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U.N. makes first ever cut in staff (30th December, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The United Nations is cutting staff for the first time in its history. The U.N. General Assembly approved a staff cut for the first time since the international body was created in 1945. The decision means a reduction of 219 positions, which represents two per cent of all U.N. posts. In addition, the General Assembly authorised freezes on pay rises for one year and benefits for two years. It acted in response to pressures from member states to reduce spending. Many governments around the world say they are struggling to meet their share of contributions to fund the global organisation. Many nations are still suffering from austerity measures taken after the global financial crisis.

The United States' ambassador to the U.N. Joe Torsella said the cuts were "crucial" and would "eliminate unnecessary, duplicative or outdated posts". He told the General Assembly: "At a time when the budgets and crucial services of many…organisations have been squeezed, these measures will hold compensation costs in place, until we can act in the next session." He added: "Our shared goal should be to ensure that the United Nations can maximise the results that it delivers with the amount of resources that member states are collectively able to provide." The United States, which pays 22 per cent of the U.N. budget, is the biggest financial contributor to the United Nations.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-27/united-nations-makes-first-staff-cut-since-1945-in-budget.html
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-12-27/united-nations-makes-first-staff-cut-since-1945-in-budget-deal
http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/12/27/us-un-budget-idINBRE9BQ0JX20131227

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. THE UNITED NATIONS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about The United Nations. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

United Nations / staff cuts / pay rise / pressure / benefits / reduce spending / austerity / ambassador / crucial services / budgets / compensation / maximize results / provide

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. U.N. ROLES: Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Roles	What are they?	How can they be improved?
Health
Education
Peacekeeping
Global security
Human rights
Humanitarian aid

4. NECESSARY: Students A strongly believe the U.N. is necessary; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. U.N. SERVICES: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most important at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• peacekeeping

• humanitarian assistance

• human rights

• cultural promotion

• landmine clearing

• world health promotion

• Security Council

• International Court of Justice

6. STAFF: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "staff". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	This is only the second time for the U.N. to announce job losses.	T / F
b.	About two per cent of U.N. staff will lose their jobs.	T / F
c.	There will be no pay rises (UK) raises (USA) for two years.	T / F
d.	It is difficult for many countries to contribute financially to the U.N.	T / F
e.	The US ambassador to the UN said many unnecessary jobs had to go.	T / F
f.	The ambassador said this in a speech he made at the White House.	T / F
g.	The ambassador said the UN needed to utilise its resources better.	T / F
h.	Less than 20% of the UN budget comes from the USA.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	cutting staff	a.	vital
2.	approved	b.	actions
3.	body	c.	give
4.	response	d.	authorised
5.	measures	e.	reaction
6.	crucial	f.	make certain
7.	eliminate	g.	axing jobs
8.	ensure	h.	monetary
9.	provide	i.	organisation
10.	financial	j.	remove

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	cutting staff for the first time	a.	to meet their share
2.	The decision means a reduction	b.	measures
3.	freezes	c.	services
4.	they are struggling	d.	on pay rises
5.	austerity	e.	that it delivers
6.	The United States'	f.	of 219 positions
7.	crucial	g.	contributor to the UN
8.	Our shared	h.	in its history
9.	maximise the results	i.	ambassador to the UN
10.	the biggest financial	j.	goal

GAP FILL

The United Nations is cutting staff for the first time in its history. The U.N. General Assembly (1) ____________ a staff cut for the first time since the international body was created in 1945. The decision means a (2) ____________ of 219 positions, which represents two per cent of all U.N. posts. In addition, the General Assembly authorised (3) ____________ on pay rises for one year and benefits for two years. It acted in (4) ____________ to pressures from member states to reduce (5) ____________. Many governments around the world say they are (6) ____________ to meet their share of contributions to (7) ____________ the global organisation. Many nations are still suffering from austerity (8) ____________ taken after the global financial crisis.

struggling
freezes
measures
approved
spending
reduction
fund
response

The United States' ambassador to the U.N. Joe Torsella said the cuts were "(9) ____________" and would "eliminate unnecessary, duplicative or (10) ____________ posts". He told the General Assembly: "At a time when the budgets and crucial services of many…organisations have been (11) ____________, these measures will hold compensation costs in (12) ____________, until we can act in the next session." He added: "Our shared goal should be to (13) ____________ that the United Nations can maximise the (14) ____________ that it delivers with the amount of resources that member states are (15) ____________ able to provide." The United States, which pays 22 per cent of the U.N. budget, is the biggest financial (16) ____________ to the United Nations.

