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Egypt opens extension of Suez Canal (9th August, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Egypt's President Abdelfattah el-Sisi attended a ceremony yesterday to unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal. The original canal was completed in 1869 and took 10 years to build. The new, $8.5 billion canal was constructed in just under 12 months, beating all predictions by industry experts that it would take five years. The canal provides a passageway between the Mediterranean and Red seas. President Sisi sailed up the canal in his presidential yacht, the El Mahrousa, wearing military fatigues to attend the inauguration. The El Mahrousa was the first ship to officially sail through the original canal nearly a century-and-a-half ago. President Sisi described the new canal as Egypt's "gift to the world".

Egypt's government hopes the new canal will provide a much-needed boost for the country's economy. The head of the Suez Canal Authority, Mohab Mamish, said the new canal was important to ensure Egypt earns revenues from its waterways in the future. He told reporters: "If I can't handle this and turn it into revenue for the Egyptian treasury, alternative routes will emerge." He hopes revenues will increase from the current annual $5.3 billion to $13.2 billion by 2023. That means shipping traffic would need to grow from 49 per day at present to 97 by 2023. This would entail a nine per cent increase in global trade. Some economists have cast doubt on whether these figures can be met.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/11787279/Egypt-launches-new-Suez-Canal-celebration.html
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2015/08/06/egypt-seeks-to-boost-economy-through-expansion-of-suez-canal/
http://www.albawaba.com/business/suez-canal-inauguration-kickstarts-new-way-trade-egypt-727878

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. CANALS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about canals. 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?

ceremony / extension / original / predictions / industry / experts / sailed / yacht / gift / government / boost / economy / important / revenues / alternative / annual / figures

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

3. SHIPPING: What are the pros and cons of these forms of shipping? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Pros	Cons
Ship
Road
Air
Rail
Drone
Bicycle

4. SAILING: Students A strongly believe sailing is better than flying; Students B strongly believe the opposite. 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. GIFTS TO THE WORLD: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• Suez Canal

• Great Wall of China

• International Space Station

• Panama Canal

• Burj Khalifa

• Big Ben

• Disneyland

• Sydney Opera House

6. CEREMONY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "ceremony". 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.	The first Suez Canal was built in 1869.	T / F
b.	The latest extension to the canal took 12 years to complete.	T / F
c.	Industry experts said the canal extension would take 5 years to build.	T / F
d.	The ship Egypt's president sailed in is at least 150 years old.	T / F
e.	Egypt's president doubts the canal will help the economy.	T / F
f.	A canal spokesperson warned of competition for the canal.	T / F
g.	The spokesman hopes canal revenues will increase to $5.3bn a year.	T / F
h.	Global trade must increase by 90% for the canal to meet its targets.	T / F

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

1.	attended	a.	guarantee
2.	major	b.	forecasts
3.	predictions	c.	other
4.	inauguration	d.	significant
5.	original	e.	manage
6.	boost	f.	first
7.	ensure	g.	was present at
8.	handle	h.	uncertainty
9.	alternative	i.	launch
10.	doubt	j.	lift

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

1.	attended a	a.	revenues
2.	unveil a major extension	b.	under 12 months
3.	constructed in just	c.	will emerge
4.	beating all predictions	d.	for the country's economy
5.	nearly a century-and-	e.	ceremony
6.	provide a much-needed boost	f.	increase in global trade
7.	ensure Egypt earns	g.	a-half ago
8.	alternative routes	h.	of the Suez Canal
9.	This would entail a nine per cent	i.	doubt on
10.	cast	j.	by industry experts

GAP FILL

Egypt's President Abdelfattah el-Sisi attended a (1) ____________ yesterday to unveil a (2) ____________ extension of the Suez Canal. The original canal was completed in 1869 and took 10 years to build. The new, $8.5 billion canal was constructed in (3) ____________ under 12 months, beating all predictions by industry (4) ____________ that it would take five years. The canal provides a passageway between the Mediterranean and Red seas. President Sisi (5) ____________ up the canal in his presidential yacht, the El Mahrousa, wearing military fatigues to (6) ____________ the inauguration. The El Mahrousa was the first ship to officially sail through the original canal nearly a (7) ____________ -and-a-half ago. President Sisi described the new canal as Egypt's "(8) ____________ to the world".

