The Reading / Listening - Barbie - Level 3

The new movie "Barbie" is the biggest film of the year in the USA. It has broken several box office records. One of these is for making the most money for a non-superhero movie. Movie-goers in the USA paid a total of $162 million in the movie's opening weekend. Ticket sales worldwide were over $356 million. The film also made the most money for a movie made by a female director. "Barbie" was directed by Greta Gerwig, who also worked on the indie films "Lady Bird" and "Little Women". Gerwig also co-wrote "Barbie". It is likely that there will be sequels to the movie, so fans should get ready for "Barbie 2" and "Barbie 3". There may also be a spin-off that focuses on Barbie's friend Ken.

Ms Gerwig's movie is about the Barbie fashion doll, made by the American toy company Mattel. The toy was created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and launched in 1959. It has become one of the best-selling toys ever made. Over a billion Barbie dolls have been made worldwide. Since the 1980s, Barbie has been the star of video games, animated movies and TV series. In Gerwig's film, Barbie unexpectedly leaves her near-perfect animated world of Barbieland to live in the human world. Movie experts say it is refreshing that "Barbie" is such an original movie. People may be getting tired of superhero films. A critic said "Barbie" was a funny, entertaining and feminist movie.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Barbie - Level 0,  Barbie - Level 1   or  Barbie - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.axios.com/2023/07/23/barbie-box-office-opening-sales
  • https://apnews.com/article/barbie-box-office-greta-gerwig-record-0e0cbd8116aff87798575c8af691d8b3
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie


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. MOVIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about movies. 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?
       movie / box office / records / superhero / movie-goers / female / director / sequels /
       fashion / doll / toy / businesswoman / video games / experts / funny / entertaining
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DOLLS: Students A strongly believe dolls are good toys; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. PINK: What is pink good for and when should it never be used? What about the other colours?  Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

This colour is good for

This colour is not good for…

Pink

 

 

Yellow

 

 

Green

 

 

Blue

 

 

Black

 

 

White

 

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

  • Barbie
  • Jenga
  • Toy cars
  • Frisbee
  • Yo-yo
  • Lego
  • Monopoly
  • Game boy

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. several a. A person who supervises the actors and other staff in a movie or play.
      2. paid b. A movie that continues the story of an earlier one.
      3. director c. More than two but not many.
      4. indie d. Gave money to get a good or service.
      5. likely e. Of a small movie company that does not belong to a major film company.
      6. sequel f. Such as well might happen or be true; probable.
      7. spin-off g. A product marketed because it is linked with a popular television programme or movie.

    Paragraph 2

      8. doll h. A person who is very knowledgeable about or skillful in a particular area
      9. launched i. A small model of a human figure, usually one of a baby or girl, used as a child's toy.
      10. animated j. In a way that you did not think would happen.
      11. unexpectedly k. Welcome because it is new or different.
      12. expert l. Start or set in motion an activity or business.
      13. refreshing m. Relating to or supporting women's rights and equality.
      14. feminist n. Of a film or image made using animation techniques.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says "Barbie" has broken seven box office records.     T / F
  2. Over $356 million was spent at the US box office in one weekend.   T / F
  3. The movie is the biggest money-making movie directed by a woman.     T / F
  4. A movie company has almost finished the spin-off movie "Ken".     T / F
  5. Barbie has been around since 1959.     T / F
  6. Over a billion Barbie dolls have been made over the decades.     T / F
  7. Movie experts agreed that "Barbie" was not such an original movie.     T / F
  8. A critic said "Barbie" was a feminist movie.     T / F

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

  1. several
  2. worldwide
  3. made
  4. likely
  5. get ready
  6. launched
  7. unexpectedly
  8. experts
  9. critic
  10. entertaining
  1. introduced
  2. probable
  3. authorities
  4. globally
  5. reviewer
  6. delightful
  7. a number of
  8. prepare
  9. suddenly
  10. earned

