Breaking News English Lesson on Iran Sanctions

Home | Help This Site

U.S. re-imposes sanctions on Iran (7th November, 2018)

The Reading / Listening - Iran Sanctions - Level 6

The USA has re-imposed tough economic sanctions on Iran. The U.S. Secretary of State warned Iran that it would be subject to "relentless" pressure unless it changes its "revolutionary course". The Trump administration reinstated all sanctions that were lifted in 2015 as a result of the Iranian nuclear deal. Most of the sanctions target core parts of Iran's economy. The U.S. Treasury described the new penalties as, "the toughest U.S. sanctions ever imposed on Iran". It added they would, "target critical sectors of Iran's economy, such as the energy, shipping and shipbuilding, and financial sectors". It added: "The USA is engaged in a campaign of maximum financial pressure on the Iranian regime."

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani struck a defiant tone in the face of the renewed sanctions. He told his government: "We will proudly break the sanctions." Rouhani described the administration of President Donald Trump as, "a throwback to the era of Bush junior and a repeat of the same statements as 2003". He said: "The era of such statements has evolved and the Iranian people have heard these statements hundreds of times, and no longer pay attention." The Al Jazeera news agency said the sanctions were a backward step. It wrote: "With one Trump signature, the goodwill that had been built between Iranians and the rest of the world crumbled in a matter of months."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Iran Sanctions - Level 4 or Iran Sanctions - Level 5

Sources

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/threaten-iranians-sanctions-set-return-181104170028105.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/04/middleeast/trump-iran-sanctions-intl/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/04/pompeo-trump-us-sanctions-oil-iran-iranian-people

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. IRAN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Iran. 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?
tough / sanctions / pressure / result / nuclear deal / economy / critical / regime /
defiant / face / government / administration / statements / pay attention / goodwill
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SANCTIONS: Students A strongly believe sanctions against Iran will work; Students B strongly believe they won't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. YOUR COUNTRY: What are these sectors like in your country? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.


Energy
Construction
Technology
Banking
Tourism
Other __________

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. REVOLUTIONARY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "revolutionary". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. PENALTIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most effective penalties at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

trade tariffs
blockades
sporting bans
military strike
sanctions
fines
closed borders
cut diplomatic relations

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	tough	a.	A government, especially an authoritarian one.
2.	relentless	b.	Involving or causing a complete or dramatic change.
3.	revolutionary	c.	The central or most important part of something.
4.	administration	d.	Showing a strict and unchanging attitude or approach.
5.	core	e.	A distinct part or branch of a nation's economy or society or of a sphere of activity such as education.
6.	sectors	f.	So constant and non-stop that it becomes harsh or cruel.
7.	regime	g.	The management of public affairs; government.

Paragraph 2

8.	defiant	h.	Developed gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form.
9.	throwback	i.	Listen carefully and show an interest in what someone is saying.
10.	era	j.	Of an organization, relationship, or structure that breaks down and breaks gradually over a period of time.
11.	evolved	k.	Going back to an earlier version or characteristic of something.
12.	pay attention	l.	Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude.
13.	goodwill	m.	A long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic.
14.	crumbled	n.	Being openly resistant; boldly disobedient.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

The U.S. Secretary of State said pressure on Iran would be relentless. T / F
Sanctions were lifted against Iran in 2015. T / F
Most of the sanctions on Iran are against its leaders and government. T / F
The USA is using a campaign of minimum financial pressure on Iran. T / F
Iran's president said the sanctions would probably break his country. T / F
Iran's president compared President Trump to President Bush junior. T / F
Iran's president said Iranians pay no attention to U.S. statements. T / F
Al Jazeera said goodwill with Ian has crumbled in a matter of days. T / F

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

re-imposed
relentless
course
deal
sectors
defiant
administration
era
step
crumbled

feisty
fell apart
areas
put back
period
path
move
constant
government
agreement

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

The USA has re-imposed tough economic
it would be subject
all sanctions that were
the sanctions target core
pressure on the Iranian
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani struck
a throwback to the era
no longer pay
the sanctions were a
the goodwill that

had been built
parts of Iran's economy
of Bush junior
a defiant tone
lifted in 2015
attention
sanctions on Iran
backward step
regime
to "relentless" pressure

