The Reading / Listening - Omicron - Level 6

A new variant of the covid-19 virus is beginning to spread worldwide. The WHO named the mutation Omicron, after a letter of the Greek alphabet. It was first reported in Botswana on the 9th of November. Two weeks later, it was detected in South Africa and flagged as a "virus of concern". Soon after this, cases were reported in Hong Kong, Israel, Madagascar and Belgium. Epidemiologists have warned that this new strain could be extremely infectious. They also said it may be able to evade protections afforded us by current vaccines. This has led to countries reinstating travel bans. Despite these, new cases have already been reported in the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Scientists are currently analyzing Omicron to assess the dangers it might pose. They have detected 50 genetic changes in the DNA that affects the spikes surrounding the crown of the virus. Current vaccines focus on these spikes. Any changes in the DNA of the spikes could make the virus more virulent, more transmissible and possibly more resistant against vaccines. Scientists say it could take a few weeks to determine how effective our vaccines are against Omicron. The White House's chief medical adviser has warned that: "When you have a virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility, and you're already having travel-related cases…it almost invariably is ultimately going to go all over [the world]."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Omicron - Level 4  or  Omicron - Level 5

Sources
  • https://nypost.com/2021/11/27/omicron-variant-found-in-uk-germany-czech-republic/
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/27/omicron-variant-covid-southern-africa-travel-restrictions
  • https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/11/27/1059501446/covid-coronavirus-omicron-variant


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. OMICRON: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Omicron. 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?
       variant / covi-19 / virus / WHO / Omicron / concern / epidemiologist / travel ban /
       scientists / dangers / genetic changes / DNA / vaccines / transmissibility / the world
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DISAPPEAR: Students A strongly believe covid-19 will disappear in a year or two and we can go back to normal; Students B strongly believe this won't happen. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. COVID-19: How has the coronavirus affected these things? Have you been affected? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Effects

On You

Work / Study

 

 

Shopping

 

 

Travel

 

 

Socializing

 

 

The economy

 

 

Mental health

 

 
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. ALPHABET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "alphabet". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. MEASURES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best measures to keep the virus at bay at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Hand washing
  • Social isolation
  • Mask wearing
  • Social distancing
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Ventilation
  • Talking quietly
  • Losing weight

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. mutation a. A variety of a microorganism.
      2. detected b. Marked something for attention or treatment in a specified way.
      3. flagged c. Discovered or identified the presence or existence of.
      4. epidemiologist d. Have enough money to pay for something.
      5. strain e. The action or process of changing in form or nature.
      6. evade f. A person who studies or is an expert in diseases.
      7. afford g. Escape or stay away from someone or something, especially by guile or trickery.

    Paragraph 2

      8. pose h. Of a disease or poison that is extremely severe or harmful in its effects.
      9. virulent i. Cause something to occur in a particular way or to have a particular nature.
      10. transmissible j. Finally; in the end.
      11. resistant k. How spreadable a virus or disease is.
      12. determine l. In every case or on every occasion; always.
      13. invariably m. The ability not to be affected by something, especially something bad.
      14. ultimately n. Present or constitute a problem or danger.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The new Omicron variant was named by South Africa's government.     T / F
  2. The Omicron variant was first reported in Botswana on November 19.     T / F
  3. Israel, Madagascar and Belgium have reported cases of Omicron.     T / F
  4. Epidemiologists say current vaccines will protect us against Omicron.     T / F
  5. Scientists have found 50 different genetic changes in Omicron.     T / F
  6. Vaccines currently in use focus on the centre of the coronavirus crown.    T / F
  7. Scientists need over two months to know if vaccines can fight Omicron.   T / F
  8. The White House said Omicron would spread all across the world.     T / F

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

  1. variant
  2. spread
  3. flagged
  4. infectious
  5. evade
  6. pose
  7. focus
  8. virulent
  9. determine
  10. invariably
  1. deadly
  2. catching
  3. present
  4. always
  5. form
  6. find out
  7. dodge
  8. disseminate
  9. concentrate
  10. marked

