The Reading / Listening - Ukraine Crisis - Level 3

Germany has announced it has closed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was due to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe. It did this because of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent countries. President Putin claimed the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic were separate nations. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "In light of the most recent developments, we must reassess the situation…regarding Nord Stream 2." He warned that Europe faced "difficult hours," and that, "almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War, we might see a new war in Eastern Europe".

Nord Stream 2 is a 1,200-km-long pipeline that runs under the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one of many sanctions that Western nations have made against Russia. The United Kingdom announced the first of its sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter the two rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine. The U.K. will freeze the assets of five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires (who have also been given travel bans). U.S. President Joe Biden has said the USA would announce sanctions soon. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia was not planning to invade Ukraine. He told reporters: "No one is planning to send anything anywhere. If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Ukraine Crisis - Level 0,  Ukraine Crisis - Level 1   or  Ukraine Crisis - Level 2

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/22/business/nord-stream-2-germany-russia/index.html
  • https://www.rt.com/russia/550244-recognize-sovereignty-dpr-lpr-end/
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60480734


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. THE UKRAINE CRISIS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the Ukraine crisis. 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?
       Germany / Nord Stream 2 / natural gas / Ukraine / difficult hours / 80 years / war
       Baltic Sea / sanctions / Western nations / troops / billionaires / travel ban / threat
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WAR: Students A strongly believe there will be a European war; Students B strongly believe there won't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. THE REGION: What do you know about these countries? What is their pat relationship with Russia? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

Past relationship with Russia

Ukraine

 

 

Moldova

 

 

Poland

 

 

Belarus

 

 

Latvia

 

 

Romania

 

 
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. GAS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "gas". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. WHO CAN HELP? Rank these with your partner. Put the actors who would be best at helping the Ukraine crisis at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Vladimir Putin
  • The Russian people
  • Ukraine's leader
  • Joe Biden
  • China
  • NATO
  • The EU
  • The United Nations

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. announced a. Take, move or carry people or things from one place to another by car, train, ship, etc.
      2. transport b. About a country that controls itself.
      3. region c. Had a difficult situation to do something about.
      4. independent d. An area or part of a country or the world.
      5. in light of e. Think again about something after finding out new things about it.
      6. reassess f. Told people about a fact, event, or plan in a public statement.
      7. faced g. Thinking about an action, event or situation.

    Paragraph 2

      8. runs h. Actions taken by a country against another country to get it to stop doing something bad.
      9. sanctions i. Soldiers or armed forces.
      10. troops j. A statement to cause pain, injury, damage, or other bad action on someone or on a country.
      11. freeze k. Houses, shares and other expensive things owned by a person or company.
      12. assets l. Stop things (e.g. bank accounts, social media accounts) from being used for a period of time.
      13. invade m. Moves or extends in a particular direction.
      14. threat n. Enter another country or region (with an army)to take it over.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The name of the gas pipeline is the North Stream 1.     T / F
  2. Russia has recognised two regions of eastern Ukraine as being republics. T / F
  3. Germany's Chancellor said there was no need to reassess the situation.   T / F
  4. Germany's Chancellor said there was no chance of a war in Europe.     T / F
  5. The gas pipeline is under the Baltic Sea.     T / F
  6. The U.K. has imposed sanctions on some Russian billionaires.     T / F
  7. Joe Biden said he has no plans for any sanctions.     T / F
  8. Russia's deputy foreign minister said his country would provide help.     T / F

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

  1. announced
  2. regions
  3. separate
  4. situation
  5. war
  6. sanctions
  7. assets
  8. invade
  9. threat
  10. assistance
  1. penalties
  2. facts
  3. danger
  4. valuables
  5. declared
  6. take over
  7. conflict
  8. areas
  9. help
  10. independent

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

  1. transport natural gas
  2. two breakaway regions
  3. In light of the most recent
  4. we must reassess the situation
  5. 80 years after the end of the
  6. a 1,200-km-long
  7. Closing it is one
  8. troops could enter the two
  9. the USA would announce sanctions
  10. If there is a threat, then we will
  1. pipeline
  2. regarding Nord Stream 2
  3. soon
  4. Second World War
  5. in eastern Ukraine
  6. rebel-held regions
  7. developments
  8. provide assistance
  9. of many sanctions
  10. from Russia to Europe

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
regions
due
reassess
end
separate
war
actions
hours

