Breaking News English Lesson: North Korea Nuclear Test

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UN promises action on N Korea nuclear test (9th January, 2016)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The United Nations Security Council says it will "begin to work immediately" to take action against North Korea. The UN believes a nuclear test that North Korea carried out on Wednesday could be a hydrogen bomb. This was the fourth time since 2006 that North Korea has tested a nuclear bomb, but it could be the first time it has tested a hydrogen bomb. A hydrogen bomb is a lot more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during World War II. The UN said of North Korea's test that: "A clear threat to international peace and security continues to exist." However, the UN has not said what action it would take against North Korea, nor when any measures would be put in place.

Not all countries agree on what to do about North Korea's latest nuclear test. The USA said it does not think the test was a hydrogen bomb because the explosion was too small. A South Korean politician agreed. However, both the USA and South Korea said the test was a dangerous move by North Korea. Japan wants the UN to act quickly to take action. Japan's ambassador to the UN said: "The authority and credibility of the [UN] will be put in question if it does not take these measures." China had strong words for North Korea. Its government said: "We strongly encourage North Korea to honour its de-nuclearisation promises and to stop taking any action that will make this situation worse."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35247417
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/
2016/01/116_194810.html
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2016-01/06/content_22953130.htm

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. NORTH KOREA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about North Korea. 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?

immediately / take action / nuclear / hydrogen / international peace / security / action / agree / explosion / politician / dangerous / credibility / encourage / promises

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

3. NUCLEAR POWERS: Complete this table about countries with nuclear weapons with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Reasons for having nuclear weapons	Dangers
USA
Pakistan
Russia
Israel
China
France

4. PEACE: Students A strongly believe there will be peace on the Korean Peninsular; Students B strongly believe there won't. 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. THREATS: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest threats to the world at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• nuclear weapons

• religious wars

• global warming

• Internet breakdown

• viruses

• Artificial Intelligence

• loss of biodiversity

• asteroids

6. U.N.: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "U.N.". 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 UN will start to take action against North Korea immediately.	T / F
b.	North Korea tested a nuclear bomb three times before this latest test.	T / F
c.	This is the second time that North Korea has tested a hydrogen bomb.	T / F
d.	The UN has not said what measures it will take against North Korea.	T / F
e.	All countries agree on what to do with North Korea.	T / F
f.	The USA doesn't think North Korea tested a hydrogen bomb.	T / F
g.	China didn't say anything against North Korea's actions.	T / F
h.	China strongly discouraged North Korea to keep its promises.	T / F

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

1.	begin	a.	see eye to eye
2.	powerful	b.	throughout
3.	during	c.	actions
4.	threat	d.	believability
5.	measures	e.	act
6.	agree	f.	danger
7.	move	g.	start
8.	credibility	h.	support
9.	encourage	i.	keep
10.	honour	j.	strong

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

1.	it will begin	a.	international peace
2.	a nuclear test that North Korea	b.	too small
3.	This was the fourth time	c.	action it would take
4.	A clear threat to	d.	worse
5.	the UN has not said what	e.	to work immediately
6.	the explosion was	f.	since 2006
7.	Japan's	g.	credibility of the UN
8.	The authority and	h.	carried out
9.	strong	i.	ambassador to the UN
10.	make this situation	j.	words

GAP FILL

The United Nations Security Council says it will "begin to work (1) ____________ " to take action against North Korea. The UN believes a nuclear test that North Korea (2) ____________ out on Wednesday could be a hydrogen bomb. This was the fourth time (3) ____________ 2006 that North Korea has tested a nuclear bomb, but it could be the (4) ____________ time it has tested a hydrogen bomb. A hydrogen bomb is a lot more (5) ____________ than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during World War II. The UN said of North Korea's test that: "A clear (6) ____________ to international peace and security continues to exist." However, the UN has not said what (7) ____________ it would take against North Korea, nor when any measures would be put in (8) ____________.

powerful
carried
immediately
action
first
place
since
threat

Not all countries (9) ____________ on what to do about North Korea's latest nuclear test. The USA said it does not think the test was a hydrogen bomb because the (10) ____________ was too small. A South Korean politician agreed. However, both the USA and South Korea said the test was a dangerous (11) ____________ by North Korea. Japan wants the UN to act (12) ____________ to take action. Japan's ambassador to the UN said: "The authority and credibility of the [UN] will be put in (13) ____________ if it does not take these measures." China had (14) ____________ words for North Korea. Its government said: "We strongly encourage North Korea to honour its de-nuclearisation (15) ____________ and to stop taking any action that will make this situation (16) ____________."

