The Reading / Listening - Fire and Fury - Level 3

U.S. President Donald Trump has given North Korea another warning over its plans to fire its weapons. The war of words between Mr Trump and North Korea's president Kim Jong-un is escalating. Countries in the region and around the world are worried that the war of words could become a real war. Tensions increased greatly earlier this week when North Korea announced it had nuclear warheads small enough to fit inside its missiles. President Trump then warned: "North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen." North Korea responded by announcing it would fire four missiles off the coast of the US territory of Guam.

North Korea said President Trump's words were "nonsense". Regardless, Mr Trump issued another warning to the North Koreans yesterday. He said his "fire and fury" statement "wasn't tough enough" and that North Korea should "be very, very nervous". He also said China could do "a whole lot more" to reduce tensions. The Arms Control Association in Washington DC said Mr Trump should stop his verbal attacks on North Korea to avoid a military conflict on the Korean Peninsula. It said: "Recent [talk] from Trump is a dangerous and ineffective strategy to halt North Korea's nuclear development and could trigger a military conflict that would not be in the U.S. interest."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Fire and Fury - Level 0,  Fire and Fury - Level 1   or  Fire and Fury - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40894529
  • http://time.com/4894701/north-korea-donald-trump-fire-fury-load-of-nonsense/
  • http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/08/103_234561.html


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. NUCLEAR TENSIONS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about nuclear tensions. 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?

       warning / plans / weapons / war of words / tensions / nuclear / missiles / territory /
       nonsense / fire / fury / nervous / verbal attacks / military / conflict / strategy

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

3. NONSENSE: Students A strongly believe President Trump's words are nonsense; Students B strongly believe they are not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. HELP: How could the following help resolve this crisis? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What they could/should do

How much it would help

Donald Trump

 

 

Kim Jong-un

 

 

China

 

 

Russia

 

 

United Nations

 

 

South Korea

 

 
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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
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5. NUCLEAR: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "nuclear". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. MILITARY CONFLICT: Rank these with your partner. Put the best person to avoid military conflict in North Korea. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • UN Secretary-General
  • Donald Trump
  • China's leader
  • Kim Jong-un
  • Japanese leader
  • Russia's leader
  • South Korea's leader
  • Other ______________

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. There is an escalation in the war of words over North Korea.     T / F
  2. The article said North Korea announced it had 100 nuclear warheads.     T / F
  3. Kim Jong-un said he would attack with fire and fury.     T / F
  4. North Korea fired several missiles off the coast of Guam.     T / F
  5. North Korea said President Trump was talking nonsense.     T / F
  6. North Korea said it was nervous about Donald Trump's words.     T / F
  7. An arms control association urged Mr Trump to stop his verbal attacks.    T / F
  8. The arms control association said war would not be in the USA's interest. T / F

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

  1. warning
  2. escalating
  3. region
  4. greatly
  5. fury
  6. nonsense
  7. tough
  8. reduce
  9. avoid
  10. conflict
  1. keep away from
  2. considerably
  3. lessen
  4. increasing
  5. war
  6. anger
  7. caution
  8. hard
  9. rubbish
  10. area

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

  1. Donald Trump has given North Korea
  2. Tensions increased
  3. nuclear
  4. like the world has never
  5. off the coast of the
  6. do "a whole lot more" to
  7. Mr Trump should stop his verbal
  8. avoid a military conflict on
  9. a dangerous and ineffective
  10. military conflict that would not be in
  1. the Korean Peninsula
  2. the U.S. interest
  3. US territory of Guam
  4. strategy
  5. warheads
  6. another warning
  7. reduce tensions
  8. seen
  9. attacks on North Korea
  10. greatly earlier this week

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
region
another
threats
greatly
coast
fire
never
fit

U.S. President Donald Trump has given North Korea (1) ____________ warning over its plans to (2) ____________ its weapons. The war of words between Mr Trump and North Korea's president Kim Jong-un is escalating. Countries in the (3) ____________ and around the world are worried that the war of words could become a real war. Tensions increased (4) ____________ earlier this week when North Korea announced it had nuclear warheads small enough to (5) ____________ inside its missiles. President Trump then warned: "North Korea best not make any more (6) ____________ to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has (7) ____________ seen." North Korea responded by announcing it would fire four missiles off the (8) ____________ of the US territory of Guam.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
strategy
warning
whole
conflict
nonsense
trigger
tough
verbal

