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China and Taiwan in historic meeting (7th November, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A historic event involving China and Taiwan will take place today, Saturday, November 7th. Chinese president Xi Jinping and Taiwan president Ma Ying-Jeou will meet for discussions in Singapore. It is the first summit at presidential level to take place between China and Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Taiwan is just 180 km from China but their relations have remained cautious and, at times, frosty for decades. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and therefore does not regard it as a separate nation. Only 22 foreign governments recognise Taiwan as an independent country. The status of Taiwan is one of the more difficult problems in international politics to find a solution to.

The meeting between the two leaders is a major stepping stone to repair decades-old divisions. It could pave the way for similar meetings in the future. Special etiquette is already in place for the milestone encounter. The two parties have decided not to use the term "president" to address each other. Instead, they will use the word "mister". Further, the two leaders will not sign any agreements. Neither will they issue any joint statements or hold a joint press conference. A Chinese official said the meeting is to, "exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of [our] relations". A spokesman for Mr Ma said the talks, "aim to solidify relations between the two sides and keep the status quo".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.businessinsider.com/china-taiwan-meeting-game-changer-2015-11
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/11/05/2015110500577.html
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-11/04/c_134780926.htm
http://atimes.com/2015/11/the-big-china-taiwan-meeting-game-changer-lost-cause-or-election-strategy/

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. CHINA AND TAIWAN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about China and Taiwan. 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?

historic / president / discussions / summit / civil war / frosty / territory / status / stepping stone / decades / etiquette / milestone / agreements / press conference

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

3. INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	The problems	The solutions
China/Taiwan
North/South Korea
Israel/Palestine
Syrian Civil War
Mexican drug war
Myanmar

4. CONFLICTS: Students A strongly believe all international conflicts will be settled one day; Students B strongly believe that's impossible. 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. RELATIONS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to provide good relations between neighbouring countries at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• Sport

• Trade

• Shared language

• Same religion

• Cultural exchanges

• No visa requirements

• Education exchanges

• Homestay programmes

6. MEETING: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "meeting". 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.	China and Taiwan's leaders met in Hong Kong.	T / F
b.	It is the first meeting between their presidents since 1949.	T / F
c.	China and Taiwan are just 180 miles apart.	T / F
d.	Taiwan is recognized as a nation by only 22 other governments.	T / F
e.	The article suggested there could be more meetings to come.	T / F
f.	The two leaders will not call each other "president".	T / F
g.	The two leaders will hold a joint press conference.	T / F
h.	A Taiwanese spokesman said he didn't want to keep the status quo.	T / F

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

1.	involving	a.	disagreements
2.	take place	b.	answer
3.	frosty	c.	land
4.	territory	d.	protocol
5.	solution	e.	including
6.	divisions	f.	fix
7.	repair	g.	put out
8.	etiquette	h.	happen
9.	issue	i.	dealings
10.	relations	j.	unfriendly

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

1.	A historic	a.	part of its territory
2.	the first summit at	b.	conference
3.	the end of the Chinese civil	c.	solution to
4.	China considers Taiwan as	d.	stone
5.	find a	e.	for similar meetings
6.	a major stepping	f.	event
7.	pave the way	g.	between the two sides
8.	Neither will they issue any joint	h.	war
9.	hold a joint press	i.	statements
10.	the talks aim to solidify relations	j.	presidential level

GAP FILL

A historic event involving China and Taiwan will take (1) ____________ today, Saturday, November 7th. Chinese president Xi Jinping and Taiwan president Ma Ying-Jeou will meet for discussions in Singapore. It is the first (2) ____________ at presidential level to take place between China and Taiwan since the end of the Chinese (3) ____________ war in 1949. Taiwan is just 180 km from China but their relations have remained cautious and, at (4) ____________, frosty for decades. China considers Taiwan as part of its (5) ____________ and therefore does not (6) ____________ it as a separate nation. Only 22 foreign governments recognise Taiwan as an independent country. The (7) ____________ of Taiwan is one of the more difficult problems in international politics to find a (8) ____________ to.

times
place
regard
civil
status
summit
solution
territory

The meeting between the two leaders is a (9) ____________ stepping stone to repair decades-old divisions. It could (10) ____________ the way for similar meetings in the future. Special (11) ____________ is already in place for the milestone (12) ____________. The two parties have decided not to use the term "president" to (13) ____________ each other. Instead, they will use the word "mister". Further, the two leaders will not sign any agreements. Neither will they (14) ____________ any joint statements or hold a joint press conference. A Chinese official said the meeting is to, "exchange (15) ____________ on promoting the peaceful development of [our] relations". A spokesman for Mr Ma said the talks, "aim to (16) ____________ relations between the two sides and keep the status quo".

