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USA Olympics uniforms security risk in Sochi (27th January, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

American athletes attending the Sochi Winter Olympics have been told that their Team USA uniforms pose a potential security risk if worn outside designated security zones. Security is reported to be the tightest ever for any Olympics. It includes the "Ring of Steel" – a heavily fortified zone that stretches for 90 kilometres along the coast and 40 kilometres inland. There are checkpoints everywhere and everyone will be X-rayed as they enter the zone. A US State Department official advised that: "If you are an American Olympic athlete, you don't want to advertise that far outside the Olympic venues." It added: "Wearing conspicuous Team USA clothing in non-accredited areas may put your personal safety at greater risk."

There are fears that the games may be targeted by militants from Russian states that want to break away from Russia. One group from Dagestan recently posted a video claiming responsibility for two suicide bombings in the southern city of Volgograd which killed 34 people and injured dozens more. President Vladimir Putin has given his personal assurance that the games will be safe and successful. Russian security officials are currently hunting for three potential female suicide bombers, one of whom is suspected to be in the Sochi area. US officials have warned there will be more threats to come as the time for the opening ceremony draws nearer. The games will be held between February 7 and 23.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://news.sky.com/story/1200548/team-usa-uniforms-pose-security-risk-in-sochi
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/24/us/sochi-us-security/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. SOCHI OLYMPICS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Sochi Olympics. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

athletes / Olympics / uniforms / security risk / checkpoints / advertise / personal safety / militants / cideo / responsibility / injured / assurance / hunting / threats / ceremony

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. SECURITY: How effective can security measures be? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Measure	How effective?	How can it be breached?
Checkpoints
Background checks
Extra police
Video cameras
X-ray machines
Body searches

4. TEAM UNIFORMS: Students A strongly believe team uniforms should only be worn at the venues; Students B strongly believe they can be worn anywhere. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. WINTER OLYMPICS GAMES: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• curling

• figure skating

• bobsleigh

• snowboarding

• ski jumping

• speed skating

• ice hockey

• freestyle skiing

6. RISK: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "risk". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	Team USA's Olympic uniforms are dangerous in cold weather.	T / F
b.	US athletes are advised to wear uniforms only inside the security area.	T / F
c.	Russian authorities have set up a 90-km-long security zone.	T / F
d.	The US State Department said there should be no adverts on uniforms.	T / F
e.	People are worried Russian separatists will attack the games.	T / F
f.	A group from Moscow claimed responsibility for a recent suicide bomb.	T / F
g.	Security officials are looking for 3 suspected terrorists in Sochi city.	T / F
h.	America said it expects there to be more threats.	T / F

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

1.	attending	a.	chosen
2.	pose	b.	hurt
3.	designated	c.	focused on
4.	advised	d.	appearing at
5.	conspicuous	e.	presumed
6.	targeted	f.	secede from
7.	break away	g.	guarantee
8.	injured	h.	warned
9.	assurance	i.	represent
10.	suspected	j.	standing out

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

1.	outside designated	a.	Team USA clothing
2.	a heavily fortified zone that	b.	assurance
3.	everyone will be X-rayed	c.	targeted by militants
4.	Wearing conspicuous	d.	security zones
5.	put your personal	e.	as they enter the zone
6.	the games may be	f.	ceremony
7.	claiming	g.	threats to come
8.	Putin has given his personal	h.	safety at greater risk
9.	there will be more	i.	responsibility
10.	opening	j.	stretches for 90 km

GAP FILL

American athletes (1) ____________ the Sochi Winter Olympics have been told that their Team USA uniforms (2) ____________ a potential security risk if worn outside designated security zones. Security is reported to be the (3) ____________ ever for any Olympics. It includes the "Ring of Steel" – a heavily (4) ____________ zone that stretches for 90 kilometres along the coast and 40 kilometres inland. There are checkpoints everywhere and everyone will be (5) ____________ as they enter the zone. A US State Department official advised that: "If you are an American Olympic athlete, you don't want to (6) ____________ that far outside the Olympic (7) ____________." It added: "Wearing conspicuous Team USA clothing in non-accredited areas may put your (8) ____________ safety at greater risk."