North Korea said President Trump's words were "(9) ____________". Regardless, Mr Trump issued another (10) ____________ to the North Koreans yesterday. He said his "fire and fury" statement "wasn't (11) ____________ enough" and that North Korea should "be very, very nervous". He also said China could do "a (12) ____________ lot more" to reduce tensions. The Arms Control Association in Washington DC said Mr Trump should stop his (13) ____________ attacks on North Korea to avoid a military (14) ____________ on the Korean Peninsula. It said: "Recent [talk] from Trump is a dangerous and ineffective (15) ____________ to halt North Korea's nuclear development and could (16) ____________ a military conflict that would not be in the U.S. interest."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  given North Korea another warning over its plans to ______
     a.  firing its weapons
     b.  fired its weapons
     c.  fires its weapons
     d.  fire its weapons

2)  The war of words between Mr Trump and North Korea's president Kim Jong-un ______
     a.  is escalation
     b.  is escalating
     c.  is escalate in
     d.  is escalate thing

3)  North Korea announced it had nuclear warheads small enough to ______ missiles
     a.  fits inside its
     b.  fit onside its
     c.  fits outside its
     d.  fit inside its

4) best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met ______
     a.  with fiery and fury
     b.  with fire and furious
     c.  with fire and fury
     d.  with fired and furred

5)  announcing it would fire four missiles off the coast of the ______ Guam
     a.  US territory of
     b.  US territory off
     c.  US territories of
     d.  US territorial of

6)  North Korea said President Trump's words ______
     a.  were "not sense"
     b.  were "nonsense"
     c.  were "nonsensical"
     d.  were "nonsenses"

7)  He said his "fire and fury" statement "wasn't ______"
     a.  toughen enough
     b.  tough enough
     c.  toughs enough
     d.  toughens enough

8)  "be very, very nervous". He also said China could do "a whole lot more" to ______
     a.  reduce tensions
     b.  reduce tension
     c.  reduced tensions
     d.  reduces tension

9)  The Arms Control Association in Washington DC said Mr Trump should stop his ______
     a.  verbally attacks
     b.  verbal attack
     c.  verb all attacks
     d.  verbal attacks

10) strategy to halt North Korea's nuclear development and could ______ conflict
     a.  trigger the military
     b.  triggers a military
     c.  trigger a military
     d.  triggers a militarily

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

U.S. President Donald Trump has given North Korea (1) ___________________ its plans to fire its weapons. The war of words between Mr Trump and North Korea's president Kim Jong-un is escalating. Countries in the (2) ___________________ the world are worried that the war of words could (3) ___________________ war. Tensions increased greatly earlier this week when North Korea announced it had nuclear warheads small enough (4) ___________________ its missiles. President Trump then warned: "North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be (5) ___________________ fury like the world has never seen." North Korea responded by announcing it would fire four missiles off (6) ___________________ the US territory of Guam.

North Korea said President Trump's (7) ___________________. Regardless, Mr Trump issued another warning to the North Koreans yesterday. He said his "fire and fury" statement "wasn't (8) ___________________ that North Korea should "be very, very nervous". He also said China could do "a whole lot more" (9) ___________________. The Arms Control Association in Washington DC said Mr Trump should stop his (10) ___________________ North Korea to avoid a military conflict on the Korean Peninsula. It said: "Recent [talk] from Trump (11) ___________________ and ineffective strategy to halt North Korea's nuclear development and could trigger a military conflict that would (12) ___________________ U.S. interest."

Comprehension questions

  1. What did Donald Trump warn North Korea not to fire?
  2. What did the article say is happening to the war of words?
  3. What did the article say increased greatly earlier this week?
  4. Where could North Korea's nuclear warheads fit?
  5. How many missiles did N. Korea say it would fire off of Guam's coast?
  6. What did North Korea call President Trump's words?
  7. What did President Trump say about his "fire and fury" statement?
  8. Who did President Trump say could do "a whole lot more"?
  9. What did the Arms Control Association say President Trump should stop?
  10. What did the Arms Control Association say was not in the U.S. interest?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did Donald Trump warn North Korea not to fire?
a) workers
b) missiles
c) its generals
d) American diplomats

2) What did the article say is happening to the war of words?
a) the words are getting bigger
b) it's a battle
c) the big words are winning
d) it's escalating

3) What did the article say increased greatly earlier this week?
a) weapons
b) prices
c) tensions
d) missile speeds

4) Where could North Korea's nuclear warheads fit?
a) in its missiles
b) in the palm of your hand
c) in a suitcase
d) in a car

5) How many missiles did N. Korea say it would fire off of Guam's coast?
a) 3
b) 4
c) 5
d) 6

6) What did North Korea call President Trump's words?
a) nonsense
b) clever
c) boring
d) bad

7) What did President Trump say about his "fire and fury" statement?
a) it was a mistake
b) it was a beautiful thing
c) it wasn't tough enough
d) it was fiery

8) Who did President Trump say could do "a whole lot more"?
a) China
b) Russia
c) the United Nations
d) Kim Jong-un

9) What did the Arms Control Association say President Trump should stop?
a) his weapons programme
b) his job
c) worrying about North Korea
d) his verbal attacks

10) What did the Arms Control Association say was not in the U.S. interest?
a) triggers
b) missiles
c) military conflict
d) strategies

Role play

Role  A – Donald Trump

You think Donald Trump is the best person to avoid military conflict. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their people. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Kim Jong-un, China's leader or South Korea's leader.