experts
major
century
sailed
ceremony
gift
just
attend

Egypt's government hopes the new canal will provide a much-needed (9) ____________ for the country's economy. The head of the Suez Canal Authority, Mohab Mamish, said the new canal was important to (10) ____________ Egypt earns revenues from its waterways in the future. He told reporters: "If I can't (11) ____________ this and turn it into revenue for the Egyptian treasury, alternative routes will (12) ____________." He hopes revenues will increase from the current (13) ____________ $5.3 billion to $13.2 billion by 2023. That means shipping traffic would need to grow from 49 per day at (14) ____________ to 97 by 2023. This would entail a nine per cent increase in (15) ____________ trade. Some economists have cast (16) ____________ on whether these figures can be met.

handle
annual
boost
global
emerge
doubt
ensure
present

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Sisi attended a ceremony yesterday to unveil a major ______ Suez Canal
	a. extension for the b. extension of the c. extension from the d. extension by the
2)	The original canal was completed in 1869 and took 10 ______
	a. decades to build b. years to build c. months to build d. weeks to build
3)	constructed in just under 12 months, beating all predictions ______
	a. at industry experts b. to industry experts c. be industry experts d. by industry experts
4)	the first ship to officially sail through the original canal nearly a century-______
	a. and-a-halved ago b. and-a-half ago c. and-a-have ago d. and-a-halves ago
5)	President Sisi described the new canal as Egypt's "______"
	a. gift at the world b. gift on the world c. gift by the world d. gift to the world
6)	Egypt's government hopes the new canal will provide a ______
	a. much-needed boost b. much-needed boast c. much-needed beast d. much-needed boots
7)	the new canal was important to ensure Egypt earns revenues from its waterways ______
	a. in the future b. on the future c. by the future d. at the future
8)	If I can't handle this and turn it into revenue for the ______
	a. Egyptian treasures b. Egyptian treasure c. Egyptian treasured d. Egyptian treasury
9)	He hopes revenues will increase from the current annual $5.3 billion to $13.2 ______
	a. billion by 2022 b. billion by 2024 c. billion by 2023 d. billion by 2033
10)	Some economists have cast doubt on whether these ______
	a. figures can being met b. figures can been meeting c. figures can be meet d. figures can be met

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Egypt's President Abdelfattah el-Sisi (1) ___________________ yesterday to unveil (2) ___________________ the Suez Canal. The original canal was completed in 1869 and took 10 years to build. The new, $8.5 billion canal was constructed in just under 12 months, (3) ___________________ by industry experts that it would take five years. The canal provides a passageway between the Mediterranean and Red seas. President Sisi sailed up the canal (4) ___________________ yacht, the El Mahrousa, wearing military fatigues to (5) ___________________. The El Mahrousa was the first ship (6) ___________________ through the original canal nearly a century-and-a-half ago. President Sisi described the new canal as Egypt's "gift to the world".

Egypt's government hopes the new canal will (7) ___________________ boost for the country's economy. The head of the Suez Canal Authority, Mohab Mamish, said the new canal was (8) ___________________ Egypt earns (9) ___________________ waterways in the future. He told reporters: "If I can't handle this and turn it into revenue for the Egyptian treasury, alternative (10) ___________________." He hopes revenues will increase from the current annual $5.3 billion to $13.2 billion by 2023. That means shipping traffic would (11) ___________________ 49 per day at present to 97 by 2023. This would entail a nine per cent increase in global trade. Some economists have cast doubt on whether these (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	When was the original Suez Canal built?
2.	How long did the original canal take to build?
3.	How long did experts think the current extension would take?
4.	What did Egypt's leader wear as he sailed to the inauguration?
5.	What did President Sisi describe the canal as?
6.	What does Egypt's government hope the canal will give the economy?
7.	What does Egypt need to get from its waterways?
8.	What will emerge if the canal can't make enough money?
9.	How many ships per day are needed by 2023?
10.	Who doubted whether figures could be met?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	When was the original Suez Canal built?	6.	What does Egypt's government hope the canal will give the economy?
	a) 1896 b) 1979 c) 1869 d) 1928		a) tax b) a boost c) energy d) water
2.	How long did the original canal take to build?	7.	What does Egypt need to get from its waterways?
	a) 10 years b) 9 years c) 8 years d) 7 years		a) prestige b) tourism c) fame d) revenue
3.	How long did experts think the current extension would take?	8.	What will emerge if the canal can't make enough money?
	a) 2 years b) 3 years c) 4 years d) 5 years		a) chaos b) alternative routes c) debts d) traffic jams
4.	What did Egypt's leader wear as he sailed to the inauguration?	9.	How many ships per day are needed by 2023?
	a) jeans and T-shirt b) military fatigues c) a business suit d) a white robe		a) 97 b) 79 c) 49 d) 94
5.	What did President Sisi describe the canal as?	10.	Who doubted whether figures could be met?
	a) the final piece of a jigsaw b) a global superhighway c) a gift to the world d) a masterpiece		a) shipping companies b) Mohab Mamish c) Egypt's leader d) some economists

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Suez Canal

You think the Suez Canal is the greatest gift to the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the International Space Station, Disneyland or Big Ben.

