The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The U.S. state of California is going through the worst drought in its history. Water supplies are now at dangerously low levels. The state government has introduced many laws to try to prevent water shortages. California farmers have stepped in to do their part in helping to conserve water. California's agriculture sector has agreed to cut back on its water use by 25 per cent. This will be on a voluntary basis. The agreement follows a move by California's governor Jerry Brown to cut water use in cities by 25 per cent. This was introduced as an emergency measure and it made many city residents angry. They did not want to be the only people having to cut back on water.

California's water system serves over 30 million people and irrigates nearly six million acres of farmland. It is the world's largest and most productive water system. It is also one of the most difficult systems because too many people want too little water. There is a great demand for water in the state. Farmers say it is important they get water first because growing food is essential. However, some crops, like almond trees, need a lot of water. People in the cities say they need water the most to be able to live. There is also demand from California's many golf courses and for the swimming pools of the wealthy people in the state. California’s population will be almost 50 million people by the year 2020.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article21701118.html#storylink=cpy
  • http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-water-rights-20150522-story.html
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_in_California


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. WATER: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about water. 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?

 

drought / history / levels / shortages / cut back / voluntary / emergency / measure / irrigates / farmland / productive / demand / essential / almond trees / golf courses

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

3. WATER SHORTAGES: How do water shortages affect people and how can problems be overcome? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Problems

Solutions

Golf courses

 

 

Gardeners

 

 

Restaurants

 

 

Schools

 

 

Homes

 

 

Water parks

 

 

4. CHARGES: Students A strongly believe there should be higher charges for water use; Students B strongly believe water should be free.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. SHORTAGES: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst things to be short of at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • water

  • chocolate

  • phone battery

  • money

  • electricity

  • sun

  • free time

  • medicine

6. DROUGHT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "drought". 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.

California is suffering from its second worst ever drought.

T / F

b.

The California government has not yet passed water shortage laws.

T / F

c.

California farmers agreed to cut back on water by 25%.

T / F

d.

California residents totally understand the 25% cuts.

T / F

e.

Over 30 million people use the California water system.

T / F

f.

The water system in California is the biggest in the world.

T / F

g.

Almond trees need very little water.

T / F

h.

The population of California will be 50 million by 2020.

T / F

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

1.

worst

a.

deal

2.

prevent

b.

economise

3.

conserve

c.

call

4.

agreement

d.

necessary

5.

cut back

e.

most terrible

6.

irrigates

f.

require

7.

demand

g.

safeguard

8.

essential

h.

rich

9.

need

i.

stop

10.

wealthy

j.

waters

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

1.

going through the worst

a.

sector

2.

prevent

b.

back on water

3.

California's agriculture

c.

people

4.

introduced as an emergency

d.

acres of farmland

5.

the only people having to cut

e.

drought in its history

6.

nearly six million

f.

many golf courses

7.

too many people want

g.

measure

8.

There is also demand from California's

h.

year 2020

9.

wealthy

i.

water shortages

10.

by the

j.

too little water

GAP FILL

The U.S. state of California is going through the (1) ____________ drought in its history. Water supplies are now at (2) ____________ low levels. The state government has introduced many laws to try to prevent water shortages. California farmers have stepped in to do their (3) ____________ in helping to conserve water. California's agriculture sector has agreed to cut (4) ____________ on its water use by 25 per cent. This will be on a voluntary (5) ____________. The agreement follows a move by California's governor Jerry Brown to cut water (6) ____________ in cities by 25 per cent. This was introduced as an emergency (7) ____________ and it made many city (8) ____________ angry. They did not want to be the only people having to cut back on water.

 

 

part
basis
dangerously
measure
worst
use
residents
back

California's water system serves over 30 million people and irrigates nearly six million acres of (9) ____________. It is the world's largest and most (10) ____________ water system. It is also one of the most difficult systems because too many people want too (11) ____________ water. There is a great (12) ____________ for water in the state. Farmers say it is important they get water first because growing food is (13) ____________. However, some crops, like almond trees, need a lot of water. People in the cities say they need water the most to be able to live. There is also demand from California's (14) ____________ golf courses and for the swimming pools of the (15) ____________ people in the state. California's population will be almost 50 million people (16) ____________ the year 2020.

