The Reading / Listening - Border Wall - Level 6

The U.S. government will partially shut down over the Christmas period due to a lack of agreement over funding for the proposed wall along the Mexico border. Politicians say it is likely that the federal closures will continue until after Christmas. It is the third government shutdown of the year. U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a "very long" government shutdown if Democrats do not fund the border wall. Mr Trump wants the Senate to authorize $5.7 billion to finance the wall, which was one of the President's major election promises in 2016. He said: "I hope we don't, but we are totally prepared for a very long shutdown." He tweeted: "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for border security.

The shutdown has affected Mr Trump's holiday plans. The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed this in a statement. She said: "Due to the shutdown, President Trump will remain in Washington, D.C. and the First Lady will return from Florida so they can spend Christmas together." The shutdown means there is gridlock in large parts of the federal government's operations. Funding has expired for departments that operate national parks, homeland security, law enforcement, tax collection and transportation. Around 400,000 federal workers have to stay at home without pay until a deal is reached. Many government services have been halted until the Senate reaches a deal.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Border Wall - Level 4  or  Border Wall - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/shutdown-day-1-trump-warns-it-could-be-a-long-stay-amid-impasse-over-border-wall/2018/12/22/006ff10c-060b-11e9-9122-82e98f91ee6f_story.html
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46637638
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/22/politics/government-shutdown-day-1/index.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. WALLS AND FENCES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about walls and fences. 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?
       government / shut down / lack / agreement / federal / border wall / finance / security
       holiday plans / press secretary / Washington / gridlock / national parks / deal / pay
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. THE WALL: Students A strongly believe the USA should build a wall along the Mexico border; Students B strongly believe it shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. GOVERNMENT: How are these governments in your country? How can they be made better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How are these departments?

Improvements

National security

 

 

Employment

 

 

Health

 

 

Education

 

 

Transportation

 

 

Law Enforcement

 

 
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. WALL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "wall". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SHUTDOWN: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst things to shut down at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Transport
  • The Internet
  • Electricity
  • Social security
  • Law enforcement
  • Health
  • Schools
  • Border security

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. partially a. Money provided, especially by an organization or government, for a particular purpose.
      2. due to b. Only in part; to a limited extent.
      3. lack c. The state of being without or not having enough of something.
      4. funding d. Give official permission for or approval to an undertaking or agent.
      5. proposed e. A formal choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, usually via putting a cross in a box on a paper or a show of hands.
      6. authorize f. Because of.
      7. vote g. Put forward an idea or plan for consideration or discussion by others.

    Paragraph 2

      8. confirmed h. A government department responsible for the police and order on the streets.
      9. gridlock i. Stopped or brought to a sudden end or finish.
      10. expired j. An agreement between two or more parties for their mutual benefit, especially in a business or political context.
      11. law enforcement k. Of a document, authorization, or agreement that has ceased to be valid, usually after a fixed period of time.
      12. federal l. Relating to the central government of the USA.
      13. deal m. States with confidence that a report or fact is true.
      14. halted n. A situation in which no progress can be made between two or more people or groups.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The U.S. government will totally shut down over Christmas.     T / F
  2. This is the first time this year that the U.S. government has shut down.   T / F
  3. Donald Trump wants $5.7 million to build a border wall.     T / F
  4. Donald Trump said he is prepared for a very long shutdown.     T / F
  5. The shutdown means Donald Trump won't be in Florida for Xmas.     T / F
  6. The article says Mr and Mrs Trump will spend Christmas together.     T / F
  7. There is currently no federal funding for national parks.     T / F
  8. Over half-a-million federal workers are at home without pay.     T / F

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

  1. partially
  2. lack
  3. closure
  4. finance
  5. prepared
  6. affected
  7. operations
  8. expired
  9. halted
  10. deal
  1. impacted
  2. shutdown
  3. functions
  4. ready
  5. agreement
  6. fund
  7. partly
  8. stopped
  9. run out
  10. absence

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

  1. shut down over
  2. due to a lack
  3. authorize $5.7 billion
  4. one of the President's major
  5. border
  6. Sanders confirmed this in
  7. they can spend
  8. law
  9. tax
  10. Many government services have been
  1. to finance the wall
  2. Christmas together
  3. security
  4. enforcement
  5. halted
  6. of agreement
  7. collection
  8. election promises
  9. a statement
  10. the Christmas period

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
major
along
promised
security
partially
totally
finance
closures