Role B – The International Space Station

You think the International Space Station is the greatest gift to the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the Suez Canal, Disneyland or Big Ben.

Role C – Disneyland

You think Disneyland is the greatest gift to the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the International Space Station, the Suez Canal or Big Ben.

Role D – Big Ben

You think Big Ben is the greatest gift to the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the International Space Station, Disneyland or the Suez Canal.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

major

extension

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:

major
10
12
five
first
gift

boost
head
handle
emerge
13.2
97

CANALS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about canals 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.

CANALS DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'Egypt'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	How important are the waterways in your country?
5)	What do you know about the Suez Canal?
6)	How did Egypt build the canal 4 years earlier than experts predicted?
7)	What are the most important recent construction projects in your country?
8)	How important are canals?
9)	What are the differences between canals and rivers?
10)	To what degree is the new canal a 'gift to the world'?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	How much of a boost do you think the new canal will be?
13)	In which areas does your country need a boost?
14)	How important do you think Suez is to world trade?
15)	In what other ways do you think Egypt makes money?
16)	How do shipping and air freight compare?
17)	What do you think will happen to world trade by 2023?
18)	Would you like to sail through the canal? Why?
19)	Why do you think some economists doubt the canal's success?
20)	What questions would you like to ask President Sisi?

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

Egypt's President Abdelfattah el-Sisi attended a ceremony yesterday to (1) ____ a major extension of the Suez Canal. The original canal was completed in 1869 and took 10 years to build. The new, $8.5 billion canal was constructed in (2) ____ under 12 months, beating (3) ____ predictions by industry experts that it would take five years. The canal provides a passageway between the Mediterranean and Red seas. President Sisi sailed (4) ____ the canal in his presidential yacht, the El Mahrousa, wearing military fatigues to (5) ____ the inauguration. The El Mahrousa was the first ship to officially sail through the original canal nearly a century-and-a-(6) ____ ago. President Sisi described the new canal as Egypt's "gift to the world".

Egypt's government hopes the new canal will provide a much-needed (7) ____ for the country's economy. The head of the Suez Canal Authority, Mohab Mamish, said the new canal was important to (8) ____ Egypt earns revenues from its waterways in the future. He told reporters: "If I can't (9) ____ this and turn it into revenue for the Egyptian (10) ____, alternative routes will emerge." He hopes revenues will increase from the current annual $5.3 billion to $13.2 billion by 2023. That means shipping traffic would need to grow from 49 per day (11) ____ present to 97 by 2023. This would entail a nine per cent increase in global trade. Some economists have cast doubt on whether these figures can be (12) ____.

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

1.	(a)	unveil	(b)	unravel	(c)	veil	(d)	avail
2.	(a)	simply	(b)	there	(c)	just	(d)	fact
3.	(a)	every	(b)	whole	(c)	all	(d)	others
4.	(a)	heading	(b)	within	(c)	at	(d)	up
5.	(a)	attend	(b)	attendance	(c)	attendant	(d)	attending
6.	(a)	halved	(b)	half	(c)	halves	(d)	halfway
7.	(a)	baste	(b)	beast	(c)	boast	(d)	boost
8.	(a)	sure	(b)	ensure	(c)	reassure	(d)	insure
9.	(a)	wheel	(b)	knob	(c)	handle	(d)	rail
10.	(a)	treachery	(b)	pleasure	(c)	measurement	(d)	treasury
11.	(a)	by	(b)	in	(c)	on	(d)	at
12.	(a)	welcomed	(b)	met	(c)	greeted	(d)	befriended

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	attended a rconyeme
2.	ivleun a major extension
3.	beating all rntiiopedcs
4.	industry psxrete
5.	cylfofiial sail through the original canal
6.	nearly a yuetncr-and-a-half ago
Paragraph 2
7.	provide a much-needed otobs
8.	turn it into vreeenu
9.	tnvearlaite routes
10.	the current lunana $5.3 billion
11.	Some osenimotcs
12.	cast otbdu on

