The Reading / Listening - Diplomatic Posts - Level 3

China is now the country with the most diplomatic posts around the world. Diplomatic posts are embassies, consulates, high commissions and other places to represent a country overseas. China overtook the USA as the country with the most diplomatic posts. China now has 276 diplomatic posts globally, while the USA has 273. The two countries have an equal number of embassies, but China has more consulates than the U.S. China overtook the USA as the most diplomatically represented country after it opened five new embassies in the past two years. The embassies are in Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, the Gambia and Sao Tome and the Principe.

Information about how many diplomatic posts countries have was published by an organization called the Lowy Institute. Its report is called the Global Diplomacy Index. Bonnie Bley, a spokeswoman from the Lowy Institute, said the Index shows how China is having more influence around the world. She said the number of China's diplomatic posts shows it wants to be a key player in geopolitics and the global economy. Ms Bley said: "The results suggest that, on a practical level, China's network of overseas consulates can support the rollout of Beijing's economic ambitions." While China is expanding its diplomatic presence around the world, Ms Bley said: "U.S. diplomacy has entered a period of limbo".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Diplomatic Posts - Level 0,  Diplomatic Posts - Level 1   or  Diplomatic Posts - Level 2

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/26/asia/us-china-diplomacy-lowy-intl-hnk/index.html
  • https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-overtakes-us-number-diplomatic-missions-041540880.html
  • https://globaldiplomacyindex.lowyinstitute.org/


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. DIPLOMACY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about diplomacy. 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?
       China / diplomatic / posts / embassy / overseas / globally / equal / two years /
       information / published / organization / influence / key / geopolitics / limbo
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. EMBASSIES: Students A strongly believe countries don't need embassies; Students B strongly believe they do.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. COUNTRIES: What do you know about these countries? 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

China

 

 

Burkina Faso

 

 

Dominican Republic

 

 

El Salvador

 

 

Gambia

 

 

Sao Tome and the Principe

 

 
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. OVERSEAS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "overseas". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. KEY PLAYERS: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest key players on the world stage at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • France
  • Brazil
  • India
  • United Kingdom
  • Japan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Nigeria
  • Canada

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. embassy a. Being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.
      2. consulates b. Have a job to to act or speak for someone, especially in an official capacity.
      3. represent c. A country's office or building in another country's cities (outside of a capital city) in which a country gets business done.
      4. overseas d. Happened, begun, or been done not long ago or not long before.
      5. equal e. The building and offices of an ambassador in another country.
      6. overtook f. In or to a foreign country, especially one across the sea.
      7. recent g. Became greater or more successful than.

    Paragraph 2

      8. published h. A group of people with a particular purpose, especially a business, society, association, etc.
      9. organization i. Becoming or making larger or wider.
      10. influence j. An uncertain period of time where you are waiting for things to happen.
      11. key k. The power to change policy or get favorable treatment from someone.
      12. practical l. A strong desire to do or to achieve something.
      13. ambitions m. Of great importance.
      14. limbo n. Print something in a book, magazine, newspaper, journal or on the Internet.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. China overtook the USA for the most diplomatic posts in South America.  T / F
  2. A high commission is a diplomatic post.     T / F
  3. China has three more diplomatic posts than the USA.     T / F
  4. China has opened five new diplomatic posts this year.     T / F
  5. A report was published by an organization called the Lowly Institute.     T / F
  6. A spokeswoman said China wants to be a key player in geo-tagging.     T / F
  7. China's diplomatic posts cannot support its economic ambitions.     T / F
  8. A spokeswoman said U.S. diplomacy is currently in a state of limbo.     T / F

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

  1. country
  2. overseas
  3. globally
  4. equal
  5. opened
  6. information
  7. spokeswoman
  8. influence
  9. key
  10. in limbo
  1. treading water
  2. identical
  3. representative
  4. abroad
  5. details
  6. nation
  7. major
  8. launched
  9. worldwide
  10. power

