a compilation of newsticker articles with exercises ...€¦ · between zinedine zidane and marco...

A compilation of newsTicker articles

with Exercises

SEPTEMBER 200�

Contents

MOVIE STARS SALUTE COAST GUARDCostner and Kutcher 4

DANIEL CRAIG AS 007Tough but cool 6

QUEEN BAFFLED BY GRIEFNew film on Diana 8

ARTIC PEOPLE ON SCREENCanadian filmmaker makes it possible 10

COURIC DEBUTS EVENING NEWSAnchorwoman on CBS 12

GOOGLE NEWSAdds newspaper archives 14

LOUISIANA MAN DRILLS FOR OILIn his front yard 16

COCKTAIL PARTIES FOR DOGSTarget human wallets 18

ZIDANE-MATERAZZI REUNIONRobben Island possible stage 20

DR. SEUSS’S ‘HORTON’Carrey and Carrell cast 22

NEW MONOPOLY GAMEIncludes McDonalds and Starbucks 24

U.S. E.COLI OUTBREAKLinked to spinach 26

WHITE HOUSE DEAL POSSIBLECIA interrogations 28

‘FLYBOYS’ MAKERSDefy Hollywood 30

OLD PHONE BOOKSNow available online 32

CRISPS, A PACK-A-DAYA health threat 34

ROYAL QUIRKSStories unveiled 36

�

MOVIE STARS SALUTE COAST GUARDCostner and Kutcher

2006-09-01

Hollywood heroes, Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher joined ceremonies honoring Coast Guard

members for their Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts.

The pair’s latest movie ‘The Guardian’, out September 29th, stars Costner as an experienced Coast

Guard rescue swimmer and Kutcher as a novice to the swimmer’s corps. The film was originally going to be produced in New Orleans but operations moved to Shreveport, Louisiana after Katrina hit.

Director Andy Davis said that many Coast Guard members who aided and participated in the film

were called to help with Katrina rescue efforts.

At the ceremony Costner said, “We tried very hard to honor what you do,” then added humbly, “and

we don’t think for a second that we are you.”

Exercise

�

Read the article and complete the following statements.

1. “The Guardian” is a film about.....

2. Many Coast Guard members were....

3. The film location was changed because....

Do you think “The Guardian” will be a successful movie? Why or why not?

�

DANIEL CRAIG AS 007Tough but cool

2006-09-05

Daniel Craig, alias 007, who stars in the next

James Bond film, says life is tough but cool for his spy character in “Casino Royale”.

Craig trained relentlessly to get in shape for

the film which opens on November 17. During production, he was beat up, blown up and hung on wires by the movie’s special effects experts. After these grueling experiences, Craig said that probably the best thing about filming was “finishing.”

“Casino Royale”, is based on author Ian Fleming’s first novel about the British spy. The story

portrays Bond as “an awkward” rookie agent who even gets dumped by a girl. However, Craig swears that 007 regains his cool by the end of the film.

Craig and Green pause while filming latest 007 sequel Casino

Royale in Venice

Exercise

�

Read the article and answer the questions.

1. Have you ever seen a James Bond movie? Which one?

2. What was 00�’s character like in the movie you saw? How is it different from his character in “Casino Royale”?

3. Do you think filming this movie was difficult for Craig? Explain.

�

QUEEN BAFFLED BY GRIEFNew film on Diana

2006-09-08

A new film suggests that Queen Elizabeth couldn’t

understand the British public’s grief when Princess Diana died.

Stephen Frears’ film, “The

Queen” was screened at the Venice Film Festival and seems to be competitive.

Emmy winning Helen Mirren plays the role of the queen. Mirren hopes the film portrays

the family in a “sensitive” and “humanist” way during a very difficult period of their lives.

The British public was angry at what they saw as indifference from the royal family towards

Diana’s death, but the film suggests the family had just been following proper British protocol.

The queen confided to Tony Blair that she didn’t understand what happened and why

the public had hated her so much. Apparently, Blair helped her cast aside stiff royal protocol.

Actress Helen Mirren poses backstage

Exercise

�

Read the article and complete the activities.

1. Define the following words: baffle, protocol, humanist, indifference.

2. Why do you think the public was so angry with Queen Elizabeth?

3. What was Princess Diana was like? Why did so many people mourn her?

10

ARTIC PEOPLE ON SCREENCanadian filmmaker makes it possible

2006-09-11

Inuit filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk began his movie

making career when he purchased his first video camera in 1981.

