The Reading / Listening - Tokyo Olympics - Level 6

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has lit the flame to finally open the 2020 Olympic Games. After a tumultuous year, the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony officially got under way, albeit a year late. Because of fears of a fifth wave of Covid-19 cases in Japan's capital, it has been touch and go as to whether or not the Summer Games would go ahead. The pandemic has already greatly impacted the event. It now takes place with no fans in attendance and several athletes having to withdraw after testing positive. Japan still hopes the Games will showcase its culture to the world. The Opening Ceremony drew to a close around midnight in Japan with a spectacular fireworks display illuminating Tokyo's night sky.

According to Tokyo 2020 organizers, 950 people attended the opening ceremony. This is in a venue with a capacity of 68,000. Attendees included Japan's Emperor Naruhito, the US First Lady Jill Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. Emperor Naruhito declared the Games officially open. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said: "It is very different from what all of us had imagined, but let us cherish this moment because finally we are all here together. Today is a moment of hope." Naomi Osaka later tweeted about her excitement at lighting the flame. She said it was: "Undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honour I will ever have in my life."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Tokyo Olympics - Level 4  or  Tokyo Olympics - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/07/23/olympics/summer-olympics/tokyo-2020-opening-ceremony/
  • https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/07/9c726a9b0904-tokyo-olympics-to-open-under-unprecedented-conditions-amid-pandemic.html
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/23/sport/tokyo-olympics-opening-ceremony-spt-intl/index.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. TOKYO OLYMPICS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Tokyo Olympics. 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?
       tennis / superstar / flame / ceremony / wave / capital / pandemic / fireworks / sky /
       venue / capacity / emperor / cherish / moment / hope / athletic / achievement
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BIENNIAL: Students A strongly believe the Olympics should be a biennial event, held every two years; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. THE OLYMPICS: How could these things be made better? How do you feel when you see them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Improvements

How You Feel

Opening ceremony

 

 

Medals ceremony

 

 

Lighting of the flame

 

 

The marathon

 

 

Venues

 

 

Closing ceremony

 

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

  • Marathon
  • Cycling
  • Judo
  • Swimming
  • Archery
  • Gymnastics
  • Rowing
  • 100 metres

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. tumultuous a. A sudden happening of or increase in a phenomenon, feeling, or emotion.
      2. officially b. Confused, or disorderly.
      3. albeit c. Although.
      4. wave d. Put on display for people to see.
      5. touch and go e. Lighting up.
      6. showcase f. In a formal and public way.
      7. illuminating g. Of an outcome, especially one that is possible but very uncertain.

    Paragraph 2

      8. venue h. Formally asserted or announced.
      9. capacity i. Something regarded as a rare opportunity and bringing pride and pleasure; a privilege.
      10. attendee j. Certainly.
      11. declared k. A person who goes to a conference or other gathering.
      12. cherish l. Protect and care for lovingly.
      13. undoubtedly m. The place where something happens, especially an organized event such as a concert, conference, or sports event.
      14. honour n. The maximum amount that something can contain.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says the Games opened after a tremendous year.     T / F
  2. There are fears that a fifth covid-19 wave will break out in Tokyo.     T / F
  3. Only a few spectators are allowed in each of the Olympics venues.     T / F
  4. The Opening Ceremony ended around 12pm in Japan.     T / F
  5. Just over 1,000 people attended the Opening Ceremony.     T / F
  6. The First Lady of the USA was an attendee at the Opening Ceremony.     T / F
  7. Naomi Osaka declared the Games open.    T / F
  8. Ms Osaka said lighting the flames was one of the best things she's done. T / F

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

  1. finally
  2. tumultuous
  3. touch and go
  4. fans
  5. illuminating
  6. capacity
  7. declared
  8. cherish
  9. undoubtedly
  10. achievement
  1. proclaimed
  2. uncertain
  3. size
  4. unquestionably
  5. spectators
  6. eventually
  7. accomplishment
  8. roller-coaster
  9. treasure
  10. lighting up

