. Grand Egyptian Museum - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Grand Egyptian Museum - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Grand Egyptian Museum - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson

Breaking News English Lesson: Grand Egyptian Museum

A stunning new museum has opened in Egypt's capital city, Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) held an inauguration ceremony on Saturday attended by a host of dignitaries including kings and heads of state. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said GEM "is set to become an international cultural and scientific hub, contributing to enhancing tourism promotion in Egypt". Authorities hailed the museum, which cost more than $1.2 billion to build, as "Egypt's gift to the world". A local tour guide hopes it will "usher in a new golden age of Egyptology". The location of GEM is also likely to attract visitors as it is situated in Giza and offers panoramic vistas of the Sphinx and the Pyramids.

The museum has been billed as the world's largest archaeological site dedicated to an ancient civilisation. It houses over 50,000 exhibits that have been relocated from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo and from sites across Egypt. Dominating the entrance is a towering 3,200-year-old, 11-metre-tall granite statue of Ramesses the Great, one of Egypt's most celebrated pharaohs. GEM also houses the entire Tutankhamun collection in one place for the first time since 1922, when it was unearthed in the southern city of Luxor. Officials hope GEM will encourage the return of Egyptian antiquities held in other countries, especially the Rosetta Stone, which is currently on display at the British Museum.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

  • https://www.arabnews.com/node/2620817/middle-east
  • https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/31/egypts-vast-1bn-museum-to-open-in-cairo-after-two-decade-build
  • https://phys.org/news/2025-10-delays-egypt-lavish-grand-museum.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 :-)

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

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News

"Much has been said and written on the utility of newspapers; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publications has been neglected; we mean that of reading them in schools."

The Portland Eastern Herald (June 8, 1795)

"News is history in its first and best form, its vivid and fascinating form, and. history is the pale and tranquil reflection of it."

Mark Twain, in his autobiography (1906)

"Current events provide authentic learning experiences for students at all grade levels. In studying current events, students are required to use a range of cognitive, affective, critical thinking and research skills."

Haas, M. and Laughlin, M. (2000) Teaching Current Events: It's Status in Social Studies Today.

Warm-ups

1. EGYPT: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Egypt. 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? museum / capital city / Cairo / dignitaries / scientific hub / tourism / the Pyramids / archaeological / ancient / civilisation / entrance / statue / pharaoh / antiquities Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently. 3. CAIRO: Students A strongly believe Cairo is the world's most important city for history; Students B strongly believe another city is. Change partners again and talk about your conversations. 4. MUSEUMS: What do you know about these museums? Would you like to go there? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

What I Know

My Interest

Grand Egyptian Museum

The Louvre

The British Museum

National Museum of China

The Smithsonian

Acropolis Museum

MY e-BOOK See a sample
  • Egyptian archaeology
  • History of manga
  • Climate change
  • Future technology
  • The human brain
  • Middle Eastern cuisine
  • World monarchies
  • Oxygen
Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. stunning a. An event to mark the start of something important, like a new building or event. 2. inauguration b. The main or central place for activity. 3. host (noun) c. Important or famous people, usually in government or society. 4. dignitaries d. A person or place that welcomes guests. 5. hub e. Very beautiful or very impressive. 6. enhancing f. Begin something new or important. 7. usher in (verb) g. Making something better or stronger.