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

  1. Movie-goers
  2. Ticket sales worldwide were
  3. a movie made
  4. It is likely that there will be sequels
  5. a spin-off that focuses
  6. launched
  7. one of the best-
  8. animated
  9. People may be getting tired
  10. a funny, entertaining
  1. of superhero films
  2. to the movie
  3. selling toys ever made
  4. and feminist movie
  5. in the USA
  6. movies
  7. on Barbie's friend Ken
  8. in 1959
  9. by a female director
  10. over $356 million

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
sequels
superhero
female
ready
several
focuses
indie
paid

The new movie "Barbie" is the biggest film of the year in the USA. It has broken (1) _____________________ box office records. One of these is for making the most money for a non-(2) _____________________ movie. Movie-goers in the USA (3) _____________________ a total of $162 million in the movie's opening weekend. Ticket sales worldwide were over $356 million. The film also made the most money for a movie made by a (4) _____________________ director. "Barbie" was directed by Greta Gerwig, who also worked on the (5) _____________________ films "Lady Bird" and "Little Women". Gerwig also co-wrote "Barbie". It is likely that there will be (6) _____________________ to the movie, so fans should get (7) _____________________ for "Barbie 2" and "Barbie 3". There may also be a spin-off that (8) _____________________ on Barbie's friend Ken.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
star
fashion
feminist
billion
tired
unexpectedly
launched
experts

Ms Gerwig's movie is about the Barbie (9) _____________________ doll, made by the American toy company Mattel. The toy was created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and (10) _____________________ in 1959. It has become one of the best-selling toys ever made. Over a (11) _____________________ Barbie dolls have been made worldwide. Since the 1980s, Barbie has been the (12) _____________________ of video games, animated movies and TV series. In Gerwig's film, Barbie (13) _____________________ leaves her near-perfect animated world of Barbieland to live in the human world. Movie (14) _____________________ say it is refreshing that "Barbie" is such an original movie. People may be getting (15) _____________________ of superhero films. A critic said "Barbie" was a funny, entertaining and (16) _____________________ movie.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) One of these is for making the most money for a ______
     a.  not-superhero movie
     b.  now-superhero movie
     c.  non-superhero movie
     d.  nine-superhero movie
2)  Movie-goers in the USA paid a total of $162 million in the ______
     a.  movie's open in weekend
     b.  movie's open inner weekend
     c.  movie's opening weekend
     d.  movie soaping weekend
3)  The film also made the most money for a movie made by ______
     a.  a female director
     b.  a female directors
     c.  a female directorial
     d.  a female direction
4)  "Barbie" was directed by Greta Gerwig, who also worked on ______
     a.  the indie films
     b.  the Hindi films
     c.  the Indy films
     d.  the in de-films
5)  There may also be a spin-off that focuses on ______
     a.  Barbie's fiend Ken
     b.  Barbie's friends Ken
     c.  Barbie's frond Ken
     d.  Barbie's friend Ken

6)  Gerwig's movie is about the Barbie fashion doll, made by the American ______
     a.  toy companion Mattel
     b.  toy accompany Mattel
     c.  toy company Mattel
     d.  toy companies Mattel
7)  The toy was created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and ______
     a.  lunched in 1959
     b.  raunchy in 1959
     c.  launch din 1959
     d.  launched in 1959
8)  Barbie has been the star of video games, animated movies ______
     a.  and TV serials
     b.  and TV serious
     c.  and TV series
     d.  and TV sears
9)  Movie experts say it is refreshing that "Barbie" is such ______
     a.  an original movie
     b.  an originally movie
     c.  an originate movie
     d.  an origin all movie
10)  A critic said "Barbie" was a funny, entertaining ______
     a.  end feminist movie
     b.  and feminism movie
     c.  and feminist movie
     d.  and feminists movie

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The new movie "Barbie" is the (1) ____________________ the year in the USA. It has broken several box office records. One of these is for making the most money for a non-superhero movie. Movie-goers in the USA paid (2) ____________________ $162 million in the movie's opening weekend. Ticket sales worldwide were over $356 million. The film also (3) ____________________ money for a movie made by a female director. "Barbie" was directed by Greta Gerwig, who also worked on (4) ____________________ "Lady Bird" and "Little Women". Gerwig also co-wrote "Barbie". It is likely that there (5) ____________________ to the movie, so fans should get ready for "Barbie 2" and "Barbie 3". There may also be (6) ____________________ focuses on Barbie's friend Ken.

