Napoleon's Hat

Is it possible to spend over $2 million on a hat? The answer is "yes" if the hat once belonged to
the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. An iconic hat that Napoleon is most famous for was
sold at an auction this week for $2.1 million. This is a record for a hat, so it is the most
expensive piece of headwear ever sold. The auction sale broke the previous record for a hat,
which was $2 million. That hat also once belonged to Napoleon. A historian said Napoleon liked
hats and owned around 120 of them. This week's record-breaking hat is made of felt and has
the red, white and blue colours of the French flag on it. Experts say it dates back to the early
1800s. Thousands of artists have created paintings of Napoleon wearing it.

Napoleon is one of France's most famous historical figures. He was a general who played a key
part in the French Revolution of 1787-1799. He helped to take over the French government,
and then became emperor of France in 1804. His reign as emperor came to an end in 1815
after he lost the Battle of Waterloo to the British. He was sent to live on a remote island in the
South Atlantic Ocean called St. Helena. He died there six years later in 1821, aged 51. The
auction of his hat coincides with the release of a new Hollywood movie about his rise to power,
and his relationship with the empress Josephine. The movie is called "Napoleon". It is directed
by Ridley Scott and stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Josephine.

Warm-ups
1. HATS: Students walk around the class and talk to
other students about hats. Change partners often and
share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or
words from the article. What will the article say about
them? What can you say about these words and your
life?
possible / spend / hat / emperor / auction / record
/ historian / flag / artists / painting
historical figures / general / revolution /
government / battle / remote island / movie
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics
and partners frequently.
3. AUCTION MONEY: Students A strongly believe half
of the money from auctions should go to charity;
Students B strongly believe not. Change partners again
and talk about your conversations.
4. HEADWEAR: How useful are these items of
headwear? Why? Do you have / would you like one?
Complete this table with your partner(s). Change
partners often and share what you wrote.

H W H
o h a
w y v
U ? e
s /
e W
f a
u n
l t
? ?

A
c
r
o
w
n

A
s
a
f
e
t
y
h
e
l
m
e
t

A
c
r
a
s
h
h
e
l
 m
e
t

A
t
i
a
r
a

A
b
a
s
e
b
a
l
l
c
a
p

A
S
a
n
t
a
h
a
t

5. SPEND: Spend one minute writing down all of the different

words you associate with the word "spend". Share your words
with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the
words into different categories.
6. AUCTION: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things
to buy at an auction at the top. Change partners often and share
your rankings.

• Hats
 • Car licence plates
• Movie memorabilia
• Rock star clothes
• Classic cars
• Houses
• Jewellery
• Paintings

Vocabulary
Paragraph 1

b a A leader or ruler of a
1 e . country or group of
. l countries.
o
n
g
e
d
e b A public sale where
2 m . things are sold to the
. p person who will pay the
e highest price.
r
o
r
i c Originated at a particular
3 c . time in the past; has
. o existed since a particular
n time in the past.
i
c
a d Being a person or thing
4 u . that is very well known
. c for a particular reason.
t
i
o
n
r e A person who is very
5 e . knowledgeable about or
. c
 o skillful in a particular
r area.
d
e f Was the property of; was
6 x . owned by.
. p
e
r
t
d g The best performance or
7 a . most remarkable event
. t of its kind.
e
b
a
c
k
t
o

Paragraph 2

f h A leader of an army, or
8 i . an army officer of very
. g high rank.
u
r
e
g i Very important.
9 e .
. n
e
r
a
l
k j The way in which people
1 e . are connected, often
0 y because of love.
.
r k Very, very far from
1 e . anywhere else.
1 i
. g
n
 r l The period of a monarch
1 e . being in power.
2 m
. o
t
e
c m A person who was
1 o . important or special in
3 i some way.
. n
c
i
d
e
r n Happen at the same
1 e . time.
4 l
. a
t
i
o
n
s
h
i
p