etiquette
issue
encounter
major
solidify
address
pave
views

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	It is the first summit at presidential ______ place
	a. levels to take b. revel to take c. level to take d. rival to take
2)	since the end of the Chinese ______ 1949
	a. civilian war in b. civilised war in c. civil war in d. civility war in
3)	Taiwan is just 180 km from China but their relations have remained cautious and,______
	a. at times, frosted b. at times, frosty c. at times, frost tea d. at times, floss tea
4)	China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and therefore does not regard it ______ nation
	a. as a separate b. as a separated c. as a separates d. as a separately
5)	Taiwan is one of the more difficult problems in international politics to ______
	a. find a solution to b. find a solution too c. find a solution two d. find a solution through
6)	The meeting between the two leaders is a major stepping stone to repair ______
	a. decade-old divisions b. decades-old divisions c. decades-sold divisions d. decade-sold divisions
7)	It could pave the way for similar meetings ______
	a. in a future b. on the future c. on a future d. in the future
8)	The two parties have decided not to use the term "president" to ______
	a. addresses each other b. addressed each other c. a dress each other d. address each other
9)	Neither will they issue any joint statements or hold a joint ______
	a. press conference b. pressed conference c. presses conference d. presser conference
10)	the talks aim to solidify relations between the two sides and ______
	a. keep the statues quo b. keep the status quo c. keep the state us quo d. keep the state as quo

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A historic (1) ___________________ China and Taiwan will take place today, Saturday, November 7th. Chinese president Xi Jinping and Taiwan president Ma Ying-Jeou (2) ___________________ discussions in Singapore. It is the (3) ___________________ presidential level to take place between China and Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Taiwan is just 180 km from China but their relations have remained (4) ___________________ times, frosty for decades. China considers Taiwan (5) ___________________ territory and therefore does not regard it as a separate nation. Only 22 foreign governments recognise Taiwan as an independent country. The status of Taiwan is one of the more difficult problems in international politics to (6) ___________________.

The meeting between the two (7) ___________________ stepping stone to repair decades-old divisions. It could (8) ___________________ for similar meetings in the future. Special etiquette is (9) ___________________ for the milestone encounter. The two parties have decided not to use the term "president" (10) ___________________ other. Instead, they will use the word "mister". Further, the two leaders will not sign any agreements. Neither will they issue any (11) ___________________ or hold a joint press conference. A Chinese official said the meeting is to, "exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of [our] relations". A spokesman for Mr Ma said the talks, "aim (12) ___________________ between the two sides and keep the status quo".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	On what day of the week did the meeting take place?
2.	Where did the meeting take place?
3.	How far apart are China and Taiwan?
4.	How many governments recognise Taiwan as an independent nation?
5.	What is one of the more difficult international problems to solve?
6.	What kind of stone did the article call the meeting?
7.	What could take place in the future?
8.	What word will the leaders use to address each other?
9.	What kind of conference will they not give together?
10.	What did a Taiwan spokesman say the talks would solidify?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	On what day of the week did the meeting take place?	6.	What kind of stone did the article call the meeting?
	a) a Tuesday b) a Saturday c) a Sunday d) a Friday		a) a stepping stone b) a diamond c) a grindstone d) a small stone
2.	Where did the meeting take place?	7.	What could take place in the future?
	a) Macau b) Vietnam c) Hong Kong d) Singapore		a) a festival b) a banquet c) more meetings d) trade talks
3.	How far apart are China and Taiwan?	8.	What word will the leaders use to address each other?
	a) 180km b) 190km c) 200km d) 210km		a) mister b) sir c) your excellency d) friend
4.	How many governments recognise Taiwan as an independent nation?	9.	What kind of conference will they not give together?
	a) 20 b) 21 c) 22 d) 23		a) a press conference b) one on international relations c) a workshop d) a colloquium
5.	What is one of the more difficult international problems to solve?	10.	What did a Taiwan spokesman say the talks would solidify?
	a) cybercrime b) the status of Taiwan c) global warming d) human trafficking		a) understanding b) jelly c) cement d) relations

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Sport

You think sport is the best thing for good relations between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): trade, the same religion or no visa requirements.