Ms Gerwig's movie is about the Barbie fashion doll, made by the American toy company Mattel. The (7) ____________________ by American businesswoman Ruth Handler (8) ____________________ 1959. It has become one of the best-selling toys ever made. (9) ____________________ Barbie dolls have been made worldwide. Since the 1980s, Barbie has been the star of video games, animated movies and TV series. In Gerwig's film, Barbie unexpectedly leaves her near-perfect (10) ____________________ Barbieland to live in the human world. Movie experts say (11) ____________________ that "Barbie" is such an original movie. People may be getting tired of superhero films. A critic said "Barbie" was a funny, entertaining (12) ____________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. How many box office records did "Barbie" break?
  2. How much money did the movie make in the US?
  3. Where did the movie make $356 million?
  4. What kinds of films did the director Greta Gerwig direct?
  5. What might there be a spin-off on?
  6. What's the name of the company that makes the Barbie doll?
  7. When was the Barbie doll launched?
  8. How many Barbie dolls have been made?
  9. Where did Barbie move to?
  10. Who said the movie "Barbie" was funny?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many box office records did "Barbie" break?
a) seven
b) several
c) seventy
d) seventeen
2) How much money did the movie make in the US?
a) $612 million
b) $261 million
c) $126 million
d) $162 million
3) Where did the movie make $356 million?
a) worldwide
b) in China
c) Europe
d) India
4) What kinds of films did the director Greta Gerwig direct?
a) weepies
b) comedies
c) indie films
d) blockbusters
5) What might there be a spin-off on?
a) Pink
b) Ken
c) feminism
d) Superhero Barbie

6) What's the name of the company that makes the Barbie doll?
a) Mattel
b) Mable
c) Maple
d) Metal
7) When was the Barbie doll launched?
a) 1969
b) 1949
c) 1959
d) 1939
8) How many Barbie dolls have been made?
a) over a billion
b) exactly a billion
c) around a billion
d) fewer than a billion
9) Where did Barbie move to?
a) the human world
b) New York
c) Argentina
d) Ghana
10) Who said the movie "Barbie" was funny?
a) everyone
b) an actor
c) Ken
d) a critic

Role play

Role  A – Barbie
You think Barbie is the best toy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): Lego, frisbee or Game Boy.

Role  B – Frisbee
You think a frisbee is the best toy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): Barbie, Lego or Game Boy.

Role  C – Lego
You think Lego is the best toy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): frisbee, Barbie or Game Boy.

Role  D – Game Boy
You think Game Boy is the best toy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): Lego, frisbee or Barbie.

After reading / listening

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

'box'

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

    • and 'office'.

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

    • • 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:

    • breaks
    • these
    • opening
    • female
    • indie
    • friend
    • fashion
    • ever
    • since
    • leaves
    • experts
    • funny

    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 - Barbie

    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 'movie'?
    3. What do you think of movies?
    4. Do you prefer to watch movies on TV, your phone or at the cinema?
    5. What's the most you would pay to watch a movie?
    6. What do you know about Barbie?
    7. Would you like to watch the movie 'Barbie'?
    8. What do you think of movie sequels?
    9. What do you think of superhero movies?
    10. Does it matter if a director is male or female?

    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 'Barbie'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why are dolls so popular with children?
    5. What do you know about Barbie's near-perfect world?
    6. What's your favourite movie?
    7. What's your favourite movie genre?
    8. What is a 'feminist movie'?
    9. Are animated movies or movies with actors best?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Barbie?