The U.S. government will (1) ____________ shut down over the Christmas period due to a lack of agreement over funding for the proposed wall (2) ____________ the Mexico border. Politicians say it is likely that the federal (3) ____________ will continue until after Christmas. It is the third government shutdown of the year. U.S. President Donald Trump has (4) ____________ a "very long" government shutdown if Democrats do not fund the border wall. Mr Trump wants the Senate to authorize $5.7 billion to (5) ____________ the wall, which was one of the President's (6) ____________ election promises in 2016. He said: "I hope we don't, but we are (7) ____________ prepared for a very long shutdown." He tweeted: "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for border (8) ____________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
gridlock
affected
security
reaches
remain
expired
deal
confirmed

The shutdown has (9) ____________ Mr Trump's holiday plans. The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders (10) ___________ this in a statement. She said: "Due to the shutdown, President Trump will (11) ____________ in Washington, D.C. and the First Lady will return from Florida so they can spend Christmas together." The shutdown means there is (12) ____________ in large parts of the federal government's operations. Funding has (13) ____________ for departments that operate national parks, homeland (14) ____________, law enforcement, tax collection and transportation. Around 400,000 federal workers have to stay at home without pay until a (15) ____________ is reached. Many government services have been halted until the Senate (16) ____________ a deal.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  partially shut down over the Christmas period due to ______ agreement
     a.  a luck of
     b.  a lack of
     c.  a lack off
     d.  all lack off
2) promised a very long government shutdown if Democrats do ______ border wall
     a.  not find the
     b.  not fend the
     c.  not fund the
     d.  not fond the
3) $5.7 billion to finance the wall, which was one of the President's ______ promises
     a.  majors election
     b.  major election
     c.  majorly election
     d.  majority election
4)  He said: "I hope we don't, but we are totally prepared for a very ______."
     a.  long shuts down
     b.  long shut it down
     c.  longer shutdown
     d.  long shutdown
5)  He tweeted: "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote ______."
     a.  for border security
     b.  for border securities
     c.  for borders security
     d.  four border security

6)  The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed this ______
     a.  in a state meant
     b.  in a straight meant
     c.  in a stale mend
     d.  in a statement
7)  the First Lady will return from Florida so they can ______ together
     a.  spent Christmas
     b.  spends Christmas
     c.  spend Christmas
     d.  splendid Christmas
8)  Funding has expired for departments that operate ______
     a.  nationally parks
     b.  national park
     c.  national parks
     d.  national sparks
9) 400,000 federal workers have to stay at home without pay until a ______
     a.  deal is reach
     b.  deal is retched
     c.  deal is wretched
     d.  deal is reached
10)  Many government services have ______
     a.  been halted
     b.  been halt it
     c.  being halted
     d.  bean halted

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The U.S. government will (1) ___________________ over the Christmas period due (2) ___________________ of agreement over funding for the proposed wall along the Mexico border. Politicians say it is likely that the (3) ___________________ continue until after Christmas. It is the third government shutdown of the year. U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a "very long" government shutdown if Democrats (4) ___________________ the border wall. Mr Trump wants the Senate to authorize $5.7 billion to (5) ___________________, which was one of the President's major election promises in 2016. He said: "I hope we don't, but we are totally prepared for a very long shutdown." He tweeted: "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote (6) ___________________."

The (7) ___________________ Mr Trump's holiday plans. The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed this in a statement. She said: "Due to the shutdown, President Trump (8) ___________________ Washington, D.C. and the First Lady will return from Florida so they can spend Christmas together." The shutdown means there (9) ___________________ large parts of the federal government's operations. Funding has expired for departments (10) ___________________ parks, homeland security, law enforcement, tax collection and transportation. Around 400,000 federal (11) ___________________ stay at home without pay until a deal is reached. Many government services have been halted until the Senate (12) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. To what extent will the U.S. government shut down?
  2. How many times has the government now shut down this year?
  3. How much does President Donald Trump want to build a border wall?
  4. What did President Trump say he was prepared for?
  5. Who does President Trump want to vote for border security?
  6. Which of Mr Trump's plans did the article say the shutdown has affected?
  7. Who will return from Florida?
  8. What has expired in many parts of the federal government?
  9. How many workers have to stay at home without pay?
  10. What must the Senate reach so workers can go back to work?

