The Reading / Listening - Picasso Raffle - Level 3

A woman in Italy has suddenly become the owner of a Pablo Picasso painting. Claudia Borgogno, 58, won the Picasso in a charity raffle. Her son Lorenzo bought his mother the ticket as a Christmas present. The ticket cost €100 (about $110). The raffle draw was made on Wednesday and Ms Borgogno was the lucky winner. Lorenzo explained to reporters how he told his mother. He said: "When I arrived and I told her she has won a Picasso painting, she was like: 'Please don't joke'." He added: "It was maybe the best decision I've made in my life." His mother could not believe she had won and summed up her amazement in one word - incredible. She said: "I have never won anything before".

The Picasso painting is called Still Life. It was painted and signed by the artist in 1921. It shows a newspaper and a wine glass on a wood table. The charity draw took place in Paris at the international auction house Christies. The auction house valued the work of art as being worth $1.1 million. However, the billionaire art collector who donated the painting to the charity raffle said it was worth at least two or three times more than that. Christies sold 51,140 tickets for the charity raffle. All of the money it collected will go to provide water for villagers in Madagascar and Cameroon. An NGO will help to build and repair wells, washing facilities, and toilets in countryside villages.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Picasso Raffle - Level 0 Picasso Raffle - Level 1   or  Picasso Raffle - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/may/21/italian-woman-wins-1m-picasso-in-christmas-raffle
  • https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/italian-woman-wins-167m-picasso-painting-232512026.html
  • https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/picasso-raffle-win-million-painting-intl/index.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. PICASSO: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Picasso. 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?
       owner / painting / charity / raffle / ticket / winner / joke / decision / amazement / win
       artist / newspaper / wood / table / billionaire / water / village / washing / facilities
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. RAFFLES: Students A strongly believe raffles are very, very important; Students B strongly believe they aren't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ART: What do you know about these forms of art? 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

Modern painting

 

 

Installation art

 

 

Manga

 

 

Graffiti

 

 

Sculpture

 

 

Dance

 

 

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. TICKET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "ticket". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CHARITY: Rank these with your partner. Put the charitable causes you like most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Children
  • Domestic violence
  • Wildlife
  • The aged
  • Cancer research
  • Historic buildings
  • Water
  • Homelessness

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. suddenly a. An organization or group that helps to get money to give people who need it.
      2. owner b. Gave short and simple words that explain something bigger.
      3. charity c. Quickly and without you knowing about it.
      4. draw d. A person who owns something.
      5. decision e. The action of choosing names by taking them from a bag or other container in a raffle, game or tournament.
      6. summed up f. The action of deciding something.
      7. incredible g. Impossible to believe.

    Paragraph 2

      8. signed h. Gave money, food, clothes, time, etc. to poorer people who need it.
      9. auction i. Wrote your name on something.
      10. valued j. A person who finds and keeps things as a hobby.
      11. collector k. Make available for people to use.
      12. donated l. A public sale in which goods or property are sold to the person who will pay the most money.
      13. provide m. Make something that was broken good again.
      14. repair n. Said how much money something might cost.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The woman who won the Picasso painting was in Italy.     T / F
  2. The raffle ticket that won the painting cost $100.     T / F
  3. The woman told her son not to joke when he said she had won.     T / F
  4. It is the third time the woman has won a painting.     T / F
  5. The painting is called Stall Live.     T / F
  6. The charity draw took place at an auction house in Milan.     T / F
  7. An art collector said the Picasso could be worth as much as $3.3 million.  T / F
  8. Money collected in the raffle will help to build toilets in Madagascar.     T / F

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

  1. suddenly
  2. present
  3. lucky
  4. joke
  5. incredible
  6. valued
  7. donated
  8. collected
  9. repair
  10. countryside
  1. gave
  2. fortunate
  3. raised
  4. amazing
  5. all of a sudden
  6. fix
  7. rural
  8. gift
  9. priced
  10. fool around