    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 new movie "Barbie" is the biggest film of the year in the USA. It has broken (1) ____ box office records. One of these is for making the most money for a non-superhero movie. Movie-(2) ____ in the USA paid a total of $162 million in the movie's (3) ____ weekend. Ticket sales worldwide were over $356 million. The film also made the most money for a movie made by a female director. "Barbie" was directed by Greta Gerwig, who also worked on the (4) ____ films "Lady Bird" and "Little Women". Gerwig also co-wrote "Barbie". It is (5) ____ that there will be sequels to the movie, so fans should get ready for "Barbie 2" and "Barbie 3". There may also be a (6) ____-off that focuses on Barbie's friend Ken.

    Ms Gerwig's movie is about the Barbie fashion doll, made by the American toy company Mattel. The toy was (7) ____ by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and launched in 1959. It has become one of the best-selling toys (8) ____ made. Over a billion Barbie dolls have been made worldwide. Since the 1980s, Barbie has been the star (9) ____ video games, animated movies and TV series. In Gerwig's film, Barbie unexpectedly leaves her near-perfect animated world of Barbieland to live in the (10) ____ world. Movie experts say it is (11) ____ that "Barbie" is such an original movie. People may be getting tired of superhero films. A (12) ____ said "Barbie" was a funny, entertaining and feminist movie.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     severe     (b)     several     (c)     serial     (d)     seven    
    2. (a)     glows     (b)     goers     (c)     goes     (d)     gores    
    3. (a)     opened     (b)     opinion     (c)     opener     (d)     opening    
    4. (a)     undie     (b)     indie     (c)     Indy     (d)     indeed    
    5. (a)     likelihood     (b)     liking     (c)     likeable     (d)     likely    
    6. (a)     turn     (b)     twist     (c)     spin     (d)     swivel    
    7. (a)     created     (b)     creative     (c)     creation     (d)     creates    
    8. (a)     even     (b)     every     (c)     ever     (d)     effort    
    9. (a)     at     (b)     off     (c)     on     (d)     of    
    10. (a)     human     (b)     humane     (c)     humanly     (d)     humanity    
    11. (a)     refreshing     (b)     refresher     (c)     refreshed     (d)     refreshment    
    12. (a)     critic     (b)     anime     (c)     cartoon     (d)     Ken

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. It has broken aeelvsr box office records
    2. a movie made by a female ioerrdct
    3. ediin films
    4. there will be luqesse to the movie
    5. There may also be a pnsi-ffo
    6. that ocuefss on Barbie's friend

    Paragraph 2

    1. uhncalde in 1959
    2. a billion Barbie dolls have been made redlwoiwd
    3. adnmitea movies and
    4. Barbie eneedpluyxtc leaves
    5. "Barbie" is such an inagirlo movie
    6. itmfnies movie

    Put the text back together

    (...)  leaves her near-perfect animated world of Barbieland to live in the human world. Movie experts say it is
    (...)  refreshing that "Barbie" is such an original movie. People may be getting tired of superhero
    (...)  director. "Barbie" was directed by Greta Gerwig, who also worked on the indie films "Lady Bird"
    (...)  office records. One of these is for making the most money for a non-superhero movie. Movie-
    (...)  Ms Gerwig's movie is about the Barbie fashion doll, made by the American toy company Mattel. The toy was created
    (...)  goers in the USA paid a total of $162 million in the movie's opening weekend. Ticket sales
    (...)  films. A critic said "Barbie" was a funny, entertaining and feminist movie.
    (...)  by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and launched in 1959. It has become one of the best-
    (...)  ready for "Barbie 2" and "Barbie 3". There may also be a spin-off that focuses on Barbie's friend Ken.
    (...)  and "Little Women". Gerwig also co-wrote "Barbie". It is likely that there will be sequels to the movie, so fans should get
    (...)  selling toys ever made. Over a billion Barbie dolls have been made worldwide. Since the 1980s, Barbie has been
    (...)  worldwide were over $356 million. The film also made the most money for a movie made by a female
    (...)  the star of video games, animated movies and TV series. In Gerwig's film, Barbie unexpectedly
    (  1  ) The new movie "Barbie" is the biggest film of the year in the USA. It has broken several box

