The Reading / Listening - Japanese Emperor - Level 3

A Japanese emperor has abdicated for the first time in more than 200 years. Emperor Akihito stepped down from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30 after 30 years of being the Japanese monarch. He made way for his son Crown Prince Naruhito to become the new emperor. Akihito decided to step down because of his health. At the age of 85, he has been visibly slowing down for the past few years. He has also had a couple of health scares. He believes his son is now better able to carry out the duties of emperor. Emperor Akihito will be remembered for using a personal touch to bring his people together after many national disasters. He continually visited people after earthquakes, tsunami and other tragedies.

The new Emperor Naruhito became the 126th emperor to ascend the throne of the world's oldest monarchy. Naruhito, 59, spent two years studying at Oxford University. His wife, the new Empress Masako, studied at Harvard University and worked as a diplomat. A traditional ceremony took place as part of the historic handover. In the ceremony, Naruhito received a sacred sword, a jewel and official seals that date back thousands of years. The ceremony took place in the middle of a ten-day Japanese holiday. The traditional Golden Week holiday was extended to allow people to celebrate the new emperor. Millions of Japanese were glued to their TVs and smartphones watching the historic event.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Japanese Emperor - Level 0,  Japanese Emperor - Level 1   or  Japanese Emperor - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/04/29/national/japans-peaceful-heisei-era-leaves-legacy-change-growth-tragedy/
  • https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/explained/article/3008145/japans-emperor-akihito-abdicates-and-crown-prince-naruhito
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/world/asia/japan-emperor-women.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. EMPERORS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about emperors. 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?
       emperor / 200 years / monarch / duties / personal touch / tsunami / earthquake /
       throne / university / diplomat / ceremony / sword / jewel / holiday / glued / event
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. MONARCHY: Students A strongly believe all countries need a monarchy; Students B strongly believe they don't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. MONARCHS: What do you know about these monarchs? What questions would you like to ask them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

Questions

Queen Elizabeth II (UK)

 

 

Queen Rania (Jordan)

 

 

Sultan of Brunei

 

 

King Salman (Saudi Arabia)

 

 

King Rama X (Thailand)

 

 

Tupou VI (Tonga)

 

 
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. THRONE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "throne". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. JAPAN: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about Japan at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • people
  • tea
  • origami
  • bonsai
  • sushi
  • cherry blossoms
  • manga
  • history

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. abdicated a. In a way that can be perceived or noticed easily; clearly.
      2. throne b. An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural disaster.
      3. monarch c. A king, queen, emperor, empress, sultan, sultana, etc. giving up their position.
      4. visibly d. A king, queen, emperor, empress, sultan, sultana, etc.
      5. scare e. The power and position of a king, queen, emperor, empress, sultan, sultana, etc.
      6. duty f. A situation characterized by sudden worry about something.
      7. tragedy g. A moral or legal obligation; a responsibility.

    Paragraph 2

      8. ascend h. An official representing a country abroad.
      9. diplomat i. Existing in or as part of a tradition; long-established.
      10. traditional j. Connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose.
      11. ceremony k. Move up the social or professional scale or take on a higher role.
      12. handover l. Have fun on a happy day or event with a social or enjoyable activity.
      13. sacred m. The action of giving something over, such as a position, job, territory, person or object.
      14. celebrate n. A formal religious or public occasion, typically one celebrating a particular event or anniversary.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The last time a Japanese emperor abdicated was over 200 years ago.     T / F
  2. Emperor Akihito was monarch for 30 years.     T / F
  3. Emperor Akihito has had a few health problems in the past few years.    T / F
  4. Emperor Akihito rarely visited people after natural disasters.     T / F
  5. The new emperor is Japan's 126th monarch.     T / F
  6. Emperor Naruhito's wife studied at Oxford University.     T / F
  7. Emperor Naruhito received a sacred book in a special ceremony.     T / F
  8. Many Japanese people got stuck to their desks.     T / F