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

  1. other places to represent a country
  2. China now has 276 diplomatic
  3. The two countries have an equal
  4. the most diplomatically represented
  5. it opened five new embassies
  6. Its report is called the
  7. China is having more influence
  8. it wants to be a key player in
  9. the rollout of Beijing's
  10. U.S. diplomacy has entered a
  1. posts globally
  2. around the world
  3. country
  4. economic ambitions
  5. overseas
  6. period of limbo
  7. geopolitics
  8. in the past two years
  9. Global Diplomacy Index
  10. number of embassies

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
globally
past
equal
recent
embassies
represent
overtook
overseas

China is now the country with the most diplomatic posts around the world. Diplomatic posts are (1) ____________, consulates, high commissions and other places to (2) ____________ a country (3) ____________. China overtook the USA as the country with the most diplomatic posts. China now has 276 diplomatic posts (4) ____________, while the USA has 273. The two countries have an (5) ____________ number of embassies, but China has more consulates than the U.S. China (6) ____________ the USA as the most diplomatically represented country after it opened five new embassies in the (7) ____________ two years. The embassies are in Burkina Faso, the Dominican (8) ____________, El Salvador, the Gambia and Sao Tome and the Principe.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
report
results
key
limbo
published
ambitions
influence
practical

Information about how many diplomatic posts countries have was (9) ____________ by an organization called the Lowy Institute. Its (10) ____________ is called the Global Diplomacy Index. Bonnie Bley, a spokeswoman from the Lowy Institute, said the Index shows how China is having more (11) ____________ around the world. She said the number of China's diplomatic posts shows it wants to be a (12) ____________ player in geopolitics and the global economy. Ms Bley said: "The (13) ____________ suggest that, on a (14) ____________ level, China's network of overseas consulates can support the rollout of Beijing's economic (15) ____________." While China is expanding its diplomatic presence around the world, Ms Bley said: "U.S. diplomacy has entered a period of (16) ____________".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  China is now the country with the most diplomatic posts ______
     a.  abound the world
     b.  astound the world
     c.  around the world
     d.  aground the world
2)  high commissions and other places to represent ______
     a.  a country overseas
     b.  a country over the seas
     c.  a country oversees
     d.  a country oh very seas
3)  China now has 276 diplomatic ______
     a.  posted globally
     b.  posts global
     c.  posts globe ally
     d.  posts globally
4)  while the USA has 273. The two countries have ______
     a.  an equal number
     b.  an equally number
     c.  an equal numeral
     d.  an equally numeral
5)  El Salvador, the Gambia and Sao Tome ______ Principe.
     a.  and the
     b.  end the
     c.  unto the
     d.  in the

6)  Information about how many diplomatic posts countries ______
     a.  was have published
     b.  have was published
     c.  was have publish it
     d.  have was published
7)  She said the number of China's diplomatic posts shows it wants to be ______
     a.  achy player
     b.  ache key player
     c.  ache e-player
     d.  a key player
8)  Ms Bley said: "The results ______
     a.  suggestive that
     b.  suggestion that
     c.  suggest that
     d.  suggesting that
9)  While China is expanding its ______
     a.  diplomatic pretense
     b.  diplomatic presents
     c.  diplomatic presence
     d.  diplomatic present
10)  Ms Bley said: "U.S. diplomacy has entered a ______"
     a.  periodical of limbo
     b.  periods of limbo
     c.  period off limbo
     d.  period of limbo

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

China is now the country (1) ___________________ diplomatic posts around the world. Diplomatic posts are embassies, consulates, high commissions and other (2) ___________________ a country overseas. China overtook the USA as the country with the most diplomatic posts. China now has 276 diplomatic (3) ___________________ the USA has 273. The two countries have an equal number of embassies, but China has (4) ___________________ the U.S. China overtook the USA as the most diplomatically represented country after it opened five new embassies (5) ___________________ two years. The embassies are in Burkina Faso, (6) ___________________, El Salvador, the Gambia and Sao Tome and the Principe.