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

  1. After a tumultuous
  2. officially got under way,
  3. It now takes place with no
  4. The Opening Ceremony drew to a
  5. a spectacular fireworks display illuminating
  6. This is in a venue with a
  7. Emperor Naruhito declared the
  8. let us
  9. Today is a moment
  10. the greatest athletic
  1. Tokyo's night sky
  2. Games officially open
  3. year
  4. capacity of 68,000
  5. fans in attendance
  6. achievement
  7. of hope
  8. close around midnight
  9. cherish this moment
  10. albeit a year late

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
wave
fans
lit
display
touch
drew
under
withdraw

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has (1) _____________________ the flame to finally open the 2020 Olympic Games. After a tumultuous year, the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony officially got (2) _____________________ way, albeit a year late. Because of fears of a fifth (3) _____________________ of Covid-19 cases in Japan's capital, it has been (4) _____________________ and go as to whether or not the Summer Games would go ahead. The pandemic has already greatly impacted the event. It now takes place with no (5) _____________________ in attendance and several athletes having to (6) _____________________ after testing positive. Japan still hopes the Games will showcase its culture to the world. The Opening Ceremony (7) _____________________ to a close around midnight in Japan with a spectacular fireworks (8) _____________________ illuminating Tokyo's night sky.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
declared
honour
venue
finally
attended
cherish
included
lighting

According to Tokyo 2020 organizers, 950 people (9) _____________________ the opening ceremony. This is in a (10) _____________________ with a capacity of 68,000. Attendees (11) _____________________ Japan's Emperor Naruhito, the US First Lady Jill Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. Emperor Naruhito (12) _____________________ the Games officially open. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said: "It is very different from what all of us had imagined, but let us (13) _____________________ this moment because (14) _____________________ we are all here together. Today is a moment of hope." Naomi Osaka later tweeted about her excitement at (15) _____________________ the flame. She said it was: "Undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and (16) _____________________ I will ever have in my life."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  lit the flame to finally open the 2020 Olympic Games. After ______
     a.  a tremendous year
     b.  a contemptuous year
     c.  a chew mulch you ass year
     d.  a tumultuous year
2)  the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony officially got under way, albeit ______
     a.  a yearly laid
     b.  a URL ate
     c.  a year late
     d.  a years late
3)  already greatly impacted the event. It now takes place with no ______
     a.  fans in a tendency
     b.  fans inner ten dance
     c.  fans inner tend ants
     d.  fans in attendance
4)  Japan still hopes the Games will ______
     a.  showcase its vulture
     b.  shower case its vulture
     c.  Showa case its culture
     d.  showcase its culture
5)  drew to a close around midnight in Japan with a spectacular ______
     a.  fired works cosplay
     b.  fireworks cosplay
     c.  fireworks display
     d.  fires work this play

6)  attended the opening ceremony. This is in a venue with ______ 68,000
     a.  a kappa city of
     b.  a capacity of
     c.  a cap a city of
     d.  a capper city of
7) President Emmanuel Macron. Emperor Naruhito declared the ______
     a.  Games sophisticated open
     b.  Games officially open
     c.  Games office shall we open
     d.  Games official open
8)  It is very different from what all of us had imagined, but let us ______
     a.  cherish this moment
     b.  cherries this moment
     c.  churlish this moment
     d.  cherubs this moment
9)  because finally we are all here together. Today is a ______
     a.  moment of hope
     b.  moments of hope
     c.  momentary of hope
     d.  monument of hope
10)  She said it was undoubtedly the greatest athletic ______
     a.  achieved meant and honour
     b.  achieve mint and honour
     c.  achievement and honour
     d.  a chief meant and honour

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has lit the (1) ____________________ open the 2020 Olympic Games. After a tumultuous year, the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony officially got under way, (2) ____________________ late. Because of fears of a fifth wave of Covid-19 cases in Japan's capital, it has been touch and go (3) ____________________ or not the Summer Games would go ahead. The pandemic has already greatly impacted the event. It now takes place with no (4) ____________________ and several athletes having to withdraw after testing positive. Japan still hopes the Games will (5) ____________________ to the world. The Opening Ceremony drew to a close around midnight in Japan with a (6) ____________________ illuminating Tokyo's night sky.