ensure
contributor
outdated
place
collectively
crucial
results
squeezed

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The United Nations is cutting staff for the first time ______
	a. in its histories b. in its history c. in its historical d. in its historian
2)	the first time since the international ______
	a. body was create it b. body was created c. body was creation d. body was create
3)	In addition, the General Assembly authorised ______ rises
	a. freezes on pay b. fleeces on pay c. freeze is on pay d. freezers on pay
4)	Many governments around the world say they ______
	a. are struggling b. are struggling c. are struggling d. are struggling
5)	Many nations are still suffering from ______
	a. austerity measured b. austerity measure c. austerity measurements d. austerity measures
6)	Joe Torsella said the cuts ______
	a. were crew shall b. were crucially c. were cruciate d. were crucial
7)	eliminate unnecessary, duplicative or ______
	a. outdate it posts b. outdated posts c. out date it posts d. outdated post
8)	crucial services of many…organisations have ______
	a. been squeezed b. being squeezed c. bean squeezed d. be in squeezed
9)	ensure that the United Nations can maximise the results ______
	a. that it deliveries b. that it delves c. that it delivered d. that it delivers
10)	The USA, which pays 22 per cent of the U.N. budget, is the biggest ______
	a. financially contributor b. financial contributors c. financial contributor d. financially contributors

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Nations is (1) ___________________ the first time in its history. The U.N. General Assembly approved a staff cut for the first time since the international body was created in 1945. The decision (2) ___________________ 219 positions, which represents two per cent of all U.N. posts. In addition, the General Assembly (3) ___________________ pay rises for one year and benefits for two years. It acted in response to (4) ___________________ states to reduce spending. Many governments around the world say they are struggling to (5) ___________________ contributions to fund the global organisation. Many nations are still suffering from austerity (6) ___________________ the global financial crisis.

The United States' ambassador to the U.N. Joe Torsella said the cuts were "crucial" and would "eliminate unnecessary, (7) ___________________ posts". He told the General Assembly: "At a time when the budgets and crucial services of many…organisations (8) ___________________, these measures will hold compensation costs in place, (9) ___________________ the next session." He added: "Our shared goal should be to ensure that the United Nations can maximise the (10) ___________________ with the amount of resources that member states (11) ___________________ to provide." The United States, which pays 22 per cent of the U.N. budget, is the biggest (12) ___________________ the United Nations.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How many times in its history has the U.N. now made staff cuts?
2.	How many jobs will go?
3.	For how long will benefits be frozen?
4.	What did member states pressure the U.N. to do?
5.	What did many countries introduce after the global financial crisis?
6.	Who is Joe Torsella?
7.	Who did Joe Torsella talk to?
8.	What has happened to the budgets and services of many organisations?
9.	What does the U.N. have to do with the results it delivers?
10.	What financial contribution does the USA make to the UN?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How many times in its history has the U.N. now made staff cuts?	6.	Who is Joe Torsella?
	a) four b) three c) two d) one		a) a reporter b) the UN deputy Secretary-General c) the US ambassador to the UN d) The UN's ambassador to the USA
2.	How many jobs will go?	7.	Who did Joe Torsella talk to?
	a) 209 b) 219 c) 299 d) 2,019		a) the General Assembly b) the White House c) the Security Council d) U.N. staff who lost their jobs
3.	For how long will benefits be frozen?	8.	What has happened to budgets and services of many organisations?
	a) forever b) indefinitely c) three years d) two years		a) they've disappeared b) they've quadrupled in size c) they've been squeezed d) they've been inflated
4.	What did member states pressure the U.N. to do?	9.	What does the U.N. have to do with the results it delivers?
	a) reduce services b) cut jobs c) cut spending d) become smaller		a) immortalise them b) maximise them c) amortise them d) minimise them
5.	What did many countries introduce after the global financial crisis?	10.	What financial contribution does the USA make to the UN?
	a) issue lots of money b) invest overseas c) spend on social infrastructure d) introduce austerity measures		a) 22% b) 20% c) 18% d) 15%

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Security Council

You think the Security Council is the most important U.N. body. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): UNESCO, the General Assembly or the WHO.