Paragraph 2

8. billed h. Found something that was buried in the ground. 9. ancient i. Described or called something in public. 10. dominating j. A king or ruler of ancient Egypt. 11. granite k. Very old objects from the past, usually from ancient times. 12. pharaoh l. Being the most noticeable or powerful thing in a place. 13. unearthed m. A hard, grey stone used in buildings and for statues. 14. antiquities n. Very old, from a long time ago. Before reading / listening 1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
  1. A new museum in Cairo has a special exhibition on gems. T / F
  2. Foreign dignitaries hosted the inauguration ceremony. T / F
  3. The world gave many exhibits to the museum as a gift. T / F
  4. The new museum is within sight of the Sphinx. T / F
  5. The museum has more than half a million exhibits. T / F
  6. There is a 3,200-year-old, 11-metre-tall statue on the museum's roof. T / F
  7. The whole Tutankhamun collection is housed in the museum. T / F
  8. An Egyptian artefact called the Rosetta Stone is in the British Museum. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
  1. discovered
  2. praised
  3. culture
  4. centre
  5. remarkable
  6. acclaimed
  7. launch
  8. treasures
  9. views
  10. described
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
  1. A stunning
  2. an inauguration
  3. attended by a host of
  4. an international cultural
  5. panoramic
  6. billed as the world's
  7. It houses
  8. one of Egypt's most celebrated
  9. it was unearthed
  10. currently on display
  1. largest archaeological site
  2. dignitaries including kings
  3. at the British Museum
  4. vistas of the Sphinx
  5. pharaohs
  6. new museum has opened
  7. in the southern city of Luxor
  8. over 50,000 exhibits
  9. ceremony
  10. and scientific hub
Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below. set hailed stunning state vistas host usher hub

A (1) _________________________________ new museum has opened in Egypt's capital city, Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) held an inauguration ceremony on Saturday attended by a (2) _________________________________ of dignitaries including kings and heads of (3) _________________________________. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said GEM "is (4) _________________________________ to become an international cultural and scientific (5) _________________________________, contributing to enhancing tourism promotion in Egypt". Authorities (6) _________________________________ the museum, which cost more than $1.2 billion to build, as "Egypt's gift to the world". A local tour guide hopes it will "(7) _________________________________ in a new golden age of Egyptology". The location of GEM is also likely to attract visitors as it is situated in Giza and offers panoramic (8) _________________________________ of the Sphinx and the Pyramids.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

statue antiquities entire ancient display billed towering encourage

The museum has been (9) _________________________________ as the world's largest archaeological site dedicated to an (10) ________________________________ civilisation. It houses over 50,000 exhibits that have been relocated from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo and from sites across Egypt. Dominating the entrance is a (11) _________________________________ 3,200-year-old, 11-metre-tall granite (12) _________________________________ of Ramesses the Great, one of Egypt's most celebrated pharaohs. GEM also houses the (13) _________________________________ Tutankhamun collection in one place for the first time since 1922, when it was unearthed in the southern city of Luxor. Officials hope GEM will (14) _________________________________ the return of Egyptian (15) _________________________________ held in other countries, especially the Rosetta Stone, which is currently on (16) _________________________________ at the British Museum.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) A stunning new museum has opened in Egypt's ______ a. cap it all city, Cairo b. capitals city, Cairo c. capital cities, Cairo d. capital city, Cairo 2) GEM held an inauguration ceremony on Saturday attended by a ______ a. boast of dignitaries b. ghost of dignitaries c. host of dignitaries d. host of dignitary 3) GEM is set to become an international cultural ______ a. and scientific hub b. and scientific hob c. and scientifically hub d. and scientifically hob 4) A local tour guide hopes it will usher in a ______ a. new gold den age b. new golden age c. new gelding age d. new goading age 5) GEM is also likely to attract visitors as it is situated in Giza and ______ a. offers panoramic avatars b. offers panoramic visitors c. offers panoramic vistas d. offers panoramic Vespas

6) billed as the world's largest archaeological site dedicated to ______ a. an ancient civilisation b. an accident civilisation c. an ardent civilisation d. an agent civilisation 7) It houses over 50,000 exhibits that ______ a. have been relocate it b. have been relocate Ted c. have been reel located d. have been relocated 8) Dominating the entrance is a towering 3,200-year-old, 11-metre-______ a. tall granite statute b. tall granted statue c. tall granite stative d. tall granite statue 9) the entire Tutankhamun collection in one place for the first time since 1922, when _____ a. it was urn earthed b. it was earthed c. it was unearth d. it was unearthed 10) Officials hope GEM will encourage the return ______ a. off Egyptian antiquities b. of Egyptian antiquities c. of Egyptian antiquity d. of Egyptian antique cities