His career is picking up. Kunuk’s second feature

film, “The Journals of Knud Rasmussen,” will make its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film is a story of cultural identity and loss. It tells the story of one of the last great tribal

shamans and his daughter as they try to survive the changes that Christianity and commerce brought to their community during the 1920s.

The information was taken from Danish ethnographer Rasmussen’s journals during his 20,000-mile

dogsled trek from Greenland to Siberia. His journals tell the stories of Inuit elders who shared their tales of survival and their traditional songs and folklore.

Zacharias Kunuk

Exercise

11


1. What does a shaman do?

2. What kind of changes do you think commerce brings to a community?

3. If you could ask Knud Rasmussen any question about his dogsled trek, what would it be?

12

COURIC DEBUTS EVENING NEWSAnchorwoman on CBS

2006-09-12

Katie Couric, the new anchor for “CBS Evening

News”, is the first woman to host a newscast alone on one of the country’s major broadcast networks.

Couric, 49, left her position at NBC’s “Today” show

after 15 years to follow in the footsteps of seasoned newsmen Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. Instead of the happy-go-lucky host on her morning show, she is now a serious news anchor.

She began her first show with an exclusive Taliban interview by CBS’ Afghanistan correspondent and

ended it with pictures of Tom Cruise’s baby, Suri.

The chairman of the Fordham University media department, said that he liked the newscast’s

new style and set, but thought it had a relaxed format that he believes just won’t work.

Couric debuts as “CBS Evening News” anchor in New York

Exercise

13


1. Why is Katie Couric so famous?

2. What does a news anchor do?

3. How did people react to Couric’s first news show?

1�

GOOGLE NEWSAdds newspaper archives

2006-09-13

Google News has recently included a twist on current

events; it now offers “past” events with news archives that date back 200 years.

Google Inc. has added historical newspaper archives to its regular

news service. The company’s goal is to “allow users to explore history as it unfolded,” said a top Google engineer.

Archive Search can generate a timeline of stories on a certain subject that spans over decades

or even centuries. Users can search the archives in chronological order or by specific dates.

Google has simplified how Web users locate historical news sources. The news archive search

feature could also encourage media companies to provide better access to archives, few of which have been digitalized or made widely available.

Google News adds newspaper archive

Exercise

1�

Read the article and answer each statement with either True or False. Make all false statements true.

1. Google is now offering a new movie service.

2. At present, Google doesn’t offer current events.

3. You can look for subjects in the historical archives in the order that they occured.

4. Media companies may be inspired to make their archives available to others.

1�

LOUISIANA MAN DRILLS FOR OILIn his front yard

2006-09-14

Frustrated with high oil prices, oilman Steve Jordan has

decided to take matters into his own hands by drilling a well on his own property in Louisiana.

Jordan is drilling an 8,500 foot well under his house and swimming

pool. He hopes to find oil within 10 days. He says he isn’t trying to make a statement, just money.

Jordan advocates that Americans should allow more oil drilling in the US to lessen dependence on foreign oil.

Jordan hopes to get 200,000 to 300,000 barrels of Light Louisiana Sweet and maybe some

natural gas. The project will cost about $2 million dollars but if he does indeed strike oil, he expects to earn several times that amount.

Oil rig is seen during sunset at Lagunillas field in the eastern coast of

Lake Maracaibo

Exercise

1�

Read the article and answer the following questions.

1. What does “take matters into your own hands” mean? Give an example.

2. Besides drilling for oil in your backyard, what else can Americans do to lessen dependence on foreign oil?

3. Is Louisiana known for having an abundance of oil? What other states have oil?

1�

COCKTAIL PARTIES FOR DOGSTarget human wallets

2006-09-15

Parties for canines are becoming the “in” thing

for pets and owners alike.

Pet product companies are taking their marketing

skills to extremes by hosting parties and charity events for humans and dogs. At these events they offer specialty drinks and food for the canines and show off their extravagant doggie items for sale.

Some popular items include all-natural, wheat-free dog treats at $11 a pound, synthetic-grass covered indoor

porta-potties for $280 and leather jackets for $540.

Many who attend these parties are enticed by the opportunity to socialize with other dog lovers.

Residents in Boulder, Colorado enjoy “yappie hours” where people get together to have drinks and socialize while their pets play, and others just take their pet out for a stroll, hoping to meet a new friend.