According to Tokyo 2020 organizers, 950 people attended the opening ceremony. This is in a venue (7) ____________________ of 68,000. Attendees included Japan's Emperor Naruhito, (8) ____________________ Lady Jill Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. Emperor Naruhito (9) ____________________ officially open. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said: "It is very different from what all of us had imagined, but let us (10) ____________________ because finally we are all here together. Today is a (11) ____________________." Naomi Osaka later tweeted about her excitement at lighting the flame. She said it was: "Undoubtedly the (12) ____________________ and honour I will ever have in my life."

Comprehension questions

  1. How does the article describe the past year as being?
  2. What does the article say there are fears of?
  3. How many fans are allowed to attend the Games?
  4. What does Japan hope to showcase to the world?
  5. What does the article say a fireworks display did to Tokyo's night sky?
  6. How many people attended the Opening Ceremony?
  7. What is the capacity of the venue the Opening Ceremony took place in?
  8. Who declared the Olympic Games open?
  9. What did the IOC president say we needed to cherish?
  10. What did the IOC president say that day was a moment of?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  How does the article describe the past year as being?
a) catastrophic
b) tumultuous
c) tremendous
d) calamitous
2)  What does the article say there are fears of?
a) heatwaves
b) the Games being cancelled
c) a fifth Covid-19 wave
d) social unrest
3)  How many fans are allowed to attend the Games?
a) 1,000
b) 500
c) 100
d) none
4)  What does Japan hope to showcase to the world?
a) athletics
b) its culture
c) medals
d) its athletes
5)  What does the article say a fireworks display did to Tokyo's night sky?
a) illuminated it
b) colour it
c) paint it
d) create rings in it

6)  How many people attended the Opening Ceremony?
a) 950
b) 1,050
c) none
d) 500
7)  What is the capacity of the venue the Opening Ceremony took place in?
a) 78,000
b) 58,000
c) 88,000
d) 68,000
8)  Who declared the Olympic Games open?
a) the USA's First Lady
b) the IOC President
c) Japan's Emperor Naruhito
d) Naomi Osaka
9)  What did the IOC president say we needed to cherish?
a) Japanese culture
b) sport
c) each other
d) this moment

10)  What did the IOC president say that day was a moment of?
a) history
b) hope
c) joy
d) celebration

Role play

Role  A – Marathon
You think the marathon is the best Olympics events. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): cycling, gymnastics or archery.

Role  B – Cycling
You think cycling is the best Olympics events. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the marathon, gymnastics or archery.

Role  C – Gymnastics
You think gymnastics is the best Olympics events. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): cycling, the marathon or archery.

Role  D – Archery
You think archery is the best Olympics events. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sports aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): cycling, gymnastics or the marathon.

After reading / listening

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

'Olympics'

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

    • and 'flame'.

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

    • • 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:

    • superstar
    • albeit
    • touch
    • place
    • hopes
    • night
    • 950
    • included
    • different
    • moment
    • tweeted
    • ever

    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 - Tokyo Olympics

    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 'Olympics'?
    3. What do you think of the Olympics?
    4. How do the Olympics bring the world together?
    5. What do you think of the Olympics being in Tokyo?
    6. What was the best Olympics ever?
    7. What do you know about tennis superstar Naomi Osaka?
    8. What do you think of there being no fans at the Olympics?
    9. What aspects of Japanese culture should Tokyo showcase?
    10. What do you think of fireworks displays?

    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 'flame'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How will your country do at the Olympics?
    5. What message do you have for the athletes?
    6. What advice do you have for the organizers?
    7. At which Olympics event would you like to win a gold medal?
    8. How important is it to cherish every moment in life?
    9. What is the greatest achievement of your life?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the Olympics organizers?