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A stunning new museum has opened in (1) _______________________________________________, Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) held an inauguration ceremony on Saturday attended by a (2) _______________________________________________ including kings and heads of state. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said GEM "is set to become an international cultural (3) _______________________________________________, contributing to enhancing tourism promotion in Egypt". Authorities hailed the museum, which cost more than $1.2 billion to build, as "Egypt's gift to the world". A local tour guide hopes it (4) _______________________________________________ a new golden age of Egyptology". The location of GEM is also (5) _______________________________________________ visitors as it is situated in Giza and offers (6) _______________________________________________ the Sphinx and the Pyramids.

The museum has (7) _______________________________________________ the world's largest archaeological site dedicated to an ancient civilisation. It houses over 50,000 (8) _______________________________________________ been relocated from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo and from sites across Egypt. (9) ______________________________________________ is a towering 3,200-year-old, 11-metre-tall granite statue of Ramesses the Great, one of Egypt's (10) _______________________________________________. GEM also houses the entire Tutankhamun collection in one place for the first time since 1922, when it (11) _______________________________________________ the southern city of Luxor. Officials hope GEM will encourage the return of Egyptian antiquities held in other countries, especially the Rosetta Stone, which is (12) _______________________________________________ at the British Museum.

Comprehension questions
  1. What was held at the museum on Saturday?
  2. What kind of dignitaries were at the museum on Saturday?
  3. What is the museum set to promote?
  4. What did authorities hail the museum as being?
  5. What did a tour guide say the museum would usher in?
  6. How many items will be on display in the museum?
  7. What is the age of a statue in the museum's entrance?
  8. When was the contents of Tutankhamun's tomb discovered?
  9. What does Egypt hope the museum will prompt the return of?
  10. Where is the Rosetta Stone on display at the moment?
Multiple choice quiz

1) What was held at the museum on Saturday? a) a laser and hieroglyphic show b) a special lunch c) an exhibition in Egypt's future d) an inauguration ceremony 2) What kind of dignitaries were at the museum on Saturday? a) ancestors from ancient Egyptian kings b) kings and heads of state c) shareholders of the museum d) financiers and IT bosses 3) What is the museum set to promote? a) education b) SDGs c) tourism in Egypt d) a Cairo football team 4) What did authorities hail the museum as being? a) Egypt's gift to the world b) groundbreaking c) a link from the past to the future d) the greatest museum in history 5) What did a tour guide say the museum would usher in? a) the spirit of a past age b) an interest in ancient history c) a new golden age of Egyptology d) better relations with Egypt's neighbours

6) How many items will be on display in the museum? a) less than 50,000 b) more than 50,000 c) exactly 50,000 d) around 50,000 7) What is the age of a statue in the museum's entrance? a) 2,300 years old b) 32,000 years old c) 23,000 years old d) 3,200 years old 8) When was the contents of Tutankhamun's tomb discovered? a) in 1922 b) in 1923 c) in 1924 d) in 1925 9) What does Egypt hope the museum will prompt the return of? a) Egyptian expats b) Egyptian tour guides c) Egyptian antiquities d) Egypt as a top-10 tourist destination 10) Where is the Rosetta Stone on display at the moment? a) the Smithsonian b) the British Museum c) the Louvre d) the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg

Role play

Role A – Egyptian Archaeology You think Egyptian archeology is the best subject for a museum exhibition. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their subjects. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the history of manga, climate change or oxygen.

Role B – History of Manga You think the history of manga is the best subject for a museum exhibition. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their subjects. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Egyptian archeology, climate change or oxygen.

Role C – Climate Change You think climate change is the best subject for a museum exhibition. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their subjects. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the history of manga, Egyptian archeology or oxygen.

Role D – Oxygen You think oxygen is the best subject for a museum exhibition. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their subjects. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the history of manga, climate change or Egyptian archeology.