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

  1. The WHO named the
  2. flagged as a virus of
  3. this new strain could be
  4. They also said it may be able to
  5. This has led to countries reinstating
  6. assess the dangers it might
  7. They have detected 50 genetic
  8. make the virus more
  9. more resistant against
  10. showing this degree
  1. pose
  2. travel bans
  3. changes in the DNA
  4. of transmissibility
  5. extremely infectious
  6. mutation Omicron
  7. vaccines
  8. evade protections
  9. virulent
  10. concern

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
alphabet
infectious
detected
cases
reported
vaccines
variant
concern

A new (1) _____________________ of the covid-19 virus is beginning to spread worldwide. The WHO named the mutation Omicron, after a letter of the Greek (2) _____________________. It was first reported in Botswana on the 9th of November. Two weeks later, it was            (3) _____________________ in South Africa and flagged as a "virus of       (4) _____________________". Soon after this, cases were                      (5) _____________________ in Hong Kong, Israel, Madagascar and Belgium. Epidemiologists have warned that this new strain could be extremely (6) _____________________. They also said it may be able to evade protections afforded us by current                           (7) _____________________. This has led to countries reinstating travel bans. Despite these, new (8) _____________________ have already been reported in the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
surrounding
determine
currently
degree
virulent
detected
ultimately
chief

Scientists are (9) _____________________ analyzing Omicron to assess the dangers it might pose. They have (10) _____________________ 50 genetic changes in the DNA that affects the spikes (11) _____________________ the crown of the virus. Current vaccines focus on these spikes. Any changes in the DNA of the spikes could make the virus more (12) _____________________, more transmissible and possibly more resistant against vaccines. Scientists say it could take a few weeks to (13) _____________________ how effective our vaccines are against Omicron. The White House's (14) _____________________ medical adviser has warned that: "When you have a virus that is showing this (15) _____________________ of transmissibility, and you're already having travel-related cases...it almost invariably is (16) _____________________ going to go all over [the world]."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A new variant of the covid-19 virus is beginning ______
     a.  to spared worldwide
     b.  twos spread worldwide
     c.  two spread worldwide
     d.  to spread worldwide
2)  The WHO named the mutation Omicron, after a letter of ______
     a.  the Greek alpha beta
     b.  the Greek alphabet
     c.  the Greek alpha bet
     d.  the Greek Al for bet
3)  Two weeks later, it was detected in South Africa and flagged as a "______"
     a.  virus oft concern
     b.  virus off concern
     c.  virus if concern
     d.  virus of concern
4)  Epidemiologists have warned that this new strain could ______
     a.  be extremity infectious
     b.  be extremely infectious
     c.  be eggs stream lymph vexes
     d.  be eggs stream lee insect juice
5)  This has led to countries ______
     a.  reinstating travel buns
     b.  reinstating travel bins
     c.  reinstating travel burns
     d.  reinstating travel bans

6)  Scientists are currently analyzing Omicron to assess the dangers ______
     a.  it might pose
     b.  it might prose
     c.  it might posse
     d.  it might oppose
7)  changes in the DNA that affects the spikes ______
     a.  surrounding the crown
     b.  surround din the crown
     c.  surround in the crown
     d.  sir round in the crown
8)  Any changes in the DNA of the spikes could make the ______
     a.  virus more opulent
     b.  virus more petulant
     c.  virus more flatulent
     d.  virus more virulent
9)  more transmissible and possibly more ______
     a.  resistance against vaccines
     b.  resistant again vaccines
     c.  resistant against vaccines
     d.  resistance a gains vaccines
10)  When you have a virus that is showing this ______
     a.  decree of trans miss ability
     b.  decree of transmits ability
     c.  degree off transmissibility
     d.  degree of transmissibility