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	up the canal in his presidential yacht, the El Mahrousa, wearing military fatigues to attend the
( )	was constructed in just under 12 months, beating all predictions by industry experts that it would
( 1 )	Egypt's President Abdelfattah el-Sisi attended a ceremony yesterday to unveil a major extension
( )	trade. Some economists have cast doubt on whether these figures can be met.
( )	it into revenue for the Egyptian treasury, alternative routes will emerge." He hopes revenues will increase from the
( )	take five years. The canal provides a passageway between the Mediterranean and Red seas. President Sisi sailed
( )	current annual $5.3 billion to $13.2 billion by 2023. That means shipping traffic would need to grow
( )	of the Suez Canal. The original canal was completed in 1869 and took 10 years to build. The new, $8.5 billion canal
( )	economy. The head of the Suez Canal Authority, Mohab Mamish, said the new canal was important to
( )	Egypt's government hopes the new canal will provide a much-needed boost for the country's
( )	from 49 per day at present to 97 by 2023. This would entail a nine per cent increase in global
( )	ensure Egypt earns revenues from its waterways in the future. He told reporters: "If I can't handle this and turn
( )	inauguration. The El Mahrousa was the first ship to officially sail through the original canal nearly a century-and-a-
( )	half ago. President Sisi described the new canal as Egypt's "gift to the world".

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	Suez To major the a of Canal unveil extension .
2.	take five years Predictions by industry experts that it would .
3.	up in yacht sailed canal presidential Sisi the his .
4.	the original canal The first ship to officially sail through .
5.	canal new the described Sisi world the to gift Egypt's as .
6.	needed will provide a new much - boost . The canal
7.	its from revenues earns Egypt Ensure waterways .
8.	turn revenue can't and into I this it If handle .
9.	Revenues $5.3bn annual current the from increase will .
10.	met doubt these be Cast whether can on figures .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Egypt's President Abdelfattah el-Sisi attended / attendance a ceremony yesterday to unveil a major / majority extension of the Suez Canal. The original canal was completion / completed in 1869 and took 10 years to build. The new, $8.5 billion canal was constructing / constructed in just under 12 months, beating all / every predictions by industry experts that it would take five years. The canal resides / provides a passageway between the Mediterranean and Red seas. President Sisi sailed up the canal in his presidential / president yacht, the El Mahrousa, wearing military fatigues / tiredness to attend the inauguration. The El Mahrousa was the first ship to officially sail though / through the original canal nearly a century-and-a-half ago. President Sisi described the new canal as Egypt's "gift / gist to the world".

Egypt's government hopes the new canal will provision / provide a much-needed boast / boost for the country's economy. The head of the Suez Canal Authority, Mohab Mamish, said the new canal was importance / important to ensure Egypt earns / earnings revenues from its waterways in the future. He told reporters: "If I can't hold / handle this and turn it into revenue for the Egyptian treasury, alternative routes will converge / emerge." He hopes revenues will increase from the currency / current annual $5.3 billion to $13.2 billion by 2023. That means shipping traffic would needy / need to grow from 49 per day at present to 97 by 2023. This would entail / retail a nine per cent increase in global trade. Some economists have cast doubt on whether these figures can be met / meeting.

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)

_gypt's Pr_s_d_nt _bd_lf_tt_h _l-S_s_ _tt_nd_d _ c_r_m_ny y_st_rd_y t_ _nv__l _ m_j_r _xt_ns__n _f th_ S__z C_n_l. Th_ _r_g_n_l c_n_l w_s c_mpl_t_d _n 1869 _nd t__k 10 y__rs t_ b__ld. Th_ n_w, $8.5 b_ll__n c_n_l w_s c_nstr_ct_d _n j_st _nd_r 12 m_nths, b__t_ng _ll pr_d_ct__ns by _nd_stry _xp_rts th_t _t w__ld t_k_ f_v_ y__rs. Th_ c_n_l pr_v_d_s _ p_ss_g_w_y b_tw__n th_ M_d_t_rr_n__n _nd R_d s__s. Pr_s_d_nt S_s_ s__l_d _p th_ c_n_l _n h_s pr_s_d_nt__l y_cht, th_ _l M_hr__s_, w__r_ng m_l_t_ry f_t_g__s t_ _tt_nd th_ _n__g_r_t__n. Th_ _l M_hr__s_ w_s th_ f_rst sh_p t_ _ff_c__lly s__l thr__gh th_ _r_g_n_l c_n_l n__rly _ c_nt_ry-_nd-_-h_lf _g_. Pr_s_d_nt S_s_ d_scr_b_d th_ n_w c_n_l _s _gypt's "g_ft t_ th_ w_rld".