    Put the words in the right order

    1. box   broken   has   records   .   It   office   several
    2. Making   most   a   movie   .   money   for   non-superhero   the
    3. were   $356   million   more   sales   Ticket      .   than   worldwide
    4. be   sequels   .   will   is   likely   there   It   that
    5. A   that   on   Barbie's   friend   .   focuses   spin-off
    6. businesswoman   .   an   was   created   The   toy   by   American
    7. best-selling   toys   .   become   It   one   of   has   the
    8. has   games   .   of   been   video   star   Barbie   the
    9. animated   leaves   Barbie   unexpectedly   near-perfect   her   world   .
    10. getting   People   superhero   tired   may   films   .   of   be

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The new movie "Barbie" is the biggest film off / of the year in the USA. It has broken several box office records. One of these is for / by making the most money for a non-superhero movie. Movie-goers in the USA paid / pay a total of $162 million in the movie's opened / opening weekend. Ticket sales worldwide were over $356 million. The film also did / made the most money for a movie made by a female director / direction. "Barbie" was directed by Greta Gerwig, who also worked on the indie / indigo films "Lady Bird" and "Little Women". Gerwig also co-wrote "Barbie". It is likely / liked that there will be sequels to the movie, so fun / fans should get ready for "Barbie 2" and "Barbie 3". There may also be a spin-off that focuses in / on Barbie's friend Ken.

    Ms Gerwig's movie is about the Barbie fashion dill / doll, made by the American toy company Mattel. The toy was creative / created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and launched on / in 1959. It has become one of the best-selling toys ever / even made. Over a billion Barbie dolls have been made worldwide. Since the 1980s, Barbie has been the star of video games, animate / animated movies and TV series. In Gerwig's film, Barbie unexpectedly / unsurprisingly leaves her near-perfect animated world of Barbieland to live in / on the human world. Movie experts say it is tasty / refreshing that "Barbie" is such an original movie. People may be getting tired of superhero films. A critical / critic said "Barbie" was a funny, entertaining and feminism / feminist movie.

    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_  n_w  m_v__  "B_rb__"  _s  th_  b_gg_st  f_lm  _f  th_  y__r  _n  th_  _S_.  _t  h_s  br_k_n  s_v_r_l  b_x  _ff_c_  r_c_rds.  _n_  _f  th_s_  _s  f_r  m_k_ng  th_  m_st  m_n_y  f_r  _  n_n-s_p_rh_r_  m_v__.  M_v__-g__rs  _n  th_  _S_  p__d  _  t_t_l  _f  $162  m_ll__n  _n  th_  m_v__'s  _p_n_ng  w__k_nd.  T_ck_t  s_l_s  w_rldw_d_  w_r_  _v_r  $356  m_ll__n.  Th_  f_lm  _ls_  m_d_  th_  m_st  m_n_y  f_r  _  m_v__  m_d_  by  _  f_m_l_  d_r_ct_r.  "B_rb__"  w_s  d_r_ct_d  by  Gr_t_  G_rw_g,  wh_  _ls_  w_rk_d  _n  th_  _nd__  f_lms  "L_dy  B_rd"  _nd  "L_ttl_  W_m_n".  G_rw_g  _ls_  c_-wr_t_  "B_rb__".  _t  _s  l_k_ly  th_t  th_r_  w_ll  b_  s_q__ls  t_  th_  m_v__,  s_  f_ns  sh__ld  g_t  r__dy  f_r  "B_rb__  2"  _nd  "B_rb__  3".  Th_r_  m_y  _ls_  b_  _  sp_n-_ff  th_t  f_c_s_s  _n  B_rb__'s  fr__nd  "K_n".