Information about how many diplomatic posts countries (7) ___________________ by an organization called the Lowy Institute. Its report is called the Global Diplomacy Index. Bonnie Bley, a spokeswoman from the Lowy Institute, said the Index shows how China is (8) ___________________ around the world. She said the number of China's diplomatic posts shows it wants to be (9) ___________________ in geopolitics and the global economy. Ms Bley said: "The results suggest that, on a practical level, China's network of overseas consulates can (10) ___________________ of Beijing's economic ambitions." While China is expanding (11) ___________________ around the world, Ms Bley said: "U.S. diplomacy has entered a (12) ___________________".

Comprehension questions

  1. How many examples of diplomatic posts did the article give?
  2. Where do diplomatic posts represent a country?
  3. How many diplomatic posts does China have?
  4. What do China and the USA have an equal number of?
  5. How many diplomatic posts has China opened in the past two years?
  6. What is the name of the Lowy Institute report?
  7. What did the Lowy Institute say China is having more of worldwide?
  8. What does China want to be in geopolitics and the global economy?
  9. What is the rollout of China's diplomatic posts supporting?
  10. What period did a spokeswoman say US diplomacy has entered?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many examples of diplomatic posts did the article give?
a) 6
b) 5
c) 4
d) 3
2) Where do diplomatic posts represent a country?
a) in the countryside
b) overseas
c) in business
d) domestically
3) How many diplomatic posts does China have?
a) 237
b) 273
c) 276
d) 267
4) What do China and the USA have an equal number of?
a) embassies
b) consulates
c) missions
d) high commissions

5) How many diplomatic posts has China opened in the past two years?
a) 2
b) 7
c) 5
d) 11

6) What is the name of the Lowy Institute report?
a) Diplomacy Worldwide
b) Global Diplomacy Index
c) Global Index Diplomacy
d) Index  of Global Diplomacy
7) What did the Lowy Institute say China is having more of worldwide?
a) money
b) raw materials
c) friends
d) influence
8) What does China want to be in geopolitics and the global economy?
a) a key player
b) a defender
c) a safeguard
d) a peacemaker
9) What is the rollout of China's diplomatic posts supporting?
a) the world
b) lower carbon emissions
c) economic ambitions
d) the economy
10) What period did a spokeswoman say US diplomacy has entered?
a) a long period
b) a period of limbo
c) an interesting period
d) the third quarter

Role play

Role  A – Japan
You think Japan is the most important global key player. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries aren't as key. Also, tell the others which is the least influential of these (and why): India, Saudi Arabia or the United Kingdom.

Role  B – India
You think India is the most important global key player. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries aren't as key. Also, tell the others which is the least influential of these (and why): Japan, Saudi Arabia or the United Kingdom.

Role  C – Saudi Arabia
You think Saudi Arabia is the most important global key player. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries aren't as key. Also, tell the others which is the least influential of these (and why): India, Japan or the United Kingdom.

Role  D – United Kingdom
You think the United Kingdom is the most important global key player. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries aren't as key. Also, tell the others which is the least influential of these (and why): India, Saudi Arabia or Japan.

After reading / listening

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

'diplomatic'

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

    • and 'post'.

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

    • • 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:

    • high
    • 273
    • equal
    • past
    • opened
    • recent
    • published
    • report
    • influence
    • key
    • level
    • period

    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 - Diplomatic Posts

    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 'diplomatic'?
    3. Have you ever been to an embassy?
    4. Would you like to be a diplomat?
    5. What are the differences between embassies and consulates?
    6. Why does China have so many embassies?
    7. What do you know about China?
    8. How important is diplomacy?
    9. How diplomatic are you?
    10. Where would you like to work overseas?

    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 'embassy'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do diplomats do?
    5. What do you need to be a good diplomat?
    6. How much influence does your country have in the world?
    7. What do you think China's economic ambitions are?
    8. What relations does China have with your country?
    9. Why is U.S. diplomacy "in limbo"?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a Chinese ambassador?