X-rayed
personal
pose
advertise
attending
venues
tightest
fortified

There are fears that the games may be (9) ____________ by militants from Russian states that want to break away from Russia. One group from Dagestan (10) ____________ posted a video claiming responsibility for two suicide bombings in the southern city of Volgograd which killed 34 people and (11) ____________ dozens more. President Vladimir Putin has given his personal (12) ____________ that the games will be safe and successful. Russian security officials are currently hunting for three (13) ____________ female suicide bombers, one of whom is (14) ____________ to be in the Sochi area. US officials have warned there will be more (15) ____________ to come as the time for the opening ceremony draws nearer. The games will be (16) ____________ between February 7 and 23.

injured
held
targeted
assurance
suspected
recently
threats
potential

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	their Team USA uniforms pose a ______
	a. potential security risk b. potentially security risk c. potential security risky d. potentially security risky
2)	if worn outside ______ zones
	a. designed ate it security b. less ignited security c. these signalled security d. designated security
3)	It includes the "Ring of Steel" – a ______ zone
	a. heavy fortified b. healthily fortified c. heavily fortified d. heavenly fortified
4)	If you are an American Olympic athlete, you don't want to ______
	a. ad fast eyes that b. advocate that c. ad barters that d. advertise that
5)	Wearing conspicuous Team USA clothing in ______
	a. not-accredited areas b. non-accredited areas c. known-accredited areas d. knowing-accredited areas
6)	There are fears that the games may be targeted ______
	a. by militancy b. by militants c. by million tanks d. by milling tanks
7)	One group from Dagestan recently posted a video ______
	a. claiming responsibility b. claiming responsible c. claiming responsibilities d. claiming response ability
8)	President Vladimir Putin has given his ______
	a. personal assure once b. personal as sure ants c. personal assurance d. personal insurance
9)	US officials have warned there will be more ______
	a. threats to come b. treats to come c. threatens to come d. frets to come
10)	as the time for the opening ceremony ______
	a. claws nearer b. draws nearer c. doors nearer d. drawls nearer

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

American (1) ___________________ Sochi Winter Olympics have been told that their Team USA uniforms pose a (2) ___________________ if worn outside designated security zones. Security is reported to be the tightest ever for any Olympics. It includes the "Ring of Steel" – a heavily fortified (3) ___________________ for 90 kilometres along the coast and 40 kilometres inland. There (4) ___________________ and everyone will be X-rayed as they enter the zone. A US State Department official advised that: "If you are an American Olympic athlete, you don't (5) ___________________ far outside the Olympic venues." It added: "Wearing conspicuous Team USA clothing in non-accredited areas may put (6) ___________________ at greater risk."