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the

headline. Guess if 1-8 below are
true (T) or false (F).
1. A hat worn by Napoleon Bonaparte sold for $2.5 million. T / F
2. The previous record for a hat was one worn by Julius Caesar.
T/F
3. The hat that was sold comes from the beginning of the 19th
century. T / F
4. The article says thousands of artists have painted Napoleon with
his hat. T / F
5. Napoleon Bonaparte became the French emperor in 1815. T /
F
6. Bonaparte was sent by the British to live on a South Pacific
island. T / F
7. Bonaparte died at the age of 51. T / F
8. A movie about Napoleon is directed by Joaquin Phoenix. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the

following synonyms from the article.
9. belonged
10. famous
11. expensive
12. experts
13. created
14. figures
15. key
16. remote
17. coincides
18. stars
a. people
b. important
c. made
d. happens together
e. well known
f. faraway
g. was owned by
h. big names
i. specialists
j. costly

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes

more than one choice is possible.)
19. sold at an auction
20. the most expensive piece of headwear
21. The auction sale broke the previous
22. colours of the
 23. Experts say it dates
24. Napoleon is one of France's most famous
25. He was a general who played
26. His reign as emperor came
27. He was sent to live
28. a new Hollywood movie about his
k. historical figures
l. to an end in 1815
m. French flag
n. rise to power
o. this week
p. record for a hat
q. on a remote island
r. back to the early 1800s
s. a key part
t. ever sold
Gap fill
Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
felt
spend
auction
artists
record
belonged
flag
sold

Is it possible to (1) _____________________ over $2 million on a

hat? The answer is "yes" if the hat once (2)
_____________________ to the French emperor Napoleon
Bonaparte. An iconic hat that Napoleon is famous for was sold
at an (3) _____________________ this week for $2.1 million. This is
a record for a hat, so it is the most expensive piece of headwear
ever (4) _____________________. The auction sale broke the
previous (5) _____________________ for a hat, which was $2
million. That hat also once belonged to Napoleon. A historian
said Napoleon liked hats and owned around 120 of them. This
week's record-breaking hat is made of (6) _____________________
and has the red, white and blue colours of the French (7)
_____________________ on it. Experts say it dates back to the
early 1800s. Thousands of (8) _____________________ have
created paintings of Napoleon wearing it.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

 reign
historical
take
stars
key
coincides
rise
remote

Napoleon is one of France's most famous (9)

_____________________ figures. He was a general who played a
(10) _____________________ part in the French Revolution of
1787-1799. He helped to (11) _____________________ over the
French government, and then became emperor of France in
1804. His (12) _____________________ as emperor came to an end
in 1815 after he lost the Battle of Waterloo to the British. He
was sent to live on a (13) _____________________ island in the
South Atlantic Ocean called St. Helena. He died there six years
later in 1821, aged 51. The auction of his hat (14)
_____________________ with the release of a new Hollywood
movie about his (15) _____________________ to power, and his
relationship with the empress Josephine. The movie is called
"Napoleon". It is directed by Ridley Scott and (16)
_____________________ Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and
Vanessa Kirby as Josephine.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) if the hat once belonged to the French ______
a. temper or Napoleon Bonaparte
b. member or Napoleon Bonaparte
c. amp aura Napoleon Bonaparte
d. emperor Napoleon Bonaparte
2) An iconic hat that Napoleon is famous for was sold at an
______
a. action this week
b. auction this weeks
c. auction these week
d. auction this week
3) This is a record for a hat, so it is the most expensive piece of
______
a. headwear even sold
b. headwear ever sold
c. headwear every sold
d. headwear never sold
 4) A historian said Napoleon liked hats and ______
a. disowned around 120
b. gowned around 120
c. owned around 120
d. moaned around 120
5) Experts say it dates back to ______
a. the burly 1800s
b. the early 1800s
c. the hurly 1800s
d. the curly 1800s

6) Napoleon is one of France's most ______

a. famous historical figurines
b. famous historical figure
c. famous historical figures
d. famous historical figured
7) He was a general who played a key part in the French ______
a. Resolution of 1787-1799
b. Revolution of 1787-1799
c. Revolting of 1787-1799
d. Regulation of 1787-1799
8) He was sent to live on ______
a. a remote island
b. a limit island
c. a demote island
d. a devote island
9) coincides with the release of a new Hollywood movie about
his ______
a. arise to power
b. lies to power
c. rice to power
d. rise to power
10) It is directed by Ridley Scott and ______
a. starts Joaquin Phoenix
b. stares Joaquin Phoenix
c. steers Joaquin Phoenix
d. stars Joaquin Phoenix

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Is it (1) ____________________ over $2 million on a hat? The
answer is "yes" if the hat once belonged to the French emperor
Napoleon Bonaparte. An iconic hat that Napoleon is (2)
____________________ was sold at an auction this week for $2.1
million. This is a record for a hat, so it is the most (3)
 ____________________ headwear ever sold. The auction sale (4)
____________________ record for a hat, which was $2 million. That
hat also once belonged to Napoleon. A historian said Napoleon
liked hats (5) ____________________ 120 of them. This week's
record-breaking hat is made of felt and has the red, white and
blue colours of the French flag on it. Experts say it dates back to
the early 1800s. (6) ____________________ have created paintings
of Napoleon wearing it.

