Pope attacks Europe’s throwaway culture

The Reading / Listening - Level 4

Pope Francis criticised Europe in a speech at the European Parliament. He attacked Europe's 'throwaway culture,' which he said ignored the elderly, the seriously ill and unborn children. He said technology and economics seemed more important than people. He said people were now just "cogs in a machine" and that whenever someone is no longer useful, that machine throws them away. He said Europe suffers from uncontrolled consumerism.

The Pope warned that Europe's sense of community and great ideas were disappearing because of bureaucracy. He warned that this was "downright harmful" to people. The Pope also warned that Europe was not caring for its people. He said: "One of the most common diseases in Europe today is the loneliness typical of those who have no connection with others." He added that this was especially true of the elderly and the young.

Try the same news story at these levels:

Level 5 or Level 6

Sources

http://www.irishexaminer.com/world/pope-denounces-throwaway-culture-of-europe-299590.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/the-pope/11252345/Pope-Francis-warns-European-ideal-replaced-by-bureaucratic-technicalities-of-EU.html
http://www.catholicsun.org/2014/11/25/pope-urges-europe-to-nurture-religious-roots-sow-peace-in-its-borders/

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 Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.	Pope Francis criticised	a.	longer useful
2.	in a speech at the	b.	culture
3.	He attacked Europe's throwaway	c.	a machine
4.	the seriously	d.	consumerism
5.	cogs in	e.	them away
6.	whenever someone is no	f.	Europe
7.	that machine throws	g.	European Parliament
8.	Europe suffers from uncontrolled	h.	ill

MY e-BOOK

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

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PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.	Europe's sense	a.	for its people
2.	great	b.	of the elderly
3.	disappearing because	c.	ideas
4.	harmful	d.	common diseases
5.	not caring	e.	to people
6.	One of the most	f.	of community
7.	typical of those who have no connection	g.	of bureaucracy
8.	especially true	h.	with others

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

Pope Francis criticised Europe (1) ___________________ European Parliament. He attacked Europe's (2) ___________________ which he said ignored the elderly, the (3) ___________________ unborn children. He said technology and economics (4) ___________________ than people. He said people were now just "(5) ___________________" and that whenever someone is no longer useful, that machine throws them away. He said Europe suffers from (6) ___________________.

The Pope warned that Europe's (7) ___________________ and great ideas were disappearing (8) ___________________. He warned that this was "(9) ___________________" to people. The Pope also warned that Europe was not caring for its people. He said: "(10) ___________________ common diseases in Europe today is the (11) ___________________ those who have no connection with others." He added that this (12) ___________________ the elderly and the young.

EUROPE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Europe 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.

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

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

Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

Write about Europe for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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