    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)

    Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has lit the flame to (1) ____ open the 2020 Olympic Games. After a tumultuous year, the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony officially got (2) ____ way, albeit a year late. Because of fears of a fifth wave of Covid-19 cases in Japan's capital, it has been touch and (3) ____ as to whether or not the Summer Games would go ahead. The pandemic has already greatly impacted the event. It now takes place with no fans (4) ____ attendance and several athletes having to withdraw after testing positive. Japan still hopes the Games will (5) ____ its culture to the world. The Opening Ceremony drew to a close around midnight in Japan with a spectacular fireworks display (6) ____ Tokyo's night sky.

    According to Tokyo 2020 organizers, 950 people attended the opening ceremony. This is in a (7) ____ with a capacity of 68,000. Attendees included Japan's Emperor Naruhito, the US First Lady Jill Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. Emperor Naruhito (8) ____ the Games officially open. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said: "It is very different from what all of us had imagined, but let us (9) ____ this moment because finally we are all here together. Today is a (10) ____ of hope." Naomi Osaka later tweeted about her excitement (11) ____ lighting the flame. She said it was: "(12) ____ the greatest athletic achievement and honour I will ever have in my life."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     final     (b)     finality     (c)     finally     (d)     finale    
    2. (a)     about     (b)     under     (c)     around     (d)     over    
    3. (a)     go     (b)     come     (c)     feel     (d)     grab    
    4. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     by     (d)     of    
    5. (a)     bookcase     (b)     showcase     (c)     in case     (d)     briefcase    
    6. (a)     illuminated     (b)     illuminate     (c)     illumination     (d)     illuminating    
    7. (a)     anew     (b)     verve     (c)     venue     (d)     sinew    
    8. (a)     said     (b)     announced     (c)     stated     (d)     declared    
    9. (a)     cherish     (b)     askew     (c)     rapture     (d)     akin     
    10. (a)     moment     (b)     memento     (c)     momentary     (d)     monumental    
    11. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     as     (d)     by    
    12. (a)     Indebted     (b)     Redoubtably     (c)     Undoubtedly     (d)     In doubt

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. a uumsutuotl year
    2. baetli a year late
    3. greatly ecpdatmi the event
    4. several athletes having to twaihrwd
    5. a etlapaurscc fireworks display
    6. liiugtmalinn Tokyo's night sky

    Paragraph 2

    1. in a enuve with a capacity of 68,000
    2. Japan's oepmErr Naruhito
    3. cdaeredl the Games officially open
    4. tweeted about her meixetentc
    5. eoubddtunly the greatest
    6. athletic hitneecmave

    Put the text back together

    (...)  Committee President Thomas Bach said: "It is very different from what all of us had imagined, but let us cherish
    (...)  the greatest athletic achievement and honour I will ever have in my life."
    (...)  place with no fans in attendance and several athletes having to withdraw after testing
    (...)  fears of a fifth wave of Covid-19 cases in Japan's capital, it has been touch and go as to whether or
    (...)  later tweeted about her excitement at lighting the flame. She said it was: "Undoubtedly
    (...)  According to Tokyo 2020 organizers, 950 people attended the opening ceremony. This is in a venue with a capacity
    (...)  French President Emmanuel Macron. Emperor Naruhito declared the Games officially open. International Olympic
    (  1  ) Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has lit the flame to finally open the 2020 Olympic Games. After a tumultuous
    (...)  this moment because finally we are all here together. Today is a moment of hope." Naomi Osaka
    (...)  to a close around midnight in Japan with a spectacular fireworks display illuminating Tokyo's night sky.
    (...)  of 68,000.  Attendees included Japan's Emperor Naruhito, the US First Lady Jill Biden and
    (...)  not the Summer Games would go ahead. The pandemic has already greatly impacted the event. It now takes
    (...)  year, the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony officially got under way, albeit a year late. Because of
    (...)  positive. Japan still hopes the Games will showcase its culture to the world. The Opening Ceremony drew