Napoleon is one of France's most (7) ____________________. He

was a general who played a key part in the French Revolution of
1787-1799. He (8) ____________________ the French government,
and then became emperor of France in 1804. His reign as
emperor came to (9) ____________________ 1815 after he lost the
Battle of Waterloo to the British. He was sent to live on (10)
____________________ in the South Atlantic Ocean called St.
Helena. He died there six years later in 1821, aged 51. The
auction of his hat (11) ____________________ release of a new
Hollywood movie about his rise to power, and his relationship
with the empress Josephine. The movie is called "Napoleon". It
(12) ____________________ Ridley Scott and stars Joaquin Phoenix
as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Josephine.

Comprehension questions
29. How much did Napoleon Bonaparte's hat sell for?
30. Where did the hat sell?
31. Who once owned the second-most expensive hat ever sold?
32. How many hats did Napoleon own?
33. How many artists have painted Napoleon wearing his hat?
34. When was the French Revolution?
35. When did Napoleon become emperor?
36. Where did Napoleon after he lost the Battle of Waterloo?
37. What happened to Napoleon in 1821?
38. What is the name of the woman Napoleon had a relationship
with?
Multiple choice quiz
1) How much did Napoleon Bonaparte's hat sell for?
a) $2 million
b) $2.1 million
c) $2.2 million
d) $2.3 million
2) Where did the hat sell?
a) in a Parisian department store
b) online
c) New York
d) at an auction
3) Who once owned the second-most expensive hat ever sold?
a) Aristotle
b) Julius Caesar
c) Napoleon
d) Tutankhamen
4) How many hats did Napoleon own?
a) around 120
b) exactly 120
c) fewer than 120
d) more than 120
5) How many artists have painted Napoleon wearing his hat?
a) millions
b) thousands
c) billions
d) gazillions

6) When was the French Revolution?

a) 1787-1799
b) 1789-1797
c) 1777-1789
d) 1788-1799
7) When did Napoleon become emperor?
a) 1800
b) 1815
c) 1804
d) 1807
8) Where did Napoleon go after he lost the Battle of Waterloo?
a) a South Atlantic island
b) Italy
c) on an expedition
d) on a tour of French schools
9) What happened to Napoleon in 1821?
a) He became president.
b) He escaped from prison.
c) He wrote a book about revolution.
d) He died.
10) What is the name of the woman Napoleon had a relationship
with?
a) Jocelyne
b) Jacqueline
c) Josephine
d) Janet
Role play
Role A – A Hat
You think a hat is the best thing to buy at an auction. Tell the
others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their
things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):
movie memorabilia, jewellery or a painting.

Role B – Movie Memorabilia

You think movie memorabilia is the best thing to buy at an auction.
Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with
their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and
why): a hat, jewelery or a painting.

Role C – Jewellery
You think jewellery is the best thing to buy at an auction. Tell the
others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their
things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):
movie memorabilia, a hat or a painting.

Role D – A Painting
You think a painting is the best thing to buy at an auction. Tell the
others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their
things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):
movie memorabilia, jewellery or a hat.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find
collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the
words...

'hat'

• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________

and 'auction'.
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________
• ________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write

down some questions you would like to ask the class about the
text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask

your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise.

Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were
they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups,

pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner,
try to recall how they were used in the text:

• possible
• sold
• sale
• owned
• red
• thousands
• historical
• key
• end
• remote
• rise
• stars
Student survey
Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in
pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their
answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of

this activity.)