Multiple choice quiz

1) To what extent will the U.S. government shut down?
a) totally
b) fifty per cent
c) partially
d) a slight extent
2) How many times has the government now shut down this year?
a) 3
b) 2
c) 4
d) 1
3) How much does President Donald Trump want to build a border wall?
a) $5.7 billion
b) $5.7 million
c) $57 billion
d) $7.5 million
4) What did President Trump say he was prepared for?
a) 2019
b) a very long shutdown
c) to help build the wall
d) a Christmas dinner
5) Who does President Trump want to vote for border security?
a) the White House
b) Mexicans
c) Republicans
d) Democrats

6) Which of Mr Trump's plans did the article say the shutdown has affected?
a) his budgetary plans
b) his holiday plans
c) his foreign policy plans
d) his New Year plans
7) Who will return from Florida?
a) the First Lady
b) Senators
c) President Trump's children
d) the Vice-President
8) What has expired in many parts of the federal government?
a) passwords
b) deadlines
c) funding
d) a subscription
9) How many workers have to stay at home without pay?
a) exactly 400,000
b) over 400,000
c) under 400,000
d) around 400,000
10) What must the Senate reach so workers can go back to work?
a) a deal
b) a place
c) out
d) over

Role play

Role  A – Law Enforcement
You think law enforcement is the worst thing to shut down. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things shutting down aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these shutting down (and why): transport, the Internet or healthcare.

Role  B – Transport
You think transport is the worst thing to shut down. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things shutting down aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these shutting down (and why): law enforcement, the Internet or healthcare.

Role  C – The Internet
You think the Internet is the worst thing to shut down. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things shutting down aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these shutting down (and why): transport, law enforcement or healthcare.

Role  D – Healthcare
You think healthcare is the worst thing to shut down. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things shutting down aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these shutting down (and why): transport, the Internet or law enforcement.

After reading / listening

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

'shut'

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

    • and 'down'.

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

    • • 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:

    • plans
    • remain
    • return
    • large
    • law
    • until
    • partially
    • proposed
    • third
    • fund
    • totally
    • vote

    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. government shutdown over border wall

    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 'border'?
    3. What do you think of your government?
    4. What are the worst things about working for the government?
    5. What do you think of a government shutting down?
    6. What are your country's borders like?
    7. What happens if a government shuts down?
    8. What do you think of the border wall with Mexico?
    9. Do politicians always keep their promises?
    10. How worried are you about the security of your country?

    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 'wall'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What are the best things about working for the government?
    5. What good things do governments do?
    6. What will President Trump do in the White House over Christmas?
    7. What happens if government services are in gridlock?
    8. Do you agree with the saying: "Fences make good neighbors"?
    9. Who should pay for the building of the Mexico wall?
    10. What questions would you like to ask President Trump?

    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 U.S. government will partially shut (1) ____ over the Christmas period due to a lack of agreement over funding for the (2) ____ wall along the Mexico border. Politicians say it is (3) ____ that the federal closures will continue until after Christmas. It is the third government shutdown of the year. U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a "very long" government shutdown if Democrats do not (4) ____ the border wall. Mr Trump wants the Senate to authorize $5.7 billion to finance the wall, (5) ____ was one of the President's major election promises in 2016. He said: "I hope we don't, but we are totally prepared (6) ____ a very long shutdown." He tweeted: "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for border security."

    The shutdown has affected Mr Trump's holiday plans. The White House (7) ____ secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed this in a statement. She said: "(8) ____ to the shutdown, President Trump will remain in Washington, D.C. and the First Lady will return from Florida (9) ____ they can spend Christmas together." The shutdown means there is gridlock in large parts of the federal government's operations. Funding has expired (10) ____ departments that operate national parks, homeland security, law enforcement, tax (11) ____ and transportation. Around 400,000 federal workers have to stay at home without pay until a deal is reached. Many government services have been (12) ____ until the Senate reaches a deal.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     up     (b)     away     (c)     in     (d)     down    
    2. (a)     props     (b)     proposal     (c)     prosper     (d)     proposed    
    3. (a)     likelihood     (b)     likely     (c)     liked     (d)     likes    
    4. (a)     find     (b)     fend     (c)     fund     (d)     fond    
    5. (a)     what     (b)     such     (c)     which     (d)     as    
    6. (a)     for     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     on    
    7. (a)     dress     (b)     press     (c)     cress     (d)     tress    
    8. (a)     Due     (b)     Because     (c)     As     (d)     Such    
    9. (a)     to     (b)     so     (c)     for     (d)     from    
    10. (a)     to     (b)     so     (c)     for     (d)     from    
    11. (a)     relation     (b)     deduction     (c)     collection     (d)     salvation    
    12. (a)     halt     (b)     halting     (c)     halts     (d)     halted

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. atpairlly shut down
    2. due to a lack of rameeegnt
    3. the poporesd wall
    4. dfreeal closures
    5. tohurazie $5.7 billion to finance the wall
    6. major lectieon promises