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A (1) ____________________ the covid-19 virus is beginning to spread worldwide. The WHO (2) ____________________ Omicron, after a letter of the Greek alphabet. It was first reported in Botswana on the 9th of November. Two weeks later, it (3) ____________________ South Africa and flagged as a "virus of concern". Soon after this, cases were reported in Hong Kong, Israel, Madagascar and Belgium. Epidemiologists have warned that this new strain could (4) ____________________. They also said it may be able (5) ____________________ afforded us by current vaccines. This has led to countries (6) ____________________. Despite these, new cases have already been reported in the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Scientists are currently analyzing Omicron to (7) ____________________ it might pose. They have detected 50 genetic changes in the DNA that affects the spikes surrounding the crown of the virus. Current (8) ____________________ these spikes. Any changes in the DNA of the spikes could make the virus (9) ____________________ transmissible and possibly more resistant against vaccines. Scientists say it could take a few weeks to (10) ____________________ our vaccines are against Omicron. The White House's chief medical adviser has warned that: "When you have a virus that is showing (11) ____________________ transmissibility, and you're already having travel-related cases...it almost (12) ____________________ going to go all over [the world]."

Comprehension questions

  1. Who named the new variant Omicron?
  2. Where was the variant first reported?
  3. What is Omicron being flagged as?
  4. Who warned Omicron could be extremely infectious?
  5. What have many countries reinstated?
  6. How many genetic changes in Omicron have scientists discovered?
  7. What do current vaccines focus on?
  8. How long might it take scientists to find out how dangerous Omicron is?
  9. Which member of the White House staff commented on Omicron?
  10. Where did the White House staffer say Omicron might travel?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  Who named the new variant Omicron?
a) South Africa's government
b) the WHO
c) the Greek Alphabet Association
d) a person got covid
2) Where was the variant first reported?
a) Israel
b) South Africa
c) Hong Kong
d) Botswana
3) What is Omicron being flagged as?
a) a worry
b) extremely dangerous
c) a virus of concern
d) a warning
4) Who warned Omicron could be extremely infectious?
a) epidemiologists
b) neurologists
c) entomologists
d) endocrinologists
5) What have many countries reinstated?
a) mask wearing
b) travel bans
c) social distancing
d) working from home

6) How many genetic changes in Omicron have scientists discovered?
a) 50
b) 40
c) 60
d) 20
7) What do current vaccines focus on?
a) white blood cells
b) arms
c) coronavirus spikes
d) the respiratory system
8) How long might it take scientists to find out how dangerous Omicron is?
a) a few weeks
b) days
c) hours
d) ages
9) Which member of the White House staff commented on Omicron?
a) the special advisor to the President
b) the chief of staff
c) the special advisor to vaccines
d) the chief medical adviser
10) Where did the White House staffer say Omicron might travel?
a) to warmer countries
b) across the continent of Africa
c) all over the world
d) to colder countries

Role play

Role  A – Hand Washing
You think hand washing is the best way to keep covid-19 at bay. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their methods. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): mask wearing, social distancing or ventilation.

Role  B – Mask Wearing
You think mask wearing is the best way to keep covid-19 at bay. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their methods. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): hand washing, social distancing or ventilation.

Role  C – Social Distancing
You think social distancing is the best way to keep covid-19 at bay. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their methods. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): mask wearing, hand washing or ventilation.

Role  D – Ventilation
You think ventilation is the best way to keep covid-19 at bay. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their methods. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): mask wearing, social distancing or hand washing.

After reading / listening

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

'virus'

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

    • and 'vaccine'.

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

    • • 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:

    • beginning
    • letter
    • flagged
    • strain
    • evade
    • despite
    • currently
    • 50
    • focus
    • possibly
    • chief
    • ultimately

    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 - Omicron

    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 'virus'?
    3. What do you know about the Omicron variant?
    4. How worried are you about covid-19?
    5. What success has your country had with covid-19?
    6. How dangerous do you think Omicron will be?
    7. What do you do stay safe during the pandemic?
    8. Do you think people will take necessary precautions against Omicron?
    9. What do you think of the covid vaccines?
    10. What advice do you have for people now Omicron is here?

    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 'vaccine'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What dangers might Omicron pose?
    5. What happens if Omicron is very virulent and transmissible?
    6. Have you argued with anyone about covid-19?
    7. How has the current pandemic affected your life?
    8. When do you think the pandemic will be over?
    9. Do you think there should be a global travel ban?
    10. What questions would you like to ask epidemiologists?