Role B – UNESCO

You think UNESCO is the most important U.N. body. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): the Security Council, the General Assembly or the WHO.

Role C – General Assembly

You think the General Assembly is the most important U.N. body. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): UNESCO, the Security Council or the WHO.

Role D – WHO

You think the WHO is the most important U.N. body. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): UNESCO, the General Assembly or the Security Council.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

staff

cut

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:

history
body
represents
acted
share
global

ambassador
services
costs
act
delivers
22

THE UNITED NATIONS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about The United Nations 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

THE UNITED NATIONS DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the term 'staff cuts'?
c)	How important is the United Nations?
d)	Would you like to work for the United Nations?
e)	What do you think of the cut in staff?
f)	Are you surprised there haven't been any cuts in staff before?
g)	Should the U.N. streamline so nations don't need to spend so much?
h)	Is it fair to freeze the pay and benefits of U.N. staff?
i)	What are the most important roles of the U.N.?
j)	What would the world be like without the U.N.?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	How could the U.N. reduce costs more?
c)	Should member countries have more control over the U.N. budget?
d)	Would the U.N. be as effective if U.N. posts were voluntary?
e)	How can the U.N. maximize the results it delivers?
f)	What's the biggest way in which the U.N. has helped the world?
g)	What criticism do you have of the United Nations?
h)	Is it right that the USA pays 22% of the UN budget?
i)	If the USA pays 22%, should they have more power in the UN?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the head of the U.N.?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The United Nations is (1) ____ staff for the first time in its history. The U.N. General Assembly approved a staff cut for the first time since the international (2) ____ was created in 1945. The decision means a reduction of 219 positions, which (3) ____ two per cent of all U.N. posts. In addition, the General Assembly authorised (4) ____ on pay rises for one year and benefits for two years. It acted in response (5) ____ pressures from member states to reduce spending. Many governments around the world say they are (6) ____ to meet their share of contributions to fund the global organisation. Many nations are still suffering from austerity measures taken after the global financial crisis.

The United States' ambassador to the U.N. Joe Torsella said the cuts were "crucial" and would "(7) ____ unnecessary, duplicative or outdated posts". He told the General Assembly: "At a time when the budgets and crucial services of many…organisations have been (8) ____, these measures will hold compensation costs in place, until we can (9) ____ in the next session." He added: "Our shared goal should be to ensure that the United Nations can maximise the results that it (10) ____ with the amount of resources that member states are (11) ____ able to provide." The United States, which pays 22 per cent of the U.N. budget, is the biggest (12) ____ contributor to the United Nations.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	cutting	(b)	culling	(c)	cussing	(d)	cunning
2.	(a)	head	(b)	arm	(c)	body	(d)	leg
3.	(a)	complements	(b)	resents	(c)	presents	(d)	represents
4.	(a)	melts	(b)	freezes	(c)	drips	(d)	icicles
5.	(a)	from	(b)	after	(c)	at	(d)	to
6.	(a)	straggling	(b)	snuggling	(c)	struggling	(d)	sagging
7.	(a)	vibrate	(b)	eliminate	(c)	compensate	(d)	prevaricate
8.	(a)	squeezed	(b)	splashed	(c)	squashed	(d)	smashed
9.	(a)	act	(b)	perform	(c)	play	(d)	star
10.	(a)	supplies	(b)	sends	(c)	delivers	(d)	posts
11.	(a)	reservedly	(b)	whimsically	(c)	timely	(d)	collectively
12.	(a)	mercurial	(b)	financial	(c)	stoical	(d)	phantasmagorical

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	approve a staff cut
2.	which represents two per cent of all U.N. posts
3.	authorised freezes on pay rises
4.	in response to pressures
5.	meet their share of contributions
6.	austerity measures
Paragraph 2
7.	The United States' ambassador to the U.N.
8.	the cuts were crucial
9.	eliminate unnecessary, duplicative or outdated posts
10.	maximise the results
11.	states are collectively able to provide
12.	the biggest financial contributor