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

  1. abdicated
  2. monarch
  3. visibly
  4. scares
  5. tragedies
  6. sacred
  7. took place
  8. extended
  9. glued
  10. event
  1. noticeably
  2. happened
  3. occasion
  4. disasters
  5. lengthened
  6. stepped down
  7. holy
  8. frights
  9. ruler
  10. fixed

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

  1. for the first time
  2. he has been visibly
  3. He has also had a couple
  4. remembered for using a personal
  5. earthquakes, tsunami and
  6. the 126th emperor to ascend
  7. worked as
  8. as part of the historic
  9. official seals that date back
  10. Millions of Japanese were
  1. the throne
  2. thousands of years
  3. other tragedies
  4. glued to their TVs
  5. slowing down
  6. a diplomat
  7. of health scares
  8. in more than 200 years
  9. handover
  10. touch

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
health
duties
stepped
tragedies
abdicated
touch
monarch
couple

A Japanese emperor has (1) ____________ for the first time in more than 200 years. Emperor Akihito (2) ____________ down from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30 after 30 years of being the Japanese (3) ____________. He made way for his son Crown Prince Naruhito to become the new emperor. Akihito decided to step down because of his (4) ____________. At the age of 85, he has been visibly slowing down for the past few years. He has also had a (5) ____________ of health scares. He believes his son is now better able to carry out the (6) ____________ of emperor. Emperor Akihito will be remembered for using a personal (7) ____________ to bring his people together after many national disasters. He continually visited people after earthquakes, tsunami and other (8) ____________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
diplomat
seals
extended
monarchy
glued
handover
ascend
middle

The new Emperor Naruhito became the 126th emperor to (9) ____________ the throne of the world's oldest (10) ____________. Naruhito, 59, spent two years studying at Oxford University. His wife, the new Empress Masako, studied at Harvard University and worked as a (11) ____________. A traditional ceremony took place as part of the historic (12) ____________. In the ceremony, Naruhito received a sacred sword, a jewel and official (13) ____________ that date back thousands of years. The ceremony took place in the (14) ____________ of a ten-day Japanese holiday. The traditional Golden Week holiday was (15) ____________ to allow people to celebrate the new emperor. Millions of Japanese were (16) ____________ to their TVs and smartphones watching the historic event.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30 after 30 years of being the ______
     a.  Japanese monarchs
     b.  Japanese monarchy
     c.  Japanese monarch
     d.  Japanese anarchy
2)  At the age of 85, he has been visibly slowing down for ______ years
     a.  the passed few
     b.  the parsed few
     c.  the past few
     d.  the paste few
3)  He believes his son is now better able to carry out the ______ emperor
     a.  duly of
     b.  duties oft
     c.  duties off
     d.  duties of
4)  using a personal touch to bring his people together after many ______
     a.  nationally disasters
     b.  national disasters
     c.  nationally disaster
     d.  national disastrous
5)  He continually visited people after earthquakes, tsunami and ______
     a.  another tragic
     b.  other's tragedies
     c.  other tragic
     d.  other tragedies

6)  His wife, the new Empress Masako, studied at Harvard University and worked ______
     a.  as a diplomat
     b.  as a diplomacy
     c.  as a deep mat
     d.  as a dimple mat
7)  A traditional ceremony took place as part of the ______
     a.  historic hand overly
     b.  historic hands overs
     c.  historic handover
     d.  historic handy over
8)  a sacred sword, a jewel and official seals that date back thousands ______
     a.  off years
     b.  of year
     c.  off year
     d.  of years
9)  The traditional Golden Week holiday was extended to ______ celebrate
     a.  allowing people to
     b.  allowed people to
     c.  allow people to
     d.  allows people to
10)  Millions of Japanese were glued to their TVs and smartphones watching ______
     a.  the history event
     b.  the historic event
     c.  the historical event
     d.  the historian event

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A Japanese emperor has abdicated for the (1) ___________________ more than 200 years. Emperor Akihito stepped down from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30 after 30 (2) ___________________ the Japanese monarch. He made way for his son Crown Prince Naruhito to become the new emperor. Akihito decided (3) ___________________ because of his health. At the age of 85, he has been visibly slowing down for the past few years. He has also had a couple (4) ___________________. He believes his son is now better able to carry out the duties of emperor. Emperor Akihito will be remembered for using (5) ___________________ to bring his people together after many national disasters. He continually visited people after earthquakes, tsunami (6) ___________________.