    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)

    A new variant of the covid-19 virus is (1) ____ to spread worldwide. The WHO named the mutation Omicron, after a (2) ____ of the Greek alphabet. It was first reported in Botswana on the 9th of November. Two weeks later, it was (3) ____ in South Africa and flagged as a "virus of concern". Soon after this, cases were reported in Hong Kong, Israel, Madagascar and Belgium. Epidemiologists have warned that this new (4) ____ could be extremely infectious. They also said it may be able to (5) ____ protections afforded us by current vaccines. This has led to countries (6) ____ travel bans. Despite these, new cases have already been reported in the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.

    Scientists are currently analyzing Omicron to assess the dangers it might (7) ____. They have detected 50 genetic changes in the DNA that affects the spikes (8) ____ the crown of the virus. Current vaccines focus on these spikes. Any changes in the DNA of the spikes could make the virus more (9) ____, more transmissible and possibly more resistant against vaccines. Scientists say it could take a few weeks to (10) ____ how effective our vaccines are against Omicron. The White House's chief medical adviser has warned that: "When you have a virus that is showing this (11) ____ of transmissibility, and you're already having travel-related cases...it almost invariably is (12) ____ going to go all over [the world]."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     beginning     (b)     began     (c)     beginnings     (d)     begins    
    (a)     mark     (b)     character     (c)     letter     (d)     symbol    
    (a)     defected     (b)     detected     (c)     deflated     (d)     dejected     
    (a)     pressure     (b)     anxiety     (c)     stress     (d)     strain    
    (a)     evade     (b)     invade     (c)     pervade     (d)     void    
    (a)     warning     (b)     cautioning     (c)     banning     (d)     reinstating    
    (a)     prose     (b)     pose     (c)     oppose     (d)     suppose    
    (a)     fencing in     (b)     confining     (c)     besieging     (d)     surrounding    
    (a)     ebullient     (b)     flatulent     (c)     virulent     (d)     corpulent    
    (a)     detriment     (b)     determine     (c)     demarcate     (d)     delimit    
    (a)     station     (b)     degree     (c)     status     (d)     standing    
    (a)     penultimate     (b)     ultimate     (c)     ultimately     (d)     ultimatum

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The WHO named the mtuintoa Omicron
    2. after a letter of the Greek athbpale
    3. it was eeetdcdt in South Africa
    4. this new strain could be extremely icefuitnos
    5. it may be able to vdeae protections
    6. current ascinvce

    Paragraph 2

    1. 50 teiengc changes in the DNA
    2. make the virus more vnetulri
    3. possibly more nsettsrai
    4. take a few weeks to inemtdree how effective
    5. this degree of siybtsisinramitl
    6. ealmtyiltu going to go all over the world

    Put the text back together

    (...)  protections afforded us by current vaccines. This has led to countries reinstating travel bans. Despite these, new
    (...)  concern". Soon after this, cases were reported in Hong Kong, Israel, Madagascar and Belgium. Epidemiologists have
    (...)  Scientists are currently analyzing Omicron to assess the dangers it might pose. They have detected 50 genetic
    (...)  medical adviser has warned that: "When you have a virus that is showing this degree
    (...)  focus on these spikes. Any changes in the DNA of the spikes could make the virus more virulent, more
    (...)  cases have already been reported in the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.
    (...)  determine how effective our vaccines are against Omicron. The White House's chief
    (  1  ) A new variant of the covid-19 virus is beginning to spread worldwide. The WHO named the mutation
    (...)  Omicron, after a letter of the Greek alphabet. It was first reported in Botswana on
    (...)  transmissible and possibly more resistant against vaccines. Scientists say it could take a few weeks to
    (...)  warned that this new strain could be extremely infectious. They also said it may be able to evade
    (...)  of transmissibility, and you're already having travel-related cases...it almost invariably is ultimately going to go all over [the world]."
    (...)  changes in the DNA that affects the spikes surrounding the crown of the virus. Current vaccines
    (...)  the 9th of November. Two weeks later, it was detected in South Africa and flagged as a "virus of