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	a reduction of 219 positions, which represents two per cent of all U.N. posts. In addition, the General Assembly authorised
( )	freezes on pay rises for one year and benefits for two years. It acted in response
( )	results that it delivers with the amount of resources that member states are collectively able to
( )	to pressures from member states to reduce spending. Many governments
( )	time when the budgets and crucial services of many…organisations have been
( 1 )	The United Nations is cutting staff for the first time in its history. The U.N. General Assembly approved a
( )	around the world say they are struggling to meet their share of contributions to fund the global
( )	unnecessary, duplicative or outdated posts". He told the General Assembly: "At a
( )	organisation. Many nations are still suffering from austerity measures taken after the global financial crisis.
( )	squeezed, these measures will hold compensation costs in place, until we can act in the next session." He added:
( )	"Our shared goal should be to ensure that the United Nations can maximise the
( )	provide." The United States, which pays 22 per cent of the U.N. budget, is the biggest financial contributor to the United Nations.
( )	The United States' ambassador to the U.N. Joe Torsella said the cuts were "crucial" and would "eliminate
( )	staff cut for the first time since the international body was created in 1945. The decision means

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	time Cutting history the staff in first for its.
2.	of decision 219 means positions a reduction The.
3.	to states member from Pressures spending reduce.
4.	contributions of share their meet to Struggling.
5.	taken crisis after the Austerity global measures financial.
6.	duplicative , unnecessary Eliminate posts outdated or.
7.	of Services squeezed been have organisations many.
8.	will place hold compensation These costs measures in.
9.	U.N. the that Ensure results the maximise can N.
10.	members provide are collectively Resources able that to.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The United Nations is cutting staff for the first time in the / its history. The U.N. General Assembly approval / approved a staff cut for the first time since the international arm / body was created in 1945. The decision means a reduction / reduced of 219 positions, which represents / presents two per cent of all U.N. posts. In addition, the General Assembly authorised melts / freezes on pay rises for one year and benefits for two years. It acted / performed in response to pressures from member states to reduce spends / spending. Many governments around the world say they are struggling to meet their share / shore of contributions to fund the global organisation. Many nations are still suffering from austerity measures taken after the global financial / financially crisis.

The United States' ambassadorial / ambassador to the U.N. Joe Torsella said the cuts were "crucial" and would "eliminate unnecessary, duplicates / duplicative or outdated posts". He told the General Assembly: "At a time / era when the budgets and crucial services of many…organisations have been squeezed / pressed, these measures will hold compensation costs in / on place, until we can act in the next season / session." He added: "Our shared goal should be to ensure that the United Nations can minimize / maximise the results that it delivers / deliveries with the amount of resources that member states are collectively ability / able to provide." The United States, which pays 22 per cent of the U.N. budget, is the biggest financial attributor / contributor to the United Nations.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns _s c_tt_ng st_ff f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ _n _ts h_st_ry. Th_ _.N. G_n_r_l _ss_mbly _ppr_v_d _ st_ff c_t f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ s_nc_ th_ _nt_rn_t__n_l b_dy w_s cr__t_d _n 1945. Th_ d_c_s__n m__ns _ r_d_ct__n _f 219 p_s_t__ns, wh_ch r_pr_s_nts tw_ p_r c_nt _f _ll _.N. p_sts. _n _dd_t__n, th_ G_n_r_l _ss_mbly __th_r_s_d fr__z_s _n p_y r_s_s f_r _n_ y__r _nd b_n_f_ts f_r tw_ y__rs. _t _ct_d _n r_sp_ns_ t_ pr_ss_r_s fr_m m_mb_r st_t_s t_ r_d_c_ sp_nd_ng. M_ny g_v_rnm_nts _r__nd th_ w_rld s_y th_y _r_ str_ggl_ng t_ m__t th__r sh_r_ _f c_ntr_b_t__ns t_ f_nd th_ gl_b_l _rg_n_s_t__n. M_ny n_t__ns _r_ st_ll s_ff_r_ng fr_m __st_r_ty m__s_r_s t_k_n _ft_r th_ gl_b_l f_n_nc__l cr_s_s.

