Breaking News English Lesson: Giant Millipedes

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Fossil found of giant car-sized insect (23rd December, 2021)

The Reading / Listening - Giant Millipedes - Level 3

If you are afraid of insects, this might be difficult reading. A fossil found on a beach in England shows that the biggest bug that ever lived was the size of a small car. The fossil is of a giant millipede. This monster creature could have had hundreds of legs. Although the name "millipede" means "one thousand legs" in Latin, few species actually have 1,000 feet. There is one species that can have 1,300 legs. The fossil hunters in England said what they found is "definitely the biggest bug that ever lived". They said the millipede was around 2.7 metres long and weighed over 50kg. This would have been a scary sight. It would need a huge amount of insect spray to keep it away.

The scientists found the fossil by chance. A lecturer at the University of Cambridge's department of earth sciences said they found a rock on the beach. It had recently fallen from a cliff. He said: "It was a complete fluke of a discovery. It was an incredibly exciting find." He explained that the fossil dates back over 326 million years. This was 100 million years before the Age of the Dinosaurs. The researchers believe that the millipede had a high-nutrient diet because it was so huge. They said: "While we can't know for sure what they ate, there were plenty of nutritious nuts and seeds available...at the time." They may also have eaten frogs and lizards, but not humans (or any of our ancient ancestors).

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Giant Millipedes - Level 0, Giant Millipedes - Level 1 or Giant Millipedes - Level 2

Sources

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/20/europe/giant-millipede-biggest-bug-uk-northumbria-scn/index.html
https://phys.org/news/2021-12-millipedes-big-cars-roamed-northern.html
https://news.sky.com/story/scientists-uncover-fossil-of-car-sized-giant-millipede-it-was-a-complete-fluke-of-a-discovery-12500721

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. GIANT INSECTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about giant insects. 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?
afraid / insects / insects / fossil / small car / millipede / legs / species / scary / spray
scientists / rock / beach / cliff / discovery / nuts / seeds / frogs / lizards / ancestors
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. FOOD: Students A strongly believe we need to eat more insects; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. GIANT: What might the good and bad things be if these insects were the size of a car? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Car-sized...	Good Things	Bad Things
Ants
Bees
Spiders
Worms
Stink bugs
Cockroaches

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

Millipedes
Worms
Butterflies
Fireflies
Cockroaches
Ants
Bees
Spiders

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	afraid	a.	A small insect.
2.	bug	b.	An animal, but not a human being.
3.	fossil	c.	Very, very, very big.
4.	creature	d.	A very, very, very old plant or animal in rock.
5.	species	e.	Without doubt.
6.	definitely	f.	Feeling fear or great worry; frightened.
7.	huge	g.	A group of the same living things that can produce babies together.

Paragraph 2

8.	by chance	h.	At a time in the past close to now.
9.	recently	i.	An unlikely chance event, especially a surprising piece of luck.
10.	fluke	j.	People from our family who lived a long time before our grandparents.
11.	diet	k.	More than enough.
12.	plenty	l.	The kinds of food that a person or animal usually eats.
13.	available	m.	Not on purpose.
14.	ancestors	n.	There and ready to be used now.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says people should not be afraid of insects. T / F
A fossil of a giant millipede was found inside a small car. T / F
In Latin, "millipede" means "1,000 legs". T / F
The millipede from the fossil weighed over 50kg. T / F
Fossil hunters found the millipede fossil on a beach. T / F
The fossil is over 300 million years old. T / F
The Dinosaur Age came 100 million years before the millipede lived. T / F
The millipede would probably have eaten humans. T / F

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

afraid
bug
creature
definitely
huge
by chance
discovery
age
nutritious
ancient

accidentally
very large
animal
healthy
insect
very old
scared
find
without doubt
era

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

If you are afraid
The fossil is
definitely the biggest bug
weighed
insect
The scientists found the fossil by
It had recently fallen
the fossil dates
there were plenty of nutritious
They may also have eaten frogs

of a giant millipede
chance
and lizards
spray
back over 326 million years
that ever lived
nuts
of insects
from a cliff
over 50kg