    Put the words in the right order

    1. to   is   The   covid-19   virus   spread   beginning   worldwide   .
    2. could   be   new   infectious   .   This   strain   extremely
    3. protections   Evade   by   vaccines   .   us   current   afforded
    4. led   This   has   to   countries   bans   .   reinstating   travel
    5. already   Cases   have   UK   .   in   the   reported   been
    6. assess   Omicron   Analyzing   poses   .   the   dangers   to   it
    7. of   virus   .   spikes   the   surrounding   Affects   the   crown
    8. virulent   .   The   make   the   spikes   more   could   virus
    9. few   could   to   determine   .   take   weeks   a   It
    10. degree   showing   virus   A   this   that's   transmissibility   .   of

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new variant of the covid-19 virus is beginning to spread worldwide. The WHO named the mutation Omicron, after / before a letter of the Greek alphabet. It was first reported in Botswana on the 9th of November. Two weeks later, it was defected / detected in South Africa and flagged / flogged as a "virus of anxiety / concern". Soon after this, causes / cases were reported in Hong Kong, Israel, Madagascar and Belgium. Epidemiologists have warned that this new stress / strain could be extremely / extremity infectious. They also said it may be able to pervade / evade protections afforded us by current vaccines. This has led to countries reinstating travel bins / bans. Despite these / them, new cases have already been reported in the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.

    Scientists are currently / currency analyzing Omicron to assess the dangers it might pose. They have detected 50 genetic chances / changes in the DNA that affects / effects the spikes surrounding the tiara / crown of the virus. Current vaccines focus on these spikes. Any changes in the DNA of the spikes could make the virus more virulent / vacant, more transmissible and possibly more resistant against vaccines. Scientists say it could take a few weeks to detriment / determine how effective our vaccines are against Omicron. The White House's chief medical adviser / reviser has warned that: "When you have a virus that is showing / shown this degree of transmissibility, and you're already / readily having travel-related cases...it almost invariably / variable is ultimately going to go all over [the world]."

    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)

    _  n_w  v_r__nt  _f  th_  c_v_d-19  v_r_s  _s  b_g_nn_ng  t_  spr__d  w_rldw_d_.  Th_  WH_  n_m_d  th_  m_t_t__n  _m_cr_n,  _ft_r  _  l_tt_r  _f  th_  Gr__k  _lph_b_t.  _t  w_s  f_rst  r_p_rt_d  _n  B_tsw_n_  _n  th_  9th  _f  N_v_mb_r.  Tw_  w__ks  l_t_r,  _t  w_s  d_t_ct_d  _n  S__th  _fr_c_  _nd  fl_gg_d  _s  _  "v_r_s  _f  c_nc_rn".  S__n  _ft_r  th_s,  c_s_s  w_r_  r_p_rt_d  _n  H_ng  K_ng,  _sr__l,  M_d_g_sc_r  _nd  B_lg__m.  _p_d_m__l_g_sts  h_v_  w_rn_d  th_t  th_s  n_w  str__n  c__ld  b_  _xtr_m_ly  _nf_ct___s.  Th_y  _ls_  s__d  _t  m_y  b_  _bl_  t_  _v_d_  pr_t_ct__ns  _ff_rd_d  _s  by  c_rr_nt  v_cc_n_s.  Th_s  h_s  l_d  t_  c__ntr__s  r__nst_t_ng  tr_v_l  b_ns.  D_sp_t_  th_s_,  n_w  c_s_s  h_v_  _lr__dy  b__n  r_p_rt_d  _n  th_  _K,  G_rm_ny  _nd  th_  Cz_ch  R_p_bl_c. 