Germany has announced it has closed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that is (1) _____________________ to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe. It did this because of Russia's (2) _____________________ in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway (3) _____________________ in eastern Ukraine as independent countries. President Putin claimed the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic were (4) _____________________ nations. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "In light of the most recent developments, we must (5) _____________________ the situation...regarding Nord Stream 2." He warned that Europe faced "difficult (6) _____________________," and that, "almost 80 years after the (7) _____________________ of the Second World War, we might see a new (8) _____________________ in Eastern Europe."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
assistance
eastern
sanctions
bans
invade
runs
announce
first

Nord Stream 2 is a 1,200-km-long pipeline that (9) _____________________ under the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one of many (10) _____________________ that Western nations have made against Russia. The United Kingdom announced the (11) _____________________ its sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter the two rebel-held regions of (12) _____________________ Ukraine. The U.K. will freeze the assets of five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires (who have also been given travel (13) _____________________). U.S. President Joe Biden has said the USA would (14) _____________________ sanctions soon. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia was not planning to (15) _____________________ Ukraine. He told reporters: "No one is planning to send anything anywhere. If there is a threat, then we will provide (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) closed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was due to ______
     a.  transport natural aghast
     b.  transport natural gassy
     c.  transport natural gas
     d.  transport natural glass
2)  It did this because of Russia's ______
     a.  actions sin Ukraine
     b.  actions sine Ukraine
     c.  actions in Ukraine
     d.  actions sign Ukraine
3)  Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised ______
     a.  two break away region
     b.  too breakaway regions
     c.  two breakaway regions
     d.  to breakaway regions
4)  In light of the most recent developments, we must ______
     a.  reassess the situation
     b.  recess the situation
     c.  re asses the situation
     d.  be assess the situation
5)  regarding Nord Stream 2. He warned that Europe ______
     a.  faced difficult hours
     b.  faces difficult hours
     c.  face difficult hours
     d.  fast difficult hours

6)  Nord Stream 2 is a 1,200-km-long pipeline that runs under ______
     a.  the Baltic Ocean
     b.  the Baltic Sea
     c.  the Baltic Pond
     d.  the Baltic Stream
7)  Closing it is one of many sanctions that Western ______
     a.  nations have trade
     b.  nations have made
     c.  nations have bade
     d.  nations have raid
8)  the first of its sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter the two ______
     a.  rebel-old regions
     b.  rebel-hold regions
     c.  rebel-held regions
     d.  rebel-elf regions
9)  Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia was not planning ______
     a.  to invade Ukraine
     b.  to invasion Ukraine
     c.  to invader Ukraine
     d.  to invades Ukraine
10)  If there is a threat, then we ______
     a.  will provide assist tanks
     b.  will provide a cyst ants
     c.  will provide assist stance
     d.  will provide assistance

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Germany has (1) ____________________ closed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that (2) ____________________ transport natural gas from Russia to Europe. It did this because of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway (3) ____________________ Ukraine as independent countries. President Putin claimed the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic (4) ____________________. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "In light of the most recent developments, we (5) ____________________ situation...regarding Nord Stream 2." He warned that Europe faced "difficult hours," and that, "almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War, we (6) ____________________ new war in Eastern Europe."

Nord Stream 2 is a 1,200-km-long pipeline (7) ____________________ the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one (8) ____________________ that Western nations have made against Russia. The United Kingdom announced the first its sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter the (9) ____________________ regions of eastern Ukraine. The U.K. will freeze the assets of five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires (who have also been (10) ____________________). U.S. President Joe Biden has said the USA would announce sanctions soon. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia was not (11) ____________________ Ukraine. He told reporters: "No one is planning to send anything anywhere. If there is a threat, then (12) ____________________ assistance."

Comprehension questions

  1. What is the name of the gas pipeline?
  2. How many breakaway regions did Russia recognise?
  3. What does Germany's chancellor want to reassess?
  4. What did Germany's chancellor say Europe faced?
  5. What did Germany's chancellor say might happen in Eastern Europe?
  6. How long is the gas pipeline?
  7. How many banks did the U.K. impose sanctions on?
  8. Who said he would announce sanctions soon?
  9. What did Russia's deputy foreign minister say Russia wouldn't do?
  10. What did Russia's deputy foreign minister say Russia would provide?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What is the name of the gas pipeline?
a) Nord Stream 1
b) Nord Stream 2
c) North Stream 2
d) North Stream 1
2)  How many breakaway regions did Russia recognise?
a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 1
3)  What does Germany's chancellor want to reassess?
a) its defences
b) its gas needs
c) international relations
d) the situation
4)  What did Germany's chancellor say Europe faced?
a) Russia
b) difficult hours
c) tough times
d) high gas prices
5)  What did Germany's chancellor say might happen in Eastern Europe?
a) war
b) gas shortages
c) a refugee crisis
d) inflation