Spartacus drinks a “muttini” made with

chicken broth

Exercise

1�


1. What do you think about the new dog parties? Share your opinion with the class.

2. In pairs come up with a new activity that includes both dogs and their owners. Discuss your ideas with the class.

3. Invent a new canine product that you think dog lovers would like to buy.

www.british-museum.ac.uk

20

ZIDANE-MATERAZZI REUNION

2006-09-18

FIFA is deciding where to hold a reconciliation

between Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi after their World Cup final fallout. South Africa’s Robben Island could be the place for peace.

Materazzi reportedly insulted Zidane’s sister which instigated the

famous headbutt from Zidane during the final in July. Zidane received a red card for his violent actions and was forced to leave the field.

World soccer’s governing body FIFA fined Zidane 7,500 Swiss francs and Materazzi 5,000 Swiss

francs. Zidane volunteered to do community service instead of being banned for three matches since he had already retired from the sport.

Robben Island could be the place for both reconciliation and the venue for his community service work.

Zinedine Zidane

Robben Island possible stage

Exercise

21


1. Did you see the famous game when Zidane headbutted Materazzi? What did you think about Zidan’s actions? How would you have reacted in the same situation?

2. Do you think Zidane should do community service as a penalty for his actions? Why or why not?

3. Describe what you think will happen at the players’ reunion. What do you think will happen?

22

DR. SEUSS’S ‘HORTON’

2006-09-19

Dr. Seuss’s classic children’s story, ‘Horton Hears a Who’

will appear on the big screen in a production by 20th Century Fox. Jim Carrey has been cast as Horton and Steve Carell as the Mayor of Who-Ville.

Horton is a big-hearted elephant who knows that a person’s a

person, no matter how small. The Mayor of Who-ville, meanwhile, is a distinguished figure of a very small size, too small to be seen by the elephant’s eyes.

In the story, Horton tries to help a tiny town on a speck of dust after hearing their cries for help. Horton is

determined to assist the people of Who-Ville even though everyone else around him thinks he has lost his mind.

Carrey, Carell partner for Dr. Seuss’ “Horton”

Carrey and Carrell cast

Exercise

23


1. Name three other books that Dr. Seuss has written.

2. What other story does “Horton” star in?

3. What is Dr. Seuss’s real name? What made his books so unique?

2�

NEW MONOPOLY GAME

2006-09-20

The Hasbro toy company has created a new

and improved Monopoly board game. The new edition includes game pieces and properties that fit with the times.

Out with the old and in with the new. The old shoe has been replaced by a New

Balance running shoe, and instead of the Scottish Terrier a “Labradoodle” has taken it’s place. Other interesting pieces include McDonald’s French Fries and a Starbucks coffee cup. The novel “Here and Now” edition will be available for purchase starting Thursday.

Hasbro has also revamped the properties on the board. By popular vote, Boardwalk and Park Place, the game’s

two most expensive sites, have been changed to New York City’s Time Square and Boston’s Fenway Park.

Mr. Monopoly

Includes McDonalds and Starbucks

Exercise

2�


1. How do you play Monopoly? What is the object of the game?

2. You are in charge of creating new pieces for the Monopoly game. Pick � items that represent the current times. Discuss your choices with the class.

3. Choose some new international properties. Name five international spots that you would like to see on the board and explain why.

2�

U.S. E.COLI OUTBREAK

2006-09-21

The Food and Drug Administration has

reported an outbreak of E.Coli. The deadly bacteria could be linked to packaged fresh spinach. One person has died and dozens of others are ill.

The FDA has warned consumers not to eat bagged fresh spinach. The administration also

advised that if anyone has symptoms related to the illness, they should contact health officials.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea and dehydration.

Typically, children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are most at risk.

A running total of fifty cases have been reported in various states including, Connecticut, Idaho,

Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Utah and Wisconsin. At the moment, investigators do not know the area where the affected spinach was grown.

E. coli

Linked to spinach

Exercise

2�

Answer each of the following statements with either True or False. Make all false statements true.

1. E.coli is a dangerous disease.

2. The FDA recommends everyone eat fresh spinach.

3. E.coli is especially dangerous to farm animals.

4. If anyone believes they have symptoms of the illness, they should contact their lawyer.

�. So far only a few people have died from the E.coli breakout.

2�

WHITE HOUSE DEAL POSSIBLE

2006-09-22

The White House and Senate Republicans rejected the

president’s proposal on continuing tough CIA interrogations of terrorist suspects. But after talks of revising the CIA program, the deal could go through.

The White House wants Congress to pass a law that

provides the CIA with legal rights to use tough interrogation methods. It argues that these methods have protected the country from terrorist attacks in the past. But critics say the methods are equivalent to torture.

