I n d_x s p_k_s m_n s__ d : " T h_ E m_r_t_ p_s s p_r t h_s w_t n_s s_d _n p r_c_d_n t_d p r_g r_s s g l_b_l l y _n t h_ p_s t f_w y__ r s , r_f l_c t_n g t h_ _n t_r n_t__ n_l s t_t_r_ _f t h_ c__ n t r y . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the passport of the united arab emirates (uae) has risen to the top spot on the list of the world's most powerful passports. this is according to the passport index - an online service that provides insights on passports and required visas. uae passport holders now enjoy the greatest freedom of movement globally of any nationality in the world. the passport index shows that uae passport holders can travel visa-free to 167 countries and require an entry visa from 31 countries. the second most powerful passports are the singaporean and german passports. the usa passport is ranked at number four. holders of the afghanistan passport have the least freedom of movement.

    the uae passport achieved the number-one position on the eve of the country's 47th national day celebrations. the prime minister of the uae and ruler of dubai, his highness sheikh mohammad bin rashid al maktoum, expressed his pride in his country's achievement in a tweet. he wrote: "a big 'thank you' goes to the working teams for their great efforts to strengthen the uae's status, enhance its reputation, and facilitate procedures for emirati citizens. congratulations to the uae leadership and people for this worthy achievement." a passport index spokesman said: "the emirati passport has witnessed unprecedented progress globally in the past few years, reflecting the international stature of the country."

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThepassportoftheUnitedArabEmirates(UAE)hasrisentothetopspoto
    nthelistoftheworld'smostpowerfulpassports.ThisisaccordingtothePa
    ssportIndex-anonlineservicethatprovidesinsightsonpassportsandr
    equiredvisas.UAEpassportholdersnowenjoythegreatestfreedomofm
    ovementgloballyofanynationalityintheworld.ThePassportIndexsho
    wsthatUAEpassportholderscantravelvisa-freeto167countriesandre
    quireanentryvisafrom31countries.Thesecondmostpowerfulpasspor
    tsaretheSingaporeanandGermanpassports.TheUSApassportisranke
    datnumberfour.HoldersoftheAfghanistanpassporthavetheleastfree
    domofmovement.TheUAEpassportachievedthenumber-onepositio
    nontheeveofthecountry's47thNationalDaycelebrations.ThePrimeMi
    nisteroftheUAEandRulerofDubai,HisHighnessSheikhMohammadBin
    RashidAlMaktoum,expressedhisprideinhiscountry'sachievementina
    tweet.Hewrote:"Abig'thankyou'goestotheworkingteamsfortheirgre
    ateffortstostrengthentheUAE'sstatus,enhanceitsreputation,andfacil
    itateproceduresforEmiraticitizens.CongratulationstotheUAEleaders
    hipandpeopleforthisworthyachievement."APassportIndexspokesm
    ansaid:"TheEmiratipassporthaswitnessedunprecedentedprogressgl
    oballyinthepastfewyears,reflectingtheinternationalstatureofthecou
    ntry."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    All passports should allow holders to travel everywhere freely. 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 story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. PASSPORTS: Make a poster about passports. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. VISA-FREE TRAVEL: Write a magazine article about all travel being visa-free. 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 passports. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make passports better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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