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

  1. The raffle draw was made
  2. explained to reporters how
  3. the best decision I've
  4. summed up her amazement
  5. I have never won
  6. It was painted and signed
  7. the international
  8. valued the work of art as being
  9. it was worth at least
  10. help to build and
  1. by the artist in 1921
  2. repair wells
  3. in one word
  4. on Wednesday
  5. worth $1.1 million
  6. made in my life
  7. two or three times more
  8. anything before
  9. auction house Christies
  10. he told his mother

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
present
decision
explained
anything
owner
summed
lucky
joke

A woman in Italy has suddenly become the (1) ____________ of a Pablo Picasso painting. Claudia Borgogno, 58, won the Picasso in a charity raffle. Her son Lorenzo bought his mother the ticket as a Christmas (2) ____________. The ticket cost €100 (about $110). The raffle draw was made on Wednesday and Ms Borgogno was the (3) ____________ winner. Lorenzo (4) ____________ to reporters how he told his mother. He said: "When I arrived and I told her she has won a Picasso painting, she was like: 'Please don't (5) ____________." He added: "It was maybe the best (6) ____________ I've made in my life." His mother could not believe she had won and (7) ____________ up her amazement in one word - incredible. She said: "I have never won (8) ____________ before".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
valued
donated
provide
signed
facilities
draw
worth
least

The Picasso painting is called Still Life. It was painted and (9) ____________ by the artist in 1921. It shows a newspaper and a wine glass on a wood table. The charity (10) ____________ took place in Paris at the international auction house Christies. The auction house (11) ____________ the work of art as being (12) ____________ $1.1 million. However, the billionaire art collector who (13) ____________ the painting to the charity raffle said it was worth at (14) ____________ two or three times more than that. Christies sold 51,140 tickets for the charity raffle. All of the money it collected will go to (15) ____________ water for villagers in Madagascar and Cameroon. An NGO will help to build and repair wells, washing (16) ____________, and toilets in countryside villages.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A woman in Italy has suddenly become the ______ Pablo Picasso
     a.  own of a
     b.  downer of a
     c.  owner of a
     d.  yawner of a
2)  The raffle draw was made on Wednesday and Ms Borgogno was ______
     a.  the luckily winner
     b.  the luck key winner
     c.  the lucky e-winner
     d.  the lucky winner
3)  He added: "It was maybe the best decision I've made ______."
     a.  in my life
     b.  in the life
     c.  in all life
     d.  in one life
4)  His mother could not believe she had won and summed up her amazement in ______
     a.  one word - inedible
     b.  one word - incredible
     c.  one word - indelible
     d.  one word - ink ready ball
5)  She said: "I have never won ______"
     a.  anything be four
     b.  anything bee fore
     c.  anything beef ore
     d.  anything before

6)  The Picasso painting is called Still Life. It was painted and ______ artist
     a.  signed by the
     b.  singed by the
     c.  sighed by the
     d.  sine by the
7)  The charity draw took place in Paris at the international ______
     a.  auction douse
     b.  auction mouse
     c.  auction louse
     d.  auction house
8)  The auction house valued the work of art as being ______
     a.  worthy $1.1 million
     b.  worth $1.1 million
     c.  worse $1.1 million
     d.  earth $1.1 million
9)  All of the money it collected will go to provide ______
     a.  water for village is
     b.  water four villagers
     c.  waters for villagers
     d.  water for villagers
10)  An NGO will help to build and repair wells, washing ______
     a.  facility, and toilet
     b.  facility, and toilets
     c.  facilities, and toilet
     d.  facilities, and toilets

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A woman in Italy (1) ___________________ the owner of a Pablo Picasso painting. Claudia Borgogno, 58, won the Picasso in a charity raffle. Her son Lorenzo bought his mother the ticket as a Christmas present. The ticket cost €100 (about $110). The (2) ___________________ made on Wednesday and Ms Borgogno was the lucky winner. Lorenzo explained to reporters how he told his mother. He said: "When I arrived and I told (3) ___________________ won a Picasso painting, she was like: 'Please don't joke'." He added: "It was maybe (4) ___________________ I've made in my life." His mother could not believe she had won and (5) ___________________ amazement in one word - incredible. She said: "I have never (6) ___________________".

