Breaking News English Lesson: Eiffel Tower

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Eiffel Tower full of rust and in need of repair (7th July, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - Eiffel Tower - Level 3

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most famous sights. The 324-metre-tall iron tower attracts millions of tourists to Paris every year. It has been an iconic part of Paris' skyline for 133 years. However, it is showing its age. Engineers recently conducted a survey of the monument. They found that its metal is full of rust. They said it is "in a poor state". They added that if its designer Gustave Eiffel was alive today and saw his creation, "he would have a heart attack". Engineers say there are many cracks in the iron. The tower needs many repairs. A 2016 report on the tower stated there were 698 faults on the tower. These were serious enough to put the tower's long-term future in doubt.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower started in January 1887. It opened to the public on the 31st of March, 1889. It was built to celebrate the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Builders needed 10,100 tons of iron to make the tower. It was made from 18,000 sections and 2.5 million rivets. The original plan was for the tower to be taken down after 20 years. However, the French government changed its mind and kept it in place. The tower is currently being repainted ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Engineers say painting the metal will not make the rust problem go away. They say the existing paint needs to be completely removed first. However, this will take too long and the tower would lose tourist revenue.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Eiffel Tower - Level 0, Eiffel Tower - Level 1 or Eiffel Tower - Level 2

Sources

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/eiffel-tower-paris-needs-repairs/index.html
https://news.sky.com/story/eiffel-tower-reportedly-riddled-with-rust-and-in-need-of-full-repairs-12645960
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/04/eiffel-tower-riddled-with-rust-and-in-need-of-repair-leaked-reports-say

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 EIFFEL TOWER: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the Eiffel Tower. 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?
sights / towers / tourists / skyline / age / engineers / survey / iron / future / in doubt
construction / the public / celebrate / plan / government / paint / rust / take too long
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PARIS: Students A strongly believe Paris is the best city in the world to visit; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SIGHTS: What are the good and bad things about these kinds of sights? Which ones have you been to? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good	Bad	My Visits
Towers
Museums
Castles
Mountains
Theme parks
Deserts

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

Paris
New York
Sydney
Cairo
Nairobi
Tokyo
Bangkok
Rio de Janeiro

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	sights	a.	Uncertain; not sure something will happen.
2.	attract	b.	Being very well known.
3.	iconic	c.	Condition.
4.	conducted	d.	Interesting places that tourists and visitors go to see in a city, town, or other place.
5.	state	e.	Make something that is damaged or broken to be good again.
6.	repair	f.	Cause to come to a place or join something.
7.	in doubt	g.	Did.

Paragraph 2

8.	construction	h.	At the present time.
9.	the public	i.	When metal turns a reddish-brown colour because of water or rain.
10.	rivet	j.	All of the money a company or organization gets.
11.	currently	k.	All of the people as a whole.
12.	rust	l.	Totally.
13.	completely	m.	A short metal pin to hold together two pieces of metal.
14.	revenue	n.	The action of building something, usually something big.

Before reading / listening

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

The Eiffel Tower is the world's most famous sight. T / F
The Eiffel Tower opened to the public 133 years ago. T / F
The tower's designer Gustave Eiffel had a heart attack. T / F
Engineers say the tower needs a few repairs. T / F
The Eiffel Tower was opened to celebrate World Expo in 1889. T / F
Builders used 2.5 million rivets to build the tower. T / F
The original idea for the tower was to take it down after 20 years. T / F
Engineers say repainting the tower will make the rust disappear. T / F

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

famous
tourists
conducted
repairs
serious
construction
original
ahead of
go away
revenue

building
important
disappear
carried out
income
well known
before
fixes
first
visitors

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

It has been an iconic part
They found that its metal is full
Engineers say there are many cracks
there were 698
put the tower's long-term future
It opened
Builders needed 10,100
The tower is currently being
make the rust problem go
the tower would lose

to the public
faults on the tower
repainted
of Paris' skyline
tourist revenue
in the iron
away
in doubt
tons of iron
of rust