Role B – Trade

You think trade is the best thing for good relations between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): sport, the same religion or no visa requirements.

Role C – Same religion

You think the same religion is the best thing for good relations between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): trade, sport or no visa requirements.

Role D – No visa requirements

You think no visa requirements is the best thing for good relations between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): trade, the same religion or sport.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

historic

meeting

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:

event
first
180
frosty
22
solution

major
future
term
issue
views
keep

CHINA AND TAIWAN SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about China and Taiwan 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.

CHINA AND TAIWAN 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 'historic'?
3)	What do you know about Taiwan?
4)	How historic do you think this meeting is?
5)	Why do you think the meeting is taking place in Singapore?
6)	What is your country's relations with its neighbours like?
7)	Have you ever had frosty relations with someone?
8)	Why do only 22 governments think Taiwan is a country?
9)	What will happen between China and Taiwan in the future?
10)	What is the most difficult international problem to solve?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What do you know about China-Taiwan relations?
13)	What divisions does your country have with its neighbours?
14)	Why will the leaders address each other as 'mister'?
15)	Why will the two leaders not hold a joint press conference?
16)	What takes place in the background to set up meetings like this?
17)	How else could the leaders 'solidify relations'?
18)	How important is the status quo?
19)	What advice would you give to the two leaders?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the two leaders?

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

A (1) ____ event involving China and Taiwan will take place today, Saturday, November 7th. Chinese president Xi Jinping and Taiwan president Ma Ying-Jeou will meet for discussions in Singapore. It is the first (2) ____ at presidential level to take place between China and Taiwan since the end of the Chinese (3) ____ war in 1949. Taiwan is just 180 km from China but their (4) ____ have remained cautious and, at times, frosty for decades. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and therefore does not (5) ____ it as a separate nation. Only 22 foreign governments recognise Taiwan as an independent country. The (6) ____ of Taiwan is one of the more difficult problems in international politics to find a solution to.

The meeting between the two leaders is a major (7) ____ stone to repair decades-old divisions. It could (8) ____ the way for similar meetings in the future. Special etiquette is already in place for the milestone encounter. The two parties have decided not to use the term "president" to (9) ____ each other. Instead, they will use the word "mister". Further, the two leaders will not sign any agreements. Neither will they issue any (10) ____ statements or hold a joint press conference. A Chinese official said the meeting is to, "exchange views (11) ____ promoting the peaceful development of [our] relations". A spokesman for Mr Ma said the talks, "aim to (12) ____ relations between the two sides and keep the status quo".

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

1.	(a)	history	(b)	historian	(c)	historic	(d)	histories
2.	(a)	summit	(b)	apex	(c)	top	(d)	peak
3.	(a)	civil	(b)	civilian	(c)	civility	(d)	civilise
4.	(a)	relations	(b)	relationship	(c)	relative	(d)	relation
5.	(a)	rearguard	(b)	regard	(c)	renegade	(d)	re-grade
6.	(a)	states	(b)	stats	(c)	statues	(d)	status
7.	(a)	hopping	(b)	jumping	(c)	stepping	(d)	running
8.	(a)	hear	(b)	solution	(c)	initial	(d)	pave
9.	(a)	address	(b)	term	(c)	form	(d)	sign
10.	(a)	near	(b)	joint	(c)	together	(d)	both
11.	(a)	at	(b)	on	(c)	to	(d)	as
12.	(a)	solids	(b)	solidly	(c)	solidify	(d)	solder

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	It is the first umtmis at presidential level
2.	relations have remained cuustiao
3.	be part of its yrrtroeit
4.	regard it as a eaastrpe nation
5.	Only 22 georinf governments
6.	The stutas of Taiwan
Paragraph 2
7.	repair decades-old doiissivn
8.	Special iteetuteq is already in place
9.	the milestone erucnoetn
10.	issue any joint matteetnss
11.	hold a joint press foeeecnnrc
12.	aim to yiflisod relations