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

deal
tough
regime
penalties
course
engaged
subject
sectors

The USA has re-imposed (1) ____________ economic sanctions on Iran. The U.S. Secretary of State warned Iran that it would be (2) ____________ to "relentless" pressure unless it changes its "revolutionary (3) ____________ ". The Trump administration reinstated all sanctions that were lifted in 2015 as a result of the Iranian nuclear (4) ____________. Most of the sanctions target core parts of Iran's economy. The U.S. Treasury described the new (5) ____________ as, "the toughest U.S. sanctions ever imposed on Iran". It added they would, "target critical (6) ____________ of Iran's economy, such as the energy, shipping and shipbuilding, and financial sectors". It added: "The USA is (7) ____________ in a campaign of maximum financial pressure on the Iranian (8) ____________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

proudly
era
goodwill
defiant
pay
matter
repeat
step

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani struck a (9) ____________ tone in the face of the renewed sanctions. He told his government: "We will (10) ____________ break the sanctions." Rouhani described the administration of President Donald Trump as, "a throwback to the era of Bush junior and a (11) ____________ of the same statements as 2003". He said: "The (12) ____________ of such statements has evolved and the Iranian people have heard these statements hundreds of times, and no longer (13) ____________ attention." The Al Jazeera news agency said the sanctions were a backward (14) ____________. It wrote: "With one Trump signature, the (15) ____________ that had been built between Iranians and the rest of the world crumbled in a (16) ____________ of months."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The U.S. Secretary of State warned Iran that it would be subject to ______
     a. relentless pressure
     b. relentless pressured
     c. relentless press sure
     d. relentless pressed sure
2) Most of the sanctions target ______ Iran's economy
     a. scare parts of
     b. core parts of
     c. cored parts of
     d. score parts of
3) the toughest U.S. sanctions ever imposed on Iran. It added they would ______
     a. targets critically sectors
     b. target critical specters
     c. targets critical sectors
     d. target critical sectors
4) such as the energy, shipping and shipbuilding, and ______
     a. finance shall sectors
     b. financial sections
     c. financially sectors
     d. financial sectors
5) The USA is engaged in a campaign of maximum financial pressure on ______
     a. the Iranian legume
     b. the Iranian raging
     c. the Iranian regimen
     d. the Iranian regime

6) President Hassan Rouhani struck a defiant tone in the face ______ sanctions
     a. of the re-chewed
     b. of the renews
     c. of the renewed
     d. of the renewable
7) described the administration of President Donald Trump as ______ the era of Bush
     a. a thrown back to
     b. a throw black to
     c. a throwbacks to
     d. a throwback to
8) Iranian people have heard these statements hundreds of times, and no ______
     a. longer give attention
     b. longer pay attention
     c. longer say attention
     d. longer take attention
9) The Al Jazeera news agency said the sanctions were ______
     a. a back wood steep
     b. a backward step
     c. a back ward steep
     d. a black wood step
10) goodwill that had been built between Iranians and the rest of the ______
     a. world stumbled
     b. world mumbled
     c. world bumbled
     d. world crumbled

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The USA has re-imposed tough (1) ___________________ Iran. The U.S. Secretary of State warned Iran that it would (2) ___________________ "relentless" pressure unless it changes its "revolutionary course". The Trump administration reinstated all sanctions (3) ___________________ in 2015 as a result of the Iranian nuclear deal. Most of the sanctions target core parts of Iran's economy. The U.S. Treasury described (4) ___________________ as, "the toughest U.S. sanctions ever imposed on Iran". It added they would, "target (5) ___________________ Iran's economy, such as the energy, shipping and shipbuilding, and financial sectors". It added: "The USA is engaged in (6) ___________________ maximum financial pressure on the Iranian regime."

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani struck (7) ___________________ in the face of the renewed sanctions. He told his government: "We will proudly break the sanctions." Rouhani described the administration of President Donald Trump as, "a throwback to (8) ___________________ Bush junior and a repeat of the same statements as 2003". He said: "The era of such statements (9) ___________________ the Iranian people have heard these statements hundreds of times, and (10) ___________________ attention." The Al Jazeera news agency said the sanctions were a backward step. It wrote: "With one Trump signature, (11) ___________________ had been built between Iranians and the rest of the world crumbled (12) ___________________ of months."

Comprehension questions

Who said Iran would be subject to "relentless pressure"?
What course does the USA want Iran to change?
When were sanctions on Iran lifted?
Who called the sanctions the toughest ever imposed on Iran?
What sectors will the sanctions hit besides shipping and shipbuilding?
What did President Rouhani say Iranians would do to the sanctions?
Who did President Rouhani compare Donald Trump to?
What did President Rouhani say Iranians do to U.S. statements?
What did Al Jazeera call the sanctions?
What did Al Jazeera say had crumbled?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who said Iran would be subject to "relentless pressure"?
a) the U.S. Secretary of State
b) Iran's President Rouhani
c) the IMF
d) the World Bank
2) What course does the USA want Iran to change?
a) an induction course
b) a crash course
c) a revolutionary course
d) a correspondence course
3) When were sanctions on Iran lifted?
a) 2014
b) 2015
c) 2016
d) 2013
4) Who called the sanctions the toughest ever imposed on Iran?
a) the IMF
b) a journalist
c) Iran's President Hassan Rouhani
d) the U.S. Treasury
5) What sectors will the sanctions hit besides shipping and shipbuilding?
a) energy and financial sectors
b) tourism and aviation
c) oil and gas
d) education and health