    Sc__nt_sts  _r_  c_rr_ntly  _n_lyz_ng  _m_cr_n  t_  _ss_ss  th_  d_ng_rs  _t  m_ght  p_s_.  Th_y  h_v_  d_t_ct_d  50  g_n_t_c  ch_ng_s  _n  th_  DN_  th_t  _ff_cts  th_  sp_k_s  s_rr__nd_ng  th_  cr_wn  _f  th_  v_r_s.  C_rr_nt  v_cc_n_s  f_c_s  _n  th_s_  sp_k_s.  _ny  ch_ng_s  _n  th_  DN_  _f  th_  sp_k_s  c__ld  m_k_  th_  v_r_s  m_r_  v_r_l_nt,  m_r_  tr_nsm_ss_bl_  _nd  p_ss_bly  m_r_  r_s_st_nt  _g__nst  v_cc_n_s.  Sc__nt_sts  s_y  _t  c__ld  t_k_  _  f_w  w__ks  t_  d_t_rm_n_  h_w  _ff_ct_v_  __r  v_cc_n_s  _r_  _g__nst  _m_cr_n.  Th_  Wh_t_  H__s_'s  ch__f  m_d_c_l  _dv_s_r  h_s  w_rn_d  th_t:  "Wh_n  y__  h_v_  _  v_r_s  th_t  _s  sh_w_ng  th_s  d_gr__  _f  tr_nsm_ss_b_l_ty,  _nd  y__'r_  _lr__dy  h_v_ng  tr_v_l-r_l_t_d  c_s_s..._t  _lm_st  _nv_r__bly  _s  _lt_m_t_ly  g__ng  t_  g_  _ll  _v_r  [th_  w_rld]."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new variant of the covid19 virus is beginning to spread worldwide the who named the mutation omicron after a letter of the greek alphabet it was first reported in botswana on the 9th of november two weeks later it was detected in south africa and flagged as a virus of concern soon after this cases were reported in hong kong israel madagascar and belgium epidemiologists have warned that this new strain could be extremely infectious they also said it may be able to evade protections afforded us by current vaccines this has led to countries reinstating travel bans despite these new cases have already been reported in the uk germany and the czech republic

    scientists are currently analyzing omicron to assess the dangers it might pose they have detected 50 genetic changes in the dna that affects the spikes surrounding the crown of the virus current vaccines focus on these spikes any changes in the dna of the spikes could make the virus more virulent more transmissible and possibly more resistant against vaccines scientists say it could take a few weeks to determine how effective our vaccines are against omicron the white houses chief medical adviser has warned that when you have a virus that is showing this degree of transmissibility and youre already having travelrelated cases it almost invariably is ultimately going to go all over the world

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Anewvariantofthecovid-19virusisbeginningtospreadworldwide.Th
    eWHOnamedthemutationOmicron,afteraletteroftheGreekalphabet.
    ItwasfirstreportedinBotswanaonthe9thofNovember.Twoweekslater
    ,itwasdetectedinSouthAfricaandflaggedasa"virusofconcern".Soonaf
    terthis,caseswerereportedinHongKong,Israel,MadagascarandBelgi
    um.Epidemiologistshavewarnedthatthisnewstraincouldbeextremel
    yinfectious.Theyalsosaiditmaybeabletoevadeprotectionsaffordedus
    bycurrentvaccines.Thishasledtocountriesreinstatingtravelbans.Des
    pitethese,newcaseshavealreadybeenreportedintheUK,Germanyan
    dtheCzechRepublic.ScientistsarecurrentlyanalyzingOmicrontoasse
    ssthedangersitmightpose.Theyhavedetected50geneticchangesinth
    eDNAthataffectsthespikessurroundingthecrownofthevirus.Currentv
    accinesfocusonthesespikes.AnychangesintheDNAofthespikescould
    makethevirusmorevirulent,moretransmissibleandpossiblymoreresi
    stantagainstvaccines.Scientistssayitcouldtakeafewweekstodetermi
    nehoweffectiveourvaccinesareagainstOmicron.TheWhiteHouse'schi
    efmedicaladviserhaswarnedthat:"Whenyouhaveavirusthatisshowin
    gthisdegreeoftransmissibility,andyou'realreadyhavingtravel-relate
    dcases...italmostinvariablyisultimatelygoingtogoallover[theworld].
    "

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Richer countries should share many more vaccines with poorer countries. Discuss.

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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 story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. OMICRON: Make a poster about Omicron. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. MASKS: Write a magazine article about mandating mask wearing worldwide to limit the spread of Omicron. 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 covid-19. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to limit 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

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    Answers

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

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