The new Emperor Naruhito became the 126th emperor (7) ___________________ throne of the world's oldest monarchy. Naruhito, 59, (8) ___________________ studying at Oxford University. His wife, the new Empress Masako, studied at Harvard University and worked as a diplomat. A traditional ceremony took (9) ___________________ of the historic handover. In the ceremony, Naruhito received a sacred sword, a jewel and official seals (10) ___________________ thousands of years. The ceremony took place in the middle of a ten-day Japanese holiday. The traditional Golden Week holiday was extended (11) ___________________ to celebrate the new emperor. Millions of Japanese were (12) ___________________ TVs and smartphones watching the historic event.

Comprehension questions

  1. When was the last time an emperor abdicated before Akihito?
  2. For how long was Akihito emperor?
  3. What kind of scares has Akihito had in the past few years?
  4. What kind of touch did Akihito use with his people?
  5. When did Akihito always visit people?
  6. How many Japanese emperors have there now been?
  7. Where did Emperor Naruhito's wife study?
  8. What sacred object did Naruhito receive when he became emperor?
  9. How long was a Japanese holiday?
  10. What were Japanese people glued to?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When was the last time an emperor abdicated before Akihito?
a) around 200 years ago
b) exactly 200 years ago
c) over 200 years ago
d) just under 200 years ago
2) For how long was Akihito emperor?
a) 30 years
b) 35 years
c) 40 years
d) 45 years
3) What kind of scares has Akihito had in the past few years?
a) minor scares
b) big scares
c) sudden scares
d) health scares
4) What kind of touch did Akihito use with his people?
a) an iPod Touch
b) a personal touch
c) a rough touch
d) a gentle touch
5) When did Akihito always visit people?
a) when he went to Kyoto
b) on Sundays
c) after natural disasters
d) on national holidays

6) How many Japanese emperors have there now been?
a) 125
b) 126
c) 127
d) 128
7) Where did Emperor Naruhito's wife study?
a) Sorbonne University
b) Oxford University
c) Tokyo University
d) Harvard University
8) What sacred object did Naruhito receive when he became emperor?
a) a bonsai
b) a sword
c) a ring
d) a helmet
9) How long was a Japanese holiday?
a) ten days
b) a week
c) 12 days
d) 5 days
10) What were Japanese people glued to?
a) each other
b) the sky
c) their sofas
d) their TVs and smartphones

Role play

Role  A – Sushi
You think sushi is the best thing about Japan. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): manga, tea or bonsai.

Role  B – Manga
You think manga is the best thing about Japan. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): sushi, tea or bonsai.

Role  C – Tea
You think tea is the best thing about Japan. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): manga, sushi or bonsai.

Role  D – Bonsai
You think bonsai is the best thing about Japan. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): manga, tea or sushi.

After reading / listening

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

'Japan'

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

    • and 'emperor'.

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

    • • 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:

    • 126
    • two
    • wife
    • part
    • middle
    • glued
    • first
    • 30
    • 85
    • couple
    • touch
    • other

    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 - Japan has a new emperor

    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 'Japan'?
    3. What do you know about the Japanese monarchy?
    4. What do you think of monarchies?
    5. Would you like to be a monarch?
    6. Should there be an age limit for monarchs?
    7. What do you think a younger monarch can do?
    8. What should a monarch do for the people?
    9. Should people vote for a new monarch?
    10. How can a monarch help his or her people?