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	official said the meeting is to, "exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of [our] relations". A
( )	from China but their relations have remained cautious and, at times, frosty for decades. China considers Taiwan as
( )	agreements. Neither will they issue any joint statements or hold a joint press conference. A Chinese
( )	part of its territory and therefore does not regard it as a separate nation. Only 22 foreign
( )	divisions. It could pave the way for similar meetings in the future. Special etiquette is already in place for the
( )	other. Instead, they will use the word "mister". Further, the two leaders will not sign any
( )	The meeting between the two leaders is a major stepping stone to repair decades-old
( )	governments recognise Taiwan as an independent country. The status of Taiwan is one of the more
( )	level to take place between China and Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Taiwan is just 180 km
( )	milestone encounter. The two parties have decided not to use the term "president" to address each
( )	difficult problems in international politics to find a solution to.
( 1 )	A historic event involving China and Taiwan will take place today, Saturday, November 7th. Chinese president Xi Jinping
( )	and Taiwan president Ma Ying-Jeou will meet for discussions in Singapore. It is the first summit at presidential
( )	spokesman for Mr Ma said the talks, "aim to solidify relations between the two sides and keep the status quo".

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	place take to level presidential at summit first the is It .
2.	war in 1949 Since the end of the Chinese civil .
3.	of Taiwan part territory considers its China as .
4.	recognise 22 governments Taiwan Only foreign .
5.	of difficult international One more in the problems politics .
6.	decades - old divisions A major stepping stone to repair .
7.	similar for way the pave could It future the in meetings .
8.	is place milestone Etiquette in the already for encounter .
9.	joint issue will statements any they Neither .
10.	the relations The two to talks between solidify aim .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A historic / history event involving China and Taiwan will take placing / place today, Saturday, November 7th. Chinese president Xi Jinping and Taiwan president Ma Ying-Jeou will meet to / for discussions in Singapore. It is the first summit at / to presidential level to take place between China and Taiwan since / for the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Taiwan is just 180 km from China but their relation / relations have remained cautious and, at times, frosty for / four decades. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and therefore does not regard / regarding it as a separate nation. Only 22 foreign governments recognise Taiwan as the / an independent country. The status of Taiwan is one of the more difficult problems in international politics to find a soluble / solution to.

The meeting between the two leaders is a major / majority stepping rock / stone to repair decades-old divisions / multiplies. It could pave the way for similar meetings in the future. Special etiquette is readily / already in place for the milestone encounter / counter. The two parties have decided not to use the term "president" to label / address each other. Instead, they will use the word "mister". Further / Addition, the two leaders will not sign any agreements. Neither will they issue any joining / joint statements or hold a joint press conference. A Chinese official said the meeting is to, "exchange views on promoting / promotion the peaceful development of [our] relations". A spokesman for Mr Ma said the talks, "aim to solid / solidify relations between the two sides and keep the status quo".

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)

_ h_st_r_c _v_nt _nv_lv_ng Ch_n_ _nd T__w_n w_ll t_k_ pl_c_ t_d_y, S_t_rd_y, N_v_mb_r 7th. Ch_n_s_ pr_s_d_nt X_ J_np_ng _nd T__w_n pr_s_d_nt M_ Y_ng-J___ w_ll m__t f_r d_sc_ss__ns _n S_ng_p_r_. _t _s th_ f_rst s_mm_t _t pr_s_d_nt__l l_v_l t_ t_k_ pl_c_ b_tw__n Ch_n_ _nd T__w_n s_nc_ th_ _nd _f th_ Ch_n_s_ c_v_l w_r _n 1949. T__w_n _s j_st 180 km fr_m Ch_n_ b_t th__r r_l_t__ns h_v_ r_m__n_d c__t___s _nd, _t t_m_s, fr_sty f_r d_c_d_s. Ch_n_ c_ns_d_rs T__w_n _s p_rt _f _ts t_rr_t_ry _nd th_r_f_r_ d__s n_t r_g_rd _t _s _ s_p_r_t_ n_t__n. _nly 22 f_r__gn g_v_rnm_nts r_c_gn_s_ T__w_n _s _n _nd_p_nd_nt c__ntry. Th_ st_t_s _f T__w_n _s _n_ _f th_ m_r_ d_ff_c_lt pr_bl_ms _n _nt_rn_t__n_l p_l_t_cs t_ f_nd _ s_l_t__n t_.

