Mysteries and Conspiracies Agatha Christie, a famous mystery novel author, once famously said, "The simplest explanation is always the most likely." However, when something shocking or catastrophic happens in our lives, simple explanations just aren't enough We crave deeper reasons and meanings, and sometimes we create our own Conspiracy theories can attract a wide array of people, from vehement supporters to those who just like a good story Whether they're somewhat believable or completely ridiculous, the most popular conspiracy theories are fascinating Some of the most popular conspiracy theories revolve around the deaths of John F Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Elvis There are some other popular theories about 9/11, Global Warming, and Alien Invasions However, one of the wackiest theories says that most world leaders are actually shape-shifting reptilians from a different planet who start wars and are responsible for horrific events like 9/11 in order to promote fear and hatred, which gives them strength Oh, and they're seven feet tall Can you believe it? Vocabulary Mystery A a belief that a secret organization/group is responsible for an unexplained event Catastrophic B showing very strong feelings or opinions Crave C more than a little but not very Conspiracy Theory D extremely interesting Wide array E something unexplainable because not enough is known about it Vehement F centered on/around, focused on, to be concerned with Somewhat G silly in an exciting or amusing way, crazy Fascinating H the ability to change one's physical appearance Revolve around I a large number, a variety 10 Invasion J to have an extremely strong desire for something 11 Wacky K a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, suffering, or death 12 Shape-shifting L a type of animal, such as a snake or lizard 13 Reptilian M when an army enters another by force country to take control of it Special Topic: Mysteries, Conspiracies, and Other Strange Things 1) Vocabulary OPEN: What was the strangest or most frightening thing that has ever happened to you? Mystery E A a belief that a secret organization/group is responsible for an unexplained event Catastrophic K B showing very strong feelings or opinions Crave C more than a little but not very J Conspiracy Theory A D extremely interesting Wide array I E something unexplainable because not enough is known about it Vehement B F centered on/around, focused on, to be concerned with Somewhat C G silly in an exciting or amusing way, crazy Fascinating D H the ability to change one's physical appearance Revolve around F I a large number, a variety 10 Invasion M J to have an extremely strong desire for something 11 Wacky K a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, suffering, or death G 12 Shape-shifting H L a type of animal, such as a snake or lizard 13 Reptilian L M when an army enters another by force country to take control of it Mysteries and Conspiracies Agatha Christie, a famous mystery novel author, once famously said, "The simplest explanation is always the most likely." However, when something shocking or catastrophic happens in our lives, simple explanations just aren't enough We crave deeper reasons and meanings, and sometimes we create our own Conspiracy theories can attract a wide array of people, from vehement supporters to those who just like a good story Whether they're somewhat believable or completely ridiculous, the most popular conspiracy theories are fascinating Some of the most popular conspiracy theories revolve around the deaths of John F Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Elvis There are some other popular theories about 9/11, Global Warming, and Alien Invasions However, one of the wackiest theories says that most world leaders are actually shape-shifting reptilians from a different planet who start wars and are responsible for horrific events like 9/11 in order to promote fear and hatred, which gives them strength Oh, and they're seven feet tall Can you believe it? 2) Questions – Answer these questions with your partner What is this article about? What are conspiracy theories? What kind of people believe in them? Do you believe in any? 3.What are some popular conspiracy theories mentioned? Which have you heard of before? Do you know about any other conspiracies or mysteries? Talk about it Special Topic: Mysteries, Conspiracies, and Other Strange Things 1) Vocabulary Mystery A a belief that a secret organization/group is responsible for an unexplained event Catastrophic B showing very strong feelings or opinions Crave C more than a little but not very Conspiracy Theory D extremely interesting Wide array E something unexplainable because not enough is known about it Vehement F centered on/around, focused on, to be concerned with Somewhat G silly in an exciting or amusing way, crazy Fascinating H the ability to change one's physical appearance Revolve around I a large number, a variety 10 Invasion J to have an extremely strong desire for something 11 Wacky K a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, suffering, or death 12 Shape-shifting L a type of animal, such as a snake or lizard 13 Reptilian M when an army enters another by force country to take control of it Mysteries and Conspiracies Agatha Christie, a famous mystery novel ,once famously said, "The simplest explanation is always ." However, when something shocking or catastrophic happens in our lives, simple explanations just aren't enough We crave deeper and _, and sometimes we create our own Conspiracy theories can attract a wide array of people, from vehement _ to those who just like a good story Whether they're somewhat believable or _, the most popular conspiracy theories are fascinating Some of the most popular conspiracy theories revolve around the _of John F Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Elvis There are some other popular theories about 9/11, _, and Alien Invasions However, one of the wackiest theories says that most are actually shapeshifting reptilians from a different planet who _wars and are for horrific events like 9/11 in order to _fear and hatred, which gives them strength Oh, and they're _ Can you believe it? 2) Questions – Answer these questions with your partner What is this article about? What are conspiracy theories? What kind of people believe in them? What's your opinion? What are some popular conspiracy theories mentioned? Which have you heard of before? Do you know about any other conspiracies or mysteries? Talk about it 3) Free Discussion- Talk about these questions with your partner If you could have just one special power what power would you choose? Why? In many countries people believe in ghosts, spirits and dragons Why you think these beliefs are so common? What are some beliefs in Korea? Have you ever felt that you already knew someone the first time you met them? Have you ever visited a city for the first time and felt you were there before? Do you ever experience Déjà Vu? 4) Rank – Rank these things from (most likely to exist) to (impossible!) Use each number once Ghosts Demons/Angels Fairies UFOS/Aliens Vampires Zombies Sea/Mountain Monsters ESP Now, talk to your partner about your thoughts Ask: Which you think is most likely to exist? Why? / Which are less likely to exist? Why? Which could never exist? Why? Talk More: What are some amazing creatures or beings not listed here? Describe one 5) More Mysteries – Try to match these mysterious events with the description Area 51 The Bermuda Triangle Easter Island It's 2,000 miles off the coast of Tahiti and is famous for its numerous large stone statues Researches have no idea how the stones were moved or why they were constructed It's located in the Atlantic Ocean, near Florida and Puerto Rico Many planes, boats, and people have vanished without a trace in this area According to Scottish folklore, a strange creature lives in this place It was first sighted in 1933, and many people have claimed to have seen it since It is supposed to have the appearance of a dragon or dinosaur Atlantis It's located in Nevada, USA This very secretive place is famous for testing new aircrafts, but many conspiracies say this is the home of UFOs and aliens The Nazca Lines This is believed to be the lost island home of an advanced society Legend says it was sunk by an earthquake, and that its people had advance technology Some believe this place is also the home of mermaids Loch Ness These are located in a desert in Peru and they look like ancient crop circles They are believed to have been created around 400AD and show hundreds of different pictures including sharks, monkeys, lizards, etc No one is really sure who created them or why they were created 7) Discuss these places with your partner Why are these places mysterious? What you think a good explanation could be for each one? Can you think of more mysterious places? What you think is the most mysterious place in Korea?