Jared Leto, a famous actor and musician, recently made news by becoming the first person to legally climb the 102-story Empire State Building in New York. The 51-year-old did this to promote his band Thirty Seconds To Mars’ upcoming world tour. Leto, wearing a bright orange jumpsuit and using a rope and harness, said the climb was both thrilling and tough, highlighting the physical strength and stamina needed.

In an interview with NBC’s Today show, Leto talked about how excited he was about the climb, even though it was hard. He also shared an emotional moment when he saw his mother through a window on the 80th floor, calling it a “nice surprise.” Leto also mentioned how New York City has always represented a place where dreams come true, making the climb a significant and memorable achievement for him.

Leto’s band, Thirty Seconds To Mars, known for hits like “Kings and Queens,” is starting their first headline tour in five years, beginning in Buenos Aires in March 2024. The actor, who won an Oscar for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club” and has been in movies like “Morbius” and “Suicide Squad,” is known for his dedication to both acting and music.

The Empire State Building, once the world’s tallest building at 380m (1,250ft) high, has a lot of historical importance. Leto’s climb not only got attention for his band’s tour but also showed his determination and adventurous spirit. The pictures from Leto’s climb caught the eye of many, adding to the excitement about his incredible accomplishment.

Original news source: Jared Leto climbs Empire State Building (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Students are divided into pairs. One student takes on the role of a news reporter and the other is Jared Leto. The reporter interviews ‘Leto’ about his recent climb of the Empire State Building, asking questions about his experience, the challenge, and his motivation. The student playing Leto should use information from the article to answer the questions.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a set of statements about the event, such as “Climbing the Empire State Building is an effective way to promote a music tour,” or “Jared Leto’s climb shows that one can combine different passions successfully.” Students walk around the room and poll their classmates, recording whether they agree or disagree with each statement. After collecting the data, discuss the results as a class and relate opinions back to the article.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary from the article (e.g., climb, promote, tour, thrilling, tough, physical strength, stamina, emotional moment, achievement, dedication). Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team comes to the board and is shown a vocabulary word. They must draw it while their team guesses the word. No speaking or writing is allowed. Rotate artists with each new word.

– Headline Creation
Instructions: Ask students to write their own newspaper headlines for the story about Jared Leto’s climb. Encourage them to make their headlines catchy and informative. Share the headlines and discuss which ones best capture the essence of the article and why.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have the students work in small groups to make predictions about future events related to the article. For example, they might predict the success of Thirty Seconds To Mars’ world tour, potential future climbs or stunts by Jared Leto, or how this event might impact Leto’s acting and music career. Groups share their predictions and discuss the likelihood of each event happening.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What recent feat did Jared Leto achieve involving the Empire State Building?
2. What was the purpose of Jared Leto climbing the Empire State Building?
3. Can you describe what Jared Leto wore during his climb and the equipment he used?
4. What did Jared Leto discuss during his interview on NBC’s Today show?
5. What emotional moment did Jared Leto experience during his climb?
6. What is the name of Jared Leto’s band and what are they known for?
7. When and where is Thirty Seconds To Mars starting their world tour?
8. What significance does the Empire State Building hold, and how did Leto’s climb reflect on his personality?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Jared Leto, a famous actor and musician, recently made news by becoming the first person to legally climb the 102-story Empire State Building in New York. The 51-year-old did this to (1)______ his band Thirty Seconds To Mars’ upcoming world tour. Leto, wearing a bright orange (2)______ and (3)______ a rope and (4)______, said the climb was both thrilling and tough, highlighting the physical strength and stamina (5)______.

In an interview with NBC’s Today show, Leto talked about how excited he was about the climb, even though it was hard. He also shared an emotional moment when he saw his mother through a (6)______ on the 80th floor, (7)______ it a “nice (8)______.” Leto also mentioned how New York City has always represented a place where dreams come true, making the climb a significant and (9)______ achievement for him.

Leto’s band, Thirty Seconds To Mars, known for hits like “Kings and Queens,” is starting their first headline tour in five years, beginning in Buenos (10)______ in (11)______ 2024. The actor, who won an Oscar for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club” and has been in movies like “Morbius” and “Suicide (12)______,” is known for his dedication to both acting and music.