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

definitely
reading
scary
creature
weighed
spray
species
size

If you are afraid of insects, this might be difficult (1) _____________________. A fossil found on a beach in England shows that the biggest bug that ever lived was the (2) _____________________ of a small car. The fossil is of a giant millipede. This monster (3) _____________________ could have had hundreds of legs. Although the name "millipede" means "one thousand legs" in Latin, few (4) _____________________ actually have 1,000 feet. There is one species that can have 1,300 legs. The fossil hunters in England said what they found is "(5) _____________________ the biggest bug that ever lived". They said the millipede was around 2.7 metres long and (6) _____________________ over 50kg. This would have been a (7) _____________________ sight. It would need a huge amount of insect (8) _____________________ to keep it away.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

fallen
diet
ancient
discovery
plenty
chance
sciences
dates

The scientists found the fossil by (9) _____________________. A lecturer at the University of Cambridge's department of earth (10) _____________________ said they found a rock on the beach. It had recently (11) _____________________ from a cliff. He said: "It was a complete fluke of a (12) _____________________. It was an incredibly exciting find." He explained that the fossil (13) _____________________ back over 326 million years. This was 100 million years before the Age of the Dinosaurs. The researchers believe that the millipede had a high-nutrient (14) _____________________ because it was so huge. They said: "While we can't know for sure what they ate, there were (15) _____________________ of nutritious nuts and seeds available...at the time." They may also have eaten frogs and lizards, but not humans (or any of our (16) _____________________ ancestors).

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) If you are afraid of insects, this might ______
     a. be difficult read in
     b. be difficult readings
     c. be difficult reading
     d. be difficulty reading
2) Although the name "millipede" means "one thousand ______
     a. legs" on Latin
     b. legs" sin Latin
     c. leg" sin Latin
     d. legs" in Latin
3) The fossil hunters in England said what they found is ______
     a. definite the biggest
     b. definites the biggest
     c. definitely the biggest
     d. definitively the biggest
4) They said the millipede was around 2.7 metres long and ______
     a. weight over 50kg
     b. weighed over 50kg
     c. weigh over 50kg
     d. whey Dover 50kg
5) This would have been a scary sight. It would need a huge amount ______
     a. of a sect spray
     b. of the sect spray
     c. offing sect spray
     d. of insect spray

6) they found a rock on the beach. It had recently fallen ______
     a. from a cliff
     b. from ache cleft
     c. from ache clef
     d. from achy lift
7) an incredibly exciting find." He explained that the ______
     a. fossil dates backs
     b. fossil date back
     c. fossil date backs
     d. fossil dates back
8) researchers believe that the millipede had a ______
     a. high-nutrient dye it
     b. high-nutrient die it
     c. high-nutrient diet
     d. high-nutrient died
9) know for sure what they ate, there were plenty ______
     a. of nutritiously nuts
     b. of newt delicious nuts
     c. of new treasure nuts
     d. of nutritious nuts
10) They may also have eaten frogs and lizards, but not humans or any of ______
     a. our ancient ancestry
     b. our ancient ancestors
     c. our ancient ancestries
     d. our ancient ancestor

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

If you are (1) ____________________, this might be difficult reading. A fossil found on a beach in England shows that the biggest (2) ____________________ lived was the size of a small car. The fossil is of a giant millipede. This monster creature could have had hundreds of legs. Although the name "millipede" means "one thousand legs" (3) ____________________ species actually have 1,000 feet. There is one species that can have 1,300 legs. The (4) ____________________ England said what they found (5) ____________________ biggest bug that ever lived". They said the millipede was around 2.7 metres long and weighed over 50kg. This would have been a scary sight. It would need a (6) ____________________ insect spray to keep it away.

The scientists found the (7) ____________________. A lecturer at the University of Cambridge's department of earth sciences said they found a rock on the beach. It had (8) ____________________ a cliff. He said: "It was a complete fluke of a discovery. It was an (9) ____________________." He explained that the fossil dates back over 326 million years. This was 100 million years before the Age of the Dinosaurs. The researchers believe that the millipede had a (10) ____________________ because it was so huge. They said: "While we can't know for sure what they ate, there were (11) ____________________ nuts and seeds available...at the time." They may also have eaten frogs and lizards, but not humans (or any (12) ____________________ ancestors).