There are fears that the games (7) ___________________ militants from Russian states that want to break away from Russia. One group from Dagestan recently posted a video (8) ___________________ for two suicide bombings in the southern city of Volgograd which killed 34 people and (9) ___________________. President Vladimir Putin has given his personal (10) ___________________ games will be safe and successful. Russian security officials are currently hunting (11) ___________________ female suicide bombers, one of whom is suspected to be in the Sochi area. US officials have warned there will be more threats to come as the time for the opening (12) ___________________. The games will be held between February 7 and 23.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Where is it unsafe for US athletes to wear their team uniforms?
2.	How many Olympics before Sochi had tighter security?
3.	What is the name of the security area?
4.	What will happen to people as they enter the security zone?
5.	What did a US Sate Department official could be at risk?
6.	Who might attack the games?
7.	Who claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Volgograd?
8.	How many suspected suicide bombers are security officials looking for?
9.	How many of the suspected suicide bombers are thought to be in Sochi?
10.	What did US officials warn there will be more of?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Where is it unsafe for US athletes to wear their team uniforms?	6.	Who might attack the games?
	a) in restaurants b) everywhere c) at airports d) outside designated security areas		a) the Press b) militants c) athletes who lose d) hot countries
2.	How many Olympics before Sochi had tighter security?	7.	Who claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Volgograd?
	a) five b) none c) two d) four		a) Vladimir Popov b) no one c) the Free Russia Army d) a group from Dagestan
3.	What is the name of the security area?	8.	How many suspected suicide bombers are security officials looking for?
	a) the DSA (Designated Security Area) b) Lockdown Sochi c) the Ring of Steel d) Boris		a) 3 b) 5 c) 2 d) 4
4.	What will happen to people as they enter the security zone?	9.	How many of the suspected suicide bombers are thought to be in Sochi?
	a) they'll be X-rayed b) they'll be strip-searched c) their passports will be taken d) they'll be sprayed with a special dye		a) 3 b) 2 c) 1 d) 0
5.	What did a US Sate Department official could be at risk?	10.	What did US officials warn there will be more of?
	a) the future of the Olympics b) the gold medals c) personal safety d) the chances of enough snow		a) snow b) threats c) new world records d) drug cheats

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Winter Olympics

You think the Winter Olympics is the world's greatest sporting event. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their events. Also, tell the others which is the least exciting of these (and why): the soccer World Cup, the Summer Olympics or F1 motor racing.

Role B – Soccer World Cup

You think the soccer World Cup is the world's greatest sporting event. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their events. Also, tell the others which is the least exciting of these (and why): the Winter Olympics, the Summer Olympics or F1 motor racing.

Role C – Summer Olympics

You think the Summer Olympics is the world's greatest sporting event. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their events. Also, tell the others which is the least exciting of these (and why): the soccer World Cup, the Winter Olympics or F1 motor racing.

Role D – F1 Motor Racing Grands Prix

You think F1 motor racing is the world's greatest sporting event. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their events. Also, tell the others which is the least exciting of these (and why): the soccer World Cup, the Summer Olympics or the Winter Olympics.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

winter

Olympics

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:

pose
ever
90
enter
far
clothing

targeted
posted
two
dozens
safe
come

SOCHI OLYMPICS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about the Sochi Olympics 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

SOCHI OLYMPICS & SECURITY DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'Olympics'?
c)	What do you think of the Winter Olympics?
d)	Should athletes wear uniforms that aren't covered with national colors?
e)	Do you think the Olympics will be safe?
f)	Can there ever be too much security at major international events?
g)	Have you ever been searched?
h)	Would you worry about security if you attended the Sochi Olympics?
i)	If you were an athlete, would you wear your national uniform?
j)	Have you ever felt your personal safety was at risk?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Which is better, the Winter Olympics or the Summer Olympics?
c)	What would militants gain from attacking the Olympics?
d)	Should Russia accept the help offered by America's security forces?
e)	What are you most looking forward to about the Sochi Olympics?
f)	Is President Putin's personal assurance of safety reassuring?
g)	What inspires you most about the Olympics?
h)	What winter sport would you like to win a gold medal in (and why)?
i)	What other threats do you think there might be?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the head of security for Sochi?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

American athletes attending the Sochi Winter Olympics have been told that their Team USA uniforms (1) ____ a potential security risk if worn outside designated security zones. Security is reported to be the (2) ____ ever for any Olympics. It includes the "Ring of Steel" – a (3) ____ fortified zone that stretches for 90 kilometres along the (4) ____ and 40 kilometres inland. There are checkpoints everywhere and everyone will be X-rayed as they enter the zone. A US State Department official advised that: "If you are an American Olympic athlete, you don't want to advertise that (5) ____ outside the Olympic venues." It added: "Wearing conspicuous Team USA clothing in non-accredited areas may put your personal safety (6) ____ greater risk."

