The Reading / Listening - UK Geography - Level 6

The UK government has issued a report on its rail network that contains mistakes and questionable promises. The 36-page prospectus is titled "Network North". It was issued in the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapping the major HS2 infrastructure project – a high-speed rail link connecting the northern city of Manchester to the south. The front cover of the publication seems to have relocated Manchester 70 km north-west. Network North also committed to upgrading a road called the A259. However, this road is on the south coast of England. Among other bloopers, the report vowed to extend a tram network to Manchester airport. The airport link actually opened in 2014.

Government critics were dumbfounded and dismayed at the scrapping of the HS2 rail link. The line was announced with great fanfare by the Conservative government in 2012. HS2 was a major component in efforts to "level up" the north. Abandoning the link is seen as Mr Sunak's latest U-turn on a policy initiative. Just a year ago, he was committed to the project. Many people say it shows the government's disregard for the north of England. They lament railway lines in the north being "Victorian" – over a century old. The High Speed Rail Group said: "Every other major European country has managed to build a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's a vital part of a modern society and economy."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    UK Geography - Level 4  or  UK Geography - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/05/ten-problems-with-rishi-sunaks-network-north-announcement
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/05/economy/hs2-railway-uk-economy/index.html
  • https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hs2-london-euston-sadiq-khan-b2425623.html


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. GEOGRAPHY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about geography. 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?
       report / rail network / mistakes / promises / infrastructure / publication / airport /
       critics / fanfare / government / level up / U-turn / policy / vital / society / economy
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. RAIL: Students A strongly believe rail is the best form of transport; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TRAIN TRAVEL: What are the good and bad things about travelling by train? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good

Bad

Price

 

 

Seats

 

 

Speed

 

 

Comfort

 

 

Stations

 

 

Staff

 

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

  • Rail
  • Airplane
  • Ferry
  • Subway
  • Tram
  • Bus
  • Bicycle
  • E-scooter

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. questionable a. A printed booklet giving details of something new for interested people.
      2. prospectus b. The basic physical structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) of a company or business.
      3. in the wake of c. Doubtful as regards truth or validity.
      4. infrastructure d. Promised or bound to a certain course or policy.
      5. publication e. A book or journal issued for the public.
      6. committed f. Raising (something) to a higher standard by adding or replacing components.
      7. upgrading g. Following.

    Paragraph 2

      8. critic h. Absolutely necessary; essential.
      9. dumbfounded i. Great media attention.
      10. dismayed j. A part or element of a larger whole.
      11. fanfare k. A person who expresses an unfavourable opinion of something.
      12. component l. Greatly astonished or amazed.
      13. initiative m. An act or strategy to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation.
      14. vital n. Caused (someone) to feel concern and distress.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A transport report from the UK government contains 36 mistakes.     T / F
  2. The UK's prime minister woke up to a project called HS2.     T / F
  3. The report wants to extend the city of Manchester by 70 km.     T / F
  4. The government promised a tram network that has already been built.    T / F
  5. The government announced HS2 at a funfair in 2012.     T / F
  6. The rail link HS2 was meant to level up the north of England.     T / F
  7. Many railway lines in the north of England are a hundred years old.     T / F
  8. All other major European countries have a high-speed rail network.     T / F

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

  1. issued
  2. in the wake of
  3. connecting
  4. upgrading
  5. vowed
  6. dumbfounded
  7. fanfare
  8. component
  9. lament
  10. vital
  1. improving
  2. part
  3. promised
  4. bemoan
  5. following
  6. essential
  7. published
  8. astonished
  9. publicity
  10. linking

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

  1. The 36-page
  2. the major HS2 infrastructure
  3. this road is on the
  4. the report vowed to extend
  5. The airport link actually
  6. Government critics were dumbfounded
  7. announced with great
  8. Mr Sunak's latest U-turn
  9. over a
  10. a vital part of a
  1. and dismayed
  2. a tram network
  3. opened in 2014
  4. modern society
  5. south coast
  6. on a policy initiative
  7. century old
  8. prospectus
  9. project
  10. fanfare

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
bloopers
wake
relocated
issued
extend
questionable
upgrading
connecting

The UK government has (1) _____________________ a report on its rail network that contains mistakes and (2) _____________________ promises. The 36-page prospectus is titled "Network North". It was issued in the (3) _____________________ of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapping the major HS2 infrastructure project – a high-speed rail link (4) _____________________ the northern city of Manchester to the south. The front cover of the publication seems to have (5) _____________________ Manchester 70 km north-west. Network North also committed to (6) _____________________ a road called the A259. However, this road is on the south coast of England. Among other (7) _____________________, the report vowed to (8) _____________________ a tram network to Manchester airport. The airport link actually opened in 2014.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
vital
committed
fanfare
century
component
major
dismayed
disregard

