Breaking News English Lesson: India Infrastructure

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India to launch $1.35 trillion infrastructure plan (18th August, 2021)

The Reading / Listening - India Infrastructure - Level 6

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a huge financial package for his country's economy. Mr Modi outlined plans for spending $1.35 trillion on infrastructure at an Independence Day speech on August the 15th. The huge investment will focus on the economy, youth employment opportunities, and on ways to tackle climate change. Modi hopes the gargantuan injection of cash will provide a boost to the economy. He said the spending plans will "create job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people". He added that the stimulus would help local manufacturers to become "globally competitive," and develop new "economic zones" in India.

Mr Modi focused on plans to make India a carbon-neutral country. He gave his speech as part of India's 75th Independence Day celebrations. He vowed that before India turned 100, the country would be "energy independent". Modi pledged to invest more in sustainable resources such as solar technology and "green hydrogen". He wants the country to move away from its reliance on oil. India is the world's third-largest oil importer. In particular, he outlined ambitious plans for transforming India's vast railway network – the largest in the world. He said he wants the whole network to be a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030. Modi said his country is "moving fast towards achieving its climate goals".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

India Infrastructure - Level 4 or India Infrastructure - Level 5

Sources

https://news.sky.com/story/indias-972bn-infrastructure-plan-to-boost-economy-and-tackle-climate-change-12382193
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/pm-modi-says-1-35-trillion-infrastructure-plan-to-be-unveiled-soon/articleshow/85342765.cms
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/15/modi-unveils-infrastructure-plan-on-indias-75th-independence-day

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. INDIA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about India. 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?
prime minister / financial / package / infrastructure / investment / injection / zones /
carbon / neutral / celebrations / energy / independent / hydrogen / railway / climate
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. JOB CREATION: Students A strongly believe job creation is more important then tackling climate change; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. BOOST: How would you boost these areas of infrastructure? How would this impact climate change. Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Boost	Climate Change
Roads
Hospitals
Schools
Education
Energy
Transport

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. TRILLION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "trillion". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Solar power
Tidal power
Wind power
Biofuel
Nuclear power
Carbon capture
Hydroelectricity
Geothermal power

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	package	a.	Help or encourage something to increase or improve.
2.	infrastructure	b.	A person or company that makes goods for sale.
3.	tackle	c.	A set of proposals or terms offered or agreed as part of a plan.
4.	gargantuan	d.	The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or business.
5.	boost	e.	Enormous; huge.
6.	stimulus	f.	A thing that starts activity or energy in someone or something.
7.	manufacturer	g.	Make big efforts to deal with a problem or difficult task.

Paragraph 2

8.	carbon-neutral	h.	Of very great extent or quantity; immense.
9.	vowed	i.	Having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.
10.	sustainable	j.	Dependence on or trust in someone or something.
11.	reliance	k.	Making no net release of CO2 to the atmosphere.
12.	ambitious	l.	A machine, device, country, etc., that sends out things like radiation, light, noise, pollution, etc.
13.	vast	m.	Promised.
14.	emitter	n.	Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

India's Finance Secretary announced a huge financial package. T / F
An infrastructure plan was announced on India's Independence Day. T / F
Part of the plan includes cash to fight climate change. T / F
The package will provide job opportunities for millions of young people. T / F
India's leader wants the country to be carbon neutral in 100 years. T / F
India's leader wants to invest in green hydrogen. T / F
India is the world's third-largest importer of oil. T / F
India's leader said India has achieved its climate goals. T / F

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

announced
outlined
gargantuan
boost
manufacturers
speech
vowed
reliance
vast
whole

address
entire
summarized
makers
dependence
enormous
huge
declared
promised
lift

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

announced a huge financial
ways to tackle
provide a boost
the stimulus would help local
develop new economic
plans to make India a carbon-
move away from its reliance
transforming India's vast
be a net-zero carbon
moving fast towards achieving

to the economy
railway network
zones
neutral country
manufacturers
emitter by 2030
package
its climate goals
on oil
climate change

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

focus
opportunities
package
manufacturers
injection
spending
zones
ways

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a huge financial (1) _____________________ for his country's economy. Mr Modi outlined plans for (2) _____________________ $1.35 trillion on infrastructure at an Independence Day speech on August the 15th. The huge investment will (3) _____________________ on the economy, youth employment opportunities, and on (4) _____________________ to tackle climate change. Modi hopes the gargantuan (5) _____________________ of cash will provide a boost to the economy. He said the spending plans will "create job (6) _____________________ for hundreds of thousands of young people". He added that the stimulus would help local (7) _____________________ to become "globally competitive," and develop new "economic (8) _____________________" in India.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