Comprehension questions

Where in England was the millipede fossil found?
What does "millipede" mean in Latin?
How many legs does one species of millipede have?
How much did the millipede from the fossil weigh?
What might you need a lot of to keep the giant millipede away?
Where do the fossil hunters work?
Where had a rock containing the fossil fallen from?
How long ago did the millipede live?
What food was available for the millipede to eat?
What does the article say the ancient millipede did not eat?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where in England was the millipede fossil found?
a) in a coal mine
b) a beach
c) deep under the ground
d) on a mountain
2) What does "millipede" mean in Latin?
a) 1,000,000 eyes
b) 1,000,000
c) 10,000 brains
d) 1,000 legs
3) How many legs can one species of millipede have?
a) hundreds of thousands
b) millions
c) 1,300
d) 837.28
4) How much did the millipede from the fossil weigh?
a) over 50kg
b) 500kg
c) 500g
d) 500lbs
5) What might you need a lot of to keep the giant millipede away?
a) luck
b) insect spray
c) praying
d) insect sense

6) Where do the fossil hunters work?
a) the University of Cambridge
b) the Bug University
c) Millipedia
d) the International Institute of Insects
7) Where had a rock containing the fossil fallen from?
a) an ancient tree
b) the sky
c) a cliff
d) a mountain top
8) How long ago did the millipede live?
a) over 326 million years ago
b) over 426 million years ago
c) over 526 million years ago
d) over 626 million years ago
9) What food was available for the millipede to eat?
a) rice and wheat
b) berries and rice
c) nuts and berries
d) nuts and seeds

10) What does the article say the ancient millipede did not eat?
a) other millipedes
b) fast food
c) humans
d) meat

Role play

Role A – Worms
You think worms are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their bugs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): spiders, ants or bees.

Role B – Spiders
You think spiders are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their bugs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): worms, ants or bees.

Role C – Ants
You think ants are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their bugs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): spiders, worms or bees.

Role D – Bees
You think bees are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their bugs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): spiders, ants or worms.

After reading / listening

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

'fossil'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'insect'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

afraid

small

name

species

definitely

sight

chance

complete

dates

100

sure

ancestors

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 - Giant Millipedes

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 'fossil'?
What do you know about millipedes?
Why are people afraid of insects?
What insects do you like and dislike?
What do you think of car-sized insects?
Why do people like hunting for fossils?
What do fossils tell us?
In what ways are insects useful?
Should scientists use DNA to bring the millipede back?

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 'insect'?
What do you think about what you read?
What would you do if you saw a car-sized millipede?
What's the scariest insect you've seen?
How would life be different if we had giant insects?
Do you think the giant millipede was dangerous?
What are the most dangerous insects alive today?
What do you think of including insects in our diets?
What questions would you like to ask the scientists?

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)

If you are afraid of insects, this might be (1) ____ reading. A fossil found on a beach in England (2) ____ that the biggest bug that ever lived was the size of a small car. The fossil is of a giant millipede. This monster (3) ____ could have had hundreds of legs. Although the name "millipede" means "one thousand legs" in Latin, (4) ____ species actually have 1,000 feet. There is one species that can have 1,300 legs. The fossil hunters in England said what they found is "definitely the biggest bug that ever lived". They said the millipede was around 2.7 metres long and (5) ____ over 50kg. This would have been a scary sight. It would need a huge amount of insect spray to keep it (6) ____.

The scientists found the fossil (7) ____ chance. A lecturer at the University of Cambridge's department of earth sciences said they found a rock on the beach. It had recently (8) ____ from a cliff. He said: "It was a complete fluke of a discovery. It was an incredibly exciting find." He explained that the fossil dates (9) ____ over 326 million years. This was 100 million years before the Age of the Dinosaurs. The researchers believe that the millipede had a high-nutrient (10) ____ because it was so huge. They said: "While we can't know (11) ____ sure what they ate, there were plenty of nutritious nuts and seeds available...at the (12) ____." They may also have eaten frogs and lizards, but not humans (or any of our ancient ancestors).

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) difficulty (b) difficulties (c) difficult (d) differ
(a) shows (b) shower (c) show (d) showing
(a) creature (b) creative (c) creation (d) create
(a) few (b) small (c) less (d) low
(a) weigh (b) weighs (c) weight (d) weighed
(a) around (b) abound (c) abut (d) away
(a) by (b) at (c) of (d) as
(a) falls (b) fell (c) falling (d) fallen
(a) back (b) forward (c) side (d) sideways
(a) survival (b) diet (c) balance (d) food
(a) of (b) for (c) as (d) at
(a) time (b) age (c) epoch (d) day

Spelling

Paragraph 1

A slosif found on a beach
This monster eurearct
few isepsec actually have 1,000 feet
fdteleniiy the biggest bug
This would have been a csray sight
a huge amount of insect yrsap