Government critics were dumbfounded and (9) _____________________ at the scrapping of the HS2 rail link. The line was announced with great (10) _____________________ by the Conservative government in 2012. HS2 was a major (11) _____________________ in efforts to "level up" the north. Abandoning the link is seen as Mr Sunak's latest U-turn on a policy initiative. Just a year ago, he was (12) _____________________ to the project. Many people say it shows the government's (13) _____________________ for the north of England. They lament railway lines in the north being "Victorian" – over a (14) _____________________ old. The High Speed Rail Group said: "Every other (15) _____________________ European country has managed to build a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's a (16) _____________________ part of a modern society and economy."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The UK government has issued a report on its rail network ______
     a.  that contents mistakes
     b.  that contains mistake
     c.  that contains mistakes
     d.  that contains mistook
2)  The 36-page prospectus is ______
     a.  entitled "Network North"
     b.  tithed "Network North"
     c.  title "Network North"
     d.  titled "Network North"
3)  a high-speed rail link connecting the northern city of Manchester ______
     a.  to a south
     b.  to the south
     c.  to the southern
     d.  to this oath
4)  The front cover of the publication seems to ______
     a.  have replicated Manchester
     b.  have resuscitated Manchester
     c.  have relocated Manchester
     d.  have invocated Manchester
5)  However, this road is on ______
     a.  the south boast
     b.  the south roast
     c.  the south ghost
     d.  the south coast

6)  The line was announced ______
     a.  with great fanfare
     b.  with great affair
     c.  with great funfair
     d.  with great welfare
7)  HS2 was a major component in efforts to level ______
     a.  down" the north
     b.  in" the north
     c.  up" the north
     d.  on" the north
8)  Abandoning the link is seen as Mr Sunak's latest U-turn on ______
     a.  a policy initiation
     b.  a policy initiative
     c.  a policy initial tiff
     d.  a policy inertia tiff
9)  They lament railway lines in the north being "Victorian" – over ______
     a.  a century old
     b.  a centurion old
     c.  a sanctuary old
     d.  a centurion old
10)  managed to build a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's ______
     a.  a bite all part
     b.  a vital part
     c.  a vie tall part
     d.  a bye tall part

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The UK government has issued a report (1) ____________________ network that contains mistakes and questionable promises. The 36-page prospectus is titled "Network North". It was issued in (2) ____________________ Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapping the major HS2 infrastructure project – a high-speed rail link connecting the northern city of Manchester to the south. The front cover of the publication seems (3) ____________________ Manchester 70 km north-west. Network North (4) ____________________ to upgrading a road called the A259. However, this road is on the (5) ____________________ England. Among other bloopers, the report vowed to extend a tram network to Manchester airport. The airport link (6) ____________________ 2014.

Government critics were dumbfounded (7) ____________________ the scrapping of the HS2 rail link. The line was announced (8) ____________________ by the Conservative government in 2012. HS2 was a major component in efforts to "level up" the north. Abandoning the link is seen as Mr Sunak's latest U-turn on (9) ____________________. Just a year ago, he was committed to the project. Many people say it shows the government's (10) ____________________ north of England. They lament railway lines in the north being "Victorian" – (11) ____________________ old. The High Speed Rail Group said: "Every other major European country has managed to build a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's a (12) ____________________ a modern society and economy."

Comprehension questions

  1. What does a UK government report contain besides mistakes?
  2. How long is the report?
  3. What was the name of the rail project?
  4. Where is the road the A259?
  5. What opened in 2014?
  6. How did government critics feel about the scrapping of a project?
  7. When was the rail project first announced?
  8. What is the abandoning of the project by Mr Sunak seen as?
  9. How many years old are many railway lines in the north of England?
  10. What did a group say a high-speed railway was a vital part of?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What does a UK government report contain besides mistakes?
a) quiz questions
b) questionable promises
c) a plan for London transport
d) climate commitments
2)  How long is the report?
a) 34 pages
b) 32 pages
c) 36 pages
d) 38 pages
3)  What was the name of the rail project?
a) Prospect
b) A259
c) North Network
d) HS2
4)  Where is the road the A259?
a) London
b) on the south coast of England
c) Manchester
d) in the north of England
5)  What opened in 2014?
a) a tram link to Manchester airport
b) Manchester railway station
c) new ticket offices
d) a subway system

