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Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2011.

PHOTOCOPIABLE
Hot Spot Level 3, Module 2, Extra reading
1 Amazing coincidences Level 3, Module 2
1

Reading
a) Work with a classmate. Read the headlines about coincidences. Then read denitions ac
and choose the best one.
a A coincidence is a dangerous accident.
b A coincidence is something that happens by accident in a surprising or unusual way.
c A coincidence is something that isnt important.
b) Read the newspaper articles. Write the headlines above the articles.
1
In the 1930s, in Detroit, USA, a man was walking down a street when there
was an accident. As he was walking below a high window, a baby fell out of
the window. Fortunately, the man caught the baby. A year later, the same thing
happened. The same man was walking past the same window when the same
baby fell again! As before, the man caught the baby and saved its life.
2
In the 1950s, while on business in a new city, a man called Mr George D. Bryson checked
into a hotel. The receptionist said, Youre in room 307. Heres the key. Before he went
up to his room, he asked, Are there any letters for me? Yes, said the receptionist and
gave him an envelope with his name and Room 307 on it. But the letter inside wasnt
for him. It was for the man who was in room 307 earlier that week and his name was
also George D. Bryson!
3
A writer, Anne Parrish, was on a trip to Paris in the 1920s. One day, she was looking at
old books in a bookshop when she saw a childrens storybook. This was my favourite
story when I was a child! she said to her husband. He was shocked when he opened
the book and saw a name, written in a childs handwriting: Anne Parrish. It was the
writers own book from when she was a child!
Woman nds favourite book fty years later
SAME NAME, SAME ROOM NUMBER
MAN SAVES BABYS LIFE TWICE!
This page is taken from www.macmillanenglish.com/hotspot. It is photocopiable and may be used within the class.
Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2011.
PHOTOCOPIABLE
Hot Spot Level 3, Module 2, Extra reading
2

Comprehension
Read again and answer the questions.
1 Why was it lucky that the man was walking past the window at that moment?

2 What was so amazing about the second time the child fell?

3 Why was Mr Bryson staying at a hotel?

4 Why did the receptionist think the letter was for him?

5 What was unusual about the man who stayed in Mr Brysons room earlier that week?

6 What was the writer doing in the bookshop in Paris?

7 Why did she pick up the childrens storybook?

8 Why was it unusual for the writer to find this book?

3

Vocabulary
Match the words with their meanings.
1 below a arrive at a hotel
2 fortunately b very surprised
3 save c under
4 check into d luckily
5 shocked e help avoid danger
4

Writing
Read the headline and complete the newspaper article. The rst and last sentences are
already there.
BOY SAVES WOMANS LIFE TEN YEARS AFTER SHE SAVED HIS!
A teenage boy was having lunch in a caf in the park, when he saw someone choking on some food.




I dont believe its really you! You saved my life when I fell into the lake ten years ago in this same
park!
This page is taken from www.macmillanenglish.com/hotspot. It is photocopiable and may be used within the class.
Copyright Macmillan Publishers Limited 2011.
Aim
In this lesson, students read and discuss three newspaper articles about amazing coincidences. The stories are
all true. They also complete an article in their own words.
1 Reading
Put the students in pairs and ask them to read
the newspaper headlines. Then ask them to
choose the best definition of coincidence.
Ask a few students to share their ideas with
the class.
Answer
b
Ask the students to read the newspaper
articles and write one of the headlines above
each article.
Check the answers with the class.
Answers
1 Man saves babys life twice!
2 Same name, same room number
3 Woman finds favourite book fifty years later
2 Comprehension
Ask the students to read the articles again
and answer the questions.
Ask the students to compare answers in pairs
before checking them with the class.
Answers
1 Because he was able to catch the baby as it
fell out of the window and save its life.
2 The same man was walking past the same
window at exactly the moment the baby fell.
3 Because he was on business in a different city.
4 Because the envelope had Mr Brysons name
and his room number on it.
5 He had the same name.
6 She was looking at old books.
7 Because it was her favourite story when she
was a child.
8 Because it was the same book she owned as
a child, and her name was written inside it.
3 Vocabulary
Ask the students to match words 15 from
the text with their meanings.
Ask the students to compare answers in pairs
before checking them with the class.
Answers
1c 2d 3e 4a 5b
4 Writing
Ask the students to read the headline, and
the first and last sentences of the article about
a coincidence. Ask them if they know what
to do when someone is choking. Explain the
Heimlich manoeuvre and write the words on
the board.
Ask them to think about these questions
before they complete the article: What
accident did the boy have in the park ten
years ago? Who saved him? What was the
woman doing in the caf? How did the boy
help her? Why was he surprised when he
found out who she was?
Note: The writing stage of this activity could
be set for homework.
Suggested answer
A teenage boy was having lunch in a caf in
the park, when he saw someone choking on
some food. He knew how to help so he walked
up behind the woman and did the Heimlich
manoeuvre. The woman stopped choking and
turned around to thank him. The boy couldnt
believe it when he saw her face. I dont believe
its really you! You saved my life when I fell into
the lake ten years ago in this same park!
1 Amazing coincidences Teachers notes
Hot Spot Level 3, Module 2, Extra reading