The Reading / Listening - Qatar - Level 3

Six Arab countries have cut ties with the tiny nation of Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Yemen have all cut relations with Qatar because they say Qatar gives money to and supports terrorist groups. Saudi Arabia said it has cut ties to protect its own national security. It said Qatar was home to many "terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability in the region". The Qatar government said this was not true and that there are no facts that show there are terrorist groups in Qatar. It said the other Arab countries are acting unfairly towards Qatar. It also said that the decisions of Arab countries would, "not affect the normal lives of citizens and residents" in Qatar.

Qatar is now facing an uncertain and difficult future, unless normal relations are restored. Air, land and sea links have been closed to Qatar from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. This will cause a lot of trouble for people living in the tiny Gulf Arab country. Most of its food enters by truck from Saudi Arabia and there is already rush to buy food in supermarkets. Qatar Airways will also be badly affected because it has to change its routes, so flights will take much longer. The construction of eight stadiums for the 2022 soccer World Cup could also slow down as building materials have to enter Qatar via Saudi. Citizens from Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain have been banned from going to Qatar and have 14 days to leave.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Qatar - Level 0,  Qatar - Level 1   or  Qatar - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40156029
  • http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/qatar-justification-cutting-diplomatic-ties-170605073154112.html
  • http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/uae-and-saudi-arabia-cut-ties-with-qatar--live-updates


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. QATAR: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Qatar. 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?

       tiny / nation / relations / terrorist / national security / instability / unfairly / decisions /
       uncertain / air / land / sea / truck / rush / routes / flights / construction / banned

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

3. UNFAIR: Students A strongly believe the Gulf Arab nations are being unfair to Qatar; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. GULF STATES: What do you know about these Gulf states? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

History

Now

Saudi Arabia

 

 

UAE

 

 

Qatar

 

 

Bahrain

 

 

Oman

 

 

Kuwait

 

 
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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

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

6. LINKS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important links for a country to have with other countries at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • military
  • rail
  • religious
  • intelligence
  • air
  • trade
  • cultural
  • security

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Yemen is not one of the countries that cut ties with Qatar.     T / F
  2. Saudi Arabia said it needed to protect its own national security.     T / F
  3. Qatar asked Saudi Arabia for facts to show terrorist groups were in Qatar.  T / F
  4. Qatar said life in the country would go on as normal.     T / F
  5. Air and sea links to Qatar are closed but land links are open.     T / F
  6. Most of Qatar's food arrives from Bahrain.     T / F
  7. Qatar is building eight soccer stadiums for the 2022 World Cup.     T / F
  8. Citizens of the UAE can stay in Qatar for another month.     T / F

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

  1. cut
  2. national
  3. instability
  4. facts
  5. affect
  6. restored
  7. rush
  8. enters
  9. construction
  10. banned
  1. hurry
  2. change
  3. put back
  4. state
  5. building
  6. information
  7. severed
  8. prohibited
  9. comes in
  10. uncertainty

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

  1. cut ties with the tiny
  2. gives money to and supports
  3. protect its own national
  4. groups that aim to create instability
  5. affect the normal lives
  6. facing an uncertain
  7. This will cause a lot of
  8. a rush to buy food
  9. The construction of
  10. banned from
  1. of citizens
  2. in the region
  3. eight stadiums
  4. security
  5. trouble for people
  6. nation of Qatar
  7. in supermarkets
  8. going to Qatar
  9. terrorist groups
  10. and difficult future

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
protect
facts
tiny
residents
region
relations
unfairly
aim

Six Arab countries have cut ties with the (1) ________ nation of Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Yemen have all cut (2) ________ with Qatar because they say Qatar gives money to and supports terrorist groups. Saudi Arabia said it has cut ties to (3) ________ its own national security. It said Qatar was home to many "terrorist and sectarian groups that (4) ________ to create instability in the (5) ________". The Qatar government said this was not true and that there are no (6) ________ that show there are terrorist groups in Qatar. It said the other Arab countries are acting (7) ________ towards Qatar. It also said that the decisions of Arab countries would, "not affect the normal lives of citizens and (8) ________ " in Qatar.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
lot
materials
uncertain
badly
banned
land
stadiums
rush

Qatar is now facing an (9) ________ and difficult future, unless normal relations are restored. Air, (10) ________ and sea links have been closed to Qatar from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. This will cause a (11) ________ of trouble for people living in the tiny Gulf Arab country. Most of its food enters by truck from Saudi Arabia and there is already a (12) ________ to buy food in supermarkets. Qatar Airways will also be (13) ________ affected because it has to change its routes, so flights will take much longer. The construction of eight (14) ________ for the 2022 soccer World Cup could also slow down as building (15) ________ have to enter Qatar via Saudi. Citizens from Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain have been (16) ________ from going to Qatar and have 14 days to leave.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  because they say Qatar gives money to and ______ groups
     a.  support terrorist
     b.  supportive terrorist
     c.  supports terrorist
     d.  supported terrorist