    Paragraph 2

    1. facefted Mr Trump's holiday plans
    2. The White House press ceretsray
    3. Funding has xpireed
    4. law nfremeceont
    5. tax olectclion
    6. government services have been lahted

    Put the text back together

    (...)  in 2016. He said: "I hope we don't, but we are totally prepared for a very long
    (...)  $5.7 billion to finance the wall, which was one of the President's major election promises
    (...)  until after Christmas. It is the third government shutdown of the year. U.S. President Donald Trump has
    (...)  Lady will return from Florida so they can spend Christmas together." The shutdown means there is
    (...)  shutdown." He tweeted: "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for border security."
    (...)  400,000 federal workers have to stay at home without pay until a deal is reached. Many
    (...)  gridlock in large parts of the federal government's operations. Funding has expired for departments that operate national
    (...)  The shutdown has affected Mr Trump's holiday plans. The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed
    (...)  promised a "very long" government shutdown if Democrats do not fund the border wall. Mr Trump wants the Senate to authorize
    (...)  parks, homeland security, law enforcement, tax collection and transportation. Around
    (...)  this in a statement. She said: "Due to the shutdown, President Trump will remain in Washington, D.C. and the First
    (...)  for the proposed wall along the Mexico border. Politicians say it is likely that the federal closures will continue
    (...)  government services have been halted until the Senate reaches a deal.
    (  1  ) The U.S. government will partially shut down over the Christmas period due to a lack of agreement over funding

    Put the words in the right order

    1. of   Due   lack   over   a   agreement   to   funding   .
    2. federal   closures   until   continue   The   will   after   Christmas   .
    3. of   President's   One   2016   major   the   election   promises   .
    4. prepared   totally   We   for   are   long   a   shutdown   .
    5. do   If   vote   not   Democrats   for   border   security   .
    6. shutdown   has   affected   Mr   Trump's   The   holiday   plans   .
    7. in   of   parts   large   the   Gridlock   government's   operations   .
    8. expired   departments   Funding   operate   that   for   national   parks  .
    9. have   workers   Around   to   400,000   at   stay   home   .
    10. the   Halted   reaches   Senate   until   a   deal   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The U.S. government will partially / party shut down over the Christmas period due to a lack of agreement under / over funding for the proposed wall along the Mexico border. Politicians say it is likelihood / likely that the federal closures will continue until / for after Christmas. It is the third government shut / shutdown of the year. U.S. President Donald Trump has promised a "very long" government shutdown if Democrats do not find / fund the border wall. Mr Trump wants the Senate to authorize / authority $5.7 billion to finance the wall, which was one / once of the President's major election promises in 2016. He said: "I hope we don't, but we are totally prepared / prepare for a very long shutdown." He tweeted: "Shutdown today if Democrats do not voting / vote for border security."

    The shutdown has affected / effected Mr Trump's holiday plans. The White House press secretary Sarah Sanders conformed / confirmed this in a statement. She said: "Due of / to the shutdown, President Trump will remain / remnant in Washington, D.C. and the First Lady will return from Florida so they can spend / purchase Christmas together." The shutdown means there is gridlock in largely / large parts of the federal government's operatives / operations. Funding has expired for departments that / what operate national parks, homeland security, law enforcement, tax collection and transportation / transporting. Around 400,000 federal workers have to stay at home without pay until a dealt / deal is reached. Many government services have been halted until the Senate reaches a deal.

    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 . g_v_r n m_n t w_l l p_r t__ l l y s h_t d_w n _v_r t h_ C h r_s t m_s p_r__ d d__ t_ _ l_c k _f _g r__ m_n t _v_r f_n d_n g f_r t h_ p r_p_s_d w_l l _l_n g t h_ M_x_c_ b_r d_r . P_l_t_c__ n s s_y _t _s l_k_l y t h_t t h_ f_d_r_l c l_s_r_s w_l l c_n t_n__ _n t_l _f t_r C h r_s t m_s . I t _s t h_ t h_r d g_v_r n m_n t s h_t d_w n _f t h_ y__ r . U . S . P r_s_d_n t D_n_l d T r_m p h_s p r_m_s_d _ " v_r y l_n g " g_v_r n m_n t s h_t d_w n _f D_m_c r_t s d_ n_t f_n d t h_ b_r d_r w_l l . M r T r_m p w_n t s t h_ S_n_t_ t_ __ t h_r_z_ $ 5.7 b_l l__ n t_ f_n_n c_ t h_ w_l l , w h_c h w_s _n_ _f t h_ P r_s_d_n t ' s m_j_r _l_c t__ n p r_m_s_s _n 2 0 1 6 . H_ s__ d : " I h_p_ w_ d_n ' t , b_t w_ _r_ t_t_l l y p r_p_r_d f_r _ v_r y l_n g s h_t d_w n . " H_ t w__ t_d : " S h_t d_w n t_d_y _f D_m_c r_t s d_ n_t v_t_ f_r b_r d_r s_c_r_t y . "