    Put the words in the right order

    1. a   Officially   way,   year   albeit   late   .   under   got
    2. event   .   The   has   greatly   the   already   pandemic   impacted
    3. with   in   It   takes   fans   no   place   attendance   .
    4. ceremony   The   midnight   .   a   to   around   drew   close
    5. night   illuminating   display   sky  .  spectacular   fireworks   A   Tokyo's
    6. a   68,000   .    a   of   capacity   with   In   venue
    7. what   imagined   .   from   Different   us   had   all   of
    8. this   all   because   moment   here   .   Cherish   we   are
    9. about   her   lighting   Tweeted   excitement   the   flame   .   at
    10. ever   greatest   will   achievement   I   The   athletic   have   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has alight / lit the flame to finally open the 2020 Olympic Games. After a tumultuous / presumptuous year, the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony officially got under / over way, albeit a year late. Because of fears / afraid of a fifth wave of Covid-19 cases in Japan's capital, it has been touch and come / go as to whether or not the Summer Games would go ahead. The pandemic has already greatly compacted / impacted the event. It now takes place with no fans on / in attendance and several athletes having to withdraw / deposit after testing positive. Japan still hopes the Games will showcase its culture to the world. The Opening Ceremony drew to a close / end around midnight in Japan with a spectacular fireworks display illuminating Tokyo's night sky / line.

    According to Tokyo 2020 organizers, 950 people attached / attended the opening ceremony. This is in a venue with a capital / capacity of 68,000.  Attendees included / concluded Japan's Emperor Naruhito, the US First Lady Jill Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. Emperor Naruhito declared / included the Games officially open. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said: "It is very difference / different from what all of us / we had imagined, but let us cherish / churlish this moment because finally we are all here together. Today is a moment of hopeful / hope." Naomi Osaka later tweeted about her excitement to / at lighting the flame. She said it was: "Undoubtedly the greatest athlete / athletic achievement and honour I will ever have in my life."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    T_nn_s  s_p_rst_r  N__m_  _s_k_  h_s  l_t  th_  fl_m_  t_  f_n_lly  _p_n  th_  2020  _lymp_c  G_m_s.  _ft_r  _  t_m_lt___s  y__r,  th_  T_ky_  _lymp_cs  _p_n_ng  C_r_m_ny  _ff_c__lly  g_t  _nd_r  w_y,  _lb__t  _  y__r  l_t_.  B_c__s_  _f  f__rs  _f  _  f_fth  w_v_  _f  C_v_d-19  c_s_s  _n  J_p_n's  c_p_t_l,  _t  h_s  b__n  t__ch  _nd  g_  _s  t_  wh_th_r  _r  n_t  th_  S_mm_r  G_m_s  w__ld  g_  _h__d.  Th_  p_nd_m_c  h_s  _lr__dy  gr__tly  _mp_ct_d  th_  _v_nt.  _t  n_w  t_k_s  pl_c_  w_th  n_  f_ns  _n  _tt_nd_nc_  _nd  s_v_r_l  _thl_t_s  h_v_ng  t_  w_thdr_w  _ft_r  t_st_ng  p_s_t_v_.  J_p_n  st_ll  h_p_s  th_  G_m_s  w_ll  sh_wc_s_  _ts  c_lt_r_  t_  th_  w_rld.  Th_  _p_n_ng  C_r_m_ny  dr_w  t_  _  cl_s_  _r__nd  m_dn_ght  _n  J_p_n  w_th  _  sp_ct_c_l_r  f_r_w_rks  d_spl_y  _ll_m_n_t_ng  T_ky_'s  n_ght  sky.