2) home to many terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability ______
     a.  in the regions
     b.  in then region
     c.  on the region
     d.  in the region

3)  The Qatar government said this was not true and that there ______
     a.  are known facts
     b.  are non facts
     c.  are no facts
     d.  are now facts

4)  It said the other Arab countries are acting ______ Qatar
     a.  unfair towards
     b.  not fairly towards
     c.  un-fairy towards
     d.  unfairly towards

5)  Arab countries would not affect the normal lives of ______
     a.  citizen and residents
     b.  citizens and residents
     c.  citizens and resident
     d.  citizen and resident

6)  facing an uncertain and difficult future, unless normal ______
     a.  relation are restore
     b.  relations are restored
     c.  relation are restored
     d.  relations are restore

7)  Most of its food enters by truck from Saudi Arabia and there is already ______ food
     a.  a rush to buy
     b.  a rush too buy
     c.  a rush two buy
     d.  a rush through buy

8)  badly affected because it has to change its routes, so flights will ______
     a.  takes much longer
     b.  taken much longer
     c.  taking much longer
     d.  take much longer

9)  the 2022 soccer World Cup could also slow down as building materials ______
     a.  has to enter Qatar
     b.  having to enter Qatar
     c.  half to enter Qatar
     d.  have to enter Qatar

10)  Citizens from Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain have been ______ to Qatar
     a.  banned from goes in
     b.  banned from going in
     c.  banned from go in
     d.  banned from going

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Six Arab countries have (1) ___________________ the tiny nation of Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Yemen (2) ___________________ relations with Qatar because they say Qatar gives money (3) ___________________ terrorist groups. Saudi Arabia said it has cut ties to protect its own national security. It said Qatar was home to many "terrorist and sectarian groups (4) ___________________ create instability in the region". The Qatar government said this was not true and that there are no facts that (5) ___________________ terrorist groups in Qatar. It said the other Arab countries are acting unfairly towards Qatar. It also said that the decisions of Arab countries would, "(6) ___________________ normal lives of citizens and residents" in Qatar.

Qatar is now (7) ___________________ and difficult future, unless normal relations are restored. Air, land and sea links (8) ___________________ to Qatar from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. This will cause a lot of trouble for people (9) ___________________ tiny Gulf Arab country. Most of its food enters by truck from Saudi Arabia and (10) ___________________ a rush to buy food in supermarkets. Qatar Airways will also be badly affected because it has to change its routes, so flights (11) ___________________ longer. The construction of eight stadiums for the 2022 soccer World Cup could also slow down as building materials (12) ___________________ Qatar via Saudi. Citizens from Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain have been banned from going to Qatar and have 14 days to leave.

Comprehension questions

  1. How many countries cut relations with Qatar?
  2. What did Saudi Arabia say it wanted to protect?
  3. What did Saudi Arabia say terrorists wanted to create in the region?
  4. How did Qatar say other nations were acting towards it?
  5. Whose lives did Qatar say would not be affected by this situation?
  6. What needs to be restored for Qatar not to face an uncertain future?
  7. What links have been closed to Qatar?
  8. What is there a rush to buy in Qatar?
  9. How many soccer stadiums is Qatar building?
  10. How long do Saudis, Emiratis and Bahrainis have to leave Qatar?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many countries cut relations with Qatar?
a) 6
b) 5
c) 8
d) 4

2) What did Saudi Arabia say it wanted to protect?
a) its investments
b) borders
c) its national interests
d) its oil

3) What did Saudi Arabia say terrorists wanted to create in the region?
a) chaos
b) instability
c) weapons factories
d) new cities

4) How did Qatar say other nations were acting towards it?
a) respectfully
b) improperly
c) evenly
d) unfairly

5)  Whose lives did Qatar say would not be affected by this situation?
a) normal citizens
b) ex-pats
c) construction workers
d) Gulf Arabs

6) What needs to be restored for Qatar not to face an uncertain future?
a) oil and gas
b) the Internet
c) electricity supplies
d) normal relations

7) What links have been closed to Qatar?
a) rail, road and sea
b) air, sea and land
c) rail, sea and land
d) air, sea and rail

8) What is there a rush to buy in Qatar?
a) computers
b) gas
c) oil
d) food

9) How many soccer stadiums is Qatar building?
a) 10
b) 6
c) 8
d) 7

10) How long do Saudis, Emiratis and Bahrainis have to leave Qatar?
a) 10 days
b) two weeks
c) a week
d) a month

Role play

Role  A – Trade

You think trade is the most important kind of links for a country to have with other countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their links. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): cultural, intelligence or religious.