Supporters say that the CIA should continue its program, but that interrogators should have strict

guidelines and limitations, and in no way break the Geneva Convention’s Common Article 3, that forbids any inhumane treatment of prisoners.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman said he believes there was a way to

“accommodate both interests.”

President Bush

CIA interrogations

Exercise

2�


1. Do you think the CIA should be able to torture terrorist suspects to get information? Explain why or why not.

2. Write a set of guidelines and restrictions that the CIA should follow when questioning suspects. Discuss them as a class.

30

‘FLYBOYS’ MAKERS

2006-09-25

”Flyboys”, an exciting film about World War I aviators,

may not be a box office hit but it is guaranteed to be a passionate tale.

Filmmakers including producer Dean Devlin

and pilot David Ellison spent over 60 million dollars of their own money to fund the movie, despite the fact that no major studio wanted to take part in it.

Devlin was very passionate about filming “Flyboys” and wouldn�t be discouraged by a lack of backing.

He says that big studios lack passion and are only concerned with box office sales, regardless of the story.

“Flyboys” tells the tale of brave fighter pilots who risked their lives flying in rickety planes in War World

I. The film includes adventure and real life drama.

Actor David Ellison of the movie ‘Flyboys’ poses for a portrait in

Santa Monica

Defy Hollywood

Exercise

31


1. Why do you think no studios wanted to produce the film?

2. Find out about World War I. What countries were involved? What instigated the war? How did it end?

3. Name some movies have you seen that tell a passionate tale.

32

OLD PHONE BOOKS2006-09-26

British Telephone has recently put over 100 years of their

phone books on the web, making it easier for people to research their ancestry.

People interested in tracing their family heritage

can now do so online. The information can be searched by name, year or county with dates running from 1880 to 1984.

BT has joined with Ancestry.co.uk to make the phone books available. At the moment, they have begun

with the Greater London area, which includes Surrey, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent and Middlesex. Over 72 million names are being entered into the new system for these areas. The company hopes to complete all 250 million names by the end of next year.

Some famous names found listed in the old books include Winston Churchill,

Alfred Hitchcock and Bram Stoker.

Ancestry.co.uk

Now available online

Exercise

33


1. Who would you like to look up in the old phone books? Tell why.

2. What is your family background like? Where do your parents and grandparents come from? Were they born in the same country where you live now? Share your family history with the class.

3. Choose one of the names listed below (Churchill, Hitchcock, Stoker) and find out who they were and what they did.

3�

CRISPS, A PACK-A-DAY

2006-09-28

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) found that half of

children eat a pack of crisps per day and the negative affects of this unhealthy food are taking their toll.

The BHF is working on educating the public about the amounts

of salt, fat and sugar in common foods.

BHF surveyed 1,153 children aged between 8 and 15. An average of 49 percent of youngsters ate at

least one pack of crisps a day. A regular size bag of crisps contains 2.5 teaspoons of cooking oil. A bag a day adds up to 5 liters of oil consumed each year.

Health officials are concerned with the growing number of children facing obesity and type 2 diabetes,

mainly due to the consumption of unhealthy snacks.

Golden Wonder crisps

A health threat

Exercise

3�


1. Compare your eating habits to those of British children. How do they differ? How are they similar?

2. Do you eat junk food? How much do you eat? How do you think it affects you?

3. What does the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” mean?

3�

ROYAL QUIRKS

2006-09-29

Thomas Blaikie shares some of the secret quirks in his

second royal trivia book.

Blaikie searched the archives in his collection of

memoirs from the royal dressmaker, portrait painter and novelist Barbara Cartland for any new juicy tidbits for his next royal work of art.

He has found a few worth sharing with the public. The Queen Mother, for instance, never had to open or

close her bedroom curtains during the 20th century.

Prince Charles does not escape mockery either. Overawed on meeting Hollywood legend Lauren

Bacall, he spluttered, “I so enjoyed your black-and-white films.” “I’m not that old, prince,” she growled back.

Tony Blair’s wife is also said to have told

Princess Anne: “Do call me Cherie.” Her frosty reply: “I think not, actually.”

Britain’s royal family

Stories unveiled

Exercise

3�


1. Work in pairs. Find out what your partner’s quirks are. Do you have any in common?

2. Would you read a book about the royal family’s quirks? Why or why not?

3. If you could interview any famous person about their personal habits or quirks, who would it be? Write three questions you would ask.

a compilation of newsticker articles with exercises ...€¦ · between zinedine zidane and marco...

Documents