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A A BREAKING NEWS ENGLISH

Muhammad Ali dies

Lesson code: MZJA-MNNB-BMQC-N INTERMEDIATE +

1 Key words
Match the terms on the left to the definitions on the right.

1. Parkinson's a. a disease of the nervous system that makes the muscles become stiff and
the body shake, and gradually gets worse as a person gets older
2. a figure b. an important or famous person
3. courageous c. brave
4. float d. freedom/equality for all races, religions, sexes in a society
5. a campaigner e. somebody who organizes activities to achieve political or social change
6. civil rights f. to do work for a country, for example in an organization such as the army
or the government
7. arrest g. to stay in the air, or move gently through the air
8. serve h. to take somebody away because they broke the law

2 Find the information

What do you know about Muhammad Ali? Choose the best answers and then scan the text to check.

1. Where was Muhammad Ali born?

a. Louisville b. Lost Angeles c. Mississippi

2. How old was he when he started training?

a. 8 years old b. 12 years old c. 14 years old

3. How old was he when he first won the heavyweight title?

a. 22 years old b. 26 years old c. 32 years old

4. When did he retire?

a. In 1978 b. In 1980 c. In 1981

5. How many times did he fight?

a. 31 b. 41 c. 61

6. How many times did he lose?

a. 0 b. 2 c. 5
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Muhammad Ali dies
A A A A
Muhammad Ali dies
6th June 2016
1 On Saturday, people around the world found out
that Muhammad Ali had died. For many years, the
former heavyweight boxing champion had
suffered from a serious disease called
Parkinson's, but his death was a shock to many
people.
2 Since the news, many well-known figures have
shown their respect for the great sportsman.
"Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And the
world is better for it," said US President Barack
Obama and his wife Michelle.
3 Former President Bill Clinton said the boxer had
been "courageous in the ring, inspiring to the
young, compassionate to those in need".
4 Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay in Louisville,
Kentucky, United States. He began training when
he was 12 years old and at 22 he won the
heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston in
1964. He also became the first boxer to win the
world heavyweight title three separate times.
5 Ali had a very unusual boxing style for a
heavyweight. He often said, "float like a butterfly,
sting like a bee". He wasn't a very powerful
puncher, but he had very fast hand speed and
reflexes. He constantly moved in the ring, dancing
around his opponents for most of the fight, and
throwing quick punches.
6 Ali was well-known for his funny and provocative
comments as well as his boxing skills inside the
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BREAKING NEWS ENGLISH
ring.
7 But he was also a civil rights campaigner and
poet. He gave speeches at colleges and
universities across the country, which was very
rare a boxer. He was also famous for refusing to
serve in the US Army when the US was involved in
the Vietnam War. As a result, the police arrested
him and he lost his boxing license. He didn't fight
again for nearly four years. However, his actions
inspired many figures to express their opinions
about the war in public.
8 Ali's boxing career ended in 1981, when he lost to
Trevor Berbick in a one-sided match. For many
people, he retired too late. Ali fought a total of 61
times as a professional, losing five times and
winning 37 matches by knockout.
9 Soon after retiring, people began to discuss the
state of Ali's health because he started to speak
more slowly and he often seemed tired. He was
later diagnosed with Parkinson's disease but he
continued to make public appearances, receiving
warm welcomes wherever he travelled.
10 When somebody asked him how he would like to
be remembered, he once said he would like to be
remembered as a man who won the heavyweight
title three times, who was funny and who treated
everyone well.
Sources: BBC, Wikipedia
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Muhammad Ali dies
Innovation in Learning

A A A A BREAKING NEWS ENGLISH

3 Checking understanding
Read the text again and put T (True) or F (False) next to each statement below. Explain why the `False
answers' are false.

1. Nobody was surprised by Muhammad Ali's death.

2. Ali was known for his hard punches.
3. His actions outside the ring were unusual for a boxer.
4. Ali was not allowed to box for nearly four years because he chose not to fight in the Vietnam War.
5. Many people felt that they could speak publicly against the Vietnam War because of Muhammad Ali.
6. Ali's last two fights were very close.
7. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease as soon as he retired.

4 Find the word

Find a word or phrase in the text that means ...

1. true in the past but not now (adj., P1):

2. changed in a big way (phrasal verb, P2):
3. kind to people who are suffering (adj., P3):
4. the ability to react quickly (plural noun, P5):
5. motivated (verb -ed, P7):
6. the area where boxers fight (noun, P6):

5 Collocations
Match the verbs on the left to the words on the right to form phrases from the text.

1. suffer from a. a disease

2. show b. a punch
3. win c. a speech
4. throw d. a warm welcome
5. give e. respect
6. express f. the title
7. receive g. your opinion

Now make up a sentence for each phrase.

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Muhammad Ali dies
Innovation in Learning

A A A A BREAKING NEWS ENGLISH

6 Grammar in the text - Past simple, present perfect, past perfect

Complete the rules below with ...

present perfect (have/has + past participle) past simple past perfect (had + past participle)

1. We use the to talk about a completed event in the past:

2. We often use the to talk about a situation that began in the past and
continues up to the present or future.

3. We often use the to talk about past actions or situations that happened
before a specific time in the past.

In pairs, find examples of each rule in the article.

Now complete the sentences below:

1. I (not/have) breakfast this morning.

2. Until now, it (hardly ever/snow).
3. When we arrived at the party, he (already/leave).
4. Dave (give up) smoking four years ago.
5. It was my first time in Argentina. I (never/be) there before.
6. I don't want another drink. I (drink) enough already.
7. I (never/visit) Paris. What's it like?
8. When you texted me, I (just/finish) painting the bedroom.
9. The lion is really hungry. It (not/eat) for days.
10. (you/meet) Kate for lunch yesterday?
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Muhammad Ali dies
Innovation in Learning

A A A A BREAKING NEWS ENGLISH

7 Talking point
Discuss any of the questions below in pairs or groups.

1. What do you think of Muhammad Ali?

2. What other famous sportsmen do you consider to be as `great' as Ali? Why?
3. Do you think boxing should be banned? Why/why not?

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Muhammad Ali dies - Key
Innovation in Learning

A A A A BREAKING NEWS ENGLISH

1- Key words

Give examples of each word where necessary. Students can work alone and check in pairs.

1. a 2. b 3. c 4. g 5. e 6. d 7. h 8. f

2- Find the information

Students can work alone and check in pairs. Have students scan the article quickly. Go through the answers.

1. a 2. b 3. a 4. c 5. c 6. c

3- Checking understanding

1. F - his death was a shock to everyone

2. F - he had very fast hand speed and reflexes
3. T
4. T
5. T
6. F - They were one-sided contests.
7. F - people discussed the state of his health; he was diagnosed later.

4- Find the word

Students can work alone and check in pairs.

1. former 2. shook up 3. compassionate

4. reflexes 5. inspired 6. the ring

5- Collocations

1. a 2. e 3. f 4. b 5. c 6. g
7. d

6- Grammar in the text - Past simple, present perfect, past perfect

1. past simple
2. present perfect (have/has + past participle)
3. past perfect (had + past participle)

Examples include:
1: `He began training when he was 12 years old.'
2: `Since the news, many well-known figures have shown their respect for the great sportsman.'
3: `the former heavyweight boxing champion had suffered from a serious disease called Parkinson's'

1. didn't have 2. has hardly ever snowed 3. had already left

4. gave up 5. 'd never been 6. 've drunk
7. 've never visited 8. 'd just finished 9. hasn't eaten
10. Did you meet
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