In Glasgow, during a 10k trail race, a prankster tricked the runners. This person pretended to be a race helper and hid the signs that showed the right path. Because of this, about 30 runners went the wrong way and ran an extra 2.5 kilometers. The race organisers were worried because if someone got hurt, they might not have found help quickly.

One organiser, Alex Osborne, said this prank was very serious. He explained that it could have been dangerous, especially for people who didn’t know the area. The prankster, thought to be a woman, was asked to think about how risky her joke was. Many runners had left their warm clothes and first aid kits at the finish line, which made the situation even more concerning.

To make up for the trouble, the race organisers, Acorn Trails, offered a discount for the next race to those affected. The race usually happens in Linn Park and Castlemilk Woodland and had never faced such big problems before. The organisers now plan to improve how they manage volunteers to make sure the race is safe. They want to make sure there are enough people to help guide the runners correctly.

Original news source: Female prankster pretending to be marshal sends Glasgow runners on 2.5km detour during race (Sky News)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will take turns acting out the main events from the article without using words. The rest of the class will guess what is happening.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Ask students whether they think pranks like the one in the article are funny or dangerous. Have them raise their hands to vote and then discuss their opinions in small groups.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In pairs, students will create a catchy headline for the article. They can share their headlines with the class and explain why they chose those words.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Choose key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., prankster, organiser, runners). Students will draw these words on the board while their classmates guess what they are.

– THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Instructions: Students will think individually about how they would feel if they were one of the runners in the article. Then, they will pair up and share their thoughts before discussing as a whole class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What happened during the 10k trail race in Glasgow?
2. How many runners went the wrong way because of the prank?
3. What did the prankster pretend to be?
4. Why were the race organisers worried about the prank?
5. What did Alex Osborne say about the prank?
6. What did Acorn Trails offer to the runners who were affected by the prank?
7. Where does the race usually take place?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In Glasgow, during a 10k (1)______ race, a (2)______ tricked the runners. This person pretended to be a race (3)______ and hid the signs that showed the right path. Because of this, about 30 runners went the wrong way and ran an extra 2.5 kilometers. The race organisers were worried because if someone got hurt, they might not have (4)______ help quickly.

One (5)______, (6)______ Osborne, said this prank was very serious. He explained that it could have been dangerous, especially for people who didn’t know the area. The prankster, thought to be a woman, was asked to think about how risky her joke was. Many runners had left their warm (7)______ and first aid kits at the finish line, which made the situation even more (8)______.

To make up for the trouble, the race organisers, (9)______ Trails, offered a discount for the next race to those affected. The race usually happens in Linn Park and (10)______ Woodland and had never faced (11)______ big problems before. The organisers now plan to improve how they manage volunteers to make sure the race is safe. They want to make sure there are enough people to help guide the (12)______ correctly.
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💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite sport to watch or play?
2. How would you feel if someone tricked you during a race?
3. Do you like running? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever participated in a race? What was it like?
5. Do you think pranks are funny? Why or why not?
6. What is a good way to keep runners safe during a race?
7. How would you feel if you got lost during a run?
8. Do you think it is important to have helpers in a race? Why?
9. What do you think the prankster should do to make up for the trouble?
10. Have you ever helped someone during a race or event? What did you do?
11. Do you think races should have more signs to help runners? Why?
12. What is your favorite place to run or play outside?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. prankster
2. organisers
3. pretended
4. concerning
5. prank
6. risky
7. discount
8. volunteers
9. guide
10. improve
11. manage
12. affected

Meanings:
(A) Changed or impacted by something happening
(B) Someone who plays tricks on others
(C) A trick or joke played on someone
(D) Causing worry or fear
(E) A lower price or special offer
(F) People who plan and arrange events
(G) To show the way or lead
(H) Acted like something was true when it wasn’t
(I) To control or be in charge of something
(J) To make something better
(K) People who help without getting paid
(L) Dangerous or could cause harm
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What happened during the 10k trail race in Glasgow?
(a) It rained heavily
(b) The race was canceled
(c) A prankster hid the signs
(d) There were too many runners

2. How many runners went the wrong way because of the prank?
(a) 10 runners
(b) About 30 runners
(c) 50 runners
(d) 20 runners

3. What extra distance did the runners run because of the prank?
(a) 1 kilometer
(b) 5 kilometers
(c) 3 kilometers
(d) 2.5 kilometers