6)  How did government critics feel about the scrapping of a project?
a) dumbfounded and dismayed
b) happy
c) furious and irate
d) nonplussed
7)  When was the rail project first announced?
a) 2009
b) 2010
c) 2011
d) 2012
8)  What is the abandoning of the project by Mr Sunak seen as?
a) a necessary evil
b) a white elephant
c) a U-turn
d) progress
9)  How many years old are many railway lines in the north of England?
a) nobody knows
b) 50 years old
c) dozens of years old
d) over 100 years old
10)  What did a group say a high-speed railway was a vital part of?
a) a country's backbone
b) a modern society and economy
c) progress
d) 22nd-century travel

Role play

Role  A – Train
You think trains are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): airplane, bus or bicycle.

Role  B – Airplane
You think airplanes are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): trains, buses or bicycles.

Role  C – Bus
You think buses are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): airplanes, trains or bicycles.

Role  D – Bicycle
You think bicycles are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): airplanes, buses or trains.

After reading / listening

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

'geography'

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

    • and 'fail'.

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

    • • 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:

    • issued
    • wake
    • connecting
    • seems
    • road
    • vowed
    • critics
    • major
    • seen
    • shows
    • major
    • vital

    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 - UK Geography

    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 'geography'?
    3. What do you think of the geography of your country?
    4. What do you know about the geography of the UK?
    5. What's your country's rail network like?
    6. What major infrastructure project is your country building?
    7. What do you think of your country's leader?
    8. How important is high-speed rail?
    9. How are the transport links in your country?
    10. What's your image of transport in the UK?

    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 'fail'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of the UK scrapping a major rail project?
    5. What parts of your country need levelling up?
    6. What regional differences are there in your country?
    7. What will transport of the future be like?
    8. How is your knowledge of world geography?
    9. How modern is your country?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the UK leader?

    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 UK government has issued a report (1) ____ its rail network that contains mistakes and (2) ____ promises. The 36-page prospectus is titled "Network North". It was issued in the (3) ____ of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapping the major HS2 infrastructure project – a high speed rail link connecting the northern city of Manchester to the south. The front cover of the (4) ____ seems to have relocated Manchester 70 km north-west. Network North also committed to (5) ____ a road called the A259. However, this road is on the south coast of England. Among other bloopers, the report (6) ____ to extend a tram network to Manchester airport. The airport link actually opened in 2014.

    Government critics were dumbfounded and dismayed at the scrapping of the HS2 rail link. The line was announced with great (7) ____ by the Conservative government in 2012. HS2 was a major component (8) ____ efforts to "level up" the north. Abandoning the link is seen as Mr Sunak's latest (9) ____ on a policy initiative. Just a year ago, he was committed to the project. Many people say it shows the government's disregard (10) ____ the north of England. They lament railway lines in the north (11) ____ "Victorian" – over a century old. The High Speed Rail Group said: "Every other major European country has managed to build a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's a (12) ____ part of a modern society and economy."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     at     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     by    
    2. (a)     questionable     (b)     questions     (c)     question     (d)     questioned    
    3. (a)     fake     (b)     bake     (c)     wake     (d)     sake    
    4. (a)     publication     (b)     replication     (c)     duplication     (d)     fabrication    
    5. (a)     retrograding     (b)     downgrading     (c)     grading     (d)     upgrading    
    6. (a)     cowed     (b)     bowed     (c)     wowed     (d)     vowed    
    7. (a)     fanfare     (b)     funfair     (c)     welfare     (d)     affair    
    8. (a)     on     (b)     up     (c)     as     (d)     in    
    9. (a)     U-turn     (b)     U-bend     (c)     U-lock     (d)     U-boat    
    10. (a)     at     (b)     for     (c)     on     (d)     by    
    11. (a)     been     (b)     being     (c)     be     (d)     is    
    12. (a)     vital     (b)     retail     (c)     pivotal     (d)     toil

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. osaibtneuqle promises
    2. The 36-page prcoutsesp
    3. the major HS2 rntrefutsuarci project
    4. The front cover of the unlpacbtioi
    5. iomtemtcd to upgrading a road
    6. Among other sprelobo

    Paragraph 2

    1. critics were mufbdddeoun
    2. yddmisae at the scrapping of the HS2 rail link
    3. announced with great nearfaf
    4. a major netoncmop
    5. a policy inieiavitt
    6. grisdarde for the north