Paragraph 2

department of earth iseescnc
It was a complete fluke of a oiysdcerv
It was an irnlbceydi exciting find
the millipede had a high-entritun diet
nuts and seeds leaiabvla
any of our ancient eaosnscrt

Put the text back together

(...) The scientists found the fossil by chance. A lecturer at the University of Cambridge's department
(...) thousand legs" in Latin, few species actually have 1,000 feet. There is one species that can have 1,300 legs. The fossil
(...) hunters in England said what they found is "definitely the biggest bug that ever
(...) know for sure what they ate, there were plenty of nutritious nuts and seeds available...at the
(...) over 326 million years. This was 100 million years before the Age of the Dinosaurs. The researchers
(...) fluke of a discovery. It was an incredibly exciting find." He explained that the fossil dates back
(...) time." They may also have eaten frogs and lizards, but not humans (or any of our ancient ancestors).
(...) shows that the biggest bug that ever lived was the size of a small car. The fossil is of a giant millipede. This monster
(...) believe that the millipede had a high-nutrient diet because it was so huge. They said: "While we can't
(...) lived". They said the millipede was around 2.7 metres long and weighed over 50kg. This would have been a scary
(...) of earth sciences said they found a rock on the beach. It had recently fallen from a cliff. He said: "It was a complete
( 1 ) If you are afraid of insects, this might be difficult reading. A fossil found on a beach in England
(...) creature could have had hundreds of legs. Although the name "millipede" means "one
(...) sight. It would need a huge amount of insect spray to keep it away.

Put the words in the right order

monster had of legs . creature hundreds This
species can legs . There's 1,300 have one that
definitely bug biggest lived . It's that ever the
have This been would a scary sight .
amounts insect spray . of It'd huge need
chance . found scientists The fossil the by
from fallen recently It a cliff . had
believe the high-nutrient diet . Researchers millipede had a
they sure know can't We ate . what for
also lizards . eaten and frogs may They have

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

If you are afraid of insects, this might be difficulty / difficult reading. A fossil found on a beach in England shows that the biggest bug that never / ever lived was the size of a small car. The fossil is of / off a giant millipede. This monster creature could have had hundreds / hundred of legs. Although the name "millipede" means "one thousand legs" by / in Latin, few species actually have 1,000 feet. There is one / once species that can have 1,300 legs. The fossil hunters in England said what / that they found is "definitely the biggest bug that ever lived". They said the millipede was round / around 2.7 metres long and weighed over 50kg. This would have been a scary / scared sight. It would need a huge amount of / to insect spray to keep it away.

The scientists found the fossil at / by chance. A lecturer at the University of Cambridge's department of earth sciences said what / they found a rock on the beach. It had recently fallen / fell from a cliff. He said: "It was a complete fluke / flake of a discovery. It was an incredibly exciting found / find." He explained that the fossil dates back over 326 million years. This was 100 million years before / less the Age of the Dinosaurs. The researchers believe that the millipede had a high-nutrient dietary / diet because it was so huge. They said: "While we can't know for sure / unsure what they ate, there were plenty of nutritious / nutrition nuts and seeds available...at the time." They may also have eaten frogs and lizards, but not humans (or any of our ancient ancestor / ancestors).

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)

_f y__ _r_ _fr__d _f _ns_cts, th_s m_ght b_ d_ff_c_lt r__d_ng. _ f_ss_l f__nd _n _ b__ch _n _ngl_nd sh_ws th_t th_ b_gg_st b_g th_t _v_r l_v_d w_s th_ s_z_ _f _ sm_ll c_r. Th_ f_ss_l _s _f _ g__nt m_ll_p_d_. Th_s m_nst_r cr__t_r_ c__ld h_v_ h_d h_ndr_ds _f l_gs. _lth__gh th_ n_m_ "m_ll_p_d_" m__ns "_n_ th__s_nd l_gs" _n L_t_n, f_w sp_c__s _ct__lly h_v_ 1,000 f__t. Th_r_ _s _n_ sp_c__s th_t c_n h_v_ 1,300 l_gs. Th_ f_ss_l h_nt_rs _n _ngl_nd s__d wh_t th_y f__nd _s "d_f_n_t_ly th_ b_gg_st b_g th_t _v_r l_v_d". Th_y s__d th_ m_ll_p_d_ w_s _r__nd 2.7 m_tr_s l_ng _nd w__gh_d _v_r 50kg. Th_s w__ld h_v_ b__n _ sc_ry s_ght. _t w__ld n__d _ h_g_ _m__nt _f _ns_ct spr_y t_ k__p _t _w_y.

