Table of Contents
A family in the US found old Asian art in their late father’s house. The family called the FBI because they thought the art was important.
The FBI said the items were old and valuable.
The art pieces are 220 to 320 years old. There were six painted scrolls, a map of Okinawa, Japan, and pottery like plates and teapots.
The scrolls were studied in a museum in Washington, D.C. They had colorful pictures of kings and queens from Okinawa.
A letter with the art said these items were taken during World War II. The FBI said these art pieces are a big part of Okinawa’s history.
The late father was a soldier in World War II, but he was not in Asia during the war.
The FBI also said that a country’s culture is shown in its art and history. That’s why it’s important to give these items back.
Last week, the FBI gave the art back to Okinawa. But they said some Okinawan items are still missing.
Vocabulary
- Late – dead; No longer alive
- FBI – Stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation. They are like detectives for important crimes in the United States;
- Item – a single object or thing; one piece; a product
- Valuable – worth a lot of money; very important;
- Art piece – Something that is made by an artist like a painting or sculpture
- Scroll – A long piece of paper with writing or pictures on it; 📜
- Pottery – Clay pots, bowls, and other objects that are baked hard; Things (like pots and vases) that are made from clay
- Study – to learn more; to research;
- History – the past events of a person, place, or thing; the story of a person, place or thing
- Soldier – a person who fights for their country; a person who fights in/for a military
- Culture – The beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a group of people; The way of life of a group of people
- Missing – can’t be found; not present; absent or lost
Discussion Questions
- Do you think it was a good thing the family called the FBI about the art? Why or why not?
- Why do you think the art pieces were taken during World War II?
- Why is it important to give back the art to Okinawa?
- In your opinion, is it important for stolen art and other cultural items to be returned to their original country?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
A _____ in the US found old Asian art in their late father’s _____. The family called the FBI because they thought the _____ was important.
The FBI said the _____ were old and valuable.
The art pieces are _____ to 320 years old. There were six painted scrolls, a _____ of Okinawa, Japan, and pottery like _____ and teapots.
The scrolls were studied in a _____ in Washington, D.C. They had colorful pictures of kings and queens _____ Okinawa.
A letter with the art said _____ items were taken during World War II. The _____ said these art pieces are a big part of Okinawa’s _____.
The late father was a _____ in World War II, but he was not in Asia during the _____.
The FBI also said that a country’s _____ is shown in its art and history. That’s why it’s _____ to give these items back.
Last week, the FBI _____ the art back to Okinawa. But they said some Okinawan items are still _____.