The Empire (13)______ Building, once the world’s tallest building at 380m (1,250ft) high, has a lot of (14)______ importance. Leto’s climb not only got attention for his band’s tour but also showed his determination and adventurous spirit. The pictures from Leto’s climb (15)______ the eye of many, (16)______ to the excitement about his incredible accomplishment.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the tallest building you have ever seen or visited? How did it make you feel?
2. How would you feel if you saw someone climbing a really tall building like the Empire State Building?
3. Do you like the idea of going on adventurous activities? Why or why not?
4. What do you think motivates a person to do something as challenging as climbing a skyscraper?
5. Have you ever done something that required a lot of physical strength? What was it and how did it make you feel?
6. Can you think of a time when you saw something and it made you feel really excited, like Jared Leto felt during his climb?
7. What is a dream that you have? Do you think you will achieve it in a place like New York City?
8. Have you ever been surprised by seeing someone you know in an unexpected place? How did that make you feel?
9. Do you think musicians should do stunts like this to promote their music? Why or why not?
10. Jared Leto is both an actor and a musician. Which one do you prefer to be, and why?
11. If you had the chance to climb a famous building safely, would you do it? Why or why not?
12. What is something significant and memorable that you have achieved? How did you celebrate it?
13. Do you think it’s important to have hobbies or activities outside of your main career? Why or why not?
14. What kind of music do you like to listen to when you want to feel inspired or pumped up?
15. If you could meet Jared Leto, what one question would you ask him about his experiences?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. climb
2. thrilling
3. stamina
4. emotional
5. dedication
6. significant
7. adventurous
8. excitement

Meanings:
(a) Giving a lot of time and effort to something
(b) Important and meaningful
(c) To go up something, like a mountain or building
(d) Strong feelings, like happiness or sadness
(e) Very exciting and enjoyable
(f) The physical and mental strength to keep going
(g) A feeling of being very happy and enthusiastic
(h) Willing to take risks and try new things
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was Jared Leto promoting with his climb of the Empire State Building?
(a) His band’s upcoming world tour
(b) His new movie
(c) His autobiography
(d) His fashion line

2. What did Jared Leto wear for the climb?
(a) A tuxedo
(b) A superhero costume
(c) A Hawaiian shirt and shorts
(d) A bright orange jumpsuit

3. How did Jared Leto feel about the climb?
(a) Bored and easy
(b) Scared and impossible
(c) Annoyed and exhausting
(d) Thrilled and tough

4. Where did Leto see his mother during the climb?
(a) On the roof
(b) In the elevator
(c) Through a window on the 80th floor
(d) In the lobby

5. What is the name of Jared Leto’s band?
(a) Twenty Minutes To Venus
(b) Ten Seconds To Saturn
(c) Thirty Seconds To Mars
(d) One Hour To Neptune

6. When is Thirty Seconds To Mars’ world tour starting?
(a) March 2024
(b) June 2023
(c) December 2025
(d) September 2022

7. What movie did Jared Leto win an Oscar for?
(a) “Suicide Squad”
(b) “Dallas Buyers Club”
(c) “Morbius”
(d) “Blade Runner 2049”

8. What did Leto’s climb of the Empire State Building show about him?
(a) His fear of heights
(b) His determination and adventurous spirit
(c) His love for bright orange jumpsuits
(d) His dislike for historical landmarks

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Leto’s band, Thirty Seconds To Mars, is starting their first headline tour in five years, beginning in Buenos Aires in March 2024.
2. Leto mentioned that New York City has never represented a place where dreams come true, making the climb an insignificant achievement for him.
3. Leto wore a dull orange jumpsuit and used a rope and harness for the climb, which he described as boring and easy.
4. The Empire State Building, not the world’s tallest building at 380m (1,250ft) high, has a lot of historical importance.
5. Leto won an Oscar for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club” and has been in movies like “Morbius” and “Suicide Squad.”
6. Jared Leto, a famous actor and musician, recently climbed the Empire State Building in New York to promote his band’s upcoming world tour.
7. During the climb, Leto saw his mother through a window on the 80th floor, which he called a “nice surprise.”
8. Leto’s climb not only got attention for his band’s tour but also showed his lack of determination and adventurous spirit, adding to the disappointment about his mediocre accomplishment.
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 did Jared Leto do to promote his band’s upcoming world tour?
2. How did Leto describe the experience of climbing the Empire State Building?
3. What special moment did Leto experience during his climb?
4. Besides being a musician, what other profession is Jared Leto known for?
5. Why is the Empire State Building significant, and how did Leto’s climb highlight this?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What recent feat did Jared Leto achieve involving the Empire State Building?
Jared Leto became the first person to legally climb the Empire State Building.