There are fears that the games may be (7) ____ by militants from Russian states that want to break away from Russia. One group from Dagestan recently posted a video claiming (8) ____ for two suicide bombings in the southern city of Volgograd which killed 34 people and injured (9) ____ more. President Vladimir Putin has given his personal assurance that the games will be safe and successful. Russian security officials are currently hunting for three (10) ____ female suicide bombers, one of whom is suspected to be in the Sochi area. US officials have warned there will be more (11) ____ to come as the time for the opening ceremony (12) ____ nearer. The games will be held between February 7 and 23.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	suppose	(b)	pose	(c)	impose	(d)	oppose
2.	(a)	closest	(b)	tautest	(c)	firmest	(d)	tightest
3.	(a)	steadily	(b)	heavily	(c)	sluggishly	(d)	extremely
4.	(a)	ridge	(b)	plateau	(c)	coast	(d)	archipelago
5.	(a)	far	(b)	for	(c)	near	(d)	nearly
6.	(a)	at	(b)	in	(c)	on	(d)	of
7.	(a)	intended	(b)	earmarked	(c)	aimed	(d)	targeted
8.	(a)	responsibility	(b)	responsible	(c)	response	(d)	responsiveness
9.	(a)	dime a dozen	(b)	dozens	(c)	denizens	(d)	dozes off
10.	(a)	potentially	(b)	potent	(c)	potential	(d)	proportionate
11.	(a)	treats	(b)	treads	(c)	threats	(d)	threads
12.	(a)	illustrates	(b)	draws	(c)	sketches	(d)	doodles

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	pose a tneipaotl security risk
2.	outside gsdnedtiae security zones
3.	a heavily tfroefiid zone
4.	everyone will be drey-aX
5.	Wearing ocuupisnsco Team USA clothing
6.	in non-caddtcreie areas
Paragraph 2
7.	targeted by tmniilats
8.	claiming lsbsotinipirey
9.	injured ndseoz
10.	Putin has given his personal aacerunss
11.	there will be more etrhtsa to come
12.	the opening mrenyeoc

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	currently hunting for three potential female suicide bombers, one of whom is
( )	X-rayed as they enter the zone. A US State Department official advised that: "If you are an American Olympic
( )	bombings in the southern city of Volgograd which killed 34 people and injured dozens more. President Vladimir Putin has given his
( )	a potential security risk if worn outside designated security zones. Security is reported to be the tightest
( )	conspicuous Team USA clothing in non-accredited areas may put your personal safety at greater risk."
( )	ever for any Olympics. It includes the "Ring of Steel" – a heavily fortified zone that stretches for 90 kilometres along
( )	to come as the time for the opening ceremony draws nearer. The games will be held between February 7 and 23.
( )	athlete, you don't want to advertise that far outside the Olympic venues." It added: "Wearing
( )	personal assurance that the games will be safe and successful. Russian security officials are
( )	suspected to be in the Sochi area. US officials have warned there will be more threats
( )	the coast and 40 kilometres inland. There are checkpoints everywhere and everyone will be
( )	There are fears that the games may be targeted by militants from Russian states that want to break
( 1 )	American athletes attending the Sochi Winter Olympics have been told that their Team USA uniforms pose
( )	away from Russia. One group from Dagestan recently posted a video claiming responsibility for two suicide

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	a risk Team pose security Their uniforms potential USA.
2.	be Security the is tightest reported ever to.
3.	that 90 A zone for fortified stretches km heavily.
4.	be will Everyone zone the enter they as X-rayed .
5.	non areas Team in accredited Conspicuous clothing - USA.
6.	the be militants that may by Fears games targeted.
7.	video responsibility Recently a claiming posted.
8.	will and Assurance games safe the be successful that.
9.	bombers suicide female potential three for Hunting.
10.	will Officials be have more warned threats there.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

American athletes attending / attendance the Sochi Winter Olympics have been told that their Team USA uniforms pose / posing a potential security risk if worn outside designed / designated security zones. Security is reported to be / have the tightest ever for any Olympics. It includes the "Ring of Steel" – a heavily / voluminous fortified zone that stretches for 90 kilometres along the coastal / coast and 40 kilometres inland / on land. There are checkpoints everywhere and everyone will be X-rayed as they enter the zone. A US State Department official advice / advised that: "If you are an American Olympic athlete, you don't want to advertise that for / far outside the Olympic venues." It added: "Wearing conspicuous / conscious Team USA clothing in non-accredited areas may put your personal safety at greater risk."

