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Traditional end-of-year news quiz 2012




Photo by Sandy Millin via eltpics

A bit less heavy on political news this year and featuring more sports, showbiz and gossip items, here is my traditional annual news quiz. As in the previous years, it is available in two levels: upper-intermediate/advanced and lower intermediate, and comes complete with 7-page teachers notes (scroll all the way down). The notes contain ideas on how to use the quiz in class and, no less importantly, how to explore the language. Check back in the first days of the New Year for vocabulary review activities (update - click here)






Quiz


  1. The London Olympics kicked off with a spectacular and at times
    peculiar Opening Ceremony directed by the acclaimed British director Danny
    Boyle. Who jumped from a helicopter as part of the Opening Ceremony? 

  2. In October 2012 the New York Stock Exchange was closed for
    two consecutive days for the first time in over a hundred years. What caused the
    shutdown?

  3. The music video for "Gangnam Style" by the Korean
    singer PSY went viral in 2012 and became the most watched video of all time on
    Youtube. What does the word "Gangnam" mean?

  4. NASA scientists were "over the moon" in August
    2012 when the huge robot, Curiosity, reached its destination. Which planet did
    it touch down?

  5. What American superstar, who, for the last 10 or so years, has
    been in the spotlight mainly for her addiction problems and turbulent personal
    life, died the night before the prestigious Grammy awards?

  6. Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner made history as the
    first man to break the speed of sound in a free-fall from over 35 km above Earth – don't try
    that at home! What soft drink company sponsored his jump?

  7. Two Australian radio DJs faced public a backlash in December
    2012 when their prank call turned into a tragedy. Who did they play a prank on?

  8. One of the greatest cyclists of all time, Lance Armstrong
    fell from grace after accusations of doping and was consequently stripped of
    his Tour de France titles and banned from cycling for life. How many Tour de
    France competitions has he won?

  9. The World didn't end on December 21 as some suspected. The
    calendar of which ancient civilization predicted the end of the world?

  10. Who is Usain Bolt and why was he in the news in 2012? 

  11. The James Bond series celebrated its 50th anniversary with
    the release of the eagerly anticipated Skyfall starring Daniel Craig. How many
    actors have portrayed James Bond in the series?

  12. UEFA promised to crack down on racism after allegations of
    racism in the Euro 2012 host nations. Which two Eastern European countries
    played host to the tournament?

  13. A 15-year-old girl, Malala, from a remote village in
    north-west Pakistan
    was shot in the head by the Taliban. The incident caused a public outcry in the
    country. Why was she targeted? 

  14. As if your life didn't revolve enough around Google products,
    Google unveiled Project Glass in April 2012 showing the world that the promised
    sci-fi future is here. What does the new product do?

  15. Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open
    final after a gruelling 5 hour 53 minute match, the longest Grand Slam final in
    tennis history. Who was his opponent?

  16. Three members of the Russian feminist punk band Pussy Riot
    were sentenced to two years in prison sparking global protests from leading
    figures in the art world. What were they accused of?

  17. 2012 marked the 200th birthday of one of the most prolific
    British authors. Which one?



Happy New Year!














A Power Point version of the quiz thanks to Adele Raemer


Click here to download





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