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BreakingNewsEnglish - The Mini Lesson
U.S. companies end ties with True / False

gun group NRA a) A decreasing number of U.S. companies will
cut ties with the NRA. T / F
27th February, 2018
b) The article suggested this latest tragedy could
An increasing bring changes. T / F
number of c) United Airlines has said it will continue its
companies are partnership with the NRA. T / F
announcing plans
to sever ties with d) NRA members will still get discounts and
the USA's benefits from Hertz. T / F
National Rifle e) The NRA blamed the school's security for the
Association (NRA) tragedy. T / F
following the
latest high-school f) The NRA blamed the tragedy on America's
shooting mental health system. T / F
massacre. The g) The NRA said companies were acting like
tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School cowards. T / F
in South Florida, in which 17 students and staff lost
their lives, could be a watershed for gun control in h) The NRA said its members would be distracted
the USA. Many high profile companies are calling by losing discounts. T / F
for gun control and are cutting ties with the
powerful NRA lobby group. United Airlines, Delta Synonym Match
Airlines and Hertz are among many companies to
(The words in bold are from the news article.)
end special discounts and benefits for NRA staff and
members. There is also a growing campaign on 1. increasing a. readiness
social media for greater gun control in the USA.
2. sever b. turning point
The NRA made a statement attacking the failure of 3. massacre c. sidetrack
both school and federal systems for the high school
tragedy. It said: "The law-abiding members of the 4. watershed d. slaughter
NRA had nothing at all to do with the failure of that 5. end e. penalize
school's security preparedness, the failure of
America's mental health system...or the cruel 6. law-abiding f. growing
failures of both federal and local law enforcement." 7. preparedness g. disgraceful
It added that: "Despite that, some corporations
have decided to punish NRA membership in a 8. punish h. terminate
shameful display of political and civic cowardice." 9. shameful i. honest
An NRA spokesman hit back at the companies,
saying: "The loss of a discount will neither scare nor 10. distract j. cut
distract one single NRA member from our mission
to stand and defend individual freedoms."
Sources:
Discussion – Student A
abcnews.go.com / reuters.com / commondreams.org a) What do you think about what you read?
b) Why is the NRA so powerful in the USA?
Writing c) What do you think about gun control?
The world would be a better place without guns.
d) Is the NRA right to say the school was at
Discuss.
fault?
Chat e) Where does mental health fit into gun control

laws?
Talk about these words from the article.
f) How can schools better protect students?
increasing / companies / ties / rifle / students / g) What advice do you have for the NRA?
discounts / benefits / gun control /
statement / high school / law abiding / mental h) What questions would you like to ask the
health / law enforcement / freedom company bosses?
LOTS MORE at https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1802/180227-gun-violence.html Copyright Sean Banville 2018

BreakingNewsEnglish - The Mini Lesson
Phrase Match
1. following the latest high-school a. on social media
2. Many high b. abiding members of the NRA
3. the powerful NRA lobby c. shooting massacre
4. end special discounts and d. enforcement
5. There is also a growing campaign e. group
6. The law- f. freedoms
7. the failure of America's mental g. back at the companies
8. federal and local law h. benefits for NRA staff
9. An NRA spokesman hit i. health system
10. defend individual j. profile companies
Discussion – Student B Role Play

a) What do you think of guns? Role A – Education
b) What are gun laws like in your country? You think education is our most important right. Tell
the others three reasons why. Tell them why their
c) What do you know about the NRA in the USA? rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others which
d) Will the latest tragedy be a watershed for gun is the least important of these (and why): health
control? care, free speech or gun ownership.
e) Why are there so many shootings in the USA? Role B – Health Care
You think health care is our most important right.
f) Are companies right to cut ties with the NRA? Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why
g) Will the gun situation get better or worse? their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others
which is the least important of these (and why):
h) Should people have a right to keep and bear education, free speech or gun ownership.
guns?
Role C – Free Speech
Spelling You think free speech is our most important right.

Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why
1. companies are anoinncung plans their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others
which is the least important of these (and why):
2. high-school shooting aesmarsc health care, education or gun ownership.
3. a wadeserth for gun control Role D – Gun Ownership

You think gun ownership is our most important right.
4. Many high eiolfrp companies Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why
their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others
5. end special sntcdsuoi and benefits which is the least important of these (and why):
health care, free speech or education.
6. a growing gcpiaamn
7. made a statement attacking the aiferul Speaking – Rights

8. faedrle systems Rank these with your partner. Put the most important
rights at the top. Change partners often and share your
9. The wal-bgandii members of the NRA rankings.
10. local law feemtnrneoc • health care • education

• freedom of religion • a free Internet
11. political and civic acrwiodce • free speech • freedom of movement
12. neither scare nor caitsdtr • carry a gun • paid overtime
Answers – Synonym Match Answers – True False
1. f 2. j 3. d 4. b 5. h a F b T c F d F e T f T g T h F
6. i 7. a 8. e 9. g 10. c Answers to Phrase Match and Spelling are in the text.
LOTS MORE at https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1802/180227-gun-violence.html Copyright Sean Banville 2018

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BreakingNewsEnglish - The Mini Lesson

U.S. companies end ties with True / False

Chat e) Where does mental health fit into gun control

LOTS MORE at https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1802/180227-gun-violence.html Copyright Sean Banville 2018

Discussion – Student B Role Play

Spelling You think free speech is our most important right.

3. a wadeserth for gun control Role D – Gun Ownership

7. made a statement attacking the aiferul Speaking – Rights

10. local law feemtnrneoc • health care • education

Answers – Synonym Match Answers – True False

LOTS MORE at https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1802/180227-gun-violence.html Copyright Sean Banville 2018

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