There are fears / fearsome that the games may be targeted by militancy / militants from Russian states that want to break away from Russia. One group from Dagestan recently pasted / posted a video claiming responsibility for two suicide bombings in the southern / southerner city of Volgograd which killed 34 people and injured dozen / dozens more. President Vladimir Putin has given his personal insurance / assurance that the games will be safe and successful. Russian security officials are currently chasing / hunting for three potential / potentially female suicide bombers, one of whom is suspected to be in the Sochi area. US officials have warned there will be more treats / threats to come as the time for the opening ceremony draws nearer. The games will be held / holding between February 7 and 23.

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

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_m_r_c_n _thl_t_s _tt_nd_ng th_ S_ch_ W_nt_r _lymp_cs h_v_ b__n t_ld th_t th__r T__m _S_ _n_f_rms p_s_ _ p_t_nt__l s_c_r_ty r_sk _f w_rn __ts_d_ d_s_gn_t_d s_c_r_ty z_n_s. S_c_r_ty _s r_p_rt_d t_ b_ th_ t_ght_st _v_r f_r _ny _lymp_cs. _t _ncl_d_s th_ "R_ng _f St__l" – _ h__v_ly f_rt_f__d z_n_ th_t str_tch_s f_r 90 k_l_m_tr_s _l_ng th_ c__st _nd 40 k_l_m_tr_s _nl_nd. Th_r_ _r_ ch_ckp__nts _v_rywh_r_ _nd _v_ry_n_ w_ll b_ X-r_y_d _s th_y _nt_r th_ z_n_. _ _S St_t_ D_p_rtm_nt _ff_c__l _dv_s_d th_t: "_f y__ _r_ _n _m_r_c_n _lymp_c _thl_t_, y__ d_n't w_nt t_ _dv_rt_s_ th_t f_r __ts_d_ th_ _lymp_c v_n__s." _t _dd_d: "W__r_ng c_nsp_c___s T__m _S_ cl_th_ng _n n_n-_ccr_d_t_d _r__s m_y p_t y__r p_rs_n_l s_f_ty _t gr__t_r r_sk."

Th_r_ _r_ f__rs th_t th_ g_m_s m_y b_ t_rg_t_d by m_l_t_nts fr_m R_ss__n st_t_s th_t w_nt t_ br__k _w_y fr_m R_ss__. _n_ gr__p fr_m D_g_st_n r_c_ntly p_st_d _ v_d__ cl__m_ng r_sp_ns_b_l_ty f_r tw_ s__c_d_ b_mb_ngs _n th_ s__th_rn c_ty _f V_lg_gr_d wh_ch k_ll_d 34 p__pl_ _nd _nj_r_d d_z_ns m_r_. Pr_s_d_nt Vl_d_m_r P_t_n h_s g_v_n h_s p_rs_n_l _ss_r_nc_ th_t th_ g_m_s w_ll b_ s_f_ _nd s_cc_ssf_l. R_ss__n s_c_r_ty _ff_c__ls _r_ c_rr_ntly h_nt_ng f_r thr__ p_t_nt__l f_m_l_ s__c_d_ b_mb_rs, _n_ _f wh_m _s s_sp_ct_d t_ b_ _n th_ S_ch_ _r__. _S _ff_c__ls h_v_ w_rn_d th_r_ w_ll b_ m_r_ thr__ts t_ c_m_ _s th_ t_m_ f_r th_ _p_n_ng c_r_m_ny dr_ws n__r_r. Th_ g_m_s w_ll b_ h_ld b_tw__n F_br__ry 7 _nd 23.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