quickly
explosion
strong
agree
worse
move
promises
question

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The United Nations Security Council says it will begin ______
	a. to work immediately b. to work immediacy c. to work immediate d. to work immediate lea
2)	The UN believes a nuclear test that North Korea carried out on Wednesday could ______
	a. have a hydrogen bomb b. be a hydrogen bomb c. do a hydrogen bomb d. been a hydrogen bomb
3)	a lot more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan ______
	a. jury World War II b. during World War II c. turning World War II d. trying World War II
4)	A clear threat to international peace and security ______
	a. continues to exists b. continues to existed c. continues to existing d. continues to exist
5)	what action it would take against North Korea, nor when any measures would ______
	a. be put in place b. be puts in place c. be part in place d. be pat in place
6)	it does not think the test was a hydrogen bomb because the explosion ______
	a. were too small b. was too small c. be too small d. is too small
7)	both the USA and South Korea said the test was a dangerous ______
	a. motion by North Korea b. move by North Korea c. chance by North Korea d. opportunity by North Korea
8)	The authority and credibility of the UN will be put in question if it does not ______
	a. take these measurements b. take these measured c. take these measure d. take these measures
9)	We strongly encourage North Korea to honour its de-______
	a. nuclearisation promises b. nuclearisation promise is c. nuclearisation promissory d. nuclearisation promised
10)	stop taking any action that will make ______
	a. this situations worse b. this situation worsen c. this situation worse d. this situations worsen

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Nations Security Council says it (1) ___________________ immediately" to take action against North Korea. The UN believes a nuclear test that North Korea (2) ___________________ Wednesday could be a hydrogen bomb. This was the fourth time since 2006 that North Korea has tested a nuclear bomb, but it could (3) ___________________ it has tested a hydrogen bomb. A hydrogen bomb is a lot more powerful than the atomic (4) ___________________ Japan during World War II. The UN said of North Korea's test that: "A (5) ___________________ international peace and security continues to exist." However, the UN has not said what action it would take against North Korea, nor (6) ___________________ would be put in place.

Not all countries agree on what to do about North Korea's (7) ___________________. The USA said it does not think the test was a hydrogen bomb because (8) ___________________ too small. A South Korean politician agreed. However, both the USA and South Korea said the test was a (9) ___________________ North Korea. Japan wants the UN to act quickly to take action. Japan's ambassador to the UN said: "The authority (10) ___________________ the [UN] will be put in question if it does not take these measures." China had strong words for North Korea. Its government said: "We (11) ___________________ North Korea to honour its de-nuclearisation promises (12) ___________________ any action that will make this situation worse."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	When will the U.N. begin to start taking action against North Korea?
2.	What does the U.N. believe North Korea tested?
3.	How many times has North Korea tested a nuclear bomb?
4.	What did the U.N. say North Korea's test was a threat to?
5.	When will the U.N. put measures in place against North Korea?
6.	Which country does not think North Korea tested a hydrogen bomb?
7.	Which country wants the U.N. to act quickly?
8.	What did China have for North Korea?
9.	What did China encourage North Korea to honour?
10.	What thing did China say North Korea shouldn't make worse?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	When will the U.N. begin to start taking action against North Korea?	6.	Which country does not think North Korea tested a hydrogen bomb?
	a) in a few days b) immediately c) one day d) in June		a) the USA b) Japan c) China d) Russia
2.	What does the U.N. believe North Korea tested?	7.	Which country wants the U.N. to act quickly?
	a) a neutron bomb b) a chemical bomb c) an atomic bomb d) a hydrogen bomb		a) Russia b) the USA c) Japan d) China
3.	How many times has North Korea tested a nuclear bomb?	8.	What did China have for North Korea?
	a) 4 b) 5 c) 6 d) 7		a) strong words b) diplomacy c) technology d) nothing
4.	What did the U.N. say North Korea's test was a threat to?	9.	What did China encourage North Korea to honour?
	a) South Korea b) the region c) international peace d) the world economy		a) its de-nuclearisation promises b) its friendship c) a treaty d) world peace
5.	When will the U.N. put measures in place against North Korea?	10.	What thing did China say North Korea shouldn't make worse?
	a) tomorrow b) it didn't say c) in a few weeks d) after a new meeting		a) pollution b) its image c) world peace d) the situation

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Nuclear weapons

You think nuclear weapons are the biggest threat to the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their threats aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the smallest threat of these (and why): religious wars, global warming or Artificial Intelligence.