Th_ m__t_ng b_tw__n th_ tw_ l__d_rs _s _ m_j_r st_pp_ng st_n_ t_ r_p__r d_c_d_s-_ld d_v_s__ns. _t c__ld p_v_ th_ w_y f_r s_m_l_r m__t_ngs _n th_ f_t_r_. Sp_c__l _t_q__tt_ _s _lr__dy _n pl_c_ f_r th_ m_l_st_n_ _nc__nt_r. Th_ tw_ p_rt__s h_v_ d_c_d_d n_t t_ _s_ th_ t_rm "pr_s_d_nt" t_ _ddr_ss __ch _th_r. _nst__d, th_y w_ll _s_ th_ w_rd "m_st_r". F_rth_r, th_ tw_ l__d_rs w_ll n_t s_gn _ny _gr__m_nts. N__th_r w_ll th_y _ss__ _ny j__nt st_t_m_nts _r h_ld _ j__nt pr_ss c_nf_r_nc_. _ Ch_n_s_ _ff_c__l s__d th_ m__t_ng _s t_, "_xch_ng_ v__ws _n pr_m_t_ng th_ p__c_f_l d_v_l_pm_nt _f [__r] r_l_t__ns". _ sp_k_sm_n f_r Mr M_ s__d th_ t_lks, "__m t_ s_l_d_fy r_l_t__ns b_tw__n th_ tw_ s_d_s _nd k__p th_ st_t_s q__".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a historic event involving china and taiwan will take place today saturday november 7th chinese president xi jinping and taiwan president ma ying-jeou will meet for discussions in singapore it is the first summit at presidential level to take place between china and taiwan since the end of the chinese civil war in 1949 taiwan is just 180 km from china but their relations have remained cautious and at times frosty for decades china considers taiwan as part of its territory and therefore does not regard it as a separate nation only 22 foreign governments recognise taiwan as an independent country the status of taiwan is one of the more difficult problems in international politics to find a solution to

the meeting between the two leaders is a major stepping stone to repair decades-old divisions it could pave the way for similar meetings in the future special etiquette is already in place for the milestone encounter the two parties have decided not to use the term "president" to address each other instead they will use the word "mister" further the two leaders will not sign any agreements neither will they issue any joint statements or hold a joint press conference a chinese official said the meeting is to "exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of [our] relations" a spokesman for mr ma said the talks "aim to solidify relations between the two sides and keep the status quo"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AhistoriceventinvolvingChinaandTaiwanwilltakeplacetoday,Saturd
ay,November7th.ChinesepresidentXiJinpingandTaiwanpresi
dentMaYing-JeouwillmeetfordiscussionsinSingapore.Itisthefirsts
ummitatpresidentialleveltotakeplacebetweenChinaandTaiwansince
theendoftheChinesecivilwarin1949.Taiwanisjust180kmfromChinab
uttheirrelationshaveremainedcautiousand,attimes,frostyfordecade
s.ChinaconsidersTaiwanaspartofitsterritoryandthereforedoesnotr
egarditasaseparatenation.Only22foreigngovernmentsrecogniseTai
wanasanindependentcountry.ThestatusofTaiwanisoneofthemoredif
ficultproblemsininternationalpoliticstofindasolutionto.Themeetingb
etweenthetwoleadersisamajorsteppingstonetorepairdecades-oldd
ivisions.Itcouldpavethewayforsimilarmeetingsinthefuture.Specialet
iquetteisalreadyinplaceforthemilestoneencounter.Thetwopartiesha
vedecidednottousetheterm"president"toaddresseachother.Instead
,theywillusetheword"mister".Further,thetwoleaderswillnotsignanya
greements.Neitherwilltheyissueanyjointstatementsorholdajointpre
ssconference.AChineseofficialsaidthemeetingisto,"exchangeviewso
npromotingthepeacefuldevelopmentof[our]relations".Aspokesman
forMrMasaidthetalks,"aimtosolidifyrelationsbetweenthetwosidesan
dkeepthestatusquo".

FREE WRITING

Write about China and Taiwan for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

All people who want independence should get independence. 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 China and Taiwan. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CHINA AND TAIWAN: Make a poster about China and Taiwan. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. INDEPENDENCE: Write a magazine article about giving independence to any group of people who wants it. 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 international politics. Ask him/her three questions about a major world problem. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to solve it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	involving	a.	including
2	take place	b.	happen
3.	frosty	c.	unfriendly
4.	territory	d.	land
5.	solution	e.	answer
6.	divisions	f.	disagreements
7.	repair	g.	fix
8.	etiquette	h.	protocol
9.	issue	i.	put out
10.	relations	j.	dealings

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	A Saturday
2.	Singapore
3.	180km
4.	22
5.	The status of Taiwan
6.	A stepping stone
7.	Similar meetings
8.	Mister
9.	A press conference
10.	Relations between the two sides

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

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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China and Taiwan in historic meeting (7th November, 2015)

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