The Picasso painting is called Still Life. It was (7) ___________________ by the artist in 1921. It shows a newspaper and a wine glass on a wood table. The charity (8) ___________________ in Paris at the international auction house Christies. The auction house valued the (9) ___________________ as being worth $1.1 million. However, the billionaire art collector who donated the painting to the charity raffle said it was (10) ___________________ two or three times more than that. Christies sold 51,140 tickets for the charity raffle. All of the money it collected will go (11) ___________________ for villagers in Madagascar and Cameroon. An NGO will help to build and repair wells, washing facilities, and (12) ___________________ villages.

Comprehension questions

  1. Who bought the woman the raffle ticket?
  2. How much did the raffle ticket cost?
  3. What did the woman tell her son when he told her she had won?
  4. What kind of decision did the woman's son say he made?
  5. What word did the woman use to sum up her win?
  6. What is the name of the Picasso painting the woman won?
  7. What was on a wood table in the painting besides a wine glass?
  8. How much did an auction house value the painting at?
  9. Who donated the painting to the charity raffle?
  10. Who will help to build and repair toilets and wells in Madagascar?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who bought the woman the raffle ticket?
a) a friend
b) her son
c) her neighbour
d) a stranger
2) How much did the raffle ticket cost?
a) €120
b) €110
c) €200
d) €100
3) What did the woman tell her son when he told her she had won?
a) "Please don't joke."
b) "I don't like Picasso."
c) "You are a liar."
d) "Wow."
4) What kind of decision did the woman's son say he made?
a) a good decision
b) an easy decision
c) the best decision of his life
d) a decision he won't regret
5) What word did the woman use to sum up her win?
a) yippee
b) incredible
c) wow
d) nice

6) What is the name of the Picasso painting the woman won?
a) Live Still
b) Life Still
c) Still Life
d) Still Live
7) What was on a wood table in the painting besides a wine glass?
a) a plate
b) a flower
c) an apple
d) a newspaper
8) How much did an auction house value the painting at?
a) $1.1 million
b) $2.2 million
c) $3.3 million
d) $4.4 million
9) Who donated the painting to the charity raffle?
a) a billionaire art collector
b) a museum
c) Picasso's great-granddaughter
d) Bill Gates
10) Who will help to build and repair toilets and wells in Madagascar?
a) the WHO
b) an NGO
c) a toilet company
d) local plumbers

Role play

Role  A – Clean Water
You think clean water is the best charitable cause. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their causes. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): helping children, helping the aged or restoring historic buildings.

Role  B – Helping Children
You think helping children is the best charitable cause. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their causes. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): clean water, helping the aged or restoring historic buildings.

Role  C – The Aged
You think helping the aged is the best charitable cause. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their causes. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): helping children, clean water or restoring historic buildings.

Role  D – Restoring Historic Buildings
You think restoring historic buildings is the best charitable cause. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their causes. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): helping children, helping the aged or clean water.

After reading / listening

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

'charity'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'raffle'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • suddenly
    • present
    • winner
    • joke
    • life
    • anything
    • artist
    • wine
    • work
    • least
    • water
    • repair

    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 - Picasso Raffle

    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 'charity'?
    3. What do you know about Pablo Picasso?
    4. Would you like to own a Picasso?
    5. What are you like at painting?
    6. What do you think of lottery and raffle tickets?
    7. Have you ever won something?
    8. What art do you have on the walls in your house?
    9. What's the best decision you've made in your life?
    10. What's the worst decision you've made in your life?

    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 'art'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of Picasso?
    5. What kinds of paintings do you like?
    6. What do you think of still life paintings?
    7. How would you look after a million-dollar painting?
    8. Who would you like a million dollars to help?
    9. Why do people think Picasso is one of the greatest artists?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the lady?

    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 woman in Italy has suddenly become the (1) ____ of a Pablo Picasso painting. Claudia Borgogno, 58, won the Picasso in a charity raffle. Her son Lorenzo bought his mother the ticket (2) ____ a Christmas present. The ticket cost €100 (about $110). The raffle draw was made (3) ____ Wednesday and Ms Borgogno was the lucky winner. Lorenzo explained to reporters how he (4) ____ his mother. He said: "When I arrived and I told her she has won a Picasso painting, she was like: 'Please don't joke'." He added: "It was maybe the best decision I've made in my (5) ____." His mother could not believe she had won and summed up her amazement in (6) ____ word - incredible. She said: "I have never won anything before".

    The Picasso painting is called Still Life. It was painted and (7) ____ by the artist in 1921. It shows a newspaper and a wine glass on a wood table. The charity (8) ____ took place in Paris at the international auction house Christies. The auction house valued the work of (9) ____ as being worth $1.1 million. However, the billionaire art collector who donated the painting to the charity raffle said it was worth at (10) ____ two or three times more than that. Christies sold 51,140 tickets for the charity raffle. All of the money it collected will (11) ____ to provide water for villagers in Madagascar and Cameroon. An NGO will help to build and (12) ____ wells, washing facilities, and toilets in countryside villages.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     keeper     (b)     owner     (c)     carer     (d)     mover    
    2. (a)     has     (b)     as     (c)     is     (d)     was    
    3. (a)     to     (b)     in     (c)     at     (d)     on    
    4. (a)     spoke     (b)     told     (c)     voiced     (d)     talked    
    5. (a)     day     (b)     life     (c)     time     (d)     era    
    6. (a)     only     (b)     once     (c)     one     (d)     ones    
    7. (a)     singed     (b)     sung     (c)     signed     (d)     sang    
    8. (a)     sketch     (b)     etching     (c)     draw     (d)     tracing    
    9. (a)     paint     (b)     brush     (c)     art     (d)     life    
    10. (a)     lest     (b)     last     (c)     lost     (d)     least    
    11. (a)     go     (b)     going     (c)     gone     (d)     goes    
    12. (a)     good     (b)     water     (c)     repair     (d)     feel

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the rowen of a Pablo Picasso painting
    2. The raffle rdaw was made on Wednesday
    3. the uklyc winner
    4. When I eirvdar and I told her
    5. the best iodcinse I've made
    6. summed up her anztmmeea

    Paragraph 2

    1. painted and sidnge by the artist
    2. the international iauonct house Christies
    3. wrhot $1.1 million
    4. dverpio water for villagers
    5. An NGO will help to build and rarpie wells
    6. washing aiceifsitl, and toilets

    Put the text back together

    1  ) A woman in Italy has suddenly become the owner of a Pablo Picasso painting. Claudia Borgogno, 58, won the Picasso in
    (...)  decision I've made in my life." His mother could not believe she had won and summed
    (...)  collector who donated the painting to the charity raffle said it was worth at least two
    (...)  of the money it collected will go to provide water for villagers in Madagascar and Cameroon. An NGO will help
    (...)  winner. Lorenzo explained to reporters how he told his mother. He said: "When I arrived and I told
    (...)  a charity raffle. Her son Lorenzo bought his mother the ticket as a Christmas present. The ticket
    (...)  to build and repair wells, washing facilities, and toilets in countryside villages.
    (...)  or three times more than that. Christies sold 51,140 tickets for the charity raffle. All
    (...)  her she has won a Picasso painting, she was like: 'Please don't joke'." He added: "It was maybe the best
    (...)  house Christies. The auction house valued the work of art as being worth $1.1 million. However, the billionaire art
    (...)  cost €100 (about $110). The raffle draw was made on Wednesday and Ms Borgogno was the lucky
    (...)  up her amazement in one word - incredible. She said: "I have never won anything before".
    (...)  glass on a wood table. The charity draw took place in Paris at the international auction
    (...)  The Picasso painting is called Still Life. It was painted and signed by the artist in 1921. It shows a newspaper and a wine

    Put the words in the right order

    1. has   become   Italian   An   owner   .   suddenly   the   woman
    2. mother   bought   his   Lorenzo   the   Her   ticket   .   son
    3. my   made   life   .   I've   decision   best   The   in
    4. could   she   won   .   mother   had   His   not   believe
    5. she   said   won   never   She   had   anything   before   .
    6. and   by   Painted   artist   the   signed   in   1921   .
    7. took   draw   charity   place   The   in   Paris   .
    8. valued   house   The   the   auction   of   work   art   .
    9. at   two   Worth   three   or   least   times   more   .
    10. will   An   build   help   NGO   and   repair   wells   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A woman in Italy has sudden / suddenly become the owner of a Pablo Picasso painting. Claudia Borgogno, 58, won / win the Picasso in a charity raffle. Her son Lorenzo bought his mother the ticket that's / as a Christmas present. The ticket cost €100 (about $110). The raffle drew / draw was made on Wednesday and Ms Borgogno was the lucky winner. Lorenzo explained to reporters how he tell / told his mother. He said: "When I arrived and I told her she has won a Picasso painting, she was like / love: 'Please don't joke'." He added: "It was maybe the least / best decision I've made in my life." His mother could not belief / believe she had won and summed up her amazement in once / one word - incredible. She said: "I have never won anything before / past".

    The Picasso painting is called Still Life. It was painted and singed / signed by the artist in 1921. It shows a newspaper and a whine / wine glass on a wood table. The charity draw took / look place in Paris at the international auction house Christies. The auction house valuable / valued the work of art as being worth $1.1 million. However, the billionaire art / arty collector who donated the painting to the charity raffle said it was worth at / for least two or three times more than there / that. Christies sold 51,140 tickets for the charity raffle. All / Every of the money it collected will go to provide water for villagers in Madagascar and Cameroon. An NGO will helpful / help to build and repair wells, washing facilities, and toilets on / in countryside villages.

    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 w_m_n _n I t_l y h_s s_d d_n l y b_c_m_ t h_ _w n_r _f _ P_b l_ P_c_s s_ p__ n t_n g . C l__ d__ B_r g_g n_, 5 8 , w_n t h_ P_c_s s_ _n _ c h_r_t y r_f f l_. H_r s_n L_r_n z_ b__ g h t h_s m_t h_r t h_ t_c k_t _s _ C h r_s t m_s p r_s_n t . T h_ t_c k_t c_s t € 1 0 0 (_b__ t $ 1 1 0 ) . T h_ r_f f l_ d r_w w_s m_d_ _n W_d n_s d_y _n d M s B_r g_g n_ w_s t h_ l_c k y w_n n_r . L_r_n z_ _x p l__ n_d t_ r_p_r t_r s h_w h_ t_l d h_s m_t h_r . H_ s__ d : " W h_n I _r r_v_d _n d I t_l d h_r s h_ h_s w_n _ P_c_s s_ p__ n t_n g , s h_ w_s l_k_: ' P l__ s_ d_n ' t j_k_' . " H_ _d d_d : " I t w_s m_y b_ t h_ b_s t d_c_s__ n I ' v_ m_d_ _n m y l_f_. " H_s m_t h_r c__ l d n_t b_l__ v_ s h_ h_d w_n _n d s_m m_d _p h_r _m_z_m_n t _n _n_ w_r d - _n c r_d_b l_. S h_ s__ d : " I h_v_ n_v_r w_n _n y t h_n g b_f_r_" .