4. Who is Alex Osborne?
(a) A runner
(b) A prankster
(c) A race organiser
(d) A police officer

5. What did the race organisers offer to the runners affected by the prank?
(a) Free food
(b) A discount for the next race
(c) A medal
(d) A new pair of shoes

6. Where does the race usually take place?
(a) Linn Park and Castlemilk Woodland
(b) Central Park
(c) Hyde Park
(d) Golden Gate Park

7. What did the organisers want to improve after the prank?
(a) How they manage volunteers
(b) The race route
(c) The finish line decorations
(d) The number of runners

8. Why were the race organisers worried during the prank?
(a) The weather was bad
(b) There were too many spectators
(c) The race was too long
(d) Someone could get hurt

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The race organisers were worried that someone could get hurt.
2. The prankster pretended to be a helper and hid the signs.
3. A helpful person guided runners during a 10k race in Glasgow.
4. About 30 runners ran the correct way because of the guide.
5. Many runners took their warm clothes and first aid kits to the finish line.
6. The race organisers offered a full refund for the next race to those affected.
7. The runners ended up running an extra 2.5 kilometers.
8. One organiser named Alex Osborne said the prank was serious.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. What did the prankster do to trick the runners in the race?
2. How many extra kilometers did the runners run because of the prank?
3. Why were the race organisers worried about the prank?
4. What did the race organisers offer to the runners who were affected by the prank?
5. What do the organisers plan to do to make the race safer in the future?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What happened during the 10k trail race in Glasgow?
A prankster tricked the runners by hiding the signs that showed the right path.

2. How many runners went the wrong way because of the prank?
About 30 runners went the wrong way.

3. What did the prankster pretend to be?
The prankster pretended to be a race helper.

4. Why were the race organisers worried about the prank?
They were worried because someone could get hurt and help might not arrive quickly.

5. What did Alex Osborne say about the prank?
He said the prank was very serious and could be dangerous for people who did not know the area.

6. What did Acorn Trails offer to the runners who were affected by the prank?
They offered a discount for the next race to those affected.

7. Where does the race usually take place?
The race usually takes place in Linn Park and Castlemilk Woodland.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) trail
(2) prankster
(3) helper
(4) found
(5) organiser
(6) Alex
(7) clothes
(8) concerning
(9) Acorn
(10) Castlemilk
(11) such
(12) runners
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. prankster
Answer: (B) Someone who plays tricks on others

2. organisers
Answer: (F) People who plan and arrange events

3. pretended
Answer: (H) Acted like something was true when it wasn’t

4. concerning
Answer: (D) Causing worry or fear

5. prank
Answer: (C) A trick or joke played on someone

6. risky
Answer: (L) Dangerous or could cause harm

7. discount
Answer: (E) A lower price or special offer

8. volunteers
Answer: (K) People who help without getting paid

9. guide
Answer: (G) To show the way or lead

10. improve
Answer: (J) To make something better

11. manage
Answer: (I) To control or be in charge of something

12. affected
Answer: (A) Changed or impacted by something happening
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What happened during the 10k trail race in Glasgow?
Answer: (c) A prankster hid the signs

2. How many runners went the wrong way because of the prank?
Answer: (b) About 30 runners

3. What extra distance did the runners run because of the prank?
Answer: (d) 2.5 kilometers

4. Who is Alex Osborne?
Answer: (c) A race organiser

5. What did the race organisers offer to the runners affected by the prank?
Answer: (b) A discount for the next race

6. Where does the race usually take place?
Answer: (a) Linn Park and Castlemilk Woodland

7. What did the organisers want to improve after the prank?
Answer: (a) How they manage volunteers

8. Why were the race organisers worried during the prank?
Answer: (d) Someone could get hurt
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The race organisers were worried that someone could get hurt. (Answer: True)
2. The prankster pretended to be a helper and hid the signs. (Answer: True)
3. A helpful person guided runners during a 10k race in Glasgow. (Answer: False)
4. About 30 runners ran the correct way because of the guide. (Answer: False)
5. Many runners took their warm clothes and first aid kits to the finish line. (Answer: False)
6. The race organisers offered a full refund for the next race to those affected. (Answer: False)
7. The runners ended up running an extra 2.5 kilometers. (Answer: True)
8. One organiser named Alex Osborne said the prank was serious. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