 

productive
many
farmland
demand
by
wealthy
little
essential

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

The U.S. state of California is going through the worst drought ______

 

a.  on its history
b.  in its history
c.  and its history
d.  un its history

2)

Water supplies are now at dangerously ______

 

a.  lowly levels
b.  low level
c.  lowly level
d.  low levels

3)

California farmers have stepped in to do their part in helping ______

 

a.  to con serve water
b.  toucan swerve water
c.  two can save water
d.  to conserve water

4)

California's agriculture sector has agreed to cut back on its water ______

 

a.  used by 25 per cent
b.  use by 25 per cent
c.  uses by 25 per cent
d.  usage by 25 per cent

5)

They did not want to be the only people having to ______

 

a.  cutback on water
b.  cutbacks on water
c.  cuts back on water
d.  cut back on water

6)

California's water system serves over 30 million people and irrigates ______ acres

 

a.  near six million
b.  nearly six million
c.  in early six million
d.  on early six million

7)

It is also one of the most difficult systems because too many people ______

 

a.  want too little water
b.  want too few water
c.  want too small water
d.  want two little water

8)

Farmers say it is important they get water first because growing ______

 

a.  food is essential
b.  food is essentially
c.  food is essence shall
d.  food is essence stall

9)

People in the cities say they need water the most to ______

 

a.  be able to live
b.  bay ball to live
c.  be able too live
d.  be able to lives

10)

California's population will be almost 50 million people ______

 

a.  buy the year 2020
b.  bye the year 2020
c.  bay the year 2020
d.  by the year 2020

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The U.S. state of California is going through (1) ___________________ in its history. Water supplies are now (2) ___________________ levels. The state government has introduced many laws to try to prevent water shortages. California farmers have stepped (3) ___________________ part in helping to conserve water. California's agriculture sector has agreed (4) ___________________ water use by 25 per cent. This will be on a voluntary basis. The agreement follows a move by California's governor Jerry Brown (5) ___________________ in cities by 25 per cent. This was introduced as an emergency measure and it made many city residents angry. They did not (6) ___________________ only people having to cut back on water.

California's water (7) ___________________ 30 million people and irrigates nearly six million acres of farmland. It is the world's largest and most productive water system. (8) ___________________ the most difficult systems because too many people (9) ___________________ water. There is a great demand for water in the state. Farmers say it is important they get water first because growing (10) ___________________. However, some crops, like almond trees, need a lot of water. People in the cities say they need water the most (11) ___________________ live. There is also demand from California's many golf courses and for the swimming pools of the wealthy people in the state. California's population will be almost 50 million people (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

How bad is the drought for California, historically?

2.

How low are the water levels in California?

3.

Who stepped in to help with the water shortages?

4.

Who is Jerry Brown?

5.

Who was angry that the water supply was cut by 25%?

6.

How many people use California's water system?

7.

Where is the world's most productive water system?

8.

Which nut mentioned in the article needs a lot of water to grow?

9.

What do California's wealthy need water for?

10.

When will California's population be around 50 million?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

How bad is the drought for California, historically?

6.

How many people use California's water system?

 

a) not as bad as some
b) the worst
c) the second worst
d) average

 

a) more than 30,000,000
b) just under 30 million
c) over 3,000,000
d) around 300,000

2.

How low are the water levels in California?

7.

Where is the world's most productive water system?

 

a) a little lower than usual
b) pretty low
c) lower than 10 metres
d) dangerously low

 

a) Brazil
b) Germany
c) California
d) Japan

3.

Who stepped in to help with the water shortages?

8.

Which nut mentioned in the article needs a lot of water to grow?

 

a) city residents
b) gold course owners
c) farmers
d) water workers

 

a) the almond
b) the peanut
c) the cashew
d) the macadamia

4.

Who is Jerry Brown?

9.

What do California's wealthy need water for?

 

a) California's governor
b) a water conservation professor
c) a gold course owner
d) a swimming pool company CEO

 

a) air conditioning
b) water parks
c) washing Ferraris
d) swimming pools

5.

Who was angry that the water supply was cut by 25%?

10.

When will California's population be around 50 million?

 

a) gold course owners
b) city residents
c) water companies
d) farmers

 

a) May 2020
b) just after 2020
c) by 2020
d) in 2020

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Water

You think water is the worst thing to be short of. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why being short of their things isn't so good. Also, tell the others which of these can you do without most (and why): money, free time or sunlight.