Role  B – Kim Jing-un

You think Kim Jong-un is the best person to avoid military conflict. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their people. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Donald Trump, China's leader or South Korea's leader.

Role  C – China's Leader

You think China's leader is the best person to avoid military conflict. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their people. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Kim Jong-un, Donald Trump or South Korea's leader.

Role  D – South Korea's Leader

You think South Korea's leader is the best person to avoid military conflict. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their people. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):  Kim Jong-un, China's leader or Donald Trump.

After reading / listening

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

'fire'

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

    • and 'fury'.

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

    • • 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:

    • nonsense
    • tough
    • whole
    • verbal
    • halt
    • interest
    • another
    • region
    • greatly
    • fit
    • more
    • coast

    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 - Trump fires up North Korea nuclear tensions

    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 word 'fire'?
    3. What do you think of Donald Trump's words?
    4. How dangerous is this situation?
    5. Why is North Korea developing its missile programme?
    6. How worried are you the war of words could become a real war?
    7. What do you think 'fire and fury' means?
    8. What would happen in direct talks between Trump and Kim Jong-un?
    9. What advice do you have for Kim Jong-un?
    10. What advice do you have for Donald Trump?
    11. What does Donald Trump mean by "locked and loaded"?

    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 word 'fury'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Do you also think Mr Trump's words are 'nonsense'?
    5. What words could be tougher than 'fire and fury'?
    6. What can China do to help the situation?
    7. What would happen in a war between North Korea and the USA?
    8. What will this situation be like next year?
    9. What questions would you like to ask Kim Jong-un?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Donald Trump?
    11. Who is the most dangerous player in this situation?

    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)

    U.S. President Donald Trump has (1) ____ North Korea another warning over its plans to fire its weapons. The (2) ____ of words between Mr Trump and North Korea's president Kim Jong-un is (3) ____. Countries in the region and around the world are worried that the war of words could become a real war. Tensions increased (4) ____ earlier this week when North Korea announced it had nuclear warheads small enough to fit inside its missiles. President Trump then warned: "North Korea best not make any more (5) ____ to the United States. They will be met with fire and (6) ____ like the world has never seen." North Korea responded by announcing it would fire four missiles off the coast of the US territory of Guam.

    North Korea said President Trump's words were "(7) ____". Regardless, Mr Trump issued another warning to the North Koreans yesterday. He said his "fire and fury" statement "wasn't (8) ____ enough" and that North Korea should "be very, very nervous". He also said China could do "a (9) ____ lot more" to reduce tensions. The Arms Control Association in Washington DC said Mr Trump should stop his (10) ____ attacks on North Korea to avoid a military conflict on the Korean Peninsula. It said: "Recent [talk] from Trump is a (11) ____ and ineffective strategy to halt North Korea's nuclear development and could trigger a military conflict that would not be in the U.S. (12) ____."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     given     (b)     giving     (c)     gave     (d)     gives    
    2. (a)     fight     (b)     combat     (c)     war     (d)     punch    
    3. (a)     enchanting     (b)     elevating     (c)     escalating     (d)     escaping    
    4. (a)     greatness     (b)     greater     (c)     great     (d)     greatly    
    5. (a)     threats     (b)     threatens     (c)     treats     (d)     treaties    
    6. (a)     furrier     (b)     fury     (c)     furry     (d)     furious    
    7. (a)     senses     (b)     no cents     (c)     sense     (d)     nonsense    
    8. (a)     though     (b)     tough     (c)     trough     (d)     thorough    
    9. (a)     while     (b)     holy     (c)     whole     (d)     hole    
    10. (a)     verbally     (b)     verbs     (c)     verb     (d)     verbal    
    11. (a)     dangles     (b)     endanger     (c)     dangers     (d)     dangerous    
    12. (a)     interesting     (b)     interest     (c)     interested     (d)     interestingly

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. plans to fire its opweasn
    2. Countries in the gnrioe
    3. fit inside its silmsesi
    4. make any more etrhast
    5. off the otacs
    6. the US royertrit of Guam

    Paragraph 2

    1. President Trump's words were neennsso
    2. North Korea should be very, very rvneosu
    3. reduce stenoisn
    4. Trump should stop his lbvrea attacks
    5. military ocnftlic
    6. a dangerous and ineffective sagerytt

    Put the text back together

    (    )     tough enough" and that North Korea should "be very, very nervous". He also said China could do "a whole lot

    (    )     seen." North Korea responded by announcing it would fire four missiles off the coast of the US territory of Guam.