    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 'emperor'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you know about Emperor Akihito?
    5. What would it be like to be a monarch?
    6. What do you think the new emperor will be like?
    7. What do you know about Japan of a thousand years ago?
    8. How should Japanese people celebrate?
    9. When are you glued to your television?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the new emperor?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    A Japanese emperor has abdicated for the first time (1) ____ more than 200 years. Emperor Akihito stepped (2) ____ from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30 after 30 years of being the Japanese monarch. He made (3) ____ for his son Crown Prince Naruhito to become the new emperor. Akihito decided to step down because of his health. At the age of 85, he has been (4) ____ slowing down for the past few years. He has also had a couple of health scares. He believes his son is now better able to carry out the duties of emperor. Emperor Akihito will be remembered for using a personal (5) ____ to bring his people together after many national disasters. He continually visited people after earthquakes, tsunami and (6) ____ tragedies.

    The new Emperor Naruhito became the 126th emperor to (7) ____ the throne of the world's oldest monarchy. Naruhito, 59, (8) ____ two years studying at Oxford University. His wife, the new Empress Masako, studied at Harvard University and worked (9) ____ a diplomat. A traditional ceremony took place as part of the historic handover. In the ceremony, Naruhito received a (10) ____ sword, a jewel and official seals that date back thousands of years. The ceremony took place in the middle of a ten-day Japanese holiday. The traditional Golden Week holiday was extended (11) ____ allow people to celebrate the new emperor. Millions of Japanese were (12) ____ to their TVs and smartphones watching the historic event.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     at     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     of    
    2. (a)     across     (b)     up     (c)     in     (d)     down    
    3. (a)     whey     (b)     way     (c)     weight     (d)     why    
    4. (a)     visibility     (b)     visible     (c)     visibly     (d)     visor    
    5. (a)     touch     (b)     hold     (c)     feel     (d)     handle    
    6. (a)     other     (b)     another     (c)     others     (d)     the others    
    7. (a)     ascribe     (b)     ascent     (c)     rescind     (d)     ascend    
    8. (a)     spent     (b)     used     (c)     consumed     (d)     ate    
    9. (a)     is     (b)     as     (c)     has     (d)     was    
    10. (a)     scared     (b)     scored     (c)     sacred     (d)     scarred    
    11. (a)     for     (b)     by     (c)     to     (d)     at    
    12. (a)     taped     (b)     glued     (c)     tied     (d)     bonded

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. atibacdde for the first time
    2. being the Japanese mrnaoch
    3. he has been yvilbsi slowing down
    4. health seacsr
    5. many national drsasties
    6. tsunami and other airedsteg

    Paragraph 2

    1. sncdae the throne
    2. worked as a paloitdm
    3. The reyocenm took place
    4. The rdlaaotinit Golden Week holiday
    5. allow people to tercleaeb
    6. watching the ohitcris event

    Put the text back together

    (...)  handover. In the ceremony, Naruhito received a sacred sword, a jewel and official seals that date back
    (...)  scares. He believes his son is now better able to carry out the duties of emperor. Emperor Akihito will be remembered
    (...)  visited people after earthquakes, tsunami and other tragedies.
    (...)  of Japanese were glued to their TVs and smartphones watching the historic event.
    (...)  The new Emperor Naruhito became the 126th emperor to ascend the throne of the world's oldest
    (...)  for using a personal touch to bring his people together after many national disasters. He continually
    (...)  monarchy. Naruhito, 59, spent two years studying at Oxford University. His wife, the new Empress Masako, studied
    (...)  at Harvard University and worked as a diplomat. A traditional ceremony took place as part of the historic
    (...)  thousands of years. The ceremony took place in the middle of a ten-day Japanese
    (...)  down from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30 after 30 years of being the Japanese monarch. He made
    (  1  ) A Japanese emperor has abdicated for the first time in more than 200 years. Emperor Akihito stepped
    (...)  holiday. The traditional Golden Week holiday was extended to allow people to celebrate the new emperor. Millions
    (...)  way for his son Crown Prince Naruhito to become the new emperor. Akihito decided to step down because of his
    (...)  health. At the age of 85, he has been visibly slowing down for the past few years. He has also had a couple of health