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

cracks
age
sights
doubt
attracts
alive
report
full

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most famous (1) _____________________. The 324-metre-tall iron tower (2) _____________________ millions of tourists to Paris every year. It has been an iconic part of Paris' skyline for 133 years. However, it is showing its (3) _____________________. Engineers recently conducted a survey of the monument. They found that its metal is (4) _____________________ of rust. They said it is "in a poor state". They added that if its designer Gustave Eiffel was (5) _____________________ today and saw his creation, "he would have a heart attack". Engineers say there are many (6) _____________________ in the iron. The tower needs many repairs. A 2016 (7) _____________________ on the tower stated there were 698 faults on the tower. These were serious enough to put the tower's long-term future in (8) _____________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

original
celebrate
tourist
currently
rivets
removed
public
problem

Construction of the Eiffel Tower started in January 1887. It opened to the (9) _____________________ on the 31st of March, 1889. It was built to (10) _____________________ the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Builders needed 10,100 tons of iron to make the tower. It was made from 18,000 sections and 2.5 million (11) _____________________. The (12) _____________________ plan was for the tower to be taken down after 20 years. However, the French government changed its mind and kept it in place. The tower is (13) _____________________ being repainted ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Engineers say painting the metal will not make the rust (14) _____________________ go away. They say the existing paint needs to be completely (15) _____________________ first. However, this will take too long and the tower would lose (16) _____________________ revenue.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's ______
     a. most famous sights
     b. must famous sights
     c. mast famous sights
     d. mist famous sights
2) an iconic part of Paris' skyline for 133 years. However, it is ______
     a. showing it sage
     b. showing its sage
     c. showing its age
     d. showing it's age
3) Engineers say there are many cracks in the iron. The tower ______
     a. needs many reap airs
     b. needs many rip pairs
     c. needs many rip pears
     d. needs many repairs
4) A 2016 report on the tower stated there ______
     a. were 695 faults
     b. were 696 faults
     c. were 697 faults
     d. were 698 faults
5) These were serious enough to put the tower's long-term ______
     a. future at doubt
     b. future on doubt
     c. future an doubt
     d. future in doubt

6) It was made from 18,000 sections and ______
     a. 2.5 million rabbits
     b. 2.5 million rivets
     c. 2.5 million lipids
     d. 2.5 million live its
7) However, the French government changed its mind and kept ______
     a. it in place
     b. it on place
     c. it an place
     d. it unplace
8) The tower is currently being repainted ahead of ______
     a. the 2024 Olympic
     b. the 2024 Olympics
     c. a 2024 Olympics
     d. them 2024 Olympics
9) Engineers say painting the metal will not make the rust ______
     a. problem come away
     b. problem go away
     c. problem goer way
     d. problem go way
10) However, this will take too long and the tower would ______
     a. lose tourist review
     b. lose tourist rev anew
     c. lose tourist rev a new
     d. lose tourist revenue

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's (1) ____________________. The 324-metre-tall iron tower attracts millions of tourists to Paris every year. It has been an (2) ____________________ Paris' skyline for 133 years. However, it is showing its age. Engineers recently conducted (3) ____________________ the monument. They found that its metal is full of rust. They said it is "in a poor state". They added that if its designer Gustave Eiffel (4) ____________________ and saw his creation, "he would have a heart attack". Engineers say there are many (5) ____________________ iron. The tower needs many repairs. A 2016 report on the tower stated there were 698 faults on the tower. These were serious enough to put the tower's long-term (6) ____________________.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower started in January 1887. It opened (7) ____________________ on the 31st of March, 1889. It was built to celebrate the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Builders needed 10,100 (8) ____________________ to make the tower. It was made from 18,000 sections and 2.5 million rivets. The (9) ____________________ for the tower to be taken down after 20 years. However, the French government changed its mind and kept (10) ____________________. The tower is currently being repainted ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Engineers say painting the metal will not make (11) ____________________ go away. They say the existing paint needs to be completely removed first. However, this will take too long and the tower would (12) ____________________.