Discussion - Napoleon's Hat

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

39. What did you think when you read the headline?
40. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'hat'?
41. How important are hats to you?
42. When are the best times to wear a hat?
43. What do you think of spending $2.1 million on a hat?
44. What's the most you'd pay for a hat?
45. Which is better – a hat or a cap?
46. Should baseball caps be worn backwards?
47. What would you do with Napoleon's hat?
48. How many hats do you need?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

49. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

50. What do you think of when you hear the word 'auction'?
51. What do you think about what you read?
52. Do you have a favourite hat?
53. What do you know about Napoleon?
54. What do you think of auctions?
55. Have you ever used online auctions like eBay?
56. Would you like to see the movie 'Napoleon'?
57. Do we need hats?
58. What questions would you like to ask the auction house?
Discussion — Write your own questions
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________
 (c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Is it (1) ____ to spend over $2 million on a hat? The answer is "yes" if
the hat once (2) ____ to the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. An
iconic hat that Napoleon is famous for was sold (3) ____ an auction
this week for $2.1 million. This is a record for a hat, so it is the most
expensive piece of headwear ever sold. The auction sale (4) ____ the
previous record for a hat, which was $2 million. That hat also once
belonged to Napoleon. A historian said Napoleon liked hats and
owned around 120 of them. This week's record-breaking hat is made
of (5) ____ and has the red, white and blue colours of the French flag
on it. Experts say it dates back to the (6) ____ 1800s. Thousands of
artists have created paintings of Napoleon wearing it.

Napoleon is one of France's most famous historical (7) ____. He was a

general who played a key part in the French Revolution of 1787-1799.
He helped to take over the French government, and then became
emperor of France in 1804. His (8) ____ as emperor came to an end
in 1815 after he lost the Battle of Waterloo to the British. He was sent
to live on a (9) ____ island in the South Atlantic Ocean called St.
Helena. He died there six years later in 1821, aged 51. The auction of
his hat (10) ____ with the release of a new Hollywood movie about
his (11) ____ to power, and his relationship with the empress
Josephine. The movie is called "Napoleon". It is directed by Ridley
Scott and (12) ____ Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby
as Josephine.

Which of these words go in the above text?

 59. (a) possibly (b) possibilities (c) possibility (d) possible
60. (a) belong (b) belongings (c) belonging (d) belonged
61. (a) of (b) at (c) on (d) under
62. (a) break (b) broken (c) broke (d) breaking
63. (a) belt (b) melt (c) felt (d) pelt
64. (a) early (b) fast (c) slow (d) low
65. (a) figurines (b) figures (c) figure (d) figured
66. (a) reign (b) rein (c) rain (d) ruin
67. (a) remoteness (b) remote (c) remotely (d) remotes
68. (a) coincidences (b) coinciding (c) coincides (d)
coincide
69. (a) elevate (b) up (c) rise (d) increase
70. (a) satellites (b) moons (c) suns (d) stars
Spelling

Paragraph 1
71. the hat once beodngle to the French emperor
72. sold at an ocunati
73. the most expensive piece of arhweade
74. broke the opusriev record for a hat
75. rxestpe say it dates back to the early 1800s
76. Thousands of sttiars have created paintings

Paragraph 2
77. famous sohciirtla figures
78. the French ieRolnuotv of 1787-1799
79. His eirgn as emperor came to an end
80. He was sent to live on a meerto island
81. icedonsci with the release
82. his hairilospent with the empress Josephine
Put the text back together
(...) $2 million. That hat also once belonged to Napoleon. A historian
said Napoleon liked hats and owned
(...) belonged to the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. An iconic
hat that Napoleon is famous
(...) called "Napoleon". It is directed by Ridley Scott and stars
Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Josephine.
 (...) part in the French Revolution of 1787-1799. He helped to take
over the French government, and then became emperor
(...) for was sold at an auction this week for $2.1 million. This is a
record for a hat, so it is the most
(...) around 120 of them. This week's record-breaking hat is made of
felt and has the red, white and blue colours of the French
(...) flag on it. Experts say it dates back to the early 1800s. Thousands
of artists have created paintings of Napoleon wearing it.
(...) Napoleon is one of France's most famous historical figures. He
was a general who played a key
(...) of France in 1804. His reign as emperor came to an end in 1815
after he lost the Battle of Waterloo
( 1 ) Is it possible to spend over $2 million on a hat? The answer is
"yes" if the hat once
(...) to the British. He was sent to live on a remote island in the South
Atlantic Ocean called St. Helena. He died there six years
(...) later in 1821, aged 51. The auction of his hat coincides with the
release of a new Hollywood movie about his rise to
(...) expensive piece of headwear ever sold. The auction sale broke
the previous record for a hat, which was
(...) power, and his relationship with the empress Josephine. The
movie is

