The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Myanmar was for decades ruled by an oppressive military junta. However, since the country returned to democratic ways, things have changed. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has just stated that Myanmar is home to the world's most generous people. It is the third successive year for the country to achieve this accolade. The CAF "World Giving Index" found that 91 per cent of Myanmar residents gave money to charity in the past year, 62 per cent helped a stranger, and 55 per cent claimed they had volunteered. An economic adviser to Myanmar's president said: "The results demonstrate very sharply how a 'poor' country can be a 'rich' one through its generosity, by focusing on giving rather than getting."

The report also found that people in Iraq are the kindest to strangers. Eight in 10 Iraqis are reported to have helped someone they don't know in the past year. The BBC commented on how significant this statistic was, given the turmoil Iraq has been in for years because of war. It stated that: "It is the kindness of Iraqis…to complete strangers in the face of years of conflict and terrible violence which stands out in the list." John Low, CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "The generosity of people, even in countries suffering from disaster and turmoil, is truly humbling." He added: "Unconditional gifts of time and money are a life-changing force for good in the world."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37762753
  • http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/26/world/world-generosity-index-caf-2016/
  • https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/publications/2016-publications/caf-world-giving-index-2016
  • http://www.arabianbusiness.com/uae-named-in-world-s-top-10-most-generous-countries-650393.html


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. CHARITY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about charity. 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?

       Myanmar / decades / military / democratic / generous / charity / stranger / giving /
       Iraq / significant / statistic / turmoil / war / violence / humbling / gifts / life-changing

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

3. TIME: Students A strongly believe giving time is more important than giving money; Students B strongly believe giving money is more important than giving time.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. HELP: What more can we do to help these people? Discuss this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Refugees
  • Homeless
  • Victims of domestic violence
  • Victims of famine
  • Uneducated girls
  • People with cancer
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. GENEROUS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "generous". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. GIVING: Rank these with your partner. Put the best charities to give to at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • refugees
  • save the children
  • political parties
  • education funds
  • homeless people
  • wildlife in danger
  • preserve historic sites
  • cancer research

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Myanmar used to be ruled by a military junta.     T / F
  2. It is the third year in a row that Myanmar is the most generous nation. T / F
  3. Around 91% of Myanmar's people helped a stranger in the past year.     T / F
  4. An economist said a poor country can be be rich by focusing on getting.  T / F
  5. A report said Iraqis are the kindest people to strangers.     T / F
  6. The BBC suggested Iraqi kindness was great because Iraq is at war.     T / F
  7. The CAF CEO said those in conflict-stricken countries should be humble.  T / F
  8. The CAF CEO said gifts of time are better than gifts of money.     T / F

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

  1. ruled
  2. successive
  3. achieve
  4. gave
  5. demonstrate
  6. helped
  7. significant
  8. turmoil
  9. sticks out
  10. truly
  1. upheaval
  2. donated
  3. show
  4. consecutive
  5. aided
  6. absolutely
  7. controlled
  8. catches the eye
  9. earn
  10. noteworthy

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

  1. ruled by an oppressive
  2. returned to democratic
  3. It is the third successive
  4. The results demonstrate very
  5. by focusing
  6. Eight in
  7. The BBC commented on how significant
  8. in the face
  9. countries suffering from disaster
  10. truly
  1. this statistic was
  2. year
  3. on giving
  4. and turmoil
  5. sharply how a…
  6. military junta
  7. of years of conflict
  8. humbling
  9. ways
  10. 10 Iraqis

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
successive
volunteered
decades
focusing
generous
sharply
residents
ways

Myanmar was for (1) ____________ ruled by an oppressive military junta. However, since the country returned to democratic (2) ____________, things have changed. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has just stated that Myanmar is home to the world's most (3) ____________ people. It is the third (4) ____________ year for the country to achieve this accolade. The CAF "World Giving Index" found that 91 per cent of Myanmar (5) ____________ gave money to charity in the past year, 62 per cent helped a stranger, and 55 per cent claimed they had (6) ____________. An economic adviser to Myanmar's president said: "The results demonstrate very (7) ____________ how a 'poor' country can be a 'rich' one through its generosity, by (8) ____________ on giving rather than getting."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
significant
humbling
face
strangers
force
turmoil
generosity
stands