    Put the text back together

    (...)   of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapping the major HS2 infrastructure project – a high-speed rail
    (...)   promises. The 36-page prospectus is titled "Network North". It was issued in the wake
    (...)   for the north of England. They lament railway lines in the north being "Victorian" – over a century
    (  1  )   The UK government has issued a report on its rail network that contains mistakes and questionable
    (...)   a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's a vital part of a modern society and economy."
    (...)   to extend a tram network to Manchester airport. The airport link actually opened in 2014.
    (...)   link connecting the northern city of Manchester to the south. The front cover of the publication seems to have
    (...)   year ago, he was committed to the project. Many people say it shows the government's disregard
    (...)   old. The High Speed Rail Group said: "Every other major European country has managed to build
    (...)   Government critics were dumbfounded and dismayed at the scrapping of the HS2 rail link. The line was
    (...)   called the A259. However, this road is on the south coast of England. Among other bloopers, the report vowed
    (...)   efforts to "level up" the north. Abandoning the link is seen as Mr Sunak's latest U-turn on a policy initiative. Just a
    (...)   relocated Manchester 70 km north-west. Network North also committed to upgrading a road
    (...)   announced with great fanfare by the Conservative government in 2012. HS2 was a major component in

    Put the words in the right order

    1. high-speed   rail   link   A   connecting   the   city   .   northern
    2. the   called   upgrading   a   to   A259   .   road   Committed
    3. this   on   is   the   south   However,   coast   .   road
    4. report   The   network   .   vowed   extend   a   to   tram
    5. 2014   .   link   airport   in   actually   The   opened
    6. of   at   scrapping   link   .   the   rail   Dismayed   the
    7. announced   with   The   great   was   fanfare   .   line
    8. A   in   level   efforts   up   .   to   major   component
    9. government's   shows   the   disregard   It   for   north   .   the
    10. vital   of   a   a   It's   society   .   part   modern

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The UK government has issued a report on its rail network that contents / contains mistakes and questionable promises. The 36-page prospect / prospectus is titled "Network North". It was issued in the wake / woke of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scraping / scrapping the major HS2 infrastructure project – a high-speed rail link connecting the northern city of Manchester to the south. The front cover of the publishing / publication seems to have relocated Manchester 70 km north-west. Network North also committed / commit to upgrading a road called the A259. However, this road is on the south coast / coastal of England. Among other / another bloopers, the report vowed to extend / intend a tram network to Manchester airport. The airport link factually / actually opened in 2014.

    Government critics were dumbfounded and dismal / dismayed at the scrapping of the HS2 rail link. The line was announced with great funfair / fanfare by the Conservative government in 2012. HS2 was a major component in / on efforts to "level up" the / a north. Abandoning the link is seen as Mr Sunak's latest U-turn on a policy initiative / initiation. Just a year ago, he was committed of / to the project. Many people say it shows the government's disregard on / for the north of England. They lament / comment railway lines in the north being "Victorian" – over a century old. The High Speed Rail Group said: "Every / All other major European country has managed to build a high-speed rail network, recognizing it's a vitality / vital part of a modern society and economy."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Th_  _K  g_v_rnm_nt  h_s  _ss__d  _  r_p_rt  _n  _ts  r__l  n_tw_rk  th_t  c_nt__ns  m_st_k_s  _nd  q__st__n_bl_  pr_m_s_s.  Th_  36-p_g_  pr_sp_ct_s  _s  t_tl_d  "N_tw_rk  N_rth".  _t  w_s  _ss__d  _n  th_  w_k_  _f  Pr_m_  M_n_st_r  R_sh_  S_n_k  scr_pp_ng  th_  m_j_r  HS2  _nfr_str_ct_r_  pr_j_ct  –  _  h_gh  sp__d  r__l  l_nk  c_nn_ct_ng  th_  n_rth_rn  c_ty  _f  M_nch_st_r  t_  th_  s__th.  Th_  fr_nt  c_v_r  _f  th_  p_bl_c_t__n  s__ms  t_  h_v_  r_l_c_t_d  M_nch_st_r  70  km  n_rth-w_st.  N_tw_rk  N_rth  _ls_  c_mm_tt_d  t_  _pgr_d_ng  _  r__d  c_ll_d  th_  _259.  H_w_v_r,  th_s  r__d  _s  _n  th_  s__th  c__st  _f  _ngl_nd.  _m_ng  _th_r  bl__p_rs,  th_  r_p_rt  v_w_d  t_  _xt_nd  _  tr_m  n_tw_rk  t_  M_nch_st_r  __rp_rt.  Th_  __rp_rt  l_nk  _ct__lly  _p_n_d  _n  2014.