    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)

    China is now the country with the most diplomatic posts (1) ____ the world. Diplomatic posts are embassies, consulates, (2) ____ commissions and other places to represent a country (3) ____. China overtook the USA as the country with the most diplomatic posts. China now has 276 diplomatic posts globally, while the USA has 273. The two countries have an (4) ____ number of embassies, but China has more consulates than the U.S. China overtook the USA as the most diplomatically represented country (5) ____ it opened five new embassies in the past two years. The embassies are in Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, the Gambia and Sao Tome and the Principe in (6) ____ years.

    Information about how many diplomatic posts countries have (7) ____ published by an organization called the Lowy Institute. Its report is called the Global Diplomacy Index. Bonnie Bley, a spokeswoman from the Lowy Institute, said the Index shows (8) ____ China is having more influence around the world. She said the number of China's diplomatic posts shows it wants to be a (9) ____ player in geopolitics and the global economy. Ms Bley said: "The results suggest that, (10) ____ a practical level, China's network of overseas consulates can support the rollout (11) ____ Beijing's economic ambitions." While China is expanding its diplomatic presence around the world, Ms Bley said: "U.S. diplomacy has entered (12) ____ period of limbo".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     around     (b)     aground     (c)     astound     (d)     abound    
    2. (a)     low     (b)     mid     (c)     high     (d)     bottom    
    3. (a)     oversees     (b)     overs     (c)     overseas     (d)     over scenes    
    4. (a)     equalizer     (b)     equality     (c)     equals     (d)     equal    
    5. (a)     after     (b)     following     (c)     past     (d)     then    
    6. (a)     decent     (b)     recent     (c)     recant     (d)     decant    
    7. (a)     been     (b)     be     (c)     were     (d)     was    
    8. (a)     what     (b)     how     (c)     which     (d)     when    
    9. (a)     quay     (b)     cue     (c)     key     (d)     queue    
    10. (a)     to     (b)     if     (c)     by     (d)     on    
    11. (a)     to     (b)     by     (c)     on     (d)     of    
    12. (a)     that     (b)     a     (c)     this     (d)     all

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Diplomatic posts are ebssiesma, consulates
    2. represent a country aservoes
    3. 276 diplomatic posts albolgyl
    4. have an aleuq number
    5. diplomatically dreenpetres
    6. the Dominican lepubRci

    Paragraph 2

    1. having more nulnefeic around the world
    2. a key player in iiegoplsoct
    3. on a itcaracpl level
    4. Beijing's economic inaotsmib
    5. expanding its diplomatic sepercen
    6. a period of limob

    Put the text back together

    (...)  globally, while the USA has 273. The two countries have an equal number of embassies, but China has more consulates
    (  1  ) China is now the country with the most diplomatic posts around the world. Diplomatic posts are
    (...)  called the Lowy Institute. Its report is called the Global Diplomacy Index. Bonnie Bley, a spokeswoman
    (...)  from the Lowy Institute, said the Index shows how China is having more influence around the world. She said the number
    (...)  suggest that, on a practical level, China's network of overseas consulates can
    (...)  support the rollout of Beijing's economic ambitions." While China is expanding its diplomatic
    (...)  of China's diplomatic posts shows it wants to be a key player in geopolitics and the global economy. Ms Bley said: "The results
    (...)  than the U.S. China overtook the USA as the most diplomatically represented country after it opened
    (...)  Information about how many diplomatic posts countries have was published by an organization
    (...)  Republic, El Salvador, the Gambia and Sao Tome and the Principe.
    (...)  presence around the world, Ms Bley said: "U.S. diplomacy has entered a period of limbo".
    (...)  the USA as the country with the most diplomatic posts. China now has 276 diplomatic posts
    (...)  five new embassies in the past two years. The embassies are in Burkina Faso, the Dominican
    (...)  embassies, consulates, high commissions and other places to represent a country overseas. China overtook