6)  How long is the gas pipeline?
a) 1,200km
b) 1,300km
c) 1,400km
d) 1,500km
7)  How many banks did the U.K. impose sanctions on?
a) 8
b) 7
c) 6
d) 5
8)  Who said he would announce sanctions soon?
a) Vladimir Putin
b) Ukraine's president
c) Joe Biden
d) Andrei Rudenko
9)  What did Russia's deputy foreign minister say Russia wouldn't do?
a) announce sanctions
b) back down
c) fight
d) invade Ukraine
10)  What did Russia's deputy foreign minister say Russia would provide?
a) advice
b) assistance
c) arms
d) shelter

Role play

Role  A – Vladimir Putin
You think Vladimir Putin is the best actor to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their actors wouldn't be as good. Also, tell the others which would be the least effective of these (and why): Joe Biden, NATO or the Russian people.

Role  B – Joe Biden
You think Joe Biden is the best actor to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their actors wouldn't be as good. Also, tell the others which would be the least effective of these (and why): Vladimir Putin, NATO or the Russian people.

Role  C – NATO
You think NATO is the best actor to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their actors wouldn't be as good. Also, tell the others which would be the least effective of these (and why): Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin or the Russian people.

Role  D – The Russian People
You think the Russian people are the best actors to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their actors wouldn't be as good. Also, tell the others which would be the least effective of these (and why)is 99999: Joe Biden, NATO or Vladimir Putin.

After reading / listening

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

'gas'

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

    • and 'crisis'.

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

    • • 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:

    • due
    • actions
    • claimed
    • separate
    • warned
    • war
    • runs
    • against
    • enter
    • bans
    • invade
    • assistance

    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 - Ukraine Crisis

    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 'Ukraine'?
    3. What do you know about Ukraine?
    4. What do you know about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline?
    5. What has caused the current crisis?
    6. Should the breakaway regions be recognised internationally?
    7. What is the relationship between Russia and Ukraine?
    8. Who is right and who is wrong in this crisis?
    9. Do you think this crisis will lead to a European war?
    10. What advice do you have for Vladimir Putin?

    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 'crisis'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you know about Vladimir Putin?
    5. What do you think of sanctions?
    6. How much will the UK's sanctions hurt Russia?
    7. What would you do to end this crisis?
    8. What does your country's leader say about the crisis?
    9. What do you think the situation will be like in a month's time?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Vladimir Putin?

    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)

    Germany has announced it has (1) ____ the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was due to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe. It did this (2) ____ of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway (3) ____ in eastern Ukraine as independent countries. President Putin claimed the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic were (4) ____ nations. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "In (5) ____ of the most recent developments, we must reassess the situation...regarding Nord Stream 2." He warned that Europe (6) ____ "difficult hours," and that, "almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War, we might see a new war in Eastern Europe".

    Nord Stream 2 is a 1,200-km-long pipeline that (7) ____ under the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one of many sanctions that Western nations have made (8) ____ Russia. The United Kingdom announced the first its sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter the two rebel-(9) ____ regions of eastern Ukraine. The U.K. will freeze the assets of five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires (who have also been given travel (10) ____). U.S. President Joe Biden has said the USA would announce sanctions soon. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia was not planning (11) ____ invade Ukraine. He told reporters: "No one is planning to send anything anywhere. If there is a (12) ____, then we will provide assistance."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     cloze     (b)     closet     (c)     closed     (d)     clothed    
    2. (a)     because     (b)     due     (c)     thus     (d)     so    
    3. (a)     regions     (b)     region     (c)     regional     (d)     regionally    
    4. (a)     separate     (b)     separately     (c)     disparate     (d)     disparately    
    5. (a)     night     (b)     right     (c)     sight     (d)     light    
    6. (a)     fronted     (b)     skulled     (c)     headed     (d)     faced    
    7. (a)     runs     (b)     jogs     (c)     paces     (d)     sprints     
    8. (a)     pro     (b)     post     (c)     after     (d)     against    
    9. (a)     held     (b)     hold     (c)     holds     (d)     holding    
    10. (a)     vans     (b)     bans     (c)     cans     (d)     fans    
    11. (a)     for     (b)     to     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    12. (a)     threat     (b)     treat     (c)     thread     (d)     tread

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Germany has naecnodun it has closed...
    2. transport naulrta gas
    3. two breakaway rgsioen
    4. separate tasonni
    5. we must sssaeesr the situation
    6. Europe faced udlticiff hours