    G_v_rnm_nt  cr_t_cs  w_r_  d_mbf__nd_d  _nd  d_sm_y_d  _t  th_  scr_pp_ng  _f  th_  HS2  r__l  l_nk.  Th_  l_n_  w_s  _nn__nc_d  w_th  gr__t  f_nf_r_  by  th_  C_ns_rv_t_v_  g_v_rnm_nt  _n  2012.  HS2  w_s  _  m_j_r  c_mp_n_nt  _n  _ff_rts  t_  "l_v_l  _p"  th_  n_rth.  _b_nd_n_ng  th_  l_nk  _s  s__n  _s  Mr  S_n_k's  l_t_st  _-t_rn  _n  _  p_l_cy  _n_t__t_v_.  J_st  _  y__r  _g_,  h_  w_s  c_mm_tt_d  t_  th_  pr_j_ct.  M_ny  p__pl_  s_y  _t  sh_ws  th_  g_v_rnm_nt's  d_sr_g_rd  f_r  th_  n_rth  _f  _ngl_nd.  Th_y  l_m_nt  r__lw_y  l_n_s  _n  th_  n_rth  b__ng  "V_ct_r__n"  –  _v_r  _  c_nt_ry  _ld.  Th_  H_gh  Sp__d  R__l  Gr__p  s__d:  "_v_ry  _th_r  m_j_r  __r_p__n  c__ntry  h_s  m_n_g_d  t_  b__ld  _  h_gh-sp__d  r__l  n_tw_rk,  r_c_gn_z_ng  _t's  _  v_t_l  p_rt  _f  _  m_d_rn  s_c__ty  _nd  _c_n_my."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the uk government has issued a report on its rail network that contains mistakes and questionable promises the 36page prospectus is titled network north it was issued in the wake of prime minister rishi sunak scrapping the major hs2 infrastructure project  a high-speed rail link connecting the northern city of manchester to the south the front cover of the publication seems to have relocated manchester 70 km northwest network north also committed to upgrading a road called the a259 however this road is on the south coast of england among other bloopers the report vowed to extend a tram network to manchester airport the airport link actually opened in 2014

    government critics were dumbfounded and dismayed at the scrapping of the hs2 rail link the line was announced with great fanfare by the conservative government in 2012 hs2 was a major component in efforts to level up the north abandoning the link is seen as mr sunaks latest uturn on a policy initiative just a year ago he was committed to the project many people say it shows the governments disregard for the north of england they lament railway lines in the north being victorian over a century old the high speed rail group said every other major european country has managed to build a highspeed rail network recognizing its a vital part of a modern society and economy

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheUKgovernmenthasissuedareportonitsrailnetworkthatcontainsm
    istakesandquestionablepromises.The36-pageprospectusistitled"N
    etworkNorth".ItwasissuedinthewakeofPrimeMinisterRishiSunakscr
    appingthemajorHS2infrastructureproject–ahigh-speedraillinkco
    nnectingthenortherncityofManchestertothesouth.Thefrontcoveroft
    hepublicationseemstohaverelocatedManchester70kmnorth-wes
    t.NetworkNorthalsocommittedtoupgradingaroadcalledtheA259.Ho
    wever,thisroadisonthesouthcoastofEngland.Amongotherbloopers,t
    hereportvowedtoextendatramnetworktoManchesterairport.Theairp
    ortlinkactuallyopenedin2014.Governmentcriticsweredumbfounded
    anddismayedatthescrappingoftheHS2raillink.Thelinewasannounce
    dwithgreatfanfarebytheConservativegovernmentin2012.HS2wasa
    majorcomponentineffortsto"levelup"thenorth.Abandoningthelinkis
    seenasMrSunak'slatestU-turnonapolicyinitiative.Justayearago,hew
    ascommittedtotheproject.Manypeoplesayitshowsthegovernment's
    disregardforthenorthofEngland.Theylamentrailwaylinesinthenorthb
    eing"Victorian"–overacenturyold.TheHighSpeedRailGroupsaid:"Ev
    eryothermajorEuropeancountryhasmanagedtobuildahigh-speedra
    ilnetwork,recognizingit'savitalpartofamodernsocietyandeconomy."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Rail is the best way to travel. 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. GEOGRAPHY: Make a poster about the geography of your country. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. HIGH-SPEED RAIL: Write a magazine article about all countries moving to high-speed rail instead of cars. 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 the geography of your country. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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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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