6) What did President Rouhani say Iranians would do to the sanctions?
a) laugh at them
b) add to them
c) endure them
d) break them
7) Who did President Rouhani compare Donald Trump to?
a) Barack Obama
b) George Bush junior
c) Bill Clinton
d) George Bush senior
8) What did President Rouhani say Iranians do to U.S. statements?
a) file them
b) translate them
c) laugh at them
d) pay no attention to them
9) What did Al Jazeera call the sanctions?
a) silly
b) a joke
c) a backward step
d) a necessary evil
10) What did Al Jazeera say had crumbled?
a) trust
b) goodwill
c) houses
d) a city

Role play

Role A – Sanctions
You think sanctions are the best way to punish another country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): fines, military strikes or cutting diplomatic relations.

Role B – Fines
You think fines are the best way to punish another country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): sanctions, military strikes or cutting diplomatic relations.

Role C – Military Strikes
You think military strikes are the best way to punish another country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): fines, sanctions or cutting diplomatic relations.

Role D – Cutting Diplomatic Relations
You think cutting diplomatic relations is the best way to punish another country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): fines, military strikes or sanctions.

After reading / listening

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

'economic'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'sanctions'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

face

break

junior

times

step

matter

tough

subject

result

ever

such

maximum

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 - U.S. re-imposes sanctions on Iran

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'Iran'?
What do you know about these sanctions?
How effective will the sanctions be?
How will the sanctions affect ordinary Iranians?
Why do many European countries disagree with the sanctions?
What do you know about the Iran nuclear deal?
What is Iran's "revolutionary course"?
What advice do you have for Iranians?
What do you know about Iran?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'sanctions'?
What do you think about what you read?
Why is the USA imposing sanctions on Iran?
When have sanctions worked to bring change?
Can the USA and Iran ever trust each other?
How could Iran "break the sanctions"?
What would have happened if the sanctions weren't imposed?
Have the sanctions "crumbled" goodwill?
What questions would you like to ask Iran's President Rouhani?

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)

The USA has re-imposed (1) ____ economic sanctions on Iran. The U.S. Secretary of State warned Iran that it would be subject to "relentless" pressure (2) ____ it changes its "revolutionary course". The Trump administration reinstated all sanctions that were lifted in 2015 (3) ____ a result of the Iranian nuclear deal. Most of the sanctions target (4) ____ parts of Iran's economy. The U.S. Treasury described the new penalties as, "the toughest U.S. sanctions ever imposed on Iran". It added they would, "(5) ____ critical sectors of Iran's economy, such as the energy, shipping and shipbuilding, and financial sectors". It added: "The USA is engaged (6) ____ a campaign of maximum financial pressure on the Iranian regime."

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani struck a defiant (7) ____ in the face of the renewed sanctions. He told his government: "We will proudly break the sanctions." Rouhani described the administration of President Donald Trump as, "a throwback to the (8) ____ of Bush junior and a repeat of the same statements as 2003". He said: "The era of such statements has evolved and the Iranian people have heard these statements hundreds of times, and no longer (9) ____ attention." The Al Jazeera news agency said the sanctions were a backward step. It wrote: "With one Trump (10) ____, the goodwill that had been built between Iranians and the rest of the world (11) ____ in a (12) ____ of months."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) tough (b) trough (c) though (d) thorough
(a) useless (b) lesser (c) unless (d) less
(a) was (b) has (c) as (d) that's
(a) spindle (b) shaft (c) kernel (d) core
(a) target (b) aim (c) bulls eye (d) goal
(a) on (b) in (c) at (d) of
(a) tune (b) tin (c) tome (d) tone
(a) near (b) era (c) ore (d) ire
(a) payee (b) payer (c) pay (d) payload
(a) scribe (b) signature (c) ensign (d) assign
(a) clamped (b) dabbled (c) dribbled (d) crumbled
(a) solid (b) matter (c) gas (d) liquid

Spelling

Paragraph 1

its toeuroivnlray course
the Iranian cneluar deal
the new lnaptiees
target riticcal sectors of Iran's economy
maximum financial rspusere
the Iranian gerime