    _cc_rd_ng  t_  T_ky_  2020  _rg_n_z_rs,  950  p__pl_  _tt_nd_d  th_  _p_n_ng  c_r_m_ny.  Th_s  _s  _n  _  v_n__  w_th  _  c_p_c_ty  _f  68,000.    _tt_nd__s  _ncl_d_d  J_p_n's  _mp_r_r  N_r_h_t_,  th_  _S  F_rst  L_dy  J_ll  B_d_n  _nd  Fr_nch  Pr_s_d_nt  _mm_n__l  M_cr_n.  _mp_r_r  N_r_h_t_  d_cl_r_d  th_  G_m_s  _ff_c__lly  _p_n.  _nt_rn_t__n_l  _lymp_c  C_mm_tt__  Pr_s_d_nt  Th_m_s  B_ch  s__d:  "_t  _s  v_ry  d_ff_r_nt  fr_m  wh_t  _ll  _f  _s  h_d  _m_g_n_d,  b_t  l_t  _s  ch_r_sh  th_s  m_m_nt  b_c__s_  f_n_lly  w_  _r_  _ll  h_r_  t_g_th_r.  T_d_y  _s  _  m_m_nt  _f  h_p_."  N__m_  _s_k_  l_t_r  tw__t_d  _b__t  h_r  _xc_t_m_nt  _t  l_ght_ng  th_  fl_m_.  Sh_  s__d  _t  w_s:  "_nd__bt_dly  th_  gr__t_st  _thl_t_c  _ch__v_m_nt  _nd  h_n__r  _  w_ll  _v_r  h_v_  _n  my  l_f_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    tennis superstar naomi osaka has lit the flame to finally open the 2020 olympic games after a tumultuous year the tokyo olympics opening ceremony officially got under way albeit a year late because of fears of a fifth wave of covid19 cases in japans capital it has been touch and go as to whether or not the summer games would go ahead the pandemic has already greatly impacted the event it now takes place with no fans in attendance and several athletes having to withdraw after testing positive japan still hopes the games will showcase its culture to the world the opening ceremony drew to a close around midnight in japan with a spectacular fireworks display illuminating tokyos night sky

    according to tokyo 2020 organizers 950 people attended the opening ceremony this is in a venue with a capacity of 68000  attendees included japans emperor naruhito the us first lady jill biden and french president emmanuel macron emperor naruhito declared the games officially open international olympic committee president thomas bach said it is very different from what all of us had imagined but let us cherish this moment because finally we are all here together today is a moment of hope naomi osaka later tweeted about her excitement at lighting the flame she said it was undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honour i will ever have in my life

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TennissuperstarNaomiOsakahaslittheflametofinallyopenthe2020Ol
    ympicGames.Afteratumultuousyear,theTokyoOlympicsOpeningCer
    emonyofficiallygotunderway,albeitayearlate.Becauseoffearsofafifth
    waveofCovid-19casesinJapan'scapital,ithasbeentouchandgoastow
    hetherornottheSummerGameswouldgoahead.Thepandemichasalre
    adygreatlyimpactedtheevent.Itnowtakesplacewithnofansinattenda
    nceandseveralathleteshavingtowithdrawaftertestingpositive.Japan
    stillhopestheGameswillshowcaseitsculturetotheworld.TheOpeningC
    eremonydrewtoaclosearoundmidnightinJapanwithaspectacularfire
    worksdisplayilluminatingTokyo'snightsky.AccordingtoTokyo2020or
    ganizers,950peopleattendedtheopeningceremony.Thisisinavenuew
    ithacapacityof68,000.AttendeesincludedJapan'sEmperorNaruhito,t
    heUSFirstLadyJillBidenandFrenchPresidentEmmanuelMacron.Empe
    rorNaruhitodeclaredtheGamesofficiallyopen.InternationalOlympicC
    ommitteePresidentThomasBachsaid:"Itisverydifferentfromwhatallo
    fushadimagined,butletuscherishthismomentbecausefinallyweareall
    heretogether.Todayisamomentofhope."NaomiOsakalatertweeteda
    boutherexcitementatlightingtheflame.Shesaiditwas:"Undoubtedlyt
    hegreatestathleticachievementandhonourIwilleverhaveinmylife."

    Free writing

    Write about the lesson page for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    The Olympics is the greatest show 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. TOKYO OLYMPICS: Make a poster about Tokyo Olympics. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. BIENNIAL: Write a magazine article about making the Olympics a biennial (taking place every other year) event. 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 Tokyo Olympics. Ask him/her three questions about the Games. Give him/her three of your opinions on them. 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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