    Paragraph 2

    1. one of many aoscisntn
    2. Mr Putin said oports could enter
    3. eestarn Ukraine
    4. three Russian riieisollban
    5. Russia was not planning to evandi Ukraine
    6. we will provide nicssaaets

    Put the text back together

    (...)  light of the most recent developments, we must reassess the situation...
    (...)  Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic were separate nations. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "In
    (...)  recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent countries. President Putin claimed the
    (...)  the assets of five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires (who have also been given travel bans). U.S. President Joe Biden has
    (...)  regarding Nord Stream 2." He warned that Europe faced "difficult hours," and that, "almost 80 years
    (  1  ) Germany has announced it has closed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was due to transport natural gas from
    (...)  Russia to Europe. It did this because of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin
    (...)  anything anywhere. If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance."
    (...)  sanctions that Western nations have made against Russia. The United Kingdom announced the first
    (...)  of its sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter the two rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine. The U.K. will freeze
    (...)  Nord Stream 2 is a 1,200-km-long pipeline that runs under the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one of many
    (...)  said the USA would announce sanctions soon. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia was not
    (...)  planning to invade Ukraine. He told reporters: "No one is planning to send
    (...)  after the end of the Second World War, we might see a new war in Eastern Europe."

    Put the words in the right order

    1. to   transport   to   Europe   .   from   Due   gas   Russia
    2. regions   in   recognised   Putin   breakaway   two   eastern   Ukraine   .
    3. developments   .   In   light   of   the   recent   most
    4. years   the   after   Almost   of   end   WWII   .   80
    5. might   in   Europe   .   see   a   Eastern   We   war
    6. long   under   runs   sea   .   pipeline   that   the   A
    7. it   one   many   Closing   of   sanctions   .   is
    8. eastern   rebel-held   regions   Enter   of   two   Ukraine   .   the
    9. sanctions   would   Biden   said   announce   the   USA   soon   .
    10. anything   is   planning   No   anywhere   .   send   one   to

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Germany has announced / announcing it has closed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was due / for to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe. It did / done this because of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway region / regions in eastern Ukraine as / has independent countries. President Putin claimed the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic were separately / separate nations. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "In light of / off the most recent developments, we must reassess the situated / situation...regarding Nord Stream 2." He warned that Europe faced / headed "difficult hours," and that, "almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War, we might see a new war / warn in Eastern Europe."

    Nord Stream 2 is a 1,200-km-long pipeline that walks / runs under the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one of many / any sanctions that Western nations have made against Russia. The United Kingdom announced the first / firstly its sanctions after Mr Putin said troops / troop could enter the two rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine. The U.K. will cold / freeze the assets of five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires (who have also been given / gave travel bans). U.S. President Joe Biden has said the USA would announce sanctions soonish / soon. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia was not planning to / for invade Ukraine. He told reporters: "No one is planning to send anything somewhere / anywhere. If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance / assist."

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

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

    G_rm_ny  h_s  _nn__nc_d  _t  h_s  cl_s_d  th_  N_rd  Str__m  2  p_p_l_n_  th_t  w_s  d__  t_  tr_nsp_rt  n_t_r_l  g_s  fr_m  R_ss__  t_  __r_p_.  _t  d_d  th_s  b_c__s_  _f  R_ss__'s  _ct__ns  _n  _kr__n_.  R_ss__n  Pr_s_d_nt  Vl_d_m_r  P_t_n  r_c_gn_s_d  tw_  br__k_w_y  r_g__ns  _n  __st_rn  _kr__n_  _s  _nd_p_nd_nt  c__ntr__s.  Pr_s_d_nt  P_t_n  cl__m_d  th_  D_n_tsk  P__pl_'s  R_p_bl_c  _nd  th_  L_g_nsk  P__pl_'s  R_p_bl_c  w_r_  s_p_r_t_  n_t__ns.  G_rm_ny's  Ch_nc_ll_r  _l_f  Sch_lz  s__d:  "_n  l_ght  _f  th_  m_st  r_c_nt  d_v_l_pm_nts,  w_  m_st  r__ss_ss  th_  s_t__t__n...r_g_rd_ng  N_rd  Str__m  2."  H_  w_rn_d  th_t  __r_p_  f_c_d  "d_ff_c_lt  h__rs,"  _nd  th_t,  "_lm_st  80  y__rs  _ft_r  th_  _nd  _f  th_  S_c_nd  W_rld  W_r,  w_  m_ght  s__  _  n_w  w_r  _n  __st_rn  __r_p_."

