Some bad people cut down a very old tree in Ghana. The tree was 300 years old and people thought it could make them better if they were sick. It was in a town called Feyiase and was so special that they didn’t cut it down when they made a big road. A long time ago, a famous priest made the tree grow by spitting out a nut.

People in Ghana are very upset because the tree was important to them. It reminded them of a big fight a long time ago when their people fought for freedom. The tree was a big part of their history. Now, everyone wants the police to find the people who cut down the tree.

The tree meant a lot to the people in Ghana because it was part of their history and culture. Now that the tree is gone, people are very sad and angry. The police are trying very hard to find the people who did this. Everyone wants to make sure those people are caught.

Original news source: Komfo Anokye kola tree: Ghana outrage after 300-year-old tree felled (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to summarize the article in their own words, focusing on the main points. Each student should write three sentences: one about what happened to the tree, one about the significance of the tree, and one about the reaction of the people. After they write their summaries, have them share with a partner.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with paper and colored pencils or markers. Ask them to draw a scene that represents the important elements of the article. For example, they could draw the tree before it was cut down, the tree being cut, the road that spared the tree, or the people of Ghana expressing their emotions. After they finish, each group can explain their drawing to the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Conduct a class poll to gauge students’ opinions on the event. Ask questions such as “Do you think it’s important to protect historical trees?” or “What should be the punishment for the people who cut down the tree?” Encourage students to explain their answers and discuss the reasons behind their opinions.

– Keyword Hangman
Instructions: Play a game of hangman using keywords from the article. Words could include “tree,” “Ghana,” “history,” “culture,” “freedom,” “police,” and “angry.” This activity will help students recall and spell important terms from the article.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students write a few sentences predicting what will happen next. Will the police catch the people who cut down the tree? What will the community do to remember the tree? How might this event change the way historical and cultural sites are protected in Ghana? Students can discuss their predictions in small groups and share with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. How old was the very old tree in Ghana?
2. What did people in Ghana believe the tree could do if they were sick?
3. In which town was the special tree located?
4. Why was the tree not cut down when they built a big road?
5. Who helped the tree grow a long time ago and what did he do?
6. Why was the tree important to the people in Ghana?
7. What are the police trying to do now that the tree has been cut down?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Some bad people cut down a very old tree in (1)______. The tree was 300 (2)______ old and people (3)______ it could make them better if they were sick. It was in a town called Feyiase and was so special that they didn’t cut it down when they made a big road. A long time ago, a famous (4)______ made the tree (5)______ by spitting out a nut.

People in Ghana are very upset because the tree was (6)______ to them. It reminded them of a big fight a long time ago when their people fought for (7)______. The (8)______ was a big part of their (9)______. Now, everyone wants the police to find the people who cut down the tree.

The tree meant a lot to the people in Ghana because it was part of their history and (10)______. Now that the tree is gone, (11)______ are very sad and angry. The police are trying very hard to find the people who did this. Everyone wants to make sure those people are (12)______.
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Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a special place in your town or country? Why is it special?
2. How would you feel if someone destroyed something important in your town? Why?
3. Do you like old trees and nature? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important to protect old trees? Why do you think that?
5. What is something from your culture that is very important to you?
6. How do people in your country feel when important things from history are damaged or gone?
7. Do you have a favorite story about a place or thing from your history?
8. What would you do if you saw someone trying to hurt a special place or thing in your town?
9. Do you think the police should work hard to find people who damage important things? Why or why not?
10. Is there a law in your country about hurting special places or things? What does it say?
11. Have you ever helped to protect something important in your community? What did you do?
12. Do you think trees can be as important as people in our history? Why do you think so?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. upset
2. special
3. famous
4. important
5. history
6. culture
7. angry
8. police

Meanings:
(a) Things that happened in the past
(b) Beliefs and traditions of a group of people
(c) Having a lot of meaning or value
(d) Feeling sad or unhappy about something
(e) Feeling mad or frustrated
(f) Not like other things, very unique
(g) People who make sure others follow the rules
(h) Known by many people
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Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How old was the tree that was cut down in Ghana?
(a) 100 years old
(b) 500 years old
(c) 700 years old
(d) 300 years old

2. What did people believe the tree could do for them if they were sick?
(a) Make them taller
(b) Make them better
(c) Give them money
(d) Make them famous