    (    )     warning to the North Koreans yesterday.  He said his "fire and fury" statement "wasn't

    (  1  )     U.S. President Donald Trump has given North Korea another warning over its plans to fire its

    (    )     more" to reduce tensions. The Arms Control Association in Washington DC said Mr Trump should stop his verbal

    (    )     enough to fit inside its missiles. President Trump then warned: "North Korea best not make any more

    (    )     North Korea said President Trump's words were "nonsense". Regardless, Mr Trump issued another

    (    )     threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never

    (    )     escalating. Countries in the region and around the world are worried that the war of words could become a real

    (    )     war. Tensions increased greatly earlier this week when North Korea announced it had nuclear warheads small

    (    )     from Trump is a dangerous and ineffective strategy to halt North Korea's nuclear

    (    )     weapons. The war of words between Mr Trump and North Korea's president Kim Jong-un is

    (    )     development and could trigger a military conflict that would not be in the U.S. interest."

    (    )     attacks on North Korea to avoid a military conflict on the Korean Peninsula. It said: "Recent [talk]

    Put the words in the right order

    1. become   of   Worried   words   that   a   the   real   war   war   could   .
    2. enough   missiles   to   Nuclear   fit   warheads   inside   small   its   .
    3. threats   more   any   make   not   best   Korea   North   .
    4. seen   the   Fire   world   and   has   fury   never   like   .
    5. missiles   it   off   would   the   fire   coast   four   Announcing   .
    6. Koreans  warning   yesterday   to  Trump  the   issued  North  another  .
    7. He   China   a   more   said   do   lot   also   could   whole   .
    8. on   conflict   military   a   Avoid   Peninsula   Korean   the   .
    9. ineffective   Korea   strategy   A   to   dangerous   halt   and   North   .
    10. the   US   interest   A   military   conflict   that   would   not   be   in   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    U.S. President Donald Trump has giving / given North Korea another warning over its plans to fire / firing its weapons. The war of words between Mr Trump and North Korea's president Kim Jong-un is escalating / elevating. Countries in the regional / region and around the world are worried that the war of words could become a real / reality war. Tensions increased greatly earlier this week when North Korea announced / announcement it had nuclear warheads small enough to fit outside / inside its missiles. President Trump then warned: "North Korea best not make any more threatens / threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen / seeing." North Korea responded by announcing it would fire four missiles off the coastal / coast of the US territory of Guam.

    North Korea said President Trump's words were "nonsense". Regarding / Regardless, Mr Trump issued another warming / warning to the North Koreans yesterday.  He said his "fire and fury" state / statement "wasn't tough enough" and what / that North Korea should "be very, very nervous / nervously". He also said China could do "a whole lots / lot more" to reduce tensions. The Arms Control Association in Washington DC said Mr Trump should stop his verb / verbal attacks on North Korea to avoid a military conflict on the Korean Peninsula / Peculiar. It said: "Recent [talk] from Trump is a dangerous / danger and ineffective strategy to halt North Korea's nuclear development and could trigger a militia / military conflict that would not be in the U.S. interest."

    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. Pr_s_d_nt D_n_ld Tr_mp h_s g_v_n N_rth K_r__ _n_th_r w_rn_ng _v_r _ts pl_ns t_ f_r_ _ts w__p_ns. Th_ w_r _f w_rds b_tw__n Mr Tr_mp _nd N_rth K_r__'s pr_s_d_nt K_m J_ng-_n _s _sc_l_t_ng. C__ntr__s _n th_ r_g__n _nd _r__nd th_ w_rld _r_ w_rr__d th_t th_ w_r _f w_rds c__ld b_c_m_ _ r__l w_r. T_ns__ns _ncr__s_d gr__tly __rl__r th_s w__k wh_n N_rth K_r__ _nn__nc_d _t h_d n_cl__r w_rh__ds sm_ll _n__gh t_ f_t _ns_d_ _ts m_ss_l_s. Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp th_n w_rn_d: "N_rth K_r__ b_st n_t m_k_ _ny m_r_ thr__ts t_ th_ _n_t_d St_t_s. Th_y w_ll b_ m_t w_th f_r_ _nd f_ry l_k_ th_ w_rld h_s n_v_r s__n." N_rth K_r__ r_sp_nd_d by _nn__nc_ng _t w__ld f_r_ f__r m_ss_l_s _ff th_ c__st _f th_ _S t_rr_t_ry _f G__m.