    Ms  G_rw_g's  m_v__  _s  _b__t  th_  B_rb__  f_sh__n  d_ll,  m_d_  by  th_  _m_r_c_n  t_y  c_mp_ny  M_tt_l.  Th_  t_y  w_s  cr__t_d  by  _m_r_c_n  b_s_n_ssw_m_n  R_th  H_ndl_r  _nd  l__nch_d  _n  1959.  _t  h_s  b_c_m_  _n_  _f  th_  b_st-s_ll_ng  t_ys  _v_r  m_d_.  _v_r  _  b_ll__n  B_rb__  d_lls  h_v_  b__n  m_d_  w_rldw_d_.  S_nc_  th_  1980s,  B_rb__  h_s  b__n  th_  st_r  _f  v_d__  g_m_s,  _n_m_t_d  m_v__s  _nd  TV  s_r__s.  _n  G_rw_g's  f_lm,  B_rb__  _n_xp_ct_dly  l__v_s  h_r  n__r-p_rf_ct  _n_m_t_d  w_rld  _f  B_rb__l_nd  t_  l_v_  _n  th_  h_m_n  w_rld.  M_v__  _xp_rts  s_y  _t  _s  r_fr_sh_ng  th_t  "B_rb__"  _s  s_ch  _n  _r_g_n_l  m_v__.  P__pl_  m_y  b_  g_tt_ng  t_r_d  _f  s_p_rh_r_  f_lms.  _  cr_t_c  s__d  "B_rb__"  w_s  _  f_nny,  _nt_rt__n_ng  _nd  f_m_n_st  m_v__.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the new movie barbie is the biggest film of the year in the usa it has broken several box office records one of these is for making the most money for a nonsuperhero movie moviegoers in the usa paid a total of 162 million in the movies opening weekend ticket sales worldwide were over 356 million the film also made the most money for a movie made by a female director barbie was directed by greta gerwig who also worked on the indie films lady bird and little women gerwig also cowrote barbie it is likely that there will be sequels to the movie so fans should get ready for barbie 2 and barbie 3 there may also be a spinoff that focuses on barbies friend ken

    ms gerwigs movie is about the barbie fashion doll made by the american toy company mattel the toy was created by american businesswoman ruth handler and launched in 1959 it has become one of the bestselling toys ever made over a billion barbie dolls have been made worldwide since the 1980s barbie has been the star of video games animated movies and tv series in gerwigs film barbie unexpectedly leaves her nearperfect animated world of barbieland to live in the human world movie experts say it is refreshing that barbie is such an original movie people may be getting tired of superhero films a critic said barbie was a funny entertaining and feminist movie

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Thenewmovie"Barbie"isthebiggestfilmoftheyearintheUSA.Ithasbro
    kenseveralboxofficerecords.Oneoftheseisformakingthemostmoney
    foranon-superheromovie.Movie-goersintheUSApaidatotalof$162mi
    llioninthemovie'sopeningweekend.Ticketsalesworldwidewereover$
    356million.Thefilmalsomadethemostmoneyforamoviemadebyafem
    aledirector."Barbie"wasdirectedbyGretaGerwig,whoalsoworkedont
    heindiefilms"LadyBird"and"LittleWomen".Gerwigalsoco-wrote"Ba
    rbie".Itislikelythattherewillbesequelstothemovie,sofansshouldgetr
    eadyfor"Barbie2"and"Barbie3".Theremayalsobeaspin-offthatfocus
    esonBarbie'sfriendKen.MsGerwig'smovieisabouttheBarbiefashiond
    oll,madebytheAmericantoycompanyMattel.ThetoywascreatedbyA
    mericanbusinesswomanRuthHandlerandlaunchedin1959.Ithasbeco
    meoneofthebest-sellingtoysevermade.OverabillionBarbiedollshav
    ebeenmadeworldwide.Sincethe1980s,Barbiehasbeenthestarofvide
    ogames,animatedmoviesandTVseries.InGerwig'sfilm,Barbieunexp
    ectedlyleaveshernear-perfectanimatedworldofBarbielandtoliveinth
    ehumanworld.Movieexpertssayitisrefreshingthat"Barbie"issuchano
    riginalmovie.Peoplemaybegettingtiredofsuperherofilms.Acriticsaid"
    Barbie"wasafunny,entertainingandfeministmovie.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Movies are the best form of entertainment. 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. MOVIES: Make a poster about movies. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. BARBIE DOLLS: Write a magazine article about requiring Barbie to be seen in different colours, not just pink. 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 Barbie. Ask him/her three questions about her. Give him/her three of your opinions on Barbie. 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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