Role  B – Money

You think money is the worst thing to be short of. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why being short of their things isn't so good. Also, tell the others which of these can you do without most (and why): water, free time is or sunlight.

Role  C – Free time

You think free time is the worst thing to be short of. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why being short of their things isn't so good. Also, tell the others which of these can you do without most (and why): money, water or sunlight.

Role  D – Sunlight

You think sunlight is the worst thing to be short of. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why being short of their things isn't so good. Also, tell the others which of these can you do without most (and why):  money, free time or water.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

low

level

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • worst
  • low
  • part
  • agreed
  • move
  • only
  • 30
  • 6
  • little
  • food
  • live
  • by

WATER SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about water 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.

WATER 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 word 'water'?

c)

What do you think about what you read?

d)

What would you do if water was in short supply?

e)

Should we pay more for water so we don't waste it?

f)

Why should farmers have to cut the amount of water they use?

g)

What would happen if your water supply was cut by 25%?

h)

How could you cut back on water?

i)

Should companies stop producing bottled water?

j)

What will the water situation be like in 50 years from now?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What can California do to solve its drought problem?

c)

Should California ration its water?

d)

Is it easy to taste the difference between bottled and tap water?

e)

Should water be free for everyone?

f)

What do you think of swimming pools in a water shortage?

g)

Should golf courses be banned from using water?

h)

Do you think there will be water wars in the future?

i)

Someone once said water is the only drink for a wise man. Do you agree?

j)

What questions would you like to ask California's governor?

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 U.S. state of California is going (1) ____ the worst drought in its history. Water supplies are now at (2) ____ low levels. The state government has introduced many laws to try to prevent water shortages. California farmers have stepped      (3) ____ to do their part (4) ____ helping to conserve water. California's agriculture sector has agreed to cut back on its water use by 25 per cent. This will be on a voluntary (5) ____. The agreement follows a move by California's governor Jerry Brown to cut water use in cities by 25 per cent. This was introduced as an emergency measure and it (6) ____ many city residents angry. They did not want to be the only people having to cut back on water.

California's water system (7) ____ over 30 million people and irrigates nearly six million acres of farmland. It is the world's largest and most (8) ____ water system. It is also one of the most difficult systems because too many people want too little water. There is a great (9) ____ for water in the state. Farmers say it is important they get water first because growing food is essential. However, some crops,     (10) ____ almond trees, need a lot of water. People in the cities say they need water the (11) ____ to be able to live. There is also demand from California's many golf courses and for the swimming pools of the wealthy people in the state. California's population will be almost 50 million people (12) ____ the year 2020.

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

1.

(a)

though

(b)

threw

(c)

thou

(d)

through

2.

(a)

dangers

(b)

danger

(c)

endangered

(d)

dangerously

3.

(a)

on

(b)

in

(c)

by

(d)

over

4.

(a)

on

(b)

as

(c)

in

(d)

to

5.

(a)

basis

(b)

ratio

(c)

frame

(d)

formula

6.

(a)

made

(b)

did

(c)

went

(d)

created

7.

(a)

service

(b)

servers

(c)

severs

(d)

serves

8.

(a)

productive

(b)

production

(c)

produces

(d)

productively

9.

(a)

supply

(b)

demand

(c)

ask

(d)

order

10.

(a)

similar

(b)

akin

(c)

like

(d)

as

11.

(a)

more

(b)

many

(c)

most

(d)

much

12.

(a)

of

(b)

by

(c)

at

(d)

as

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

the worst rthdgou in its history

2.

water ilsepsup

3.

etveprn water shortages

4.

on a olrantyuv basis

5.

introduced as an eyregencm measure

6.

it made many city trsieedns angry

Paragraph 2

7.

California's water symtse

8.

most duoivceptr

9.

There is a great dnmdae for water

10.

growing food is asiestnel

11.

talwehy people

12.