_gypt's g_v_rnm_nt h_p_s th_ n_w c_n_l w_ll pr_v_d_ _ m_ch-n__d_d b__st f_r th_ c__ntry's _c_n_my. Th_ h__d _f th_ S__z C_n_l __th_r_ty, M_h_b M_m_sh, s__d th_ n_w c_n_l w_s _mp_rt_nt t_ _ns_r_ _gypt __rns r_v_n__s fr_m _ts w_t_rw_ys _n th_ f_t_r_. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "_f _ c_n't h_ndl_ th_s _nd t_rn _t _nt_ r_v_n__ f_r th_ _gypt__n tr__s_ry, _lt_rn_t_v_ r__t_s w_ll _m_rg_." H_ h_p_s r_v_n__s w_ll _ncr__s_ fr_m th_ c_rr_nt _nn__l $5.3 b_ll__n t_ $13.2 b_ll__n by 2023. Th_t m__ns sh_pp_ng tr_ff_c w__ld n__d t_ gr_w fr_m 49 p_r d_y _t pr_s_nt t_ 97 by 2023. Th_s w__ld _nt__l _ n_n_ p_r c_nt _ncr__s_ _n gl_b_l tr_d_. S_m_ _c_n_m_sts h_v_ c_st d__bt _n wh_th_r th_s_ f_g_r_s c_n b_ m_t.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

egypt's president abdelfattah el-sisi attended a ceremony yesterday to unveil a major extension of the suez canal the original canal was completed in 1869 and took 10 years to build the new $85 billion canal was constructed in just under 12 months beating all predictions by industry experts that it would take five years the canal provides a passageway between the mediterranean and red seas president sisi sailed up the canal in his presidential yacht the el mahrousa wearing military fatigues to attend the inauguration the el mahrousa was the first ship to officially sail through the original canal nearly a century-and-a-half ago president sisi described the new canal as egypt's "gift to the world"

egypt's government hopes the new canal will provide a much-needed boost for the country's economy the head of the suez canal authority mohab mamish said the new canal was important to ensure egypt earns revenues from its waterways in the future he told reporters "if i can't handle this and turn it into revenue for the egyptian treasury alternative routes will emerge" he hopes revenues will increase from the current annual $53 billion to $132 billion by 2023 that means shipping traffic would need to grow from 49 per day at present to 97 by 2023 this would entail a nine per cent increase in global trade some economists have cast doubt on whether these figures can be met

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Egypt'sPresidentAbdelfattahel-Sisiattendedaceremonyyesterdayto
unveilamajorextensionoftheSuezCanal.Theoriginalcanalwascomple
tedin1869andtook10yearstobuild.Thenew,$8.5billioncanalwascons
tructedinjustunder12months,beatingallpredictionsbyindustryexper
tsthatitwouldtakefiveyears.Thecanalprovidesapassagewaybetween
theMediterraneanandRedseas.PresidentSisisailedupthecanalinhisp
residentialyacht,theElMahrousa,wearingmilitaryfatiguestoattendth
einauguration.TheElMahrousawasthefirstshiptoofficiallysailthrough
theoriginalcanalnearlyacentury-and-a-halfago.PresidentSisidescrib
edthenewcanalasEgypt's"gifttotheworld".Egypt'sgovernmenthopes
thenewcanalwillprovideamuch-neededboostforthecountry'secon
omy.TheheadoftheSuezCanalAuthority,MohabMamish,saidthenewc
analwasimportanttoensureEgyptearnsrevenuesfromitswaterwaysi
nthefuture.Hetoldreporters:"IfIcan'thandlethisandturnitintorevenu
efortheEgyptiantreasury,alternativerouteswillemerge."Hehopesrev
enueswillincreasefromthecurrentannual$5.3billionto$13.2billionby
2023.Thatmeansshippingtrafficwouldneedtogrowfrom49perdayatp
resentto97by2023.Thiswouldentailaninepercentincreaseinglobaltra
de.Someeconomistshavecastdoubtonwhetherthesefigurescanbem
et.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Compare and contrast travel by ship and airplane. Which do you prefer? Why?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 new Suez Canal. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CANALS: Make a poster about canals. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. GLOBAL TRADE: Write a magazine article about global trade. Include imaginary interviews with people who think it will increase a lot in the next decade and with those who think it will not.

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 canals. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make better use from them. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	attended	a.	was present at
2	major	b.	significant
3.	predictions	c.	forecasts
4.	inauguration	d.	launch
5.	original	e.	first
6.	boost	f.	lift
7.	ensure	g.	guarantee
8.	handle	h.	manage
9.	alternative	i.	other
10.	doubt	j.	uncertainty

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	1869
2.	10 years
3.	Five years
4.	Military fatigues
5.	Egypt’s gift to the world
6.	A boost
7.	Revenues
8.	Alternative routes
9.	97
10.	Some economists

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

d

4.

b

5.

c

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

9.

a

10.

d

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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Egypt opens extension of Suez Canal (9th August, 2015)

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