    T h_ s h_t d_w n h_s _f f_c t_d M r T r_m p ' s h_l_d_y p l_n s . T h_ W h_t_ H__ s_ p r_s s s_c r_t_r y S_r_h S_n d_r s c_n f_r m_d t h_s _n _ s t_t_m_n t . S h_ s__ d : " D__ t_ t h_ s h_t d_w n , P r_s_d_n t T r_m p w_l l r_m__ n _n W_s h_n g t_n , D . C . _n d t h_ F_r s t L_d y w_l l r_t_r n f r_m F l_r_d_ s_ t h_y c_n s p_n d C h r_s t m_s t_g_t h_r . " T h_ s h_t d_w n m__ n s t h_r_ _s g r_d l_c k _n l_r g_ p_r t s _f t h_ f_d_r_l g_v_r n m_n t ' s _p_r_t__ n s . F_n d_n g h_s _x p_r_d f_r d_p_r t m_n t s t h_t _p_r_t_ n_t__ n_l p_r k s , h_m_l_n d s_c_r_t y , l_w _n f_r c_m_n t , t_x c_l l_c t__ n _n d t r_n s p_r t_t__ n . A r__ n d 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 f_d_r_l w_r k_r s h_v_ t_ s t_y _t h_m_ w_t h__ t p_y _n t_l _ d__ l _s r__ c h_d . M_n y g_v_r n m_n t s_r v_c_s h_v_ b__ n h_l t_d _n t_l t h_ S_n_t_ r__ c h_s _ d__ l .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the us government will partially shut down over the christmas period due to a lack of agreement over funding for the proposed wall along the mexico border politicians say it is likely that the federal closures will continue until after christmas it is the third government shutdown of the year us president donald trump has promised a very long government shutdown if democrats do not fund the border wall mr trump wants the senate to authorize 57 billion to finance the wall which was one of the presidents major election promises in 2016 he said i hope we dont but we are totally prepared for a very long shutdown he tweeted shutdown today if democrats do not vote for border security

    the shutdown has affected mr trumps holiday plans the white house press secretary sarah sanders confirmed this in a statement she said due to the shutdown president trump will remain in washington dc and the first lady will return from florida so they can spend christmas together the shutdown means there is gridlock in large parts of the federal governments operations funding has expired for departments that operate national parks homeland security law enforcement tax collection and transportation around 400000 federal workers have to stay at home without pay until a deal is reached many government services have been halted until the senate reaches a deal

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheU.S.governmentwillpartiallyshutdownovertheChristmasperiodd
    uetoalackofagreementoverfundingfortheproposedwallalongtheMex
    icoborder.Politicianssayitislikelythatthefederalclosureswillcontinue
    untilafterChristmas.Itisthethirdgovernmentshutdownoftheyear.U.
    S.PresidentDonaldTrumphaspromiseda"verylong"governmentshut
    downifDemocratsdonotfundtheborderwall.MrTrumpwantstheSenat
    etoauthorize$5.7billiontofinancethewall,whichwasoneofthePreside
    nt'smajorelectionpromisesin2016.Hesaid:"Ihopewedon't,butweare
    totallypreparedforaverylongshutdown."Hetweeted:"Shutdowntoda
    yifDemocratsdonotvoteforbordersecurity."Theshutdownhasaffecte
    dMrTrump'sholidayplans.TheWhiteHousepresssecretarySarahSand
    ersconfirmedthisinastatement.Shesaid:"Duetotheshutdown,Presid
    entTrumpwillremaininWashington,D.C.andtheFirstLadywillreturnfr
    omFloridasotheycanspendChristmastogether."Theshutdownmeans
    thereisgridlockinlargepartsofthefederalgovernment'soperations.Fu
    ndinghasexpiredfordepartmentsthatoperatenationalparks,homelan
    dsecurity,lawenforcement,taxcollectionandtransportation.Around4
    00,000federalworkershavetostayathomewithoutpayuntiladealisrea
    ched.ManygovernmentserviceshavebeenhalteduntiltheSenatereac
    hesadeal.

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Fences and walls make good neighbors. 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. WALLS AND FENCES: Make a poster about walls and fences. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. THE MEXICO BORDER WALL: Write a magazine article about the Mexico border wall. 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 walls and fences. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on the saying, "Fences make good neighbors". 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

    Thank You