Comprehension questions

How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
How old is the Eiffel Tower?
What did engineers say the tower was full of?
What might Gustave Eiffel have if he were alive today?
How many faults were on the tower in 2016?
In what year did the Eiffel Tower open to the public?
How many rivers were used to make the tower?
How long was the tower originally designed to stand for?
What is the tower being repainted for?
What would the tower lose if it was closed to take the paint off?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
a) 342 metres
b) 423 metres
c) 234 metres
d) 324 metres
2) How old is the Eiffel Tower?
a) 132 years old
b) 133 years old
c) 135 years old
d) 134 years old
3) What did engineers say the tower was full of?
a) screws
b) nails
c) air
d) rust
4) What might Gustave Eiffel have if he were alive today?
a) hope
b) pride
c) a heart attack
d) an honor

5) How many faults were on the tower in 2016?
a) 968
b) 689
c) 896
d) 698

6) In what year did the Eiffel Tower open to the public?
a) 1898
b) 1886
c) 1889
d) 1888
7) How many rivers were used to make the tower?
a) 2.5 million
b) 3.5 million
c) 12.5 million
d) 7.5 million
8) How long was the tower originally designed to stand for?
a) 2 years
b) 12 years
c) 20 years
d) 200 years
9) What is the tower being repainted for?
a) Bastille Day
b) the 2024 Olympics
c) the return of tourism
d) a festival of romance
10) What would the tower lose if it was closed to take the paint off?
a) revenue
b) the number one spot
c) workers
d) time

Role play

Role A – Paris
You think Paris is the best city to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): New York, Tokyo or Cairo.

Role B – New York
You think New York is the best city to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Paris, Tokyo or Cairo.

Role C – Tokyo
You think Tokyo is the best city to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): New York, Paris or Cairo.

Role D – Cairo
You think Cairo is the best city to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): New York, Tokyo or Paris.

After reading / listening

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

'Paris'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'trip'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

most

iconic

recently

poor

needs

698

1887

10,100

2.5

20

2024

lose

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 - Eiffel Tower

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'Paris'?
What do you know about the Eiffel Tower?
Why is the Eiffel Tower so popular?
Should Paris make all repairs to the tower?
What great sights are there in your country?
How romantic is the Eiffel Tower?
What photos of the Eiffel Tower would you like to take?
What three adjectives best describe the Eiffel Tower?
How would you feel if the Eiffel Tower was removed?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'Eiffel Tower'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of the Eiffel Tower?
Do you think the Eiffel Tower is a good tourist sight?
What do you think of the city of Paris?
Have you ever seen the Eiffel Tower in movies?
What would you like to do at the Eiffel Tower?
What's the best tourist sight in the world?
What questions would you like to ask the owners of the Eiffel Tower?

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)

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most (1) ____ sights. The 324-metre-tall iron tower attracts millions of tourists to Paris every year. It has been an (2) ____ part of Paris' skyline for 133 years. However, it is showing its (3) ____. Engineers recently conducted a survey of the monument. They found that its metal is full of rust. They said it is "in a (4) ____ state". They added that if its designer Gustave Eiffel was alive today and saw his creation, "he would have a heart attack". Engineers say there are (5) ____ cracks in the iron. The tower needs many repairs. A 2016 report on the tower stated there were 698 (6) ____ on the tower. These were serious enough to put the tower's long-term future in doubt.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower started in January 1887. It opened to the (7) ____ on the 31st of March, 1889. It was built to celebrate the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Builders needed 10,100 (8) ____ of iron to make the tower. It was made from 18,000 sections and 2.5 million rivets. The (9) ____ plan was for the tower to be taken down after 20 years. However, the French government changed its (10) ____ and kept it in place. The tower is currently being repainted (11) ____ of the 2024 Olympics. Engineers say painting the metal will not make the rust problem go away. They say the existing paint needs to be completely removed first. However, this will take too long and the tower would lose tourist (12) ____.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) famously (b) infamous (c) famous (d) fame
(a) iconic (b) ironic (c) ironing (d) icicle
(a) age (b) birth (c) old (d) years
(a) poor (b) poverty (c) penniless (d) destitution
(a) neither (b) many (c) any (d) much
(a) vaults (b) baulks (c) attacks (d) faults
(a) pubs (b) pub (c) public (d) publicity
(a) tens (b) tans (c) tins (d) tons
(a) original (b) origins (c) originated (d) originally
(a) mind (b) brain (c) think (d) head
(a) heading (b) ahead (c) header (d) heads
(a) review (b) avenue (c) revenue (d) people

Spelling

Paragraph 1

trttacas millions of tourists
an cconii part of Paris' skyline
a sevryu of the monument
The tower needs many rseirpa
there were 698 tslufa on the tower
in otbdu

Paragraph 2

It opened to the ubpicl
teabrleec the 1889 World's Fair
The riagolin plan
The tower is rtulnycer being repainted
the exsntgii paint
lose tourist rveeneu