speech
pledged
ambitious
vowed
emitter
neutral
vast
reliance

Mr Modi focused on plans to make India a carbon-(9) _____________________ country. He gave his (10) _____________________ as part of India's 75th Independence Day celebrations. He (11) _____________________ that before India turned 100, the country would be "energy independent". Modi (12) _____________________ to invest more in sustainable resources such as solar technology and "green hydrogen". He wants the country to move away from its (13) _____________________ on oil. India is the world's third-largest oil importer. In particular, he outlined (14) _____________________ plans for transforming India's (15) _____________________ railway network - the largest in the world. He said he wants the whole network to be a net-zero carbon (16) _____________________ by 2030. Modi said his country is "moving fast towards achieving its climate goals".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a ______
     a. huge financial pack age
     b. huge financial pack cage
     c. huge financial pack aged
     d. huge financial package
2) Modi outlined plans for spending $1.35 trillion on infrastructure at an ______
     a. Independence Day speaks
     b. Independence Day speeches
     c. Independence Day speech
     d. Independence Days peach
3) the economy, youth employment opportunities, and on ways to ______
     a. trickle climate change
     b. tack all climate change
     c. tickle climate change
     d. tackle climate change
4) Modi hopes the gargantuan injection of cash will ______
     a. provide a boast
     b. provide a beast
     c. provide a baste
     d. provide a boost
5) help local manufacturers to become globally competitive and develop ______"
     a. new economic zones
     b. new economics zones
     c. new economically zones
     d. new economical zones

6) Mr Modi focused on plans to make India a ______
     a. carb on-neutral country
     b. car bon neutral country
     c. carb bon-neutral country
     d. carbon-neutral country
7) He vowed that before India turned 100, the country would ______
     a. be energy independence
     b. be energy independent
     c. be energy interdependent
     d. be energy intra-dependent
8) invest more in sustainable resources such as solar technology ______
     a. and greenish hydrogen
     b. and greenie hydrogen
     c. and greens hydrogen
     d. and green hydrogen
9) He wants the country to move away from its ______
     a. reliance in oil
     b. reliance on oil
     c. reliance un-oil
     d. reliance an oil
10) He said he wants the whole network to be a net-______
     a. zero carbon emitter
     b. zero carbon mitten
     c. zero carbon smitten
     d. zero carbon remitter

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a (1) ____________________ for his country's economy. Mr Modi outlined plans for spending $1.35 trillion (2) ____________________ an Independence Day speech on August the 15th. The huge investment will focus on the economy, youth employment opportunities, and on (3) ____________________ climate change. Modi hopes the (4) ____________________ cash will provide a boost to the economy. He said the spending plans will "create job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people". He added that (5) ____________________ help local manufacturers to become "globally competitive," and develop (6) ____________________ in India.

Mr Modi focused on plans to make India a (7) ____________________. He gave his speech as part of India's 75th Independence Day celebrations. He (8) ____________________ India turned 100, the country would be "energy independent". Modi pledged to invest more (9) ____________________ such as solar technology and "green hydrogen". He wants the country to move away from its (10) ____________________. India is the world's third-largest oil importer. In particular, he (11) ____________________ for transforming India's vast railway network - the largest in the world. He said he wants the whole network to be a net-zero (12) ____________________ 2030. Modi said his country is "moving fast towards achieving its climate goals".

Comprehension questions

Who introduced a financial package?
When was the announcement made?
What does the package hope to tackle?
What will the package provide a boost to?
What will the package make more globally competitive?
By when does Narendra Modi hope India will be energy independent?
What kind of hydrogen does Mr Modi hope to invest in?
What does India want to rely less on?
What does the article say is vast in India?
What did Mr Modi say India is moving fast towards achieving?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who introduced a financial package?
a) India's finance ministry
b) the IMF
c) India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi
d) the Central Bank of India

2) When was the announcement made?
a) August the 15th
b) August the 14th
c) August the 12th
d) August the 11th
3) What does the package hope to tackle?
a) discrimination
b) climate change
c) rising inflation
d) corporate corruption
4) What will the package provide a boost to?
a) confidence
b) the financial markets
c) regional trade
d) the economy
5) What will the package make more globally competitive?
a) Indian cars
b) tech companies
c) local manufacturers
d) jobs

6) By when does Narendra Modi hope India will be energy independent?
a) by the end of the decade
b) before India turns 100
c) some time next century
d) 2025
7) What kind of hydrogen does Mr Modi hope to invest in??
a) nice hydrogen
b) high-level hydrogen
c) pure hydrogen
d) green hydrogen
8) What does India want to rely less on?
a) loans
b) oil
c) other countries
d) the World Bank
9) What does the article say is vast in India?
a) its deserts
b) its railway network
c) its potential
d) landscapes
10) What did Mr Modi say India is moving fast towards achieving?
a) its climate goals
b) full employment
c) fuel self-sufficiency
d) technology goals

Role play

Role A – Solar Power
You think solar power is best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms of power. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): wind power, biofuel or hydroelectricity.

Role B – Wind Power
You think wind power is best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms of power. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): solar power, biofuel or hydroelectricity.

Role C – Biofuel
You think biofuel is best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms of power. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): wind power, solar power or hydroelectricity.

Role D – Hydroelectricity
You think hydroelectricity is best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms of power. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): wind power, biofuel or solar power.