    Put the words in the right order

    1. diplomatic   The   the   country   posts   .   with   most
    2. a   Other   overseas   .   country   represent   places   to
    3. now   China   posts   has   diplomatic   globally   .   276
    4. has   the   than   consulates   more   China   U.S.
    5. past   the   new   two   years   .   embassies   Five   in
    6. about   posts   diplomatic   how  many   have  .   Information   countries
    7. more   is   world   .   China   influence   around   having   the
    8. to   a   It   player   .   wants   key   be
    9. of   Beijing's   economic   the   Support   rollout   ambitions   .
    10. has   period   a   entered   limbo   .   diplomacy   U.S.   of

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    China is now the country with the most / must diplomatic posts around the world. Diplomatic posts are embassies, consulates, high / low commissions and other places to present / represent a country overseas. China overtook the USA as the country with the most diplomacy / diplomatic posts. China now has 276 diplomatic posts globally / globe, while the USA has 273. The two countries have an equality / equal number of embassies, but China has more consulates than the U.S. China undertook / overtook the USA as the most diplomatically represented country after / following it opened five new embassies in the past / parsed two years. The embassies are in Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic / Republican, El Salvador, the Gambia and Sao Tome and the Principe.

    Information about how much / many diplomatic posts countries have was published by / of an organization called the Lowy Institute. Its report is called / calling the Global Diplomacy Index. Bonnie Bley, a spokeswoman from the Lowy Institute, said the Index appears / shows how China is having more influence / influential around the world. She said the number of China's diplomatic posts shows it wants to be a lock / key player in geopolitics and the global economy. Ms Bley said: "The grades / results suggest that, on a practical / practice level, China's network of overseas consulates can support the burnout / rollout of Beijing's economic ambitions." While China is expanding its diplomatic presence around the world, Ms Bley said: "U.S. diplomacy has entered a period of lumber / limbo".

    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)

    C h_n_ _s n_w t h_ c__ n t r y w_t h t h_ m_s t d_p l_m_t_c p_s t s _r__ n d t h_ w_r l d . D_p l_m_t_c p_s t s _r_ _m b_s s__ s , c_n s_l_t_s , h_g h c_m m_s s__ n s _n d _t h_r p l_c_s t_ r_p r_s_n t _ c__ n t r y _v_r s__ s . C h_n_ _v_r t__ k t h_ U S A _s t h_ c__ n t r y w_t h t h_ m_s t d_p l_m_t_c p_s t s . C h_n_ n_w h_s 2 7 6 d_p l_m_t_c p_s t s g l_b_l l y , w h_l_ t h_ U S A h_s 2 7 3 . T h_ t w_ c__ n t r__ s h_v_ _n _q__ l n_m b_r _f _m b_s s__ s , b_t C h_n_ h_s m_r_ c_n s_l_t_s t h_n t h_ U . S . C h_n_ _v_r t__ k t h_ U S A _s t h_ m_s t d_p l_m_t_c_l l y r_p r_s_n t_d c__ n t r y _f t_r _t _p_n_d f_v_ n_w _m b_s s__ s _n t h_ p_s t t w_ y__ r s . T h_ _m b_s s__ s _r_ _n B_r k_n_ F_s_, t h_ D_m_n_c_n R_p_b l_c , E l S_l v_d_r , t h_ G_m b__ _n d S__ T_m_ _n d t h_ P r_n c_p_.