Role  B – Cultural

You think cultural is the most important kind of links for a country to have with other countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their links. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): trade, intelligence or religious.

Role  C – Intelligence

You think intelligence is the most important kind of links for a country to have with other countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their links. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): cultural, trade or religious.

Role  D – Religious

You think religious is the most important kind of links for a country to have with other countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their links. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  cultural, intelligence or trade.

After reading / listening

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

'tiny'

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

    • and 'nation'.

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

    • • 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:

    • difficult
    • closed
    • truck
    • badly
    • eight
    • 14
    • all
    • own
    • home
    • true
    • acting
    • affect

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Arab nations cut ties with Qatar

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the country 'Qatar'?
    3. How serious is this situation?
    4. What do you know about Qatar?
    5. What kind of relations does Qatar have with its neighbours?
    6. What should each country do to restore relations?
    7. Should Saudi Arabia show the facts about Qatar and links to terrorism?
    8. Are the six Arab countries acting unfairly towards Qatar?
    9. What other problems are there in the Gulf region?
    10. How will people in Qatar be able to live normal lives?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the country name 'Saudi Arabia'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How can Qatar survive if it has no access to land, sea or air links?
    5. Where will Qatar get its food from?
    6. What happens when the supermarkets run out of food?
    7. How badly will Qatar Airways be damaged?
    8. Will the soccer World Cup be affected?
    9. Why do citizens of Saudi, Bahrain and the UAE have to leave Qatar?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the leaders of the six countries?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Six Arab countries have cut ties with the tiny nation (1) ____ Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Yemen have all cut relations with Qatar because they say Qatar gives money (2) ____ and supports terrorist groups. Saudi Arabia said it has cut ties to protect its (3) ____ national security. It said Qatar was home to many "terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability in the (4) ____". The Qatar government said this was not true and that there are no facts that show there are terrorist groups in Qatar. It said the other Arab countries are (5) ____ unfairly towards Qatar. It also said that the decisions of Arab countries would, "not affect the (6) ____ lives of citizens and residents" in Qatar.

    Qatar is now facing an (7) ____ and difficult future, unless normal relations are restored. Air, land and sea links have been closed to Qatar from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. This will (8) ____ a lot of trouble for people living in the tiny Gulf Arab country. Most of its food (9) ____ by truck from Saudi Arabia and there is already a rush to buy food in supermarkets. Qatar Airways will also be badly affected because it has to change (10) ____ routes, so flights will take much longer. The construction of eight stadiums for the 2022 soccer World Cup could also (11) ____ down as building materials have to enter Qatar via Saudi. Citizens from Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain have been (12) ____ from going to Qatar and have 14 days to leave.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     from    
    2. (a)     to     (b)     from     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    3. (a)     owns     (b)     own     (c)     owner     (d)     owned    
    4. (a)     legion     (b)     regions     (c)     legions     (d)     region    
    5. (a)     acted     (b)     acting     (c)     action     (d)     active    
    6. (a)     normality     (b)     normal     (c)     normalcy     (d)     normalize    
    7. (a)     uncertain     (b)     certainty     (c)     uncertainty     (d)     certain    
    8. (a)     causes     (b)     causing     (c)     caused     (d)     cause    
    9. (a)     entry     (b)     entrance     (c)     enters     (d)     enter    
    10. (a)     this     (b)     that     (c)     their     (d)     its    
    11. (a)     speed     (b)     slow     (c)     spiral     (d)     sudden    
    12. (a)     banned     (b)     band     (c)     disband     (d)     disbanded

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. purpsost terrorist groups
    2. protect its own national tieuyscr
    3. groups that aim to create byiitatisln
    4. countries are acting rluafiyn towards Qatar
    5. not fefact the normal lives
    6. citsneiz and residents

    Paragraph 2

    1. an ancenitur and difficult future
    2. unless normal relations are erodrset
    3. glhisft will take much longer
    4. The ocinscttourn of eight stadiums
    5. building lteiaasmr
    6. naenbd from going to Qatar

    Put the text back together

    (    )     would, "not affect the normal lives of citizens and residents" in Qatar.

    (    )     from Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain have been banned from going to Qatar and have 14 days to leave.