Put the words in the right order

83. An iconic that famous Napoleon for . hat is
84. is ever hat It the sold . most expensive
85. hat week's felt . record-breaking is This of made
86. say it 1800s . the back dates Experts to
87. Napoleon . of created of paintings artists have Thousands
88. a general played who A part . key
89. the to He over take helped government . French
90. end . emperor to an His came reign as
91. remote island . a to sent was He
92. power . to his movie Hollywood rise about A
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)
Is it possible / possibility to spend over $2 million on a hat? The
answer is "yes" if the hat once belonging / belonged to the French
emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. An iconic hat that Napoleon is
famous / famously for was sold at the / an auction this week for
$2.1 million. This is a record on / for a hat, so it is the most
expensive piece of headwear ever sold. The auction sale broken /
broke the previous record for a hat, which was $2 million. That
hat also once belonged to Napoleon. A historian / historical said
 Napoleon liked hats and owned round / around 120 of them. This
week's record-breaking hat is made of felt and has the red, white
and blue colours to / of the French flag on it. Experts say it dates
back to the early 1800s. Thousands of artists have created
paintings of Napoleon wearing it / them.

Napoleon is one of France's must / most famous historical

figures. He was a general who played a key part in / on the
French Revolution of 1787-1799. He helped to take over / under
the French government, and then became emperor of / on
France in 1804. His rain / reign as emperor came to an end /
finish in 1815 after he lost the Battle of Waterloo to the British.
He was sent to live on a remote / remotely island in the South
Atlantic Ocean called St. Helena. He died there six years later in
1821, aged 51. The auction of his hat coincides / coinciding with
the release of a new Hollywood movie about his rise to power,
and his relationship with the empress Josephine. The movie is
calling / called "Napoleon". It is directed by Ridley Scott and suns
/ stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as
Josephine.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics,

and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of
new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

_s _t p_ss_bl_ t_ sp_nd _v_r $2 m_ll__n _n _ h_t? Th_
_nsw_r _s "y_s" _f th_ h_t _nc_ b_l_ng_d t_ th_ Fr_nch
_mp_r_r N_p_l__n B_n_p_rt_. _n _c_n_c h_t th_t N_p_l__n _s
f_m__s f_r w_s s_ld _t _n __ct__n th_s w__k f_r $2.1
m_ll__n. Th_s _s _ r_c_rd f_r _ h_t, s_ _t _s th_ m_st
_xp_ns_v_ p__c_ _f h__dw__r _v_r s_ld. Th_ __ct__n s_l_
br_k_ th_ pr_v___s r_c_rd f_r _ h_t, wh_ch w_s $2 m_ll__n.
Th_t h_t _ls_ _nc_ b_l_ng_d t_ N_p_l__n. _ h_st_r__n s__d
N_p_l__n l_k_d h_ts _nd _wn_d _r__nd 120 _f th_m. Th_s
w__k's r_c_rd-br__k_ng h_t _s m_d_ _f f_lt _nd h_s th_ r_d,
wh_t_ _nd bl__ c_l__rs _f th_ Fr_nch fl_g _n _t. _xp_rts s_y
_t d_t_s b_ck t_ th_ __rly 1800s. Th__s_nds _f _rt_sts h_v_
cr__t_d p__nt_ngs _f N_p_l__n w__r_ng _t.

N_p_l__n _s _n_ _f Fr_nc_'s m_st f_m__s h_st_r_c_l f_g_r_s.