Put the text back together

(...) make the rust problem go away. They say the existing paint needs to be completely
(...) tons of iron to make the tower. It was made from 18,000 sections and 2.5 million rivets. The original plan was for the tower to
(...) age. Engineers recently conducted a survey of the monument. They found that its metal is full
(...) of rust. They said it is "in a poor state". They added that if its designer Gustave Eiffel was alive
(...) removed first. However, this will take too long and the tower would lose tourist revenue.
(...) of tourists to Paris every year. It has been an iconic part of Paris' skyline for 133 years. However, it is showing its
(...) be taken down after 20 years. However, the French government changed its mind and kept it in place. The tower is currently
(...) Construction of the Eiffel Tower started in January 1887. It opened to the public
(...) there were 698 faults on the tower. These were serious enough to put the tower's long-term future in doubt.
(...) on the 31st of March, 1889. It was built to celebrate the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Builders needed 10,100
(...) being repainted ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Engineers say painting the metal will not
( 1 ) The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most famous sights. The 324-metre-tall iron tower attracts millions
(...) today and saw his creation, "he would have a heart attack". Engineers say there are many
(...) cracks in the iron. The tower needs many repairs. A 2016 report on the tower stated

Put the words in the right order

sights . most world's the famous It's of one
part skyline . Paris' an of been iconic It's
conducted Engineers recently survey monument . a the of
cracks Engineers in the iron . are there say
doubt . tower's Put future long-term the in
Fair . built World's the celebrate to was It
needed tons of it . Builders make iron to
government its changed the French mind . However,
problem go away It rust the make won't
completely needs paint removed . be existing The to

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The Eiffel Tower is one / once of the world's most famous sights. The 324-metre-tall iron tower attractions / attracts millions of tourists to Paris every year. It has been an iconic / icon part of Paris' skyline for 133 years. However, it is showing its old / age. Engineers recently conducted a survey / scurvy of the monument. They found that its metal is full of trust / rust. They said it is "in a poor state". They added that if its designer Gustave Eiffel was alive today and saw his create / creation, "he would have a heart attack". Engineers say there are many cracks in the iron. The tower needs many repair / repairs. A 2016 report on the tower stated there were 698 faults on /at the tower. These were serious enough to put the tower's long-term future on / in doubt.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower started in / at January 1887. It opened to the public on the 31st of March, 1889. It was built for / to celebrate the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Builders needed 10,100 tons of / on iron to make the tower. It was made from / as 18,000 sections and 2.5 million rivets. The original plan was for the tower to be taken / taking down after 20 years. However, the French government changed its brain / mind and kept it in peace / place. The tower is currently being repainted heading / ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Engineers say painting the metal will not make the rust problem go / gone away. They say the existing paint needs to be completely removed first. However, this will take too long and the tower would lost / lose tourist revenue.

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)

Th_ __ff_l T_w_r _s _n_ _f th_ w_rld's m_st f_m__s s_ghts. Th_ 324-m_tr_-t_ll _r_n t_w_r _ttr_cts m_ll__ns _f t__r_sts t_ P_r_s _v_ry y__r. _t h_s b__n _n _c_n_c p_rt _f P_r_s' skyl_n_ f_r 133 y__rs. H_w_v_r, _t _s sh_w_ng _ts _g_. _ng_n__rs r_c_ntly c_nd_ct_d _ s_rv_y _f th_ m_n_m_nt. Th_y f__nd th_t _ts m_t_l _s f_ll _f r_st. Th_y s__d _t _s "_n _ p__r st_t_". Th_y _dd_d th_t _f _ts d_s_gn_r G_st_v_ __ff_l w_s _l_v_ t_d_y _nd s_w h_s cr__t__n, "h_ w__ld h_v_ _ h__rt _tt_ck". _ng_n__rs s_y th_r_ _r_ m_ny cr_cks _n th_ _r_n. Th_ t_w_r n__ds m_ny r_p__rs. _ 2016 r_p_rt _n th_ t_w_r st_t_d th_r_ w_r_ 698 f__lts _n th_ t_w_r. Th_s_ w_r_ s_r___s _n__gh t_ p_t th_ t_w_r's l_ng-t_rm f_t_r_ _n d__bt.