    (    )     already a rush to buy food in supermarkets. Qatar Airways will also be badly affected because it has to change

    (  1  )     Six Arab countries have cut ties with the tiny nation of Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab

    (    )     was not true and that there are no facts that show there are terrorist groups in Qatar. It said the other

    (    )     Emirates, Libya and Yemen have all cut relations with Qatar because they say Qatar gives money to and

    (    )     trouble for people living in the tiny Gulf Arab country. Most of its food enters by truck from Saudi Arabia and there is

    (    )     supports terrorist groups. Saudi Arabia said it has cut ties to protect its own national security. It said Qatar was home

    (    )     to many "terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability in the region". The Qatar government said this

    (    )     sea links have been closed to Qatar from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. This will cause a lot of

    (    )     soccer World Cup could also slow down as building materials have to enter Qatar via Saudi. Citizens

    (    )     Qatar is now facing an uncertain and difficult future, unless normal relations are restored. Air, land and

    (    )     its routes, so flights will take much longer. The construction of eight stadiums for the 2022

    (    )     Arab countries are acting unfairly towards Qatar. It also said that the decisions of Arab countries

    Put the words in the right order

    1. has   to   own   It   ties   its   security   cut   protect   national   .
    2. in   aim   the   to   region   create   Groups   instability   that   .
    3. are   There   facts   there   groups   no   show   terrorist   are   that   .
    4. Qatar   countries   acting   towards   Arab   are   unfairly   .
    5. lives   and   Qatar   normal   citizens   in   the   of   residents   Affect   .
    6. now   difficult   facing   future   an   Qatar   uncertain   is   and   .
    7. ,   land   have   Air   been   and   closed   sea   to   links   Qatar   .
    8. food   truck   Arabia   its   by   Saudi   of   enters   from   Most   .
    9. rush   food   There   a   buy   supermarkets   already   to   in   is   .
    10. 2022   The   eight   the  Cup   of   for   World  construction  stadiums   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Six Arab countries have cut ties with / within the tiny nation of Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya and Yemen have all cut relatives / relations with Qatar because they say Qatar gives money to and supports terrorist group / groups. Saudi Arabia said it has cut ties to protect its owns / own national security. It said Qatar was home to / too many "terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability / unstable in the region". The Qatar government said this was not truth / true and that there are no facts that show / shown there are terrorist groups in Qatar. It said the other Arab countries are acting unfairly / unfair towards Qatar. It also said that the decisions of Arab countries would, "not affect / effect the normal lives of citizens and residents" in Qatar.

    Qatar is now facing / faced an uncertain and difficult future, useless / unless normal relations are restored. Air, land and sea links have being / been closed to Qatar from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. This will cause a lot for / of trouble for people living in the tiny Gulf Arab country. Most of its food enters / entrance by truck from Saudi Arabia and there is already a rush / rushing to buy food in supermarkets. Qatar Airways will also be badly affected because it has to change its routes / roots, so flights will take much longer. The construction of eight stadiums for the 2022 soccer World Cup could also slow down / up as building materials have to enter Qatar via Saudi. Citizens from Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain have been binned / banned from going to Qatar and have 14 days to leaf / leave.

    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)

    S_x _r_b c__ntr__s h_v_ c_t t__s w_th th_ t_ny n_t__n _f Q_t_r. S__d_ _r_b__, _gypt, B_hr__n, th_ _n_t_d _r_b _m_r_t_s, L_by_ _nd Y_m_n h_v_ _ll c_t r_l_t__ns w_th Q_t_r b_c__s_ th_y s_y Q_t_r g_v_s m_n_y t_ _nd s_pp_rts t_rr_r_st gr__ps. S__d_ _r_b__ s__d _t h_s c_t t__s t_ pr_t_ct _ts _wn n_t__n_l s_c_r_ty. _t s__d Q_t_r w_s h_m_ t_ m_ny "t_rr_r_st _nd s_ct_r__n gr__ps th_t __m t_ cr__t_ _nst_b_l_ty _n th_ r_g__n". Th_ Q_t_r g_v_rnm_nt s__d th_s w_s n_t tr__ _nd th_t th_r_ _r_ n_ f_cts th_t sh_w th_r_ _r_ t_rr_r_st gr__ps _n Q_t_r. _t s__d th_ _th_r _r_b c__ntr__s _r_ _ct_ng _nf__rly t_w_rds Q_t_r. _t _ls_ s__d th_t th_ d_c_s__ns _f _r_b c__ntr__s w__ld, "n_t _ff_ct th_ n_rm_l l_v_s _f c_t_z_ns _nd r_s_d_nts" _n Q_t_r.