Role B – Religious wars

You think religious wars are the biggest threat to the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their threats aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the smallest threat of these (and why): nuclear weapons, global warming or Artificial Intelligence.

Role C – Global warming

You think global warming is the biggest threat to the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their threats aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the smallest threat of these (and why): religious wars, nuclear weapons or Artificial Intelligence.

Role D – Artificial Intelligence

You think Artificial Intelligence is the biggest threat to the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their threats aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the smallest threat of these (and why): religious wars, global warming or nuclear weapons.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

united

nations

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:

begin
carried
2006
lot
clear
place

agree
small
move
act
words
worse

NORTH KOREA SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about North Korea 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.

NORTH KOREA 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 'bomb'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	Why is North Korea testing nuclear weapons?
5)	What do you know about North Korea's nuclear testing?
6)	What power does the U.N. have to stop nuclear testing?
7)	Why doesn't North Korea listen to the UN?
8)	Why are other countries allowed to have nuclear weapons?
9)	Why don't all countries get rid of their nuclear weapons?
10)	What would happen if any country could have nuclear weapons?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What actions or measures can the UN take against N. Korea?
13)	Which countries would worry about North Koreas weapons?
14)	What do you know about North Korea's leader?
15)	Why do you think China had strong words for North Korea?
16)	Is North Korea right to feel threatened by other countries?
17)	Do you think nuclear weapons will be used again in a war?
18)	What will relations with North Korea be like in 20 years from now?
19)	What advice do you have for North Korea's leader?
20)	What questions would you like to ask North Korea's leader?

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

The United Nations Security Council says it will "begin to work (1) ____" to take action against North Korea. The UN believes a nuclear test that North Korea carried (2) ____ on Wednesday could be a hydrogen bomb. This was the fourth time (3) ____ 2006 that North Korea has tested a nuclear bomb, but it could be the first time it has tested a hydrogen bomb. A hydrogen bomb is a lot more (4) ____ than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during World War II. The UN said of North Korea's test that: "A (5) ____ threat to international peace and security continues to exist." However, the UN has not said what action it would take against North Korea, nor when any measures would be (6) ____ in place.

Not all countries agree (7) ____ what to do about North Korea's latest nuclear test. The USA said it does not think the test was a hydrogen bomb because the (8) ____ was too small. A South Korean politician agreed. However, both the USA and South Korea said the test was a dangerous (9) ____ by North Korea. Japan wants the UN to act quickly to take action. Japan's ambassador to the UN said: "The authority and credibility of the [UN] will be (10) ____ in question if it does not take these measures." China had strong words for North Korea. Its government said: "We (11) ____ encourage North Korea to honour its de-nuclearisation promises and to stop taking any action that will make this situation (12) ____."

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

1.	(a)	immediately	(b)	immediacy	(c)	immediate	(d)	mediate
2.	(a)	in	(b)	up	(c)	out	(d)	on
3.	(a)	in	(b)	by	(c)	for	(d)	since
4.	(a)	powered	(b)	powerful	(c)	power	(d)	powers
5.	(a)	clears	(b)	clarity	(c)	clearly	(d)	clear
6.	(a)	be	(b)	take	(c)	put	(d)	have
7.	(a)	in	(b)	on	(c)	by	(d)	at
8.	(a)	explosion	(b)	exploding	(c)	explodes	(d)	explode
9.	(a)	move	(b)	touch	(c)	shift	(d)	suggest
10.	(a)	take	(b)	give	(c)	put	(d)	do
11.	(a)	strongest	(b)	strength	(c)	strong	(d)	strongly
12.	(a)	worsens	(b)	worse	(c)	worsening	(d)	worst

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	it will begin to work yemtemidlia
2.	a nelcaur test
3.	A drnhyego bomb
4.	A clear ttehra
5.	peace and cyeuirst
6.	when any museesar would be put in place
Paragraph 2
7.	the oplonixse was too small
8.	A South Korean politician eedrga
9.	Japan's ombdsasraa to the UN
10.	The uioayhttr and credibility of the UN
11.	We strongly cguneorae North Korea
12.	make this tatunsoii worse

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	on Japan during World War II. The UN said of North Korea's test that: "A clear threat to international peace
( )	promises and to stop taking any action that will make this situation worse."
( )	time it has tested a hydrogen bomb. A hydrogen bomb is a lot more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped
( )	think the test was a hydrogen bomb because the explosion was too small. A South Korean politician
( )	Not all countries agree on what to do about North Korea's latest nuclear test. The USA said it does not
( )	and security continues to exist." However, the UN has not said what action it would take against North Korea, nor
( )	words for North Korea. Its government said: "We strongly encourage North Korea to honour its de-nuclearisation
( )	when any measures would be put in place.
( )	agreed. However, both the USA and South Korea said the test was a dangerous move by North Korea. Japan wants
( )	against North Korea. The UN believes a nuclear test that North Korea carried out on Wednesday could be a hydrogen
( )	the UN to act quickly to take action. Japan's ambassador to the UN said: "The authority and credibility
( 1 )	The United Nations Security Council says it will "begin to work immediately" to take action
( )	of the [UN] will be put in question if it does not take these measures." China had strong
( )	bomb. This was the fourth time since 2006 that North Korea has tested a nuclear bomb, but it could be the first

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	take action Work against immediately North to Korea.
2.	the was This 2006 since time fourth.
3.	time be a it the It hydrogen has first could bomb tested.
4.	than bombs Japan powerful atomic on More the dropped.
5.	action take has what would UN said it The not.
6.	do agree on Not what all to countries.
7.	does not think the test was a hydrogen bomb It.
8.	dangerous North The a by was move Korea test.
9.	UN to act quickly to take action Japan wants the.
10.	worse any will situation Taking that this action make.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The United Nations Security Council says it will "begin to work immediate / immediately" to take action against North Korea. The UN beliefs / believes a nuclear test that North Korea carried out / in on Wednesday could be a hydrogen bomb. This was the fourth / forth time since 2006 that North Korea has tested a nuclear bomb, but it could was / be the first time it has tested a hydrogen bomb. A hydrogen bomb is a lot most / more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan while / during World War II. The UN said of North Korea's test that: "A clear / clearly threat to international peace and security continues to exist / existence." However, the UN has not said what action it would take against North Korea, nor when any measures would be put in / on place.

Not all countries agree in / on what to do about North Korea's latest nuclear test. The USA said it does not think the test was a hydrogen bomb because the exploded / explosion was too small. A South Korean politician agree / agreed. However, both the USA and South Korea said the test was a dangerous move / movement by North Korea. Japan wants the UN to act quickly to took / take action. Japan's ambassador to the UN said: "The authority and incredible / credibility of the [UN] will be put in question if it does not take these measures / measured." China had strong words for North Korea. Its government said: "We strong / strongly encourage North Korea to honour its de-nuclearisation promises / promised and to stop taking any action that will make this situation worsens / worse."

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)

Th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns S_c_r_ty C__nc_l s_ys _t w_ll "b_g_n t_ w_rk _mm_d__t_ly" t_ t_k_ _ct__n _g__nst N_rth K_r__. Th_ _N b_l__v_s _ n_cl__r t_st th_t N_rth K_r__ c_rr__d __t _n W_dn_sd_y c__ld b_ _ hydr_g_n b_mb. Th_s w_s th_ f__rth t_m_ s_nc_ 2006 th_t N_rth K_r__ h_s t_st_d _ n_cl__r b_mb, b_t _t c__ld b_ th_ f_rst t_m_ _t h_s t_st_d _ hydr_g_n b_mb. _ hydr_g_n b_mb _s _ l_t m_r_ p_w_rf_l th_n th_ _t_m_c b_mbs dr_pp_d _n J_p_n d_r_ng W_rld W_r __. Th_ _N s__d _f N_rth K_r__'s t_st th_t: "_ cl__r thr__t t_ _nt_rn_t__n_l p__c_ _nd s_c_r_ty c_nt_n__s t_ _x_st." H_w_v_r, th_ _N h_s n_t s__d wh_t _ct__n _t w__ld t_k_ _g__nst N_rth K_r__, n_r wh_n _ny m__s_r_s w__ld b_ p_t _n pl_c_.