    T h_ P_c_s s_ p__ n t_n g _s c_l l_d S t_l l L_f_. I t w_s p__ n t_d _n d s_g n_d b y t h_ _r t_s t _n 1 9 2 1 . I t s h_w s _ n_w s p_p_r _n d _ w_n_ g l_s s _n _ w__ d t_b l_. T h_ c h_r_t y d r_w t__ k p l_c_ _n P_r_s _t t h_ _n t_r n_t__ n_l __ c t__ n h__ s_ C h r_s t__ s . T h_ __ c t__ n h__ s_ v_l__ d t h_ w_r k _f _r t _s b__ n g w_r t h $ 1 . 1 m_l l__ n . H_w_v_r , t h_ b_l l__ n__ r_ _r t c_l l_c t_r w h_ d_n_t_d t h_ p__ n t_n g t_ t h_ c h_r_t y r_f f l_ s__ d _t w_s w_r t h _t l__ s t t w_ _r t h r__ t_m_s m_r_ t h_n t h_t . C h r_s t__ s s_l d 5 1 , 1 4 0 t_c k_t s f_r t h_ c h_r_t y r_f f l_. A l l _f t h_ m_n_y _t c_l l_c t_d w_l l g_ t_ p r_v_d_ w_t_r f_r v_l l_g_r s _n M_d_g_s c_r _n d C_m_r__ n . A n N G O w_l l h_l p t_ b__ l d _n d r_p__ r w_l l s , w_s h_n g f_c_l_t__ s , _n d t__ l_t s _n c__ n t r y s_d_ v_l l_g_s .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a woman in italy has suddenly become the owner of a pablo picasso painting claudia borgogno 58 won the picasso in a charity raffle her son lorenzo bought his mother the ticket as a christmas present the ticket cost 100 about 110 the raffle draw was made on wednesday and ms borgogno was the lucky winner lorenzo explained to reporters how he told his mother he said when i arrived and i told her she has won a picasso painting she was like please dont joke he added it was maybe the best decision ive made in my life his mother could not believe she had won and summed up her amazement in one word  incredible she said i have never won anything before

    the picasso painting is called still life it was painted and signed by the artist in 1921 it shows a newspaper and a wine glass on a wood table the charity draw took place in paris at the international auction house christies the auction house valued the work of art as being worth 11 million however the billionaire art collector who donated the painting to the charity raffle said it was worth at least two or three times more than that christies sold 51140 tickets for the charity raffle all of the money it collected will go to provide water for villagers in madagascar and cameroon an ngo will help to build and repair wells washing facilities and toilets in countryside villages

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AwomaninItalyhassuddenlybecometheownerofaPabloPicassopainti
    ng.ClaudiaBorgogno,58,wonthePicassoinacharityraffle.HersonLore
    nzoboughthismothertheticketasaChristmaspresent.Theticketcost€
    100(about$110).TheraffledrawwasmadeonWednesdayandMsBorgo
    gnowastheluckywinner.Lorenzoexplainedtoreportershowhetoldhis
    mother.Hesaid:"WhenIarrivedandItoldhershehaswonaPicassopaint
    ing,shewaslike:'Pleasedon'tjoke'."Headded:"Itwasmaybethebestde
    cisionI'vemadeinmylife."Hismothercouldnotbelieveshehadwonands
    ummedupheramazementinoneword-incredible.Shesaid:"Ihavenev
    erwonanythingbefore".ThePicassopaintingiscalledStillLife.Itwaspai
    ntedandsignedbytheartistin1921.Itshowsanewspaperandawineglas
    sonawoodtable.ThecharitydrawtookplaceinParisattheinternationala
    uctionhouseChristies.Theauctionhousevaluedtheworkofartasbeing
    worth$1.1million.However,thebillionaireartcollectorwhodonatedth
    epaintingtothecharityrafflesaiditwasworthatleasttwoorthreetimes
    morethanthat.Christiessold51,140ticketsforthecharityraffle.Allofth
    emoneyitcollectedwillgotoprovidewaterforvillagersinMadagascaran
    dCameroon.AnNGOwillhelptobuildandrepairwells,washingfacilities,
    andtoiletsincountrysidevillages.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Painting is the best form of art. 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. PICASSO: Make a poster about Picasso. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ART: Write a magazine article about making everyone study art. 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 Picasso. Ask him/her three questions about him. Give him/her three of your opinions on Picasso. 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

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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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