The report also found that people in Iraq are the kindest to (9) ____________. Eight in 10 Iraqis are reported to have helped someone they don't know in the past year. The BBC commented on how (10) ____________ this statistic was, given the (11) ____________ Iraq has been in for years because of war. It stated that: "It is the kindness of Iraqis…to complete strangers in the (12) ____________ of years of conflict and terrible violence which (13) ____________ out in the list." John Low, CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "The (14) ____________ of people, even in countries suffering from disaster and turmoil, is truly (15) ____________." He added: "Unconditional gifts of time and money are a life-changing (16) ____________ for good in the world."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Myanmar was for decades ruled by an oppressive ______
     a.  militarily junta
     b.  militia junta
     c.  military junta
     d.  militarism junta

2)  since the country returned to democratic ______ changed
     a.  ways, things have
     b.  weighs, things have
     c.  weight, things have
     d.  weights, things have

3)  It is the third successive year for the country to achieve ______
     a.  these accolade
     b.  this acolyte
     c.  that arcade
     d.  this accolade

4)  62 per cent helped a stranger, and 55 per cent ______ volunteered
     a.  clammed they had
     b.  chimed they had
     c.  cleaned they had
     d.  claimed they had

5)  a 'poor' country can be a 'rich' one through its generosity, by focusing ____ than getting
     a.  on giving prefer
     b.  on giving rather
     c.  on giving instead
     d.  on giving not

6)  The BBC commented on how significant ______
     a.  this statistic were
     b.  these statistics was
     c.  this statistics was
     d.  this statistic was

7)  It is the kindness of Iraqis…to complete strangers in the face of ______
     a.  years of conflicted
     b.  years of conflicting
     c.  years of conflict
     d.  years of conflicted

8)  …and terrible violence which stands ______
     a.  outer in the list
     b.  out inner the list
     c.  out in the list
     d.  outer inner the list

9)  The generosity of people, even in countries suffering from disaster and turmoil, ______
     a.  is truly mumbling
     b.  is truly humbling
     c.  is truly bumbling
     d.  is truly crumbling

10)  He added: "Unconditional gifts of time and money are a life-changing ______."
     a.  farce for good
     b.  fierce for good
     c.  fours for good
     d.  force for good

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Myanmar was for decades ruled (1) ___________________ military junta. However, since the country returned (2) ___________________, things have changed. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has just stated that Myanmar is home to the world's (3) ___________________ people. It is the third successive year for the country to (4) ___________________. The CAF "World Giving Index" found that 91 per cent of Myanmar residents gave money to charity in the past year, 62 per cent helped a stranger, and 55 per cent claimed they (5) ___________________. An economic adviser to Myanmar's president said: "The results demonstrate very sharply how a 'poor' country can be a 'rich' one through its generosity, by (6) ___________________ rather than getting."

The report also found that people in Iraq are the kindest to strangers. Eight in 10 Iraqis are (7) ___________________ helped someone they don't know in the past year. The BBC commented on how significant (8) ___________________, given the turmoil Iraq has been in for years because of war. It stated that: "It is the kindness of Iraqis…to complete strangers (9) ___________________ years of conflict and terrible violence which stands (10) ___________________." John Low, CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "The generosity of people, even in countries suffering from disaster and turmoil, (11) ___________________." He added: "Unconditional gifts of time and money are a life- (12) ___________________ good in the world."

Comprehension questions

  1. For how long was Myanmar ruled by a military junta?
  2. What ways has Myanmar returned to?
  3. How many years in a row has Myanmar had the most generous people?
  4. What percentage of Myanmar people claimed they had volunteered?
  5. What should 'poor' countries focus on instead of getting?
  6. How many Iraqis are reported to have helped someone in the past year?
  7. Which news agency reported on the significance of Iraqis helping others?
  8. Who is John Low?
  9. What adjective did John Low use to describe the generosity of people?
  10. What kind of force for good did John Low say giving was?

Multiple choice quiz

1) For how long was Myanmar ruled by a military junta?
a) a decade or two
b) decades
c) 100 years
d) 10 years

2) What ways has Myanmar returned to?
a) many ways
b) bad ways
c) the old ways
d) democratic ways

3) How many years in a row has Myanmar had the most generous people?
a) 3
b) 2
c) 4
d) 1

4) What percentage of Myanmar people claimed they had volunteered?
a) 91
b) 80
c) 55
d) 62

5) What should 'poor' countries focus on instead of getting?
a) technology
b) giving
c) development
d) charity

6) How many Iraqis are reported to have helped someone in the past year?
a) 91%
b) half
c) 8 in 10
d) 75%

7) Which news agency reported on the significance of Iraqis helping others?
a) NHK
b) Al Jazeera
c) CNN
d) BBC

8) Who is John Low?
a) CEO of CAF
b) a charity boss
c) an adviser to Myanmar's president
d) a humble man

9) What adjective did John Low use to describe the generosity of people?
a) humbling
b) good
c) rich
d) poor

10) What kind of force for good did John Low say giving was?
a) a weak force
b) a life-changing force
c) a strong force
d) a human force

Role play

Role A — Cancer Research

You think it is best to give money to cancer research. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why it isn't as important to give money to their things. Also, tell the others which of these does not need money (and why): endangered species, refugee children or political parties.

Role B — Endangered Species

You think it is best to give money to endangered species. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why it isn't as important to give money to their things. Also, tell the others which of these does not need money (and why): cancer research, refugee children or political parties.

Role C — Refugee Children

You think it is best to give money to refugee children. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why it isn't as important to give money to their things. Also, tell the others which of these does not need money (and why): endangered species, cancer research or political parties.

Role D — Political Parties

You think it is best to give money to political parties. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why it isn't as important to give money to their things. Also, tell the others which of these does not need money (and why): endangered species, refugee children or cancer research.

After reading / listening

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

'generous'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'helpful'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • 10
    • statistic
    • face
    • list
    • truly
    • force
    • ruled
    • changed
    • third
    • 62
    • claimed
    • rich

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Myanmar and Iraq most generous countries

    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 'charity'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you know about Myanmar?
    5. How generous are you?
    6. How generous would your friends say you are?
    7. How generous are people in your country?
    8. How important is charity?
    9. Are people in rich countries generous?
    10. Are you richer if you are generous?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you know about Iraq?
    3. What's the most generous thing you've ever done?
    4. Why is it important to be kind to strangers?
    5. How have you helped people in the past year?
    6. What are you going to do to help people this week?
    7. What do you think of the kindness of Iraqis?
    8. Are people in rich countries less kind than those in poor countries?
    9. How can we increase the amount of giving?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the CEO of the CAF?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Myanmar was for decades (1) ____ by an oppressive military junta. However, since the country returned to democratic (2) ____, things have changed. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has just stated that Myanmar is home to the world's most generous people. It is the third (3) ____ year for the country to achieve this accolade. The CAF "World Giving Index" found that 91 per cent of Myanmar (4) ____ gave money to charity in the past year, 62 per cent helped a stranger, and 55 per cent claimed they had volunteered. An economic adviser to Myanmar's president said: "The results demonstrate very (5) ____ how a 'poor' country can be a 'rich' one through its generosity, by focusing on giving (6) ____ than getting."

    The report also found that people in Iraq are the kindest to strangers. Eight in 10 Iraqis are reported (7) ____ have helped someone they don't know in the past year. The BBC commented (8) ____ how significant this statistic was, (9) ____ the turmoil Iraq has been in for years because of war. It stated that: "It is the kindness of Iraqis…to complete strangers in the (10) ____ of years of conflict and terrible violence which stands out in the list." John Low, CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "The generosity of people, even in countries suffering from disaster and turmoil, is (11) ____ humbling." He added: "Unconditional gifts of time and money are a life-changing (12) ____ for good in the world."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     reeled     (b)     riled     (c)     rules     (d)     ruled    
    2. (a)     stuffs     (b)     stuff     (c)     things     (d)     ways    
    3. (a)     succeeding     (b)     successive     (c)     succession     (d)     success    
    4. (a)     residence     (b)     resides     (c)     residents     (d)     reticence    
    5. (a)     shapely     (b)     shipshape     (c)     sharply     (d)     shrilly    
    6. (a)     rather     (b)     prefer     (c)     instead     (d)     over    
    7. (a)     for     (b)     to     (c)     at     (d)     as    
    8. (a)     on     (b)     of     (c)     to     (d)     as    
    9. (a)     giving     (b)     given     (c)     give in     (d)     forgives    
    10. (a)     head     (b)     throat     (c)     face     (d)     neck    
    11. (a)     absolute     (b)     real     (c)     truly     (d)     honesty    
    12. (a)     face     (b)     farce     (c)     fierce     (d)     force

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. ruled by an ivpspoeesr military junta
    2. It is the third eiusvccess year
    3. achieve this lccaadoe
    4. 55 per cent claimed they had tnredovuele
    5. The results damrsentote very sharply how
    6. through its goieresnty

    Paragraph 2

    1. how nncfiatgisi this statistic was
    2. given the ouimtlr Iraq has been in
    3. years of ntiofccl
    4. terrible elcvonie
    5. truly nlubhigm
    6. aiioultndoncn gifts of time and money

    Put the text back together

    (    )     the turmoil Iraq has been in for years because of war. It stated that: "It is the kindness

    (    )     Index" found that 91 per cent of Myanmar residents gave money to charity in the past year, 62 per cent helped a

    (    )     most generous people. It is the third successive year for the country to achieve this accolade. The CAF "World Giving

    (  1  )     Myanmar was for decades ruled by an oppressive military junta. However, since the country returned to democratic

    (    )     out in the list." John Low, CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "The generosity of people, even in

    (    )     of Iraqis…to complete strangers in the face of years of conflict and terrible violence which stands

    (    )     stranger, and 55 per cent claimed they had volunteered. An economic adviser to Myanmar's president said: "The

    (    )     to have helped someone they don't know in the past year. The BBC commented on how significant this statistic was, given

    (    )     focusing on giving rather than getting."

    (    )     results demonstrate very sharply how a 'poor' country can be a 'rich' one through its generosity, by

    (    )     ways, things have changed. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has just stated that Myanmar is home to the world's

    (    )     countries suffering from disaster and turmoil, is truly humbling." He added: "Unconditional gifts of time

    (    )     and money are a life-changing force for good in the world."

    (    )     The report also found that people in Iraq are the kindest to strangers. Eight in 10 Iraqis are reported

    Put the words in the right order

    1. ruled  oppressive  Myanmar   decades  an  junta  for  by  military  was  .
    2. is   most   home   generous   to   people   the   Myanmar   world's   .
    3. third  the   is   It  this  achieve  to  country   the  for  year  successive  .
    4. money   in   year  gave   charity  past   residents   to   the   Myanmar   .
    5. 'rich'   one   through   its  generosity   A   'poor'  country   can   be   a  .
    6. helped   in   are   have   Eight   Iraqis   to   someone   10   reported   .
    7. how   The   significant   BBC   this   commented   statistic   on   was   .
    8. of   terrible   the   years   and   In   of   conflict   violence   face   .
    9. even   generosity   in   of   countries   people   suffering   ,   The   .
    10. for   the   life   force   in   A   changing   good   world   -   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Myanmar was for decadence / decades ruled by an oppressive military junta. However, since the country returned to democratic ways / way, things have changed. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has just started / stated that Myanmar is home to the world's most generous / generosity people. It is the third successive / succession year for the country to achieve this accolade. The CAF "World Giving Index" found that 91 per cent of Myanmar residence / residents gave money to charity in the past year, 62 per cent helped a straggler / stranger, and 55 per cent claimed they had volunteered. An economic adviser / advice to Myanmar's president said: "The results demonstrate very sharply / sharp how a 'poor' country can be a 'rich' one through its generosity, by focusing in / on giving rather than getting."

    The report also found that people in Iraq are the kindest to strangers. Eight in 10 Iraqis are reported / reporting to have helped someone they don't know in the past year. The BBC commented on how significance / significant this statistic / statistics was, given the turmoil / turmeric Iraq has been in for years because of war. It stated that: "It is the kindness of Iraqis…to complete / completed strangers in the face / head of years of conflict and terrible violence which kneels / stands out in the list." John Low, CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "The generosity of people, ever / even in countries suffering from disaster and turmoil, is truly mumbling / humbling." He added: "Unconditional gifts of time and money are a life-changing force / farce for good in the world."

    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)

    My_nm_r w_s f_r d_c_d_s r_l_d by _n _ppr_ss_v_ m_l_t_ry j_nt_. H_w_v_r, s_nc_ th_ c__ntry r_t_rn_d t_ d_m_cr_t_c w_ys, th_ngs h_v_ ch_ng_d. Th_ Ch_r_t__s __d F__nd_t__n (C_F) h_s j_st st_t_d th_t My_nm_r _s h_m_ t_ th_ w_rld's m_st g_n_r__s p__pl_. _t _s th_ th_rd s_cc_ss_v_ y__r f_r th_ c__ntry t_ _ch__v_ th_s _cc_l_d_. Th_ C_F "W_rld G_v_ng _nd_x" f__nd th_t 91 p_r c_nt _f My_nm_r r_s_d_nts g_v_ m_n_y t_ ch_r_ty _n th_ p_st y__r, 62 p_r c_nt h_lp_d _ str_ng_r, _nd 55 p_r c_nt cl__m_d th_y h_d v_l_nt__r_d. _n _c_n_m_c _dv_s_r t_ My_nm_r's pr_s_d_nt s__d: "Th_ r_s_lts d_m_nstr_t_ v_ry sh_rply h_w _ 'p__r' c__ntry c_n b_ _ 'r_ch' _n_ thr__gh _ts g_n_r_s_ty, by f_c_s_ng _n g_v_ng r_th_r th_n g_tt_ng."

    Th_ r_p_rt _ls_ f__nd th_t p__pl_ _n _r_q _r_ th_ k_nd_st t_ str_ng_rs. __ght _n 10 _r_q_s _r_ r_p_rt_d t_ h_v_ h_lp_d s_m__n_ th_y d_n't kn_w _n th_ p_st y__r. Th_ BBC c_mm_nt_d _n h_w s_gn_f_c_nt th_s st_t_st_c w_s, g_v_n th_ t_rm__l _r_q h_s b__n _n f_r y__rs b_c__s_ _f w_r. _t st_t_d th_t: "_t _s th_ k_ndn_ss _f _r_q_s…t_ c_mpl_t_ str_ng_rs _n th_ f_c_ _f y__rs _f c_nfl_ct _nd t_rr_bl_ v__l_nc_ wh_ch st_nds __t _n th_ l_st." J_hn L_w, C__ _f th_ Ch_r_t__s __d F__nd_t__n, s__d: "Th_ g_n_r_s_ty _f p__pl_, _v_n _n c__ntr__s s_ff_r_ng fr_m d_s_st_r _nd t_rm__l, _s tr_ly h_mbl_ng." H_ _dd_d: "_nc_nd_t__n_l g_fts _f t_m_ _nd m_n_y _r_ _ l_f_-ch_ng_ng f_rc_ f_r g__d _n th_ w_rld."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    myanmar was for decades ruled by an oppressive military junta however since the country returned to democratic ways things have changed the charities aid foundation (caf) has just stated that myanmar is home to the world's most generous people it is the third successive year for the country to achieve this accolade the caf "world giving index" found that 91 per cent of myanmar residents gave money to charity in the past year 62 per cent helped a stranger and 55 per cent claimed they had volunteered an economic adviser to myanmar's president said "the results demonstrate very sharply how a 'poor' country can be a 'rich' one through its generosity by focusing on giving rather than getting"

    the report also found that people in iraq are the kindest to strangers eight in 10 iraqis are reported to have helped someone they don't know in the past year the bbc commented on how significant this statistic was given the turmoil iraq has been in for years because of war it stated that "it is the kindness of iraqis…to complete strangers in the face of years of conflict and terrible violence which stands out in the list" john low ceo of the charities aid foundation said "the generosity of people even in countries suffering from disaster and turmoil is truly humbling" he added "unconditional gifts of time and money are a life-changing force for good in the world"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Myanmarwasfordecadesruledbyanoppressivemilitaryjunta.Howeve
    r,sincethecountryreturnedtodemocraticways,thingshavechanged.T
    heCharitiesAidFoundation(CAF)hasjuststatedthatMyanmarishomet
    otheworld'smostgenerouspeople.Itisthethirdsuccessiveyearforthec
    ountrytoachievethisaccolade.TheCAF"WorldGivingIndex"foundthat
    91percentofMyanmarresidentsgavemoneytocharityinthepastyear,6
    2percenthelpedastranger,and55percentclaimedtheyhadvolunteere
    d.AneconomicadvisertoMyanmar'spresidentsaid:"Theresultsdemon
    strateverysharplyhowa'poor'countrycanbea'rich'onethroughitsgen
    erosity,byfocusingongivingratherthangetting."Thereportalsofoundt
    hatpeopleinIraqarethekindesttostrangers.Eightin10Iraqisarereport
    edtohavehelpedsomeonetheydon'tknowinthepastyear.TheBBCcom
    mentedonhowsignificantthisstatisticwas,giventheturmoilIraqhasbe
    eninforyearsbecauseofwar.Itstatedthat:"ItisthekindnessofIraqis…t
    ocompletestrangersinthefaceofyearsofconflictandterribleviolencew
    hichstandsoutinthelist."JohnLow,CEOoftheCharitiesAidFoundation,
    said:"Thegenerosityofpeople,evenincountriessufferingfromdisaster
    andturmoil,istrulyhumbling."Headded:"Unconditionalgiftsoftimean
    dmoneyarealife-changingforceforgoodintheworld."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    What does the phrase, "Charity begins at home" mean? How true is this?

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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 the Charities Aid Foundation. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. GENEROSITY: Write a magazine article about generosity and charity being taught as a school subject. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

    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 charity. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how people can do more. 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

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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