H_ w_s _ g_n_r_l wh_ pl_y_d _ k_y p_rt _n th_ Fr_nch
R_v_l_t__n _f 1787-1799. H_ h_lp_d t_ t_k_ _v_r th_ Fr_nch
 g_v_rnm_nt, _nd th_n b_c_m_ _mp_r_r _f Fr_nc_ _n 1804.
H_s r__gn _s _mp_r_r c_m_ t_ _n _nd _n 1815 _ft_r h_ l_st
th_ B_ttl_ _f W_t_rl__ t_ th_ Br_t_sh. H_ w_s s_nt t_ l_v_
_n _ r_m_t_ _sl_nd _n th_ S__th _tl_nt_c _c__n c_ll_d St.
H_l_n_. H_ d__d th_r_ s_x y__rs l_t_r _n 1821, _g_d 51. Th_
__ct__n _f h_s h_t c__nc_d_s w_th th_ r_l__s_ _f _ n_w
H_llyw__d m_v__ _b__t h_s r_s_ t_ p_w_r, _nd h_s
r_l_t__nsh_p w_th th_ _mpr_ss J_s_ph_n_. Th_ m_v__ _s
c_ll_d "N_p_l__n". _t _s d_r_ct_d by R_dl_y Sc_tt _nd st_rs
J__q__n Ph__n_x _s N_p_l__n _nd V_n_ss_ K_rby _s
J_s_ph_n_.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

is it possible to spend over 2 million on a hat the answer is yes if
the hat once belonged to the french emperor napoleon
bonaparte an iconic hat that napoleon is famous for was sold at
an auction this week for 21 million this is a record for a hat so it
is the most expensive piece of headwear ever sold the auction
sale broke the previous record for a hat which was 2 million that
hat also once belonged to napoleon a historian said napoleon
liked hats and owned around 120 of them this weeks
recordbreaking hat is made of felt and has the red white and
blue colours of the french flag on it experts say it dates back to
the early 1800s thousands of artists have created paintings of
napoleon wearing it

napoleon is one of frances most famous historical figures he was

a general who played a key part in the french revolution of
17871799 he helped to take over the french government and
then became emperor of france in 1804 his reign as emperor
came to an end in 1815 after he lost the battle of waterloo to
the british he was sent to live on a remote island in the south
atlantic ocean called st helena he died there six years later in
1821 aged 51 the auction of his hat coincides with the release of
a new hollywood movie about his rise to power and his
relationship with the empress josephine the movie is called
napoleon it is directed by ridley scott and stars joaquin phoenix
as napoleon and vanessa kirby as josephine

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Isitpossibletospendover$2milliononahat?Theansweris"yes"ifthehat
oncebelongedtotheFrenchemperorNapoleonBonaparte.Aniconichat
thatNapoleonisfamousforwassoldatanauctionthisweekfor$
2.1million.Thisisarecordforahat,soitisthemostexpensivepieceofhea
dweareversold.Theauctionsalebrokethepreviousrecordforahat,whic
hwas$2million.ThathatalsooncebelongedtoNapoleon.Ahistoriansai
dNapoleonlikedhatsandownedaround120ofthem.Thisweek'srecord-
breakinghatismadeoffeltandhasthered,whiteandbluecoloursoftheFr
enchflagonit.Expertssayitdatesbacktotheearly1800s.Thousandsofa
rtistshavecreatedpaintingsofNapoleonwearingit.NapoleonisoneofFr
ance'smostfamoushistoricalfigures.Hewasageneralwhoplayedakey
partintheFrenchRevolutionof1787-1799.HehelpedtotakeovertheFr
enchgovernment,andthenbecameemperorofFrancein1804.Hisreign
asemperorcametoanendin1815afterhelosttheBattleofWaterloototh
eBritish.HewassenttoliveonaremoteislandintheSouthAtlanticOcean
calledSt.Helena.Hediedtheresixyearslaterin1821,aged51.Theaucti
onofhishatcoincideswiththereleaseofanewHollywoodmovieabouthis
risetopower,andhisrelationshipwiththeempressJosephine.Themovi
eiscalled"Napoleon".ItisdirectedbyRidleyScottandstarsJoaquinPhoe
nixasNapoleonandVanessaKirbyasJosephine

Free writing
Write about hats for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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Academic writing
Hats are unnecessary. Discuss.

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Homework
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words
from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or
another search engine) to build up more associations /
collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this
news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the
next lesson.
3. NAPOLEON: Make a poster about Napoleon. Show your
work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have
 similar things?
4. AUCTION: Write a magazine article about half the money
from auctions going to charity. Include imaginary interviews with
people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson.
Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your
partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about
the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your
classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your
articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on hats. Ask him/her
three questions about them. Give him/her three of your
opinions on hats. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next
lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this
news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have
have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a
background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news

story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss

in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might

develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and
discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or

was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the
interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story
to their thoughts.