3. In which town was the tree located?
(a) Accra
(b) Kumasi
(c) Feyiase
(d) Tamale

4. Why did people in Ghana not cut down the tree when they made a big road?
(a) It was very special to them
(b) They forgot about it
(c) They didn’t have the tools
(d) They were afraid of it

5. How did the tree grow a long time ago?
(a) It grew by itself
(b) It was planted by the government
(c) It was watered by the rain
(d) A famous priest spit out a nut

6. What did the tree remind people of?
(a) A big party
(b) A famous singer
(c) A big fight for freedom
(d) A big sports event

7. Why are people in Ghana upset and angry?
(a) The tree was ugly
(b) The tree was important to them
(c) The tree was too big
(d) The tree was in the way

8. What are the police trying to do?
(a) Find the people who cut down the tree
(b) Cut down more trees
(c) Plant new trees
(d) Paint the trees

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True or False Questions:

1. A famous priest made the tree grow by spitting out a nut a long time ago.
2. The people in Ghana are upset because the tree was important to them and reminded them of their fight for freedom.
3. A recently planted tree in Ghana was cut down by some bad people.
4. Not everyone wants to make sure the people who cut down the tree are caught.
5. The tree was located in a town called Feyiase and was destroyed when a big road was built.
6. The tree was a big part of the history and culture of the people in Ghana.
7. The tree was only 100 years old and was believed to have no healing powers.
8. The police are trying very hard to find the people who cut down the tree.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What happened to the very old tree in Ghana?
2. Why was the tree special to the people in the town of Feyiase?
3. What did the tree remind the people of?
4. How do people in Ghana feel about the tree being cut down?
5. What do the people want the police to do about the tree?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How old was the very old tree in Ghana?
The tree was 300 years old.

2. What did people in Ghana believe the tree could do if they were sick?
People thought the tree could make them better if they were sick.

3. In which town was the special tree located?
The tree was in a town called Feyiase.

4. Why was the tree not cut down when they built a big road?
The tree was so special that they left it standing even when they made a big road.

5. Who helped the tree grow a long time ago and what did he do?
A famous priest helped the tree grow by spitting out a nut.

6. Why was the tree important to the people in Ghana?
The tree was important because it was part of their history and reminded them of a big fight for freedom.

7. What are the police trying to do now that the tree has been cut down?
The police are trying very hard to find the people who cut down the tree.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Ghana
(2) years
(3) thought
(4) priest
(5) grow
(6) important
(7) freedom
(8) tree
(9) history
(10) culture
(11) people
(12) caught
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. upset
Answer: (d) Feeling sad or unhappy about something

2. special
Answer: (f) Not like other things, very unique

3. famous
Answer: (h) Known by many people

4. important
Answer: (c) Having a lot of meaning or value

5. history
Answer: (a) Things that happened in the past

6. culture
Answer: (b) Beliefs and traditions of a group of people

7. angry
Answer: (e) Feeling mad or frustrated

8. police
Answer: (g) People who make sure others follow the rules
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How old was the tree that was cut down in Ghana?
Answer: (d) 300 years old

2. What did people believe the tree could do for them if they were sick?
Answer: (b) Make them better

3. In which town was the tree located?
Answer: (c) Feyiase

4. Why did people in Ghana not cut down the tree when they made a big road?
Answer: (a) It was very special to them

5. How did the tree grow a long time ago?
Answer: (d) A famous priest spit out a nut

6. What did the tree remind people of?
Answer: (c) A big fight for freedom

7. Why are people in Ghana upset and angry?
Answer: (b) The tree was important to them

8. What are the police trying to do?
Answer: (a) Find the people who cut down the tree
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. A famous priest made the tree grow by spitting out a nut a long time ago. (Answer: True)
2. The people in Ghana are upset because the tree was important to them and reminded them of their fight for freedom. (Answer: True)
3. A recently planted tree in Ghana was cut down by some bad people. (Answer: False)
4. Not everyone wants to make sure the people who cut down the tree are caught. (Answer: False)
5. The tree was located in a town called Feyiase and was destroyed when a big road was built. (Answer: False)
6. The tree was a big part of the history and culture of the people in Ghana. (Answer: True)
7. The tree was only 100 years old and was believed to have no healing powers. (Answer: False)
8. The police are trying very hard to find the people who cut down the tree. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