    N_rd  Str__m  2  _s  _  1,200-km-l_ng  p_p_l_n_  th_t  r_ns  _nd_r  th_  B_lt_c  S__.  Cl_s_ng  _t  _s  _n_  _f  m_ny  s_nct__ns  th_t  W_st_rn  n_t__ns  h_v_  m_d_  _g__nst  R_ss__.  Th_  _n_t_d  K_ngd_m  _nn__nc_d  th_  f_rst  _f  _ts  s_nct__ns  _ft_r  Mr  P_t_n  s__d  tr__ps  c__ld  _nt_r  th_  tw_  r_b_l-h_ld  r_g__ns  _f  __st_rn  _kr__n_.  Th_  _.K.  w_ll  fr__z_  th_  _ss_ts  _f  f_v_  R_ss__n  b_nks  _nd  thr__  R_ss__n  b_ll__n__r_s  (wh_  h_v_  _ls_  b__n  g_v_n  tr_v_l  b_ns).  _.S.  Pr_s_d_nt  J__  B_d_n  h_s  s__d  th_  _S_  w__ld  _nn__nc_  s_nct__ns  s__n.  R_ss__'s  D_p_ty  F_r__gn  M_n_st_r  _ndr__  R_d_nk_  s__d  R_ss__  w_s  n_t  pl_nn_ng  t_  _nv_d_  _kr__n_.  H_  t_ld  r_p_rt_rs:  "N_  _n_  _s  pl_nn_ng  t_  s_nd  _nyth_ng  _nywh_r_.  _f  th_r_  _s  _  thr__t,  th_n  w_  w_ll  pr_v_d_  _ss_st_nc_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    germany has announced it has closed the nord stream 2 pipeline that was due to transport natural gas from russia to europe it did this because of russias actions in ukraine russian president vladimir putin recognised two breakaway regions in eastern ukraine as independent countries president putin claimed the donetsk peoples republic and the lugansk peoples republic were separate nations germanys chancellor olaf scholz said in light of the most recent developments we must reassess the situationregarding nord stream 2 he warned that europe faced difficult hours and that almost 80 years after the end of the second world war we might see a new war in eastern europe

    nord stream 2 is a 1200kmlong pipeline that runs under the baltic sea closing it is one of many sanctions that western nations have made against russia the united kingdom announced the first its sanctions after mr putin said troops could enter the two rebelheld regions of eastern ukraine the uk will freeze the assets of five russian banks and three russian billionaires who have also been given travel bans us president joe biden has said the usa would announce sanctions soon russias deputy foreign minister andrei rudenko said russia was not planning to invade ukraine he told reporters no one is planning to send anything anywhere if there is a threat then we will provide assistance

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    GermanyhasannouncedithasclosedtheNordStream2pipelinethatwa
    sduetotransportnaturalgasfromRussiatoEurope.Itdidthisbecauseof
    Russia'sactionsinUkraine.RussianPresidentVladimirPutinrecognised
    twobreakawayregionsineasternUkraineasindependentcountries.Pre
    sidentPutinclaimedtheDonetskPeople'sRepublicandtheLuganskPeo
    ple'sRepublicwereseparatenations.Germany'sChancellorOlafScholz
    said:"Inlightofthemostrecentdevelopments,wemustreassessthesit
    uation...regardingNordStream2."HewarnedthatEuropefaced"difficu
    lthours,"andthat,"almost80yearsaftertheendoftheSecondWorldWar
    ,wemightseeanewwarinEasternEurope".NordStream2isa1,200-km-
    longpipelinethatrunsundertheBalticSea.Closingitisoneofmanysancti
    onsthatWesternnationshavemadeagainstRussia.TheUnitedKingdo
    mannouncedthefirstofitssanctionsafterMrPutinsaidtroopscouldente
    rthetworebel-heldregionsofeasternUkraine.TheU.K.willfreezetheas
    setsoffiveRussianbanksandthreeRussianbillionaires(whohavealsob
    eengiventravelbans).U.S.PresidentJoeBidenhassaidtheUSAwoulda
    nnouncesanctionssoon.Russia'sDeputyForeignMinisterAndreiRude
    nkosaidRussiawasnotplanningtoinvadeUkraine.Hetoldreporters:"N
    ooneisplanningtosendanythinganywhere.Ifthereisathreat,thenwew
    illprovideassistance."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    There is a danger of a world war starting because of the Ukraine crisis. 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. THE UKRAINE CRISIS: Make a poster about the Ukraine crisis. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. WAR: Write a magazine article about the Ukraine crisis leading to a wider war. Include imaginary interviews with people who believe this and with those who do not believe it.
    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 the Ukraine Crisis. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to resolve this crisis. 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

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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