Th_ _n_t_d St_t_s' _mb_ss_d_r t_ th_ _.N. J__ T_rs_ll_ s__d th_ c_ts w_r_ "cr_c__l" _nd w__ld "_l_m_n_t_ _nn_c_ss_ry, d_pl_c_t_v_ _r __td_t_d p_sts". H_ t_ld th_ G_n_r_l _ss_mbly: "_t _ t_m_ wh_n th_ b_dg_ts _nd cr_c__l s_rv_c_s _f m_ny…_rg_n_s_t__ns h_v_ b__n sq___z_d, th_s_ m__s_r_s w_ll h_ld c_mp_ns_t__n c_sts _n pl_c_, _nt_l w_ c_n _ct _n th_ n_xt s_ss__n." H_ _dd_d: "__r sh_r_d g__l sh__ld b_ t_ _ns_r_ th_t th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns c_n m_x_m_s_ th_ r_s_lts th_t _t d_l_v_rs w_th th_ _m__nt _f r_s__rc_s th_t m_mb_r st_t_s _r_ c_ll_ct_v_ly _bl_ t_ pr_v_d_." Th_ _n_t_d St_t_s, wh_ch p_ys 22 p_r c_nt _f th_ _.N. b_dg_t, _s th_ b_gg_st f_n_nc__l c_ntr_b_t_r t_ th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the united nations is cutting staff for the first time in its history the un general assembly approved a staff cut for the first time since the international body was created in 1945 the decision means a reduction of 219 positions which represents two per cent of all un posts in addition the general assembly authorised freezes on pay rises for one year and benefits for two years it acted in response to pressures from member states to reduce spending many governments around the world say they are struggling to meet their share of contributions to fund the global organisation many nations are still suffering from austerity measures taken after the global financial crisis

the united states' ambassador to the un joe torsella said the cuts were "crucial" and would "eliminate unnecessary duplicative or outdated posts" he told the general assembly "at a time when the budgets and crucial services of many…organisations have been squeezed these measures will hold compensation costs in place until we can act in the next session" he added "our shared goal should be to ensure that the united nations can maximise the results that it delivers with the amount of resources that member states are collectively able to provide" the united states which pays 22 per cent of the un budget is the biggest financial contributor to the united nations

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheUnitedNationsiscuttingstaffforthefirsttimeinitshistory.TheU.N.General
Assemblyapprovedastaffcutforthefirsttimesincetheinternationalbodywasc
reatedin1945.Thedecisionmeansareductionof219positions,whichrepresen
tstwopercentofallU.N.posts.Inaddition,theGeneralAssemblyauthorisedfre
ezesonpayrisesforoneyearandbenefitsfortwoyears.Itactedinresponsetopr
essuresfrommemberstatestoreducespending.Manygovernmentsaroundth
eworldsaytheyarestrugglingtomeettheirshareofcontributionstofundtheglo
balorganisation.Manynationsarestillsufferingfromausteritymeasurestake
naftertheglobalfinancialcrisis.TheUnitedStates'ambassadortotheU.N.JoeT
orsellasaidthecutswere"crucial"andwould"eliminateunnecessary,duplicati
veoroutdatedposts".HetoldtheGeneralAssembly:"Atatimewhenthebudget
sandcrucialservicesofmany…organisationshavebeensqueezed,thesemeas
ureswillholdcompensationcostsinplace,untilwecanactinthenextsession."H
eadded:"OursharedgoalshouldbetoensurethattheUnitedNationscanmaxi
misetheresultsthatitdeliverswiththeamountofresourcesthatmemberstates
arecollectivelyabletoprovide."TheUnitedStates,whichpays22percentofthe
U.N.budget,isthebiggestfinancialcontributortotheUnitedNations.

FREE WRITING

Write about the United Nations for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

There is no need for the United Nations. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 the United Nations. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. THE UNITED NATIONS: Make a poster about the United Nations. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. CUTS: Write a magazine article about staff cuts at the U.N. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them.

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 the head of the U.N. Ask him three questions about The United Nations. Give him three ideas how to make it better. 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.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	cutting staff	a.	axing jobs
2.	approved	b.	authorised
3.	body	c.	organisation
4.	response	d.	reaction
5.	measures	e.	actions
6.	crucial	f.	vital
7.	eliminate	g.	remove
8.	ensure	h.	make certain
9.	provide	i.	give
10.	financial	j.	monetary

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	One
2.	219
3.	Two years
4.	Reduce spending
5.	Introduce austerity measures
6.	The United States' ambassador to the U.N.
7.	The U.N. General Assembly
8.	They've been squeezed
9.	Maximise them
10.	A 22% contribution to its budget

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

d

4.

c

5.

d

6.

c

7.

a

8.

c

9.

b

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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U.N. makes first ever cut in staff (30th December, 2014)

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