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ESL Worksheets

THE OUTSIDERS, S E Hinton

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TV New Report

Children Rescued from Church Fire on Jay Mountain

In your group, prepare a television news report about the fire in the abandoned church at Jay Mountain, Windrixville and the rescue of the children by Johnny, Ponyboy and Dally.

Write a script for the report. You must include the following:

1. An introduction by the newsreader

e.g. "Two young men are in hospital tonight after dramatically rescuing a group of kindergarten children from a burning church in Windrixville, Oklahoma. The fire broke out while …" (ETC.)

2. Brief comments by:

• Jerry (the children’s teacher)
• Ponyboy
• Dally
• A doctor from the hospital where Johnny, Ponyboy, Dallas and the children are being treated

3. Final remarks by the newsreader

e.g. "Just a week ago, John Cade and Ponyboy Curtis were being sought by police in connection with the death of an eighteen-year-old boy in Tulsa. Today the same boys have become national heroes. Nevertheless, because of their age they will soon have to appear in a juvenile court, charged with running away from home."

Your script is very important. Make it sound like a real TV news report. Get the language right: for example, the newsreader and Jerry will say "children" whereas the boys may say "kids". There must be no mistakes: check with the teacher if you are not sure.

Rehearse the item. (Only the newsreader can glance at a copy of the script, so learn your lines – but make them sound natural.)

Frankie Meehan