ESL WORKSHEET - Sports and controversy

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

ULTRAMARATHON TRAGEDY

LinguaHouse
May 28, 2021

Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Breaking News; Health and Well-being; Sport and Fitness; Challenges; Ethics and Conduct; Behavior, Feelings and Emotions; Controversial Issues; Article Based
Publication date: 05/28/2021

This lesson focuses on both a news report about a tragedy in China during an ultramarathon and a text looking at the motivations for people who do ultramarathons. Exercises focus on reading skills, listening skills, related vocabulary and comprehension (by Joe Wilson).

Note: This lesson deals with a tragedy and may not be appropriate for all age levels or groups. Please review the worksheet thoroughly when deciding whether to use it.

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Newsreader: … and now we move on to reports that 21 runners in China died when extreme weather unexpectedly struck in a tourist area known as the Yellow River Stone Forest near Baiyin, around 800 miles south-west of Beijing, the nation’s capital.
Newsreader: It was 9am local time when the race began on Saturday, with many of the competitors wearing only shorts and T-shirts in preparation for the ultramarathon, a 100-kilometer race through the region.
Newsreader: Three hours into the event, temperatures dropped as runners were hit by heavy rain and strong winds. The forecast had predicted some wind and rain, but nothing as severe as the weather that the runners experienced.
Newsreader: Many people lost their way, as the rain affected their ability to see clearly, resulting in 172 of the runners getting lost. At this point, organizers stopped the race and launched a rescue operation.
Newsreader: 1,200 people were involved in looking for the lost competitors. The search continued through Saturday night and into Sunday morning, with rescue workers braving a further drop in temperature during the night.
Newsreader: However, officials have confirmed that 151 of those missing have been found and are safe, with 8 of them reporting injuries.
Newsreader: On Chinese social media, many people have been expressing their upset and anger over the deaths, which is mostly directed at the authorities in Baiyin who were responsible for organizing the event.
Newsreader: In a news conference on Sunday, the Mayor of Baiyin expressed regret over the deaths and apologized to the families of those who died.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/ultramarathon-runners-die. Accessed on September 1, 2022. © 2008–2022 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.