    N_rth K_r__ s__d Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp's w_rds w_r_ "n_ns_ns_". R_g_rdl_ss, Mr Tr_mp _ss__d _n_th_r w_rn_ng t_ th_ N_rth K_r__ns y_st_rd_y.  H_ s__d h_s "f_r_ _nd f_ry" st_t_m_nt "w_sn't t__gh _n__gh" _nd th_t N_rth K_r__ sh__ld "b_ v_ry, v_ry n_rv__s". H_ _ls_ s__d Ch_n_ c__ld d_ "_ wh_l_ l_t m_r_" t_ r_d_c_ t_ns__ns. Th_ _rms C_ntr_l _ss_c__t__n _n W_sh_ngt_n DC s__d Mr Tr_mp sh__ld st_p h_s v_rb_l _tt_cks _n N_rth K_r__ t_ _v__d _ m_l_t_ry c_nfl_ct _n th_ K_r__n P_n_ns_l_. _t s__d: "R_c_nt [t_lk] fr_m Tr_mp _s _ d_ng_r__s _nd _n_ff_ct_v_ str_t_gy t_ h_lt N_rth K_r__'s n_cl__r d_v_l_pm_nt _nd c__ld tr_gg_r _ m_l_t_ry c_nfl_ct th_t w__ld n_t b_ _n th_ _.S. _nt_r_st."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    us president donald trump has given north korea another warning over its plans to fire its weapons the war of words between mr trump and north korea's president kim jong-un is escalating countries in the region and around the world are worried that the war of words could become a real war tensions increased greatly earlier this week when north korea announced it had nuclear warheads small enough to fit inside its missiles president trump then warned "north korea best not make any more threats to the united states they will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen" north korea responded by announcing it would fire four missiles off the coast of the us territory of guam

    north korea said president trump's words were "nonsense" regardless mr trump issued another warning to the north koreans yesterday  he said his "fire and fury" statement "wasn't tough enough" and that north korea should "be very very nervous" he also said china could do "a whole lot more" to reduce tensions the arms control association in washington dc said mr trump should stop his verbal attacks on north korea to avoid a military conflict on the korean peninsula it said "recent [talk] from trump is a dangerous and ineffective strategy to halt north korea's nuclear development and could trigger a military conflict that would not be in the us interest"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    U.S.PresidentDonaldTrumphasgivenNorthKoreaanotherwarningov
    eritsplanstofireitsweapons.ThewarofwordsbetweenMrTrumpandNo
    rthKorea'spresidentKimJong-unisescalating.Countriesintheregiona
    ndaroundtheworldareworriedthatthewarofwordscouldbecomeareal
    war.TensionsincreasedgreatlyearlierthisweekwhenNorthKoreaanno
    uncedithadnuclearwarheadssmallenoughtofitinsideitsmissiles.Presi
    dentTrumpthenwarned:"NorthKoreabestnotmakeanymorethreatst
    otheUnitedStates.Theywillbemetwithfireandfuryliketheworldhasne
    verseen."NorthKorearespondedbyannouncingitwouldfirefourmissil
    esoffthecoastoftheUSterritoryofGuam.NorthKoreasaidPresidentTru
    mp'swordswere"nonsense".Regardless,MrTrumpissuedanotherwar
    ningtotheNorthKoreansyesterday.Hesaidhis"fireandfury"statement
    "wasn'ttoughenough"andthatNorthKoreashould"bevery,verynervo
    us".HealsosaidChinacoulddo"awholelotmore"toreducetensions.The
    ArmsControlAssociationinWashingtonDCsaidMrTrumpshouldstophi
    sverbalattacksonNorthKoreatoavoidamilitaryconflictontheKoreanP
    eninsula.Itsaid:"Recent[talk]fromTrumpisadangerousandineffectiv
    estrategytohaltNorthKorea'snucleardevelopmentandcouldtriggera
    militaryconflictthatwouldnotbeintheU.S.interest."

    Free writing

    Write about fire and fury for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    How dangerous is the North Korea situation? Discuss how it can be resolved.

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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 news. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. NUCLEAR TENSIONS: Make a poster about nuclear tensions. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. TALKS: Write a magazine article about using talks and not talks to deal with the tensions between North Korea and the USA. 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 nuclear tensions. Ask him/her three questions about the tensions. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make the situation better. 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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