american athletes attending the sochi winter olympics have been told that their team usa uniforms pose a potential security risk if worn outside designated security zones security is reported to be the tightest ever for any olympics it includes the "ring of steel" – a heavily fortified zone that stretches for 90 kilometres along the coast and 40 kilometres inland there are checkpoints everywhere and everyone will be x-rayed as they enter the zone a us state department official advised that "if you are an american olympic athlete you don't want to advertise that far outside the olympic venues" it added "wearing conspicuous team usa clothing in non-accredited areas may put your personal safety at greater risk"

there are fears that the games may be targeted by militants from russian states that want to break away from russia one group from dagestan recently posted a video claiming responsibility for two suicide bombings in the southern city of volgograd which killed 34 people and injured dozens more president vladimir putin has given his personal assurance that the games will be safe and successful russian security officials are currently hunting for three potential female suicide bombers one of whom is suspected to be in the sochi area us officials have warned there will be more threats to come as the time for the opening ceremony draws nearer the games will be held between february 7 and 23

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AmericanathletesattendingtheSochiWinterOlympicshavebeentol
dthattheirTeamUSAuniformsposeapotentialsecurityriskifwornout
sidedesignatedsecurityzones.Securityisreportedtobethetighteste
verforanyOlympics.Itincludesthe"RingofSteel"–aheavilyfortif
iedzonethatstretchesfor90kilometresalongthecoastand40kilomet
resinland.TherearecheckpointseverywhereandeveryonewillbeX-
rayedastheyenterthezone.AUSStateDepartmentofficialadvisedth
at:"IfyouareanAmericanOlympicathlete,youdon'twanttoadvertise
thatfaroutsidetheOlympicvenues."Itadded:"Wearingconspicuous
TeamUSAclothinginnon-accreditedareasmayputyourpersona
lsafetyatgreaterrisk."Therearefearsthatthegamesmaybetargeted
bymilitantsfromRussianstatesthatwanttobreakawayfromRussia.
OnegroupfromDagestanrecentlypostedavideoclaimingresponsibil
ityfortwosuicidebombingsinthesoutherncityofVolgogradwhichkill
ed34peopleandinjureddozensmore.PresidentVladimirPutinhasgiv
enhispersonalassurancethatthegameswillbesafeandsuccessful.R
ussiansecurityofficialsarecurrentlyhuntingforthreepotentialfemal
esuicidebombers,oneofwhomissuspectedtobeintheSochiarea.US
officialshavewarnedtherewillbemorethreatstocomeasthetimefort
heopeningceremonydrawsnearer.ThegameswillbeheldbetweenFe
bruary7and23.

FREE WRITING

Write about the Sochi Olympics for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

National team uniforms should only be worn in the sports venues. 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 the Sochi Olympics. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. SOCHI OLYMPICS: Make a poster about the Sochi Olympics. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. SECURITY: Write a magazine article about security at the Sochi Olympics. Include imaginary interviews with those organizing the security.

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 a security expert. Ask him/her three questions about security at the Sochi Olympics. Give him/her three of your worries about the games. 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

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	attending	a.	appearing at
2.	pose	b.	represent
3.	designated	c.	chosen
4.	advised	d.	warned
5.	conspicuous	e.	easily seen
6.	targeted	f.	focused on
7.	break away	g.	secede from
8.	injured	h.	hurt
9.	assurance	i.	guarantee
10.	suspected	j.	presumed

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Outside designated security zones
2.	None
3.	The Ring of Steel
4.	They'll be X-rayed
5.	Personal safety
6.	Militants wanting to break away from Russia
7.	A group from Dagestan
8.	Three
9.	One
10.	Threats

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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USA Olympics uniforms security risk in Sochi (27th January, 2014)

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