C_nstr_ct__n _f th_ __ff_l T_w_r st_rt_d _n J_n__ry 1887. _t _p_n_d t_ th_ p_bl_c _n th_ 31st _f M_rch, 1889. _t w_s b__lt t_ c_l_br_t_ th_ 1889 W_rld's F__r _n P_r_s. B__ld_rs n__d_d 10,100 t_ns _f _r_n t_ m_k_ th_ t_w_r. _t w_s m_d_ fr_m 18,000 s_ct__ns _nd 2.5 m_ll__n r_v_ts. Th_ _r_g_n_l pl_n w_s f_r th_ t_w_r t_ b_ t_k_n d_wn _ft_r 20 y__rs. H_w_v_r, th_ Fr_nch g_v_rnm_nt ch_ng_d _ts m_nd _nd k_pt _t _n pl_c_. Th_ t_w_r _s c_rr_ntly b__ng r_p__nt_d _h__d _f th_ 2024 _lymp_cs. _ng_n__rs s_y p__nt_ng th_ m_t_l w_ll n_t m_k_ th_ r_st pr_bl_m g_ _w_y. Th_y s_y th_ _x_st_ng p__nt n__ds t_ b_ c_mpl_t_ly r_m_v_d f_rst. H_w_v_r, th_s w_ll t_k_ t__ l_ng _nd th_ t_w_r w__ld l_s_ t__r_st r_v_n__.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the eiffel tower is one of the worlds most famous sights the 324metretall iron tower attracts millions of tourists to paris every year it has been an iconic part of paris skyline for 133 years however it is showing its age engineers recently conducted a survey of the monument they found that its metal is full of rust they said it is in a poor state they added that if its designer gustave eiffel was alive today and saw his creation he would have a heart attack engineers say there are many cracks in the iron the tower needs many repairs a 2016 report on the tower stated there were 698 faults on the tower these were serious enough to put the towers longterm future in doubt

construction of the eiffel tower started in january 1887 it opened to the public on the 31st of march 1889 it was built to celebrate the 1889 worlds fair in paris builders needed 10100 tons of iron to make the tower it was made from 18000 sections and 25 million rivets the original plan was for the tower to be taken down after 20 years however the french government changed its mind and kept it in place the tower is currently being repainted ahead of the 2024 olympics engineers say painting the metal will not make the rust problem go away they say the existing paint needs to be completely removed first however this will take too long and the tower would lose tourist revenue

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheEiffelTowerisoneoftheworld'smostfamoussights.The324-metre-
tallirontowerattractsmillionsoftouriststoPariseveryyear.Ithasbeena
niconicpartofParis'skylinefor133years.However,itisshowingitsage.E
ngineersrecentlyconductedasurveyofthemonument.Theyfoundthati
tsmetalisfullofrust.Theysaiditis"inapoorstate".Theyaddedthatifitsde
signerGustaveEiffelwasalivetodayandsawhiscreation,"hewouldhav
eaheartattack".Engineerssaytherearemanycracksintheiron.Thetow
erneedsmanyrepairs.A2016reportonthetowerstatedtherewere698f
aultsonthetower.Thesewereseriousenoughtoputthetower'slong-
termfutureindoubt.ConstructionoftheEiffelTowerstartedinJanuary1
887.Itopenedtothepubliconthe31stofMarch,1889.Itwasbuilttoceleb
ratethe1889World'sFairinParis.Buildersneeded10,100tonsofironto
makethetower.Itwasmadefrom18,000sectionsand2.5millionrivets.
Theoriginalplanwasforthetowertobetakendownafter20years.Howev
er,theFrenchgovernmentchangeditsmindandkeptitinplace.Thetowe
riscurrentlybeingrepaintedaheadofthe2024Olympics.Engineerssay
paintingthemetalwillnotmaketherustproblemgoaway.Theysaythee
xistingpaintneedstobecompletelyremovedfirst.However,thiswilltak
etoolongandthetowerwouldlosetouristrevenue.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The Eiffel Tower is the world's greatest sightseeing spot. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 EIFFEL TOWER: Make a poster about the Eiffel Tower. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. SIGHTS: Write a magazine article about requiring all cities to have a great sight. 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 the Eiffel Tower. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. 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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Breaking News English Lesson: Eiffel Tower

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