California's tplonaipuo

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

live. There is also demand from California's many golf courses and for the swimming pools of the wealthy

(    )

by 25 per cent. This was introduced as an emergency measure and it made many city residents

(    )

California's water system serves over 30 million people and irrigates nearly six million acres of

(    )

sector has agreed to cut back on its water use by 25 per cent. This will be on a voluntary

(    )

state. Farmers say it is important they get water first because growing food is essential. However, some crops,

(    )

difficult systems because too many people want too little water. There is a great demand for water in the

(    )

basis. The agreement follows a move by California's governor Jerry Brown to cut water use in cities

(    )

farmland. It is the world's largest and most productive water system. It is also one of the most

(    )

like almond trees, need a lot of water. People in the cities say they need water the most to be able to

(    )

dangerously low levels. The state government has introduced many laws to try to prevent water

(    )

angry. They did not want to be the only people having to cut back on water.

1  )

The U.S. state of California is going through the worst drought in its history. Water supplies are now at

(    )

people in the state. California's population will be almost 50 million people by the year 2020.

(    )

shortages. California farmers have stepped in to do their part in helping to conserve water. California's agriculture

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

drought    in    its   history   California   is  going  through   the  worst  .

2.

supplies    low    are    levels    now    at    Water    dangerously    .   

3.

part    farmers    in    their    California    stepped    do    have    to    .   

4.

This    measure    emergency    an    as    introduced    was    .   

5.

only    They    want    the    not    be    people    did    to    .   

6.

people    many    Too    water    little    too    want    .   

7.

is    get    it    they    first    say    important    water    Farmers    .   

8.

water   a   trees    ,    lot   ,   like   Some   of   need   almond   crops    .

9.

demand   many   also   California's   courses    is   from   golf   There   . 

10.

the    50    year    million    2020    people    by    Almost    .   

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The U.S. stated / state of California is going through the worst draught / drought in its history. Water supplies are now by / at dangerously low levels. The state government has introduced many laws / law to try to prevent water shortages / shorts. California farmers have stepped in to do their partner / part in helping to conserve water. California's agriculture sector has agreed to cut forward / back on its water use by 25 per cent. This will be on a voluntary base / basis. The agreement follows a move by California's governor Jerry Brown to cut water using / use in cities by 25 per cent. This was introduced as an emergency measure / measures and it made many city residents angry. They did not want to be the only people having to cut back on / in water.

California's water system service / serves over 30 million people and irrigates / irrigation nearly six million acres of farmland. It is the world's largest and must / most productive water system. It is also one of the most difficult systems because too many people want two / too little water. There is a great demand for water on / in the state. Farmers say it is important they get water first because growing / growth food is essential. However, some crops, like / likely almond trees, need a lot of water. People in the cities say they need water the most to be able / ability to live. There is also demand from California's many golf courses and for the swimming pools of the wealthy / wealth people in the state. California's population will be almost 50 million people by / at the year 2020.

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_ _.S. st_t_ _f C_l_f_rn__ _s g__ng thr__gh th_ w_rst dr__ght _n _ts h_st_ry. W_t_r s_ppl__s _r_ n_w _t d_ng_r__sly l_w l_v_ls. Th_ st_t_ g_v_rnm_nt h_s _ntr_d_c_d m_ny l_ws t_ try t_ pr_v_nt w_t_r sh_rt_g_s. C_l_f_rn__ f_rm_rs h_v_ st_pp_d _n t_ d_ th__r p_rt _n h_lp_ng t_ c_ns_rv_ w_t_r. C_l_f_rn__'s _gr_c_lt_r_ s_ct_r h_s _gr__d t_ c_t b_ck _n _ts w_t_r _s_ by 25 p_r c_nt. Th_s w_ll b_ _n _ v_l_nt_ry b_s_s. Th_ _gr__m_nt f_ll_ws _ m_v_ by C_l_f_rn__'s g_v_rn_r J_rry Br_wn t_ c_t w_t_r _s_ _n c_t__s by 25 p_r c_nt. Th_s w_s _ntr_d_c_d _s _n _m_rg_ncy m__s_r_ _nd _t m_d_ m_ny c_ty r_s_d_nts _ngry. Th_y d_d n_t w_nt t_ b_ th_ _nly p__pl_ h_v_ng t_ c_t b_ck _n w_t_r.