Th_ sc__nt_sts f__nd th_ f_ss_l by ch_nc_. _ l_ct_r_r _t th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f C_mbr_dg_'s d_p_rtm_nt _f __rth sc__nc_s s__d th_y f__nd _ r_ck _n th_ b__ch. _t h_d r_c_ntly f_ll_n fr_m _ cl_ff. H_ s__d: "_t w_s _ c_mpl_t_ fl_k_ _f _ d_sc_v_ry. _t w_s _n _ncr_d_bly _xc_t_ng f_nd." H_ _xpl__n_d th_t th_ f_ss_l d_t_s b_ck _v_r 326 m_ll__n y__rs. Th_s w_s 100 m_ll__n y__rs b_f_r_ th_ _g_ _f th_ D_n_s__rs. Th_ r_s__rch_rs b_l__v_ th_t th_ m_ll_p_d_ h_d _ h_gh-n_tr__nt d__t b_c__s_ _t w_s s_ h_g_. Th_y s__d: "Wh_l_ w_ c_n't kn_w f_r s_r_ wh_t th_y _t_, th_r_ w_r_ pl_nty _f n_tr_t___s n_ts _nd s__ds _v__l_bl_..._t th_ t_m_." Th_y m_y _ls_ h_v_ __t_n fr_gs _nd l_z_rds, b_t n_t h_m_ns (_r _ny _f __r _nc__nt _nc_st_rs).

Punctuate the text and add capitals

if you are afraid of insects this might be difficult reading a fossil found on a beach in england shows that the biggest bug that ever lived was the size of a small car the fossil is of a giant millipede this monster creature could have had hundreds of legs although the name millipede means one thousand legs in latin few species actually have 1000 feet there is one species that can have 1300 legs the fossil hunters in england said what they found is definitely the biggest bug that ever lived they said the millipede was around 27 metres long and weighed over 50kg this would have been a scary sight it would need a huge amount of insect spray to keep it away

the scientists found the fossil by chance a lecturer at the university of cambridges department of earth sciences said they found a rock on the beach it had recently fallen from a cliff he said it was a complete fluke of a discovery it was an incredibly exciting find he explained that the fossil dates back over 326 million years this was 100 million years before the age of the dinosaurs the researchers believe that the millipede had a highnutrient diet because it was so huge they said while we cant know for sure what they ate there were plenty of nutritious nuts and seeds available at the time they may also have eaten frogs and lizards but not humans or any of our ancient ancestors.

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Ifyouareafraidofinsects,thismightbedifficultreading.Afossilfoundon
abeachinEnglandshowsthatthebiggestbugthateverlivedwasthesize
ofasmallcar.Thefossilisofagiantmillipede.Thismonstercreaturecould
havehadhundredsoflegs.Althoughthename"millipede"means"oneth
ousandlegs"inLatin,fewspeciesactuallyhave1,000feet.Thereisonesp
eciesthatcanhave1,300legs.ThefossilhuntersinEnglandsaidwhatthe
yfoundis"definitelythebiggestbugthateverlived".Theysaidthemillipe
dewasaround2.7metreslongandweighedover50kg.Thiswouldhaveb
eenascarysight.Itwouldneedahugeamountofinsectspraytokeepitaw
ay.Thescientistsfoundthefossilbychance.AlecturerattheUniversityof
Cambridge'sdepartmentofearthsciencessaidtheyfoundarockontheb
each.Ithadrecentlyfallenfromacliff.Hesaid:"Itwasacompleteflukeof
adiscovery.Itwasanincrediblyexcitingfind."Heexplainedthatthefossi
ldatesbackover326millionyears.Thiswas100millionyearsbeforetheA
geoftheDinosaurs.Theresearchersbelievethatthemillipedehadahigh
-nutrientdietbecauseitwassohuge.Theysaid:"Whilewecan'tknowfor
surewhattheyate,therewereplentyofnutritiousnutsandseedsavailab
le...atthetime."Theymayalsohaveeatenfrogsandlizards,butnothum
ans(oranyofourancientancestors).

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

People who are afraid of insects should get help to overcome their fear. 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. GIANT INSECTS: Make a poster about giant insects. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. INSECT HELP: Write a magazine article about people who are afraid of insects getting help to get over their fear. 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 giant insects. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your thoughts on the idea of car-sized insects. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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