    Put the words in the right order

    1. for   the   time   .   A   first   Japanese   abdicated   emperor
    2. step   because   down   to   health   .   of   his   Decided
    3. past   few   for   slowing   the   Visibly   down   years   .
    4. to   the   out   carry   of   duties   emperor   .   Able
    5. personal   people   bring   touch   A   his   to   together   .
    6. Oxford   .   at   two   spent   years   59,   Naruhito,   studying
    7. a   diplomat   .   Harvard   at   worked   as   Studied   and
    8. Naruhito   ceremony,   In   sacred   a   the   received   sword   .
    9. seals   Official   date   years   .   that   of   thousands   back
    10. glued   Japanese   Millions   to   were   TVs   .   their   of

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A Japanese emperor has abdicated for the first time in more than 200 years. Emperor Akihito stepped down / up from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30 after 30 years of been / being the Japanese monarch. He made weigh / way for his son Crown Prince Naruhito to become the new emperor. Akihito decision / decided to step down because of his health / healthy. At the age of 85, he has been visibly / visible slowing down for the past few years. He has also had a double / couple of health scares. He believes his son is now better able to carry in / out the duties of emperor. Emperor Akihito will be remembered for using a personal / personally touch to bring his people together after many national disasters. He continually visited people after earthquakes, tsunami and another / other tragedies.

    The new Emperor Naruhito became the 126th emperor to ascend / send the throne of the world's oldest monarchy / monarch. Naruhito, 59, spent two years studying to / at Oxford University. His wife, the new Empress Masako, studied at Harvard University and worked as a diplomacy / diplomat. A traditional ceremony gave / took place as part of the historic handover. In the ceremony, Naruhito received a sacred / scared sword, a jewel and official seals that date forward / back thousands of years. The ceremony took place / location in the middle of a ten-day Japanese holiday. The traditional Golden Week holiday was extended to allow people to celebrate / celebration the new emperor. Millions of Japanese were pasted / glued to their TVs and smartphones watching the historic event.

    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)

    A J_p_n_s_ _m p_r_r h_s _b d_c_t_d f_r t h_ f_r s t t_m_ _n m_r_ t h_n 2 0 0 y__ r s . E m p_r_r A k_h_t_ s t_p p_d d_w n f r_m t h_ C h r y s_n t h_m_m T h r_n_ _n A p r_l 3 0 _f t_r 3 0 y__ r s _f b__ n g t h_ J_p_n_s_ m_n_r c h . H_ m_d_ w_y f_r h_s s_n C r_w n P r_n c_ N_r_h_t_ t_ b_c_m_ t h_ n_w _m p_r_r . A k_h_t_ d_c_d_d t_ s t_p d_w n b_c__ s_ _f h_s h__ l t h . A t t h_ _g_ _f 8 5 , h_ h_s b__ n v_s_b l y s l_w_n g d_w n f_r t h_ p_s t f_w y__ r s . H_ h_s _l s_ h_d _ c__ p l_ _f h__ l t h s c_r_s . H_ b_l__ v_s h_s s_n _s n_w b_t t_r _b l_ t_ c_r r y __ t t h_ d_t__ s _f _m p_r_r . E m p_r_r A k_h_t_ w_l l b_ r_m_m b_r_d f_r _s_n g _ p_r s_n_l t__ c h t_ b r_n g h_s p__ p l_ t_g_t h_r _f t_r m_n y n_t__ n_l d_s_s t_r s . H_ c_n t_n__ l l y v_s_t_d p__ p l_ _f t_r __ r t h q__ k_s , t s_n_m_ _n d _t h_r t r_g_d__ s .