C_l_f_rn__'s w_t_r syst_m s_rv_s _v_r 30 m_ll__n p__pl_ _nd _rr_g_t_s n__rly s_x m_ll__n _cr_s _f f_rml_nd. _t _s th_ w_rld's l_rg_st _nd m_st pr_d_ct_v_ w_t_r syst_m. _t _s _ls_ _n_ _f th_ m_st d_ff_c_lt syst_ms b_c__s_ t__ m_ny p__pl_ w_nt t__ l_ttl_ w_t_r. Th_r_ _s _ gr__t d_m_nd f_r w_t_r _n th_ st_t_. F_rm_rs s_y _t _s _mp_rt_nt th_y g_t w_t_r f_rst b_c__s_ gr_w_ng f__d _s _ss_nt__l. H_w_v_r, s_m_ cr_ps, l_k_ _lm_nd tr__s, n__d _ l_t _f w_t_r. P__pl_ _n th_ c_t__s s_y th_y n__d w_t_r th_ m_st t_ b_ _bl_ t_ l_v_. Th_r_ _s _ls_ d_m_nd fr_m C_l_f_rn__'s m_ny g_lf c__rs_s _nd f_r th_ sw_mm_ng p__ls _f th_ w__lthy p__pl_ _n th_ st_t_. C_l_f_rn__'s p_p_l_t__n w_ll b_ _lm_st 50 m_ll__n p__pl_ by th_ y__r 2020.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the us state of california is going through the worst drought in its history water supplies are now at dangerously low levels the state government has introduced many laws to try to prevent water shortages california farmers have stepped in to do their part in helping to conserve water california's agriculture sector has agreed to cut back on its water use by 25 per cent this will be on a voluntary basis the agreement follows a move by california's governor jerry brown to cut water use in cities by 25 per cent this was introduced as an emergency measure and it made many city residents angry they did not want to be the only people having to cut back on water

california's water system serves over 30 million people and irrigates nearly six million acres of farmland it is the world's largest and most productive water system it is also one of the most difficult systems because too many people want too little water there is a great demand for water in the state farmers say it is important they get water first because growing food is essential however some crops like almond trees need a lot of water people in the cities say they need water the most to be able to live there is also demand from california's many golf courses and for the swimming pools of the wealthy people in the state california's population will be almost 50 million people by the year 2020

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheU.S.stateofCaliforniaisgoingthroughtheworstdroughtinitshistor
y.Watersuppliesarenowatdangerouslylowlevels.Thestategovernme
nthasintroducedmanylawstotrytopreventwatershortages.California
farmershavesteppedintodotheirpartinhelpingtoconservewater.Calif
ornia'sagriculturesectorhasagreedtocutbackonitswateruseby25per
cent.Thiswillbeonavoluntarybasis.TheagreementfollowsamovebyC
alifornia'sgovernorJerryBrowntocutwateruseincitiesby25percent.T
hiswasintroducedasanemergencymeasureanditmademanycityresid
entsangry.Theydidnotwanttobetheonlypeoplehavingtocutbackonw
ater.California'swatersystemservesover30millionpeopleandirrigate
snearlysixmillionacresoffarmland.Itistheworld'slargestandmostpro
ductivewatersystem.Itisalsooneofthemostdifficultsystemsbecauset
oomanypeoplewanttoolittlewater.Thereisagreatdemandforwaterint
hestate.Farmerssayitisimportanttheygetwaterfirstbecausegrowingf
oodisessential.However,somecrops,likealmondtrees,needalotofwat
er.Peopleinthecitiessaytheyneedwaterthemosttobeabletolive.There
isalsodemandfromCalifornia'smanygolfcoursesandfortheswimming
poolsofthewealthypeopleinthestate.California'spopulationwillbealm
ost50millionpeoplebytheyear2020.

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Water should be expensive to use so we use less. 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 water shortages. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. WATER: Make a poster about water. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. DROUGHT: Write a magazine article about the drought in California. Include imaginary interviews with people who think water should be more expensive to use and with people who think it should be free.

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 water. Ask him/her three questions about water. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can conserve water 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

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

worst

a.

most terrible

2

prevent

b.

stop

3.

conserve

c.

safeguard

4.

agreement

d.

deal

5.

cut back

e.

economise

6.

irrigates

f.

waters

7.

demand

g.

call

8.

essential

h.

necessary

9.

need

i.

require

10.

wealthy

j.

rich

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

The worst

2.

Dangerously low

3.

Farmers

4.

California's governor

5.

City residents

6.

Over 30 million

7.

California

8.

The almond

9.

Swimming pools

10.

By the year 2020

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

c

4.

a

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

d

10.

c

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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