After reading / listening

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

• 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:

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 - Grand Egyptian Museum

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 'Egypt'?
  3. What do you think of museums?
  4. What's the best museum in your country?
  5. How important are archaeological sites in Egypt?
  6. Would you like to go to the Grand Egyptian Museum?
  7. Are online or real museums best?
  8. What is your country's gift to the world?
  9. What do you think of Egyptology?
  10. How cool is an area with the museum, Sphinx and Pyramids?

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 'museum'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. How important are museums?
  5. What do you know about ancient Egyptian history?
  6. What were your country's ancient civilisations like?
  7. What do you know about Tutankhamun?
  8. Are museums or art galleries best?
  9. Should all countries return Egyptian antiquities to Egypt?
  10. What questions would you like to ask the museum's boss?
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)

A stunning new museum has (1) ____ in Egypt's capital city, Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) held an (2) ____ ceremony on Saturday attended by a host of dignitaries including kings and (3) ____ of state. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said GEM "is set to become an international cultural and scientific (4) ____, contributing to enhancing tourism promotion in Egypt". Authorities hailed the museum, which cost more than $1.2 billion to build, as "Egypt's gift to the world". A local tour guide hopes it will "(5) ____ in a new golden age of Egyptology". The location of GEM is also (6) ____ to attract visitors as it is situated in Giza and offers panoramic vistas of the Sphinx and the Pyramids.

The museum has been (7) ____ as the world's largest archaeological site dedicated to an ancient civilisation. It (8) ____ over 50,000 exhibits that have been relocated from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo and from sites across Egypt. Dominating the entrance is a (9) ____ 3,200-year-old, 11-metre-tall granite statue of Ramesses the Great, one of Egypt's most celebrated pharaohs. GEM also houses the entire Tutankhamun (10) ____ in one place for the first time since 1922, when it was (11) ____ in the southern city of Luxor. Officials hope GEM will encourage the return of Egyptian antiquities held in other countries, especially the Rosetta Stone, which is currently (12) ____ display at the British Museum.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) openers (b) opened (c) opening (d) openings (a) gargantuan (b) graduation (c) ingratiating (d) inauguration (a) faces (b) heads (c) tails (d) tops (a) hump (b) hob (c) hub (d) hove (a) usher (b) generation (c) through (d) jewel (a) likely (b) liked (c) likelihood (d) liking (a) tilled (b) milled (c) filled (d) billed (a) houses (b) homes (c) resides (d) flats (a) rusting (b) towering (c) heightening (d) freeing (a) specimen (b) set (c) collection (d) hoard (a) potted (b) pruned (c) unearthed (d) harvested (a) at (b) on (c) to (d) up

Spelling Paragraph 1
  1. held an tiuunaragoni ceremony
  2. attended by a host of iiasndirget
  3. nehaincgn tourism
  4. rishtauoiet hailed the museum
  5. uresh in a new golden age
  6. panoramic istsav of the Sphinx
Paragraph 2
  1. the world's largest ieochoacgaarll site
  2. an neincat civilisation
  3. terngia statue
  4. one of Egypt's most celebrated oshaprha
  5. it was eethrndua in the southern city
  6. encourage the return of Egyptian tiinsatuqie
Put the text back together

( 1 ) A stunning new museum has opened in Egypt's capital city, Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) held an ( ) across Egypt. Dominating the entrance is a towering 3,200-year-old, 11-metre-tall granite ( ) especially the Rosetta Stone, which is currently on display at the British Museum. ( ) in a new golden age of Egyptology". The location of GEM is also likely to attract ( ) inauguration ceremony on Saturday attended by a host of dignitaries including kings and heads ( ) of state. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said GEM "is set to become an international cultural and ( ) over 50,000 exhibits that have been relocated from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo and from sites ( ) scientific hub, contributing to enhancing tourism promotion in Egypt". Authorities hailed ( ) statue of Ramesses the Great, one of Egypt's most celebrated pharaohs. GEM also houses the entire ( ) The museum has been billed as the world's largest archaeological site dedicated to an ancient civilisation. It houses ( ) the museum, which cost more than $1.2 billion to build, as "Egypt's gift to the world". A local tour guide hopes it will "usher ( ) the southern city of Luxor. Officials hope GEM will encourage the return of Egyptian antiquities held in other countries, ( ) Tutankhamun collection in one place for the first time since 1922, when it was unearthed in ( ) visitors as it is situated in Giza and offers panoramic vistas of the Sphinx and the Pyramids.