    I n f_r m_t__ n _b__ t h_w m_n y d_p l_m_t_c p_s t s c__ n t r__ s h_v_ w_s p_b l_s h_d b y _n _r g_n_z_t__ n c_l l_d t h_ L_w y I n s t_t_t_. I t s r_p_r t _s c_l l_d t h_ G l_b_l D_p l_m_c y I n d_x . B_n n__ B l_y , _ s p_k_s w_m_n f r_m t h_ L_w y I n s t_t_t_, s__ d t h_ I n d_x s h_w s h_w C h_n_ _s h_v_n g m_r_ _n f l__ n c_ _r__ n d t h_ w_r l d . S h_ s__ d t h_ n_m b_r _f C h_n_' s d_p l_m_t_c p_s t s s h_w s _t w_n t s t_ b_ _ k_y p l_y_r _n g__ p_l_t_c s _n d t h_ g l_b_l _c_n_m y . M s B l_y s__ d : " T h_ r_s_l t s s_g g_s t t h_t , _n _ p r_c t_c_l l_v_l , C h_n_' s n_t w_r k _f _v_r s__ s c_n s_l_t_s c_n s_p p_r t t h_ r_l l__ t _f B__ j_n g ' s _c_n_m_c _m b_t__ n s . " W h_l_ C h_n_ _s _x p_n d_n g _t s d_p l_m_t_c p r_s_n c_ _r__ n d t h_ w_r l d , M s B l_y s__ d : " U . S . d_p l_m_c y h_s _n t_r_d _ p_r__ d _f l_m b_" .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    china is now the country with the most diplomatic posts around the world diplomatic posts are embassies consulates high commissions and other places to represent a country overseas china overtook the usa as the country with the most diplomatic posts china now has 276 diplomatic posts globally while the usa has 273 the two countries have an equal number of embassies but china has more consulates than the us china overtook the usa as the most diplomatically represented country after it opened five new embassies in the past two years the embassies are in burkina faso the dominican republic el salvador the gambia and sao tome and the principe

    information about how many diplomatic posts countries have was published by an organization called the lowy institute its report is called the global diplomacy index bonnie bley a spokeswoman from the lowy institute said the index shows how china is having more influence around the world she said the number of chinas diplomatic posts shows it wants to be a key player in geopolitics and the global economy ms bley said the results suggest that on a practical level chinas network of overseas consulates can support the rollout of beijings economic ambitions while china is expanding its diplomatic presence around the world ms bley said us diplomacy has entered a period of limbo.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Chinaisnowthecountrywiththemostdiplomaticpostsaroundtheworld
    .Diplomaticpostsareembassies,consulates,highcommissionsandoth
    erplacestorepresentacountryoverseas.ChinaovertooktheUSAasthe
    countrywiththemostdiplomaticposts.Chinanowhas276diplomaticpo
    stsglobally,whiletheUSAhas273.Thetwocountrieshaveanequalnum
    berofembassies,butChinahasmoreconsulatesthantheU.S.Chinaover
    tooktheUSAasthemostdiplomaticallyrepresentedcountryafteritopen
    edfivenewembassiesinthepasttwoyears.TheembassiesareinBurkina
    Faso,theDominicanRepublic,ElSalvador,theGambiaandSaoTomean
    dthePrincipe.Informationabouthowmanydiplomaticpostscountriesh
    avewaspublishedbyanorganizationcalledtheLowyInstitute.Itsreport
    iscalledtheGlobalDiplomacyIndex.BonnieBley,aspokeswomanfromt
    heLowyInstitute,saidtheIndexshowshowChinaishavingmoreinfluen
    cearoundtheworld.ShesaidthenumberofChina'sdiplomaticpostssho
    wsitwantstobeakeyplayeringeopoliticsandtheglobaleconomy.MsBle
    ysaid:"Theresultssuggestthat,onapracticallevel,China'snetworkofo
    verseasconsulatescansupporttherolloutofBeijing'seconomicambitio
    ns."WhileChinaisexpandingitsdiplomaticpresencearoundtheworld,
    MsBleysaid:"U.S.diplomacyhasenteredaperiodoflimbo".

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    China is now the number one country in the world. 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. DIPLOMACY: Make a poster about diplomacy. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. EMBASSIES: Write a magazine article about the importance of embassies. Include imaginary interviews with people who think they are important and with those who think they are not important.
    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 diplomacy. Ask him/her three questions about diplomacy. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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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