Learning Objective: This is a reading and comprehension and conversation class. At the end of the session, the participants are expected to be able to practice reading properly, enhance comprehension and recall and answer the questions about the article.


Story Proper

Highway police who went to a crash scene in Japan on Sunday couldn’t believe their eyes – a twisted mess of supercars. Japanese police say eight top-of-the-range Ferraris, two Mercedes sports cars and a Lamborghini were among the vehicles that crashed into each other, causing a $4-million insurance bill. No one died in the 14-car pile-up but ten people were injured and taken to hospital. Police believe speeding and a wet road surface could have been the causes of the accident. Police believe the cars were traveling at a speed of 160kph on a road with an 80kph limit. The lead car hit the central barrier and the following cars all ploughed into one another. TV footage shows wreckage from the cars spread across 400 metres of road.

The cars were part of a convoy heading to a supercar rally in Hiroshima. The leading Ferrari that spun out of control was driven by a 60-year-old man. Several eyewitnesses told local TV crews what they saw. One said: “A group of cars was doing 140kph to 160kph. One of them spun and they all ended up in this huge mess. It’s a miracle no one was seriously hurt.” Another motorist described how he narrowly avoided becoming part of the accident, saying: “The front car crashed into the left embankment and bounced off towards me.” A crash scene police officer explained what he saw. Lieutenant Eiichiro Kamitani told the AFP news agency: “I've never seen such a thing. Ferraris rarely travel in such large numbers.”



Activity Proper

1. TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: Talk about traffic accidents.


2. CHAT: Choose your favorite word then discuss about it.


highway police / crash scene / mess / vehicles / road surface / speed limit / wreckage / convoy / supercar rally / eyewitnesses / seriously hurt / motorists / Ferrari


3. CAR CRASH: How can we reduce them?


4. CRASHES: Students A strongly believe technology will mean no more car crashes in the future; Students B strongly believe the opposite.


5. SUPER: What super things do you think are best?

supercar

supercomputer

superhero

superpower

superstore

super-meal

super-English lesson

super-job



"Online activities, the mp3 and printable handouts are available for this lesson at http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com"