Paragraph 2

struck a efidnat tone
a rtbwoahck to the era of Bush
heard these ttsemenats hundreds of times
no longer pay teatntion
With one Trump igasutnre
the rest of the world mucbreld

Put the text back together

(...) to the era of Bush junior and a repeat of the same statements as 2003". He said: "The era of such
(...) Iranians and the rest of the world crumbled in a matter of months."
(...) statements has evolved and the Iranian people have heard these statements hundreds of times, and no longer pay
(...) proudly break the sanctions." Rouhani described the administration of President Donald Trump as, "a throwback
(...) attention." The Al Jazeera news agency said the sanctions were a backward
(...) imposed on Iran". It added they would, "target critical sectors of Iran's economy, such
(...) sanctions that were lifted in 2015 as a result of the Iranian nuclear deal. Most of the sanctions target core parts
(...) Iran's President Hassan Rouhani struck a defiant tone in the face of the renewed sanctions. He told his government: "We will
(...) as the energy, shipping and shipbuilding, and financial sectors". It added: "The USA is engaged
(...) step. It wrote: "With one Trump signature, the goodwill that had been built between
( 1 ) The USA has re-imposed tough economic sanctions on Iran. The U.S. Secretary of State warned Iran that it would be
(...) in a campaign of maximum financial pressure on the Iranian regime."
(...) of Iran's economy. The U.S. Treasury described the new penalties as, "the toughest U.S. sanctions ever
(...) subject to "relentless" pressure unless it changes its "revolutionary course". The Trump administration reinstated all

Put the words in the right order

tough USA The has economic re-imposed sanctions .
subject to unless it "relentless" Be changes . pressure
deal . nuclear As Iranian of the result a
toughest imposed on Iran . sanctions U .S . The ever
financial Maximum Iranian the on regime . pressure
sanctions . defiant tone in face A of the
of Bush to the era junior . throwback A
statements hundreds of People times . heard these have
between goodwill Iranians . that built had The been
of rest crumbled the world The in months .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The USA has re-imposed tough / toughen economic sanctions on Iran. The U.S. Secretary of State warned Iran that it would be object / subject to "relentless" pressure unless it changes its "revolutionary course". The Trump administration reinstated every / all sanctions that were lifted in 2015 as a result of the Iranian nuclear deal / dealt. Most of the sanctions target score / core parts of Iran's economy. The U.S. Treasury described the new penalties as, "the toughest U.S. sanctions ever imposed / composed on Iran". It added they would, "target critically / critical sectors of Iran's economy, such as the energy, shipping / shipped and shipbuilding, and financial sectors". It added: "The USA is engaged / married in a campaign of maximum financial pressure on the Iranian regime / regiment."

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani struck / stuck a defiant tone in the face of the renewed sanctions. He told his government: "We will proud / proudly break the sanctions." Rouhani described the administered / administration of President Donald Trump as, "a throwback to the era / arena of Bush junior and a repeat of the same / similar statements as 2003". He said: "The era of such statements has evolution / evolved and the Iranian people have heard these statements hundreds of times, and no longer spend / pay attention." The Al Jazeera news agency said the sanctions were a backward ladder / step. It wrote: "With one Trump assign / signature, the goodwill that had been built between Iranians and the rest of the world crumbled in a master / matter of months."

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)

T h_ U S A h_s r_-_m p_s_d t__ g h _c_n_m_c s_n c t__ n s _n I r_n . T h_ U . S . S_c r_t_r y _f S t_t_ w_r n_d I r_n t h_t _t w__ l d b_ s_b j_c t t_ " r_l_n t l_s s " p r_s s_r_ _n l_s s _t c h_n g_s _t s " r_v_l_t__ n_r y c__ r s_" . T h_ T r_m p _d m_n_s t r_t__ n r__ n s t_t_d _l l s_n c t__ n s t h_t w_r_ l_f t_d _n 2 0 1 5 _s _ r_s_l t _f t h_ I r_n__ n n_c l__ r d__ l . M_s t _f t h_ s_n c t__ n s t_r g_t c_r_ p_r t s _f I r_n ' s _c_n_m y . T h_ U . S . T r__ s_r y d_s c r_b_d t h_ n_w p_n_l t__ s _s , " t h_ t__ g h_s t U . S . s_n c t__ n s _v_r _m p_s_d _n I r_n " . I t _d d_d t h_y w__ l d , " t_r g_t c r_t_c_l s_c t_r s _f I r_n ' s _c_n_m y , s_c h _s t h_ _n_r g y , s h_p p_n g _n d s h_p b__ l d_n g , _n d f_n_n c__ l s_c t_r s " . I t _d d_d : " T h_ U S A _s _n g_g_d _n _ c_m p__ g n _f m_x_m_m f_n_n c__ l p r_s s_r_ _n t h_ I r_n__ n r_g_m_. "