Put the words in the right order
  1. stunning A has museum in opened capital Egypt's city .
  2. by Attended host a dignitaries of kings including .
  3. GEM set is become to scientific a hub .
  4. usher It'll a in age golden Egyptology of .
  5. It's in situated and Giza panoramic offers vistas .
  6. billed It's the as largest world's site archaeological .
  7. Dominating entrance the a is towering, 3,200-year-old statue .-
  8. was He of one Egypt's celebrated most pharaohs .
  9. also GEM the houses Tutankhamun entire collection .
  10. will GEM the encourage of return antiquities Egyptian .
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A stunning new museum has opened in Egypt's capital city, Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) held an ingratiating / inauguration ceremony on Saturday attended by a host of dignitary / dignitaries including kings and heads / faces of state. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said GEM "is set to become an international cultural and scientific hump / hub, contributing to enhancing tourism promotes / promotion in Egypt". Authorities hailed / chided the museum, which cost more than $1.2 billion to build, was / as "Egypt's gift to the world". A local tour guide hopes it will "usher on / in a new golden age of Egyptology". The location of GEM is also liked / likely to attract visitors as it is situated in Giza and coffers / offers panoramic vistas of the Sphinx and the Pyramids.

The museum has been billed / bailed as the world's largest archaeological site dedicated to an / the ancient civilisation. It houses / homes over 50,000 exhibits that have been relocated to / from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo and from sites crossing / across Egypt. Dominating the entrance is a towering 3,200-year-old, 11-metre-tall granite statue off / of Ramesses the Great, one of Egypt's most celebrated pharaohs. GEM also houses the entire / entry Tutankhamun collection in one place for the first time since 1922, when it was dug / unearthed in the southern city of Luxor. Officials hope GEM will encourage the return of Egyptian antiquities held in other countries, especially / particular the Rosetta Stone, which is currently at / on display at the British Museum.

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)

_ st_nn_ng n_w m_s__m h_s _p_n_d _n _gypt's c_p_t_l c_ty, C__r_. Th_ Gr_nd _gypt__n M_s__m (G_M) h_ld _n _n__g_r_t__n c_r_m_ny _n S_t_rd_y _tt_nd_d by _ h_st _f d_gn_t_r__s _ncl_d_ng k_ngs _nd h__ds _f st_t_. _gypt's Pr_s_d_nt _bd_l F_tt_h _l-S_s_ s__d G_M "_s s_t t_ b_c_m_ _n _nt_rn_t__n_l c_lt_r_l _nd sc__nt_f_c h_b, c_ntr_b_t_ng t_ _nh_nc_ng t__r_sm pr_m_t__n _n _gypt". __th_r_t__s h__l_d th_ m_s__m, wh_ch c_st m_r_ th_n $1.2 b_ll__n t_ b__ld, _s "_gypt's g_ft t_ th_ w_rld". _ l_c_l t__r g__d_ h_p_s _t w_ll "_sh_r _n _ n_w g_ld_n _g_ _f _gypt_l_gy". Th_ l_c_t__n _f G_M _s _ls_ l_k_ly t_ _ttr_ct v_s_t_rs _s _t _s s_t__t_d _n G_z_ _nd _ff_rs p_n_r_m_c v_st_s _f th_ Sph_nx _nd th_ Pyr_m_ds.

Th_ m_s__m h_s b__n b_ll_d _s th_ w_rld's l_rg_st _rch___l_g_c_l s_t_ d_d_c_t_d t_ _n _nc__nt c_v_l_s_t__n. _t h__s_s _v_r 50,000 _xh_b_ts th_t h_v_ b__n r_l_c_t_d fr_m th_ _gypt__n M_s__m _n c_ntr_l C__r_ _nd fr_m s_t_s _cr_ss _gypt. D_m_n_t_ng th_ _ntr_nc_ _s _ t_w_r_ng 3,200-y__r-_ld, 11-m_tr_-t_ll gr_n_t_ st_t__ _f R_m_ss_s th_ Gr__t, _n_ _f _gypt’s m_st c_l_br_t_d ph_r__hs. G_M _ls_ h__s_s th_ _nt_r_ T_t_nkh_m_n c_ll_ct__n _n _n_ pl_c_ f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ s_nc_ 1922, wh_n _t w_s _n__rth_d _n th_ s__th_rn c_ty _f L_x_r. _ff_c__ls h_p_ G_M w_ll _nc__r_g_ th_ r_t_rn _f _gypt__n _nt_q__t__s h_ld _n _th_r c__ntr__s, _sp_c__lly th_ R_s_tt_ St_n_, wh_ch _s c_rr_ntly _n d_spl_y _t th_ Br_t_sh M_s__m.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a stunning new museum has opened in egypts capital city cairo the grand egyptian museum gem held an inauguration ceremony on saturday attended by a host of dignitaries including kings and heads of state egypts president abdel fattah alsisi said gem is set to become an international cultural and scientific hub contributing to enhancing tourism promotion in egypt authorities hailed the museum which cost more than 1.2 billion to build as egypts gift to the world a local tour guide hopes it will usher in a new golden age of egyptology the location of gem is also likely to attract visitors as it is situated in giza and offers panoramic vistas of the sphinx and the pyramids

the museum has been billed as the worlds largest archaeological site dedicated to an ancient civilisation it houses over 50000 exhibits that have been relocated from the egyptian museum in central cairo and from sites across egypt dominating the entrance is a towering 3200yearold 11metretall granite statue of ramesses the great one of egypts most celebrated pharaohs gem also houses the entire tutankhamun collection in one place for the first time since 1922 when it was unearthed in the southern city of luxor officials hope gem will encourage the return of egyptian antiquities held in other countries especially the rosetta stone which is currently on display at the british museum

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

AstunningnewmuseumhasopenedinEgypt'scapitalcity,Cairo.TheGr andEgyptianMuseum(GEM)heldaninaugurationceremonyonSaturda yattendedbyahostofdignitariesincludingkingsandheadsofstate.Egy pt'sPresidentAbdelFattahal-SisisaidGEM"issettobecomeaninternati onalculturalandscientifichub,contributingtoenhancingtourismprom otioninEgypt".Authoritieshailedthemuseum,whichcostmorethan$1. 2billiontobuild,as"Egypt'sgifttotheworld".Alocaltourguidehopesitwil l"usherinanewgoldenageofEgyptology".ThelocationofGEMisalsolikel ytoattractvisitorsasitissituatedinGizaandofferspanoramicvistasofth eSphinxandthePyramids.Themuseumhasbeenbilledastheworld'slar gestarchaeologicalsitededicatedtoanancientcivilisation.Ithousesov er50,000exhibitsthathavebeenrelocatedfromtheEgyptianMuseumi ncentralCairoandfromsitesacrossEgypt.Dominatingtheentranceisat owering3,200-year-old,11-metre-tallgranitestatueofRamessesth eGreat,oneofEgypt'smostcelebratedpharaohs.GEMalsohousesthee ntireTutankhamuncollectioninoneplaceforthefirsttimesince1922,w henitwasunearthedinthesoutherncityofLuxor.OfficialshopeGEMwille ncouragethereturnofEgyptianantiquitiesheldinothercountries,espe ciallytheRosettaStone,whichiscurrentlyondisplayattheBritishMuseu m.

Free writing

Write about the Grand Egyptian Museum for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

Academic writing

The Grand Egyptian Museum is the best museum in the world. Discuss.

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. EGYPT: Make a poster about Egypt. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things? 4. MUSEUMS: Write a magazine article about all countries having a state-of-the-art national museum. 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 Egypt. Ask him/her three questions about Egypt. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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

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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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