    Q_t_r _s n_w f_c_ng _n _nc_rt__n _nd d_ff_c_lt f_t_r_, _nl_ss n_rm_l r_l_t__ns _r_ r_st_r_d. __r, l_nd _nd s__ l_nks h_v_ b__n cl_s_d t_ Q_t_r fr_m S__d_ _r_b__, th_ ___, _gypt _nd B_hr__n. Th_s w_ll c__s_ _ l_t _f tr__bl_ f_r p__pl_ l_v_ng _n th_ t_ny G_lf _r_b c__ntry. M_st _f _ts f__d _nt_rs by tr_ck fr_m S__d_ _r_b__ _nd th_r_ _s _lr__dy _ r_sh t_ b_y f__d _n s_p_rm_rk_ts. Q_t_r __rw_ys w_ll _ls_ b_ b_dly _ff_ct_d b_c__s_ _t h_s t_ ch_ng_ _ts r__t_s, s_ fl_ghts w_ll t_k_ m_ch l_ng_r. Th_ c_nstr_ct__n _f __ght st_d__ms f_r th_ 2022 s_cc_r W_rld C_p c__ld _ls_ sl_w d_wn _s b__ld_ng m_t_r__ls h_v_ t_ _nt_r Q_t_r v__ S__d_. C_t_z_ns fr_m S__d_, th_ ___ _nd B_hr__n h_v_ b__n b_nn_d fr_m g__ng t_ Q_t_r _nd h_v_ 14 d_ys t_ l__v_.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    six arab countries have cut ties with the tiny nation of qatar saudi arabia egypt bahrain the united arab emirates libya and yemen have all cut relations with qatar because they say qatar gives money to and supports terrorist groups saudi arabia said it has cut ties to protect its own national security it said qatar was home to many "terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability in the region" the qatar government said this was not true and that there are no facts that show there are terrorist groups in qatar it said the other arab countries are acting unfairly towards qatar it also said that the decisions of arab countries would "not affect the normal lives of citizens and residents" in qatar

    qatar is now facing an uncertain and difficult future unless normal relations are restored air land and sea links have been closed to qatar from saudi arabia the uae egypt and bahrain this will cause a lot of trouble for people living in the tiny gulf arab country most of its food enters by truck from saudi arabia and there is already a rush to buy food in supermarkets qatar airways will also be badly affected because it has to change its routes so flights will take much longer the construction of eight stadiums for the 2022 soccer world cup could also slow down as building materials have to enter qatar via saudi citizens from saudi the uae and bahrain have been banned from going to qatar and have 14 days to leave

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    SixArabcountrieshavecuttieswiththetinynationofQatar.SaudiArabia
    ,Egypt,Bahrain,theUnitedArabEmirates,LibyaandYemenhaveallcutr
    elationswithQatarbecausetheysayQatargivesmoneytoandsupportst
    erroristgroups.SaudiArabiasaidithascuttiestoprotectitsownnational
    security.ItsaidQatarwashometomany"terroristandsectariangroupst
    hataimtocreateinstabilityintheregion".TheQatargovernmentsaidthi
    swasnottrueandthattherearenofactsthatshowthereareterroristgrou
    psinQatar.ItsaidtheotherArabcountriesareactingunfairlytowardsQa
    tar.ItalsosaidthatthedecisionsofArabcountrieswould,"notaffectthen
    ormallivesofcitizensandresidents"inQatar.Qatarisnowfacinganunce
    rtainanddifficultfuture,unlessnormalrelationsarerestored.Air,landa
    ndsealinkshavebeenclosedtoQatarfromSaudiArabia,theUAE,Egypta
    ndBahrain.ThiswillcausealotoftroubleforpeoplelivinginthetinyGulfAr
    abcountry.MostofitsfoodentersbytruckfromSaudiArabiaandthereisa
    lreadyrushtobuyfoodinsupermarkets.QatarAirwayswillalsobebadly
    affectedbecauseithastochangeitsroutes,soflightswilltakemuchlonge
    r.Theconstructionofeightstadiumsforthe2022soccerWorldCupcould
    alsoslowdownasbuildingmaterialshavetoenterQatarviaSaudi.Citize
    nsfromSaudi,theUAEandBahrainhavebeenbannedfromgoingtoQata
    randhave14daystoleave.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    How can Qatar and the Arab states resolve this situation? Discuss three solutions.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. SOLUTION: Write a magazine article about finding a solution to this problem. Include imaginary interviews with ordinary Qataris and with people who have answers.

    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 Qatar. Ask him/her three questions about the Gulf nation. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to solve this problem. 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

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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