I r_n ' s P r_s_d_n t H_s s_n R__ h_n_ s t r_c k _ d_f__ n t t_n_ _n t h_ f_c_ _f t h_ r_n_w_d s_n c t__ n s . H_ t_l d h_s g_v_r n m_n t : " W_ w_l l p r__ d l y b r__ k t h_ s_n c t__ n s . " R__ h_n_ d_s c r_b_d t h_ _d m_n_s t r_t__ n _f P r_s_d_n t D_n_l d T r_m p _s , "_ t h r_w b_c k t_ t h_ _r_ _f B_s h j_n__ r _n d _ r_p__ t _f t h_ s_m_ s t_t_m_n t s _s 2 0 0 3 " . H_ s__ d : " T h_ _r_ _f s_c h s t_t_m_n t s h_s _v_l v_d _n d t h_ I r_n__ n p__ p l_ h_v_ h__ r d t h_s_ s t_t_m_n t s h_n d r_d s _f t_m_s , _n d n_ l_n g_r p_y _t t_n t__ n . " T h_ A l J_z__ r_ n_w s _g_n c y s__ d t h_ s_n c t__ n s w_r_ _ b_c k w_r d s t_p . I t w r_t_: " W_t h _n_ T r_m p s_g n_t_r_, t h_ g__ d w_l l t h_t h_d b__ n b__ l t b_t w__ n I r_n__ n s _n d t h_ r_s t _f t h_ w_r l d c r_m b l_d _n _ m_t t_r _f m_n t h s . "

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the usa has re-imposed tough economic sanctions on iran. the u.s. secretary of state warned iran that it would be subject to "relentless" pressure unless it changes its "revolutionary course". the trump administration reinstated all sanctions that were lifted in 2015 as a result of the iranian nuclear deal. most of the sanctions target core parts of iran's economy. the u.s. treasury described the new penalties as, "the toughest u.s. sanctions ever imposed on iran". it added they would, "target critical sectors of iran's economy, such as the energy, shipping and shipbuilding, and financial sectors". it added: "the usa is engaged in a campaign of maximum financial pressure on the iranian regime."

iran's president hassan rouhani struck a defiant tone in the face of the renewed sanctions. he told his government: "we will proudly break the sanctions." rouhani described the administration of president donald trump as, "a throwback to the era of bush junior and a repeat of the same statements as 2003". he said: "the era of such statements has evolved and the iranian people have heard these statements hundreds of times, and no longer pay attention." the al jazeera news agency said the sanctions were a backward step. it wrote: "with one trump signature, the goodwill that had been built between iranians and the rest of the world crumbled in a matter of months."

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheUSAhasre-imposedtougheconomicsanctionsonIran.TheU.S.Sec
retaryofStatewarnedIranthatitwouldbesubjectto"relentless"pressu
reunlessitchangesits"revolutionarycourse".TheTrumpadministratio
nreinstatedallsanctionsthatwereliftedin2015asaresultoftheIraniann
ucleardeal.MostofthesanctionstargetcorepartsofIran'seconomy.Th
eU.S.Treasurydescribedthenewpenaltiesas,"thetoughestU.S.sancti
onseverimposedonIran".Itaddedtheywould,"targetcriticalsectorsof
Iran'seconomy,suchastheenergy,shippingandshipbuilding,andfinan
cialsectors".Itadded:"TheUSAisengagedinacampaignofmaximumfi
nancialpressureontheIranianregime."Iran'sPresidentHassanRouha
nistruckadefianttoneinthefaceoftherenewedsanctions.Hetoldhisgov
ernment:"Wewillproudlybreakthesanctions."Rouhanidescribedthea
dministrationofPresidentDonaldTrumpas,"athrowbacktotheeraofBu
shjuniorandarepeatofthesamestatementsas2003".Hesaid:"Theera
ofsuchstatementshasevolvedandtheIranianpeoplehaveheardthese
statementshundredsoftimes,andnolongerpayattention."TheAlJazee
ranewsagencysaidthesanctionswereabackwardstep.Itwrote:"Witho
neTrumpsignature,thegoodwillthathadbeenbuiltbetweenIraniansan
dtherestoftheworldcrumbledinamatterofmonths."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The U.S. sanctions on Iran will be effective. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. IRAN: Make a poster about Iran. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. SANCTIONS: Write a magazine article about the sanctions on Iran. 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 Iran. Ask him/her three questions about the country. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

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

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English Lesson on Iran Sanctions

Home | Help This Site

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS