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Snow leopard under threat from climate change (26th October, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The conservation charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that climate change is threatening the existence of the snow leopard in the Himalayas. Its Snow Leopard Programme says rising temperatures are shrinking the natural habitat of the big cat to the point that snow leopards could become extinct. In a new report, the charity says that up to a third of the mountainous areas where the leopards live could become uninhabitable. Much of the flora and fauna the animals need to survive could disappear in warmer temperatures. The WWF said: "The Himalayas region will face a major crisis if we choose to ignore climate change…We risk losing majestic species such as the snow leopard."

It isn't just climate change that is posing a serious threat to the future of the snow leopard. A variety of activities from humans is also adding to the dangers the animals face. Snow leopards are highly sought after for their fur and body parts. More and more poachers are joining this lucrative, illegal trade and are killing the animals. The leopards are also being killed by farmers who are trying to protect their livestock. As the natural prey of the snow leopards is decreasing, the animals are venturing into areas inhabited by humans and killing farm animals. The result is the farmers shoot the leopards. The WWF released its report on Friday, which was the first International Snow Leopard Day.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34616494
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/23/snow-leopards-at-risk-himalayas-face-climate-change-crisis
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/climate-change-could-push-snow-leopards-closer-to-extinction/

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. SNOW LEOPARDS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about snow leopards. 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?

conservation / charity / climate change / temperatures / extinct / mountainous / risk / serious threat / dangers / poachers / lucrative / farmers / natural prey / livestock

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

3. EXTINCT: How can we stop animals from becoming extinct? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What can we do?	How likely is it this will work?
Climate change
Zoos
Poachers and hunting
The fur trade
Education
Breeding programmes

4. ZOOS: Students A strongly believe zoos are the best places to stop animals from becoming extinct; Students B strongly believe the opposite. 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. THREATS: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest threats to snow leopards at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• farmers

• other predators

• climate change

• poachers

• the fur trade

• logging

• disease

• a lack of food

6. HABITAT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "habitat". 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.	Snow leopards in the Himalayas are under threat.	T / F
b.	The WWF says the snow leopard could become extinct.	T / F
c.	Over half of the snow leopards' habitat is now uninhabitable.	T / F
d.	All of the animals the leopards need to survive have relocated.	T / F
e.	The article says it is just climate change that is posing a danger.	T / F
f.	Poachers hunt the leopards for fur and body parts.	T / F
g.	Farmers in the Himalayas are also killing the snow leopards.	T / F
h.	International Snow Leopard Day started over a decade ago.	T / F

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

1.	warned	a.	as much as
2.	rising	b.	moving
3.	shrinking	c.	consequence
4.	up to	d.	increasing
5.	ignore	e.	occupied
6.	posing	f.	disregard
7.	lucrative	g.	cautioned
8.	venturing	h.	profitable
9.	inhabited	i.	presenting
10.	result	j.	reducing

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

1.	The conservation charity	a.	become extinct
2.	threatening the existence	b.	after for their fur
3.	rising	c.	serious threat
4.	snow leopards could	d.	of the snow leopard
5.	Much of the flora and	e.	livestock
6.	posing a	f.	fauna the animals need
7.	A variety	g.	World Wildlife Fund
8.	Snow leopards are highly sought	h.	inhabited by humans
9.	trying to protect their	i.	temperatures
10.	venturing into areas	j.	of activities

GAP FILL

The conservation charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that climate change is (1) ____________ the (2) ____________ of the snow leopard in the Himalayas. Its Snow Leopard Programme says rising temperatures are shrinking the natural (3) ____________ of the big cat to the point that snow leopards could become (4) ____________. In a new report, the charity says that up to a (5) ____________ of the mountainous areas where the leopards live could become uninhabitable. Much of the flora and fauna the animals need to (6) ____________ could disappear in warmer temperatures. The WWF said: "The Himalayas (7) ____________ will face a major crisis if we choose to ignore climate change…We risk losing majestic (8) ____________ such as the snow leopard."

extinct
threatening
third
region
existence
species
habitat
survive

It isn't just climate change that is (9) ____________ a serious threat to the future of the snow leopard. A (10) ____________ of activities from humans is also adding to the dangers the animals face. Snow leopards are highly (11) ____________ after for their (12) ____________ and body parts. More and more poachers are joining this (13) ____________, illegal trade and are killing the animals. The leopards are also being killed by farmers who are trying to protect their livestock. As the natural (14) ____________ of the snow leopards is decreasing, the animals are venturing into areas inhabited by humans and killing farm animals. The (15) ____________ is the farmers shoot the leopards. The WWF (16) ____________ its report on Friday, which was the first International Snow Leopard Day.

sought
posing
prey
variety
released
lucrative
result
fur

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	climate change is threatening the existence of the snow leopard ______
	a. on the Himalayas b. by the Himalayas c. at the Himalayas d. in the Himalayas
2)	shrinking the natural habitat of the big cat to the point that snow leopards ______
	a. could become extinct b. could become distinct c. could become extant d. could become precinct
3)	up to a third of the mountainous areas where the leopards live could ______
	a. become an inhabit table b. become an in habit table c. become inhabitable d. become uninhabitable
4)	The WWF said the Himalayas region will face ______
	a. a major crises b. a major crisis c. a measure crisis d. a measured crisis
5)	We risk losing majestic species ______ leopard
	a. such has the snow b. such was the snow c. such is the snow d. such as the snow
6)	It isn't just climate change that is posing ______
	a. a seriously threat b. a serious treat c. a serious threat d. a seriously treat
7)	A variety of activities from humans is also adding to the dangers ______
	a. the animals face b. the animal faces c. the animals faced d. the animal faced
8)	Snow leopards are highly sought after for their fur ______
	a. and bodily parts b. and body part c. and bodily part d. and body parts
9)	The leopards are also being killed by farmers who are trying to ______
	a. protects their livestock b. protect their livestock c. protect their live stocks d. protect their life stock
10)	the animals are venturing into areas inhabited ______
	a. buy humans b. by humane c. by humanise d. by humans

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The (1) ___________________ World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that climate change is threatening (2) ___________________ the snow leopard in the Himalayas. Its Snow Leopard Programme says rising temperatures are shrinking (3) ___________________ of the big cat to the point that snow leopards could become extinct. In a new report, the charity says that (4) ___________________ the mountainous areas where the leopards live could become uninhabitable. Much of the flora and fauna the animals need to survive (5) ___________________ warmer temperatures. The WWF said: "The Himalayas region will face a major crisis if we choose to ignore climate change…We risk losing majestic (6) ___________________ the snow leopard."

It isn't just climate change (7) ___________________ a serious threat to the future of the snow leopard. A variety of activities from humans is also adding to the dangers (8) ___________________. Snow leopards are highly sought after (9) ___________________ body parts. More and more poachers are joining this lucrative, illegal trade and are killing the animals. The leopards are also being killed by farmers (10) ___________________ to protect their livestock. As the natural prey of the snow leopards is decreasing, the animals (11) ___________________ areas inhabited by humans and killing farm animals. The result is the farmers shoot the leopards. The WWF released its report on Friday, (12) ___________________ International Snow Leopard Day.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Where is climate change threatening the snow leopards?
2.	What are rising temperatures causing to shrink?
3.	How much of the leopards' mountainous habitat could be affected?
4.	What do the snow leopards need flora and fauna for?
5.	What does the WWF say the region faces if we ignore climate change?
6.	What else is adding to the dangers the leopards face?
7.	What are snow leopards sought after for?
8.	What are farmers trying to protect?
9.	Where are the snow leopards venturing because of a lack of prey?
10.	How many International Snow Leopard Days have there been?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Where is climate change threatening the snow leopards?	6.	What else is adding to the dangers the leopards face?
	a) Siberia b) Patagonia c) the Arctic d) the Himalayas		a) polluted rivers b) record snowfall c) human activity d) hikers and mountaineers
2.	What are rising temperatures causing to shrink?	7.	What are snow leopards sought after for?
	a) fur b) the cats' natural habitat c) flora d) the size of the leopards		a) their fur and body parts b) their meat c) prestige hunting trophies d) to protect humans
3.	How much of the leopards' mountainous habitat could be affected?	8.	What are farmers trying to protect?
	a) four-fifths b) three-quarters c) half d) up to a third		a) themselves b) their stocks and shares c) their livestock d) the snow leopards
4.	What do the snow leopards need flora and fauna for?	9.	Where are the snow leopards venturing because of a lack of prey?
	a) to hide in b) to appreciate c) to survive d) for camouflage		a) into caves b) areas inhabited by humans c) the ocean d) mountaintops
5.	What does the WWF say the region faces if we ignore climate change?	10.	How many International Snow Leopard Days have there been?
	a) freezing temperatures b) CO2 emissions c) global warming d) a major crisis		a) one b) three c) five d) ten

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Climate change

You think climate change is the biggest threat to snow leopards. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't such a threat. Also, tell the others which is the least threatening of these (and why): other predators, the fur trade or a lack of food.

Role B – Predators

You think other predators are the biggest threat to snow leopards. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't such a threat. Also, tell the others which is the least threatening of these (and why): climate change, the fur trade or a lack of food.

Role C – The fur trade

You think the fur trade is the biggest threat to snow leopards. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't such a threat. Also, tell the others which is the least threatening of these (and why): other predators, climate change or a lack of food.

Role D – A lack of food

You think a lack of food is the biggest threat to snow leopards. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't such a threat. Also, tell the others which is the least threatening of these (and why): other predators, the fur trade or climate change.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

snow

leopard

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:

warned
shrinking
new
third
much
face

serious
humans
fur
trade
farm
first

SNOW LEOPARDS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about snow leopards 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.

SNOW LEOPARDS DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'leopard'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	What is causing climate change?
5)	What can we do to reverse the effects of climate change?
6)	What do you know about snow leopards?
7)	How sad would it be if the snow leopard became extinct?
8)	What can conservationists do to help the snow leopard?
9)	How successful do you think the Snow Leopard Programme will be?
10)	What do you do to reduce your carbon footprint?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What can you do to help the snow leopard?
13)	What do you think of coats made from snow leopard fur?
14)	What should happen to poachers of snow leopards?
15)	What do you think of creating breeding programmes for the snow leopard?
16)	Should poachers be paid to protect the snow leopards?
17)	Are farmers right to kill the snow leopards?
18)	Should snow leopards be moved to different countries?
19)	What should happen on International Snow Leopard Day?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the head of the WWF?

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 (1) ____ charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that climate change is threatening the existence of the snow leopard in the Himalayas. Its Snow Leopard Programme says (2) ____ temperatures are shrinking the natural habitat of the big cat to the (3) ____ that snow leopards could become extinct. In a new report, the charity says that up to a third of the mountainous areas where the leopards live could become uninhabitable. Much of the (4) ____ and fauna the animals need to survive could disappear in warmer temperatures. The WWF said: "The Himalayas region will (5) ____ a major crisis if we choose to ignore climate change…We risk losing majestic species (6) ____ as the snow leopard."

It isn't just climate change that is (7) ____ a serious threat to the future of the snow leopard. A (8) ____ of activities from humans is also adding to the dangers the animals face. Snow leopards are highly sought after for their fur and body parts. More and more poachers are joining this (9) ____, illegal trade and are killing the animals. The leopards are also being killed by farmers who are trying to protect their livestock. As the natural (10) ____ of the snow leopards is decreasing, the animals are (11) ____ into areas inhabited by humans and killing farm animals. The result is the farmers shoot the leopards. The WWF (12) ____ its report on Friday, which was the first International Snow Leopard Day.

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

1.	(a)	condemnation	(b)	conservation	(c)	consternation	(d)	conversation
2.	(a)	raising	(b)	rising	(c)	risen	(d)	arisen
3.	(a)	dot	(b)	area	(c)	line	(d)	point
4.	(a)	flower	(b)	flora	(c)	flair	(d)	floor
5.	(a)	head	(b)	face	(c)	skull	(d)	cheek
6.	(a)	many	(b)	example	(c)	such	(d)	for
7.	(a)	posting	(b)	pasting	(c)	posing	(d)	praising
8.	(a)	varied	(b)	various	(c)	variety	(d)	varies
9.	(a)	location	(b)	lubricant	(c)	laxative	(d)	lucrative
10.	(a)	pry	(b)	play	(c)	pray	(d)	prey
11.	(a)	venturing	(b)	branching	(c)	vectoring	(d)	bleaching
12.	(a)	issuance	(b)	printable	(c)	released	(d)	binding

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	The eriaootcsvnn charity World Wildlife Fund
2.	the eceesitxn of the snow leopard
3.	rising eatrstupmree
4.	natural atbitah
5.	nnsiuoomtua areas
6.	We risk losing majestic cesispe
Paragraph 2
7.	A eytvair of activities from humans
8.	highly tohusg after
9.	More and more hrpceoas
10.	this iuarvcetl, illegal trade
11.	protect their lockvetsi
12.	areas hndtaiibe by humans

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	of the snow leopard in the Himalayas. Its Snow Leopard Programme says rising temperatures are
( )	report, the charity says that up to a third of the mountainous areas where the leopards live could become
( )	It isn't just climate change that is posing a serious threat to the future of the snow leopard. A variety
( )	its report on Friday, which was the first International Snow Leopard Day.
( )	shrinking the natural habitat of the big cat to the point that snow leopards could become extinct. In a new
( )	uninhabitable. Much of the flora and fauna the animals need to survive could disappear in warmer
( )	temperatures. The WWF said: "The Himalayas region will face a major crisis if we choose to
( )	trade and are killing the animals. The leopards are also being killed by farmers who are trying to protect
( )	of activities from humans is also adding to the dangers the animals face. Snow leopards are highly
( )	their livestock. As the natural prey of the snow leopards is decreasing, the animals are venturing into
( 1 )	The conservation charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that climate change is threatening the existence
( )	areas inhabited by humans and killing farm animals. The result is the farmers shoot the leopards. The WWF released
( )	sought after for their fur and body parts. More and more poachers are joining this lucrative, illegal
( )	ignore climate change…We risk losing majestic species such as the snow leopard."

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	is existence leopard change the the Climate threatening of .
2.	temperatures Rising habitat natural the shrinking are .
3.	the of Much survive to need animals the fauna and flora .
4.	region crisis will face The a Himalayas major .
5.	leopard We risk losing majestic species such as the snow .
6.	the to threat serious a Posing leopard snow the of future .
7.	highly for are after fur leopards sought their Snow .
8.	are lucrative trade poachers this illegal More joining , .
9.	to protect their livestock Killed by farmers who are trying .
10.	result the is leopards the farmers The shoot .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The conservation charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned / warmed that climate change is threatening the existing / existence of the snow leopard in the Himalayas. Its Snow Leopard Programme says rising temperatures are shrinking / shirking the natural habitat of the big cat to the point / pointing that snow leopards could become distinct / extinct. In a new report, the charity says that up / high to a third of the mountainous areas where the leopards live could become uninhabitable. Much / Many of the flora and fauna the animals need to survival / survive could disappear in warmer temperatures. The WWF said: "The Himalayas region will face / head a major crisis if we choose to ignore climate change…We risk losing majority / majestic species such as the snow leopard."

It isn't just climate change that is posting / posing a serious threat / treat to the future of the snow leopard. A variety / various of activities from humans is also adding to the dangers the animals face / facing. Snow leopards are highly seek / sought after for their fur and body parts. More and more poachers are joining this lucrative, illegally / illegal trade and are killing the animals. The leopards are also being killed by farmers who are trying to protect their unstock / livestock. As the natural pray / prey of the snow leopards is decreasing, the animals are venturing into areas inhabited / habitation by humans and killing farm animals. The result is the farmers shoot the leopards. The WWF released / releasing its report on Friday, which was the first International Snow Leopard Day.

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_ c_ns_rv_t__n ch_r_ty W_rld W_ldl_f_ F_nd (WWF) h_s w_rn_d th_t cl_m_t_ ch_ng_ _s thr__t_n_ng th_ _x_st_nc_ _f th_ sn_w l__p_rd _n th_ H_m_l_y_s. _ts Sn_w L__p_rd Pr_gr_mm_ s_ys r_s_ng t_mp_r_t_r_s _r_ shr_nk_ng th_ n_t_r_l h_b_t_t _f th_ b_g c_t t_ th_ p__nt th_t sn_w l__p_rds c__ld b_c_m_ _xt_nct. _n _ n_w r_p_rt, th_ ch_r_ty s_ys th_t _p t_ _ th_rd _f th_ m__nt__n__s _r__s wh_r_ th_ l__p_rds l_v_ c__ld b_c_m_ _n_nh_b_t_bl_. M_ch _f th_ fl_r_ _nd f__n_ th_ _n_m_ls n__d t_ s_rv_v_ c__ld d_s_pp__r _n w_rm_r t_mp_r_t_r_s. Th_ WWF s__d: "Th_ H_m_l_y_s r_g__n w_ll f_c_ _ m_j_r cr_s_s _f w_ ch__s_ t_ _gn_r_ cl_m_t_ ch_ng_…W_ r_sk l_s_ng m_j_st_c sp_c__s s_ch _s th_ sn_w l__p_rd."

_t _sn't j_st cl_m_t_ ch_ng_ th_t _s p_s_ng _ s_r___s thr__t t_ th_ f_t_r_ _f th_ sn_w l__p_rd. _ v_r__ty _f _ct_v_t__s fr_m h_m_ns _s _ls_ _dd_ng t_ th_ d_ng_rs th_ _n_m_ls f_c_. Sn_w l__p_rds _r_ h_ghly s__ght _ft_r f_r th__r f_r _nd b_dy p_rts. M_r_ _nd m_r_ p__ch_rs _r_ j__n_ng th_s l_cr_t_v_, _ll_g_l tr_d_ _nd _r_ k_ll_ng th_ _n_m_ls. Th_ l__p_rds _r_ _ls_ b__ng k_ll_d by f_rm_rs wh_ _r_ try_ng t_ pr_t_ct th__r l_v_st_ck. _s th_ n_t_r_l pr_y _f th_ sn_w l__p_rds _s d_cr__s_ng, th_ _n_m_ls _r_ v_nt_r_ng _nt_ _r__s _nh_b_t_d by h_m_ns _nd k_ll_ng f_rm _n_m_ls. Th_ r_s_lt _s th_ f_rm_rs sh__t th_ l__p_rds. Th_ WWF r_l__s_d _ts r_p_rt _n Fr_d_y, wh_ch w_s th_ f_rst _nt_rn_t__n_l Sn_w L__p_rd D_y.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the conservation charity world wildlife fund (wwf) has warned that climate change is threatening the existence of the snow leopard in the himalayas its snow leopard programme says rising temperatures are shrinking the natural habitat of the big cat to the point that snow leopards could become extinct in a new report the charity says that up to a third of the mountainous areas where the leopards live could become uninhabitable much of the flora and fauna the animals need to survive could disappear in warmer temperatures the wwf said "the himalayas region will face a major crisis if we choose to ignore climate change…we risk losing majestic species such as the snow leopard"

it isn't just climate change that is posing a serious threat to the future of the snow leopard a variety of activities from humans is also adding to the dangers the animals face snow leopards are highly sought after for their fur and body parts more and more poachers are joining this lucrative illegal trade and are killing the animals the leopards are also being killed by farmers who are trying to protect their livestock as the natural prey of the snow leopards is decreasing the animals are venturing into areas inhabited by humans and killing farm animals the result is the farmers shoot the leopards the wwf released its report on friday which was the first international snow leopard day

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheconservationcharityWorldWildlifeFund(WWF)haswarnedthatcli
matechangeisthreateningtheexistenceofthesnowleopardintheHimal
ayas.ItsSnowLeopardProgrammesaysrisingtemperaturesareshrinki
ngthenaturalhabitatofthebigcattothepointthatsnowleopardscouldb
ecomeextinct.Inanewreport,thecharitysaysthatuptoathirdofthemo
untainousareaswheretheleopardslivecouldbecomeuninhabitable.M
uchofthefloraandfaunatheanimalsneedtosurvivecoulddisappearinw
armertemperatures.TheWWFsaid:"TheHimalayasregionwillfaceam
ajorcrisisifwechoosetoignoreclimatechange…Werisklosingmajestics
peciessuchasthesnowleopard."Itisn'tjustclimatechangethatisposin
gaseriousthreattothefutureofthesnowleopard.Avarietyofactivitiesfr
omhumansisalsoaddingtothedangerstheanimalsface.Snowleopards
arehighlysoughtafterfortheirfurandbodyparts.Moreandmorepoache
rsarejoiningthislucrative,illegaltradeandarekillingtheanimals.Thele
opardsarealsobeingkilledbyfarmerswhoaretryingtoprotecttheirlives
tock.Asthenaturalpreyofthesnowleopardsisdecreasing,theanimalsa
reventuringintoareasinhabitedbyhumansandkillingfarmanimals.Th
eresultisthefarmersshoottheleopards.TheWWFreleaseditsreporton
Friday,whichwasthefirstInternationalSnowLeopardDay.

FREE WRITING

Write about snow leopards for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

The best way to stop animals going extinct is breeding programmes in zoos. 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 snow leopards. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CLIMATE CHANGE: Make a poster about climate change and how it is affecting the earth. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. SNOW LEOPARDS: Write a magazine article about the snow leopards being in danger. Include imaginary interviews with conservationists and Himalayan farmers.

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 snow leopards. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to protect the big cats. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	warned	a.	cautioned
2	rising	b.	increasing
3.	shrinking	c.	reducing
4.	up to	d.	as much as
5.	ignore	e.	disregard
6.	posing	f.	presenting
7.	lucrative	g.	profitable
8.	venturing	h.	moving
9.	inhabited	i.	occupied
10.	result	j.	consequence

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The Himalayas
2.	The cats’ natural habitat
3.	Up to a third
4.	To survive
5.	A major crisis
6.	Human activity
7.	Their fur and body parts
8.	Their livestock
9.	Areas inhabited by humans
10.	One

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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Snow leopard under threat from climate change (26th October, 2015)

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