N_t _ll c__ntr__s _gr__ _n wh_t t_ d_ _b__t N_rth K_r__'s l_t_st n_cl__r t_st. Th_ _S_ s__d _t d__s n_t th_nk th_ t_st w_s _ hydr_g_n b_mb b_c__s_ th_ _xpl_s__n w_s t__ sm_ll. _ S__th K_r__n p_l_t_c__n _gr__d. H_w_v_r, b_th th_ _S_ _nd S__th K_r__ s__d th_ t_st w_s _ d_ng_r__s m_v_ by N_rth K_r__. J_p_n w_nts th_ _N t_ _ct q__ckly t_ t_k_ _ct__n. J_p_n's _mb_ss_d_r t_ th_ _N s__d: "Th_ __th_r_ty _nd cr_d_b_l_ty _f th_ [_N] w_ll b_ p_t _n q__st__n _f _t d__s n_t t_k_ th_s_ m__s_r_s." Ch_n_ h_d str_ng w_rds f_r N_rth K_r__. _ts g_v_rnm_nt s__d: "W_ str_ngly _nc__r_g_ N_rth K_r__ t_ h_n__r _ts d_-n_cl__r_s_t__n pr_m_s_s _nd t_ st_p t_k_ng _ny _ct__n th_t w_ll m_k_ th_s s_t__t__n w_rs_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the united nations security council says it will "begin to work immediately" to take action against north korea the un believes a nuclear test that north korea carried out on wednesday could be a hydrogen bomb this was the fourth time since 2006 that north korea has tested a nuclear bomb but it could be the first time it has tested a hydrogen bomb a hydrogen bomb is a lot more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on japan during world war ii the un said of north korea's test that "a clear threat to international peace and security continues to exist" however the un has not said what action it would take against north korea nor when any measures would be put in place

not all countries agree on what to do about north korea's latest nuclear test the usa said it does not think the test was a hydrogen bomb because the explosion was too small a south korean politician agreed however both the usa and south korea said the test was a dangerous move by north korea japan wants the un to act quickly to take action japan's ambassador to the un said "the authority and credibility of the [un] will be put in question if it does not take these measures" china had strong words for north korea its government said "we strongly encourage north korea to honour its de-nuclearisation promises and to stop taking any action that will make this situation worse"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheUnitedNationsSecurityCouncilsaysitwill"begintoworkimmediatel
y"totakeactionagainstNorthKorea.TheUNbelievesanucleartestthatN
orthKoreacarriedoutonWednesdaycouldbeahydrogenbomb.Thiswa
sthefourthtimesince2006thatNorthKoreahastestedanuclearbomb,b
utitcouldbethefirsttimeithastestedahydrogenbomb.Ahydrogenbom
bisalotmorepowerfulthantheatomicbombsdroppedonJapanduringW
orldWarII.TheUNsaidofNorthKorea'stestthat:"Aclearthreattointern
ationalpeaceandsecuritycontinuestoexist."However,theUNhasnots
aidwhatactionitwouldtakeagainstNorthKorea,norwhenanymeasure
swouldbeputinplace.NotallcountriesagreeonwhattodoaboutNorthK
orea'slatestnucleartest.TheUSAsaiditdoesnotthinkthetestwasahydr
ogenbombbecausetheexplosionwastoosmall.ASouthKoreanpoliticia
nagreed.However,boththeUSAandSouthKoreasaidthetestwasadan
gerousmovebyNorthKorea.JapanwantstheUNtoactquicklytotakeact
ion.Japan'sambassadortotheUNsaid:"Theauthorityandcredibilityoft
he[UN]willbeputinquestionifitdoesnottakethesemeasures."Chinaha
dstrongwordsforNorthKorea.Itsgovernmentsaid:"Westronglyencou
rageNorthKoreatohonouritsde-nuclearisationpromisesandtostopt
akinganyactionthatwillmakethissituationworse."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

North Korea is not a danger to world peace. 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 North Korea's nuclear testing. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. NORTH KOREA: Make a poster about North Korea. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. DANGER: Write a magazine article about North Korea and its nuclear programme. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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 North Korea. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to bring it deeper into the international community. 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

T

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	begin	a.	start
2	powerful	b.	strong
3.	during	c.	throughout
4.	threat	d.	danger
5.	measures	e.	actions
6.	agree	f.	see eye to eye
7.	move	g.	act
8.	credibility	h.	believability
9.	encourage	i.	support
10.	honour	j.	keep

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Immediately
2.	A hydrogen bomb
3.	Four
4.	International peace and security
5.	It didn’t say
6.	The USA
7.	Japan
8.	Strong words
9.	Its de-nuclearisation promises
10.	The situation

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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Breaking News English Lesson: North Korea Nuclear Test

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UN promises action on N Korea nuclear test (9th January, 2016)

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