    T h_ n_w E m p_r_r N_r_h_t_ b_c_m_ t h_ 1 2 6 t h _m p_r_r t_ _s c_n d t h_ t h r_n_ _f t h_ w_r l d ' s _l d_s t m_n_r c h y . N_r_h_t_, 5 9 , s p_n t t w_ y__ r s s t_d y_n g _t O x f_r d U n_v_r s_t y . H_s w_f_, t h_ n_w E m p r_s s M_s_k_, s t_d__ d _t H_r v_r d U n_v_r s_t y _n d w_r k_d _s _ d_p l_m_t . A t r_d_t__ n_l c_r_m_n y t__ k p l_c_ _s p_r t _f t h_ h_s t_r_c h_n d_v_r . I n t h_ c_r_m_n y , N_r_h_t_ r_c__ v_d _ s_c r_d s w_r d , _ j_w_l _n d _f f_c__ l s__ l s t h_t d_t_ b_c k t h__ s_n d s _f y__ r s . T h_ c_r_m_n y t__ k p l_c_ _n t h_ m_d d l_ _f _ t_n - d_y J_p_n_s_ h_l_d_y . T h_ t r_d_t__ n_l G_l d_n W__ k h_l_d_y w_s _x t_n d_d t_ _l l_w p__ p l_ t_ c_l_b r_t_ t h_ n_w _m p_r_r . M_l l__ n s _f J_p_n_s_ w_r_ g l__ d t_ t h__ r T V s _n d s m_r t p h_n_s w_t c h_n g t h_ h_s t_r_c _v_n t .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a japanese emperor has abdicated for the first time in more than 200 years emperor akihito stepped down from the chrysanthemum throne on april 30 after 30 years of being the japanese monarch he made way for his son crown prince naruhito to become the new emperor akihito decided to step down because of his health at the age of 85 he has been visibly slowing down for the past few years he has also had a couple of health scares he believes his son is now better able to carry out the duties of emperor emperor akihito will be remembered for using a personal touch to bring his people together after many national disasters he continually visited people after earthquakes tsunami and other tragedies

    the new emperor naruhito became the 126th emperor to ascend the throne of the worlds oldest monarchy naruhito 59 spent two years studying at oxford university his wife the new empress masako studied at harvard university and worked as a diplomat a traditional ceremony took place as part of the historic handover in the ceremony naruhito received a sacred sword a jewel and official seals that date back thousands of years the ceremony took place in the middle of a tenday japanese holiday the traditional golden week holiday was extended to allow people to celebrate the new emperor millions of japanese were glued to their tvs and smartphones watching the historic event.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AJapaneseemperorhasabdicatedforthefirsttimeinmorethan200year
    s.EmperorAkihitosteppeddownfromtheChrysanthemumThroneonA
    pril30after30yearsofbeingtheJapanesemonarch.Hemadewayforhis
    sonCrownPrinceNaruhitotobecomethenewemperor.Akihitodecidedt
    ostepdownbecauseofhishealth.Attheageof85,hehasbeenvisiblyslow
    ingdownforthepastfewyears.Hehasalsohadacoupleofhealthscares.
    Hebelieveshissonisnowbetterabletocarryoutthedutiesofemperor.E
    mperorAkihitowillberememberedforusingapersonaltouchtobringhis
    peopletogetheraftermanynationaldisasters.Hecontinuallyvisitedpe
    opleafterearthquakes,tsunamiandothertragedies.ThenewEmperor
    Naruhitobecamethe126themperortoascendthethroneoftheworld'so
    ldestmonarchy.Naruhito,59,spenttwoyearsstudyingatOxfordUniver
    sity.Hiswife,thenewEmpressMasako,studiedatHarvardUniversityan
    dworkedasadiplomat.Atraditionalceremonytookplaceaspartofthehi
    storichandover.Intheceremony,Naruhitoreceivedasacredsword,aje
    welandofficialsealsthatdatebackthousandsofyears.Theceremonyto
    okplaceinthemiddleofaten-dayJapaneseholiday.ThetraditionalGol
    denWeekholidaywasextendedtoallowpeopletocelebratethenewemp
    eror.MillionsofJapaneseweregluedtotheirTVsandsmartphoneswatch
    ingthehistoricevent.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    It is important for a country to have a monarch. 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. JAPAN: Make a poster about Japan. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. MONARCHY: Write a magazine article about all countries having a monarchy. 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 Japan. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on Japan. 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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