2. What was the purpose of Jared Leto climbing the Empire State Building?
He climbed the building to promote his band’s upcoming world tour.

3. Can you describe what Jared Leto wore during his climb and the equipment he used?
Jared Leto wore a bright orange jumpsuit and used a rope and harness for the climb.

4. What did Jared Leto discuss during his interview on NBC’s Today show?
During the interview, Leto talked about his excitement for the climb, the difficulty of it, and an emotional moment when he saw his mother.

5. What emotional moment did Jared Leto experience during his climb?
He experienced an emotional moment when he saw his mother through a window on the 80th floor.

6. What is the name of Jared Leto’s band and what are they known for?
His band is named Thirty Seconds To Mars, and they are known for hits like “Kings and Queens.”

7. When and where is Thirty Seconds To Mars starting their world tour?
They are starting their world tour in Buenos Aires in March 2024.

8. What significance does the Empire State Building hold, and how did Leto’s climb reflect on his personality?
The Empire State Building is historically significant as it was once the world’s tallest building. Leto’s climb showed his determination and adventurous spirit.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) promote
(2) jumpsuit
(3) using
(4) harness
(5) needed
(6) window
(7) calling
(8) surprise
(9) memorable
(10) Aires
(11) March
(12) Squad
(13) State
(14) historical
(15) caught
(16) adding
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. climb
Answer: (c) To go up something, like a mountain or building

2. thrilling
Answer: (e) Very exciting and enjoyable

3. stamina
Answer: (f) The physical and mental strength to keep going

4. emotional
Answer: (d) Strong feelings, like happiness or sadness

5. dedication
Answer: (a) Giving a lot of time and effort to something

6. significant
Answer: (b) Important and meaningful

7. adventurous
Answer: (h) Willing to take risks and try new things

8. excitement
Answer: (g) A feeling of being very happy and enthusiastic
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was Jared Leto promoting with his climb of the Empire State Building?
Answer: (a) His band’s upcoming world tour

2. What did Jared Leto wear for the climb?
Answer: (d) A bright orange jumpsuit

3. How did Jared Leto feel about the climb?
Answer: (d) Thrilled and tough

4. Where did Leto see his mother during the climb?
Answer: (c) Through a window on the 80th floor

5. What is the name of Jared Leto’s band?
Answer: (c) Thirty Seconds To Mars

6. When is Thirty Seconds To Mars’ world tour starting?
Answer: (a) March 2024

7. What movie did Jared Leto win an Oscar for?
Answer: (b) “Dallas Buyers Club”

8. What did Leto’s climb of the Empire State Building show about him?
Answer: (b) His determination and adventurous spirit
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Leto’s band, Thirty Seconds To Mars, is starting their first headline tour in five years, beginning in Buenos Aires in March 2024. (Answer: True)
2. Leto mentioned that New York City has never represented a place where dreams come true, making the climb an insignificant achievement for him. (Answer: False)
3. Leto wore a dull orange jumpsuit and used a rope and harness for the climb, which he described as boring and easy. (Answer: False)
4. The Empire State Building, not the world’s tallest building at 380m (1,250ft) high, has a lot of historical importance. (Answer: False)
5. Leto won an Oscar for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club” and has been in movies like “Morbius” and “Suicide Squad.” (Answer: True)
6. Jared Leto, a famous actor and musician, recently climbed the Empire State Building in New York to promote his band’s upcoming world tour. (Answer: True)
7. During the climb, Leto saw his mother through a window on the 80th floor, which he called a “nice surprise.” (Answer: True)
8. Leto’s climb not only got attention for his band’s tour but also showed his lack of determination and adventurous spirit, adding to the disappointment about his mediocre accomplishment. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