After reading / listening

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

'India'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'plan'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

package

outlined

youth

boost

stimulus

zones

carbon

100

solar

oil

network

fast

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 - India Infrastructure

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'India'?
What do you know about India?
What is the infrastructure in your country like?
What would you spend your government's money on?
How could you improve your country's economy?
What can your country do to tackle climate change?
What are local manufacturers in your town like?
How globally competitive are companies in your country?
What would you do with a gargantuan injection of cash?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'infrastructure'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think about India?
How far away is your country from being carbon neutral?
What sustainable resources are the most effective?
How reliant is your country on oil?
What infrastructure in your town needs some money?
What will India be like in 50 years from now?
What questions would you like to ask India's leader?

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)

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a huge financial (1) ____ for his country's economy. Mr Modi (2) ____ plans for spending $1.35 trillion on infrastructure at an Independence Day speech on August the 15th. The huge investment will focus (3) ____ the economy, youth employment opportunities, and on ways to tackle climate change. Modi hopes the gargantuan injection of cash will provide a (4) ____ to the economy. He said the spending plans will "create job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people". He added that the (5) ____ would help local manufacturers to become "globally competitive," and develop new "economic (6) ____ " in India.

Mr Modi focused on plans to make India a (7) ____-neutral country. He gave his speech as part of India's 75th Independence Day celebrations. He (8) ____ that before India turned 100, the country would be "energy independent". Modi pledged to invest more in sustainable resources such (9) ____ solar technology and "green hydrogen". He wants the country to move away from its reliance (10) ____ oil. India is the world's third-largest oil importer. In particular, he outlined ambitious plans for transforming India's (11) ____ railway network - the largest in the world. He said he wants the whole network to be a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030. Modi said his country is "moving fast towards (12) ____ its climate goals".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) parcel (b) package (c) present (d) box
(a) inclined (b) outlined (c) aligned (d) lined
(a) by (b) of (c) at (d) on
(a) beast (b) boost (c) boast (d) baste
(a) paradox (b) recognition (c) stimulus (d) accolade
(a) cones (b) hones (c) zones (d) tones
(a) hydrogen (b) carbon (c) nitrogen (d) helium
(a) sowed (b) vowed (c) wowed (d) cowed
(a) has (b) was (c) as (d) is
(a) to (b) up (c) at (d) on
(a) everywhere (b) seep (c) spread (d) vast
(a) achieves (b) achievement (c) achieving (d) achiever

Spelling

Paragraph 1

announced a huge financial aakcpeg
Mr Modi iulotedn plans
the uanatgganr injection of cash
create job oesrputitpnoi
the lsuustmi would help
local ufreaatrucmns

Paragraph 2

plans to make India a carbon-tlunrae country
He vdweo that before India turned 100
iutalesbans resources
green nreodyhg
move away from its lcenreia on oil
a net-zero carbon tmetrei by 2030

Put the text back together

(...) help local manufacturers to become "globally competitive," and develop new "economic zones" in India.
(...) largest oil importer. In particular, he outlined ambitious plans for transforming India's vast
(...) of India's 75th Independence Day celebrations. He vowed that before India turned 100, the country would
(...) and "green hydrogen". He wants the country to move away from its reliance on oil. India is the world's third-
(...) for hundreds of thousands of young people". He added that that the stimulus would
(...) opportunities, and on ways to tackle climate change. Modi hopes the gargantuan injection
(...) railway network - the largest in the world. He said he wants the whole network to be a net-
(...) speech on August the 15th. The huge investment will focus on the economy, youth employment
( 1 ) India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a huge financial package for his country's
(...) zero carbon emitter by 2030. Modi said his country is "moving fast towards achieving its climate goals".
(...) of cash will provide a boost to the economy. He said the spending plans will "create job opportunities
(...) economy. Mr Modi outlined plans for spending $1.35 trillion on infrastructure at an Independence Day
(...) Mr Modi focused on plans to make India a carbon-neutral country. He gave his speech as part
(...) be "energy independent". Modi pledged to invest more in sustainable resources such as solar technology

Put the words in the right order

has Modi huge a announced financial package .
infrastructure . plans for spending Outlined on trillion $1.35
the investment huge focus will on The economy .
The provides injection a boost . cash gargantuan of
become globally competitive . local manufacturers to Help
carbon-neutral . to on make India plans focused Modi
invest sustainable more resources . to pledged in Modi
He move reliance . to away wants from its
network be net-zero . to He whole the wants
goals . towards fast It's achieving moving climate its

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced / announcing a huge financial package for his country's economy. Mr Modi inclined / outlined plans for spending $1.35 trillion on infrastructure at an Independence Day speech on August the 15th. The huge investment will focus in / on the economy, youth / young employment opportunities, and on way / ways to tackle climate change. Modi hopes the gargantuan / gargoyle injection of cash will provide a boost / boast to the economy. He said the spending plans will "create job / jobs opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people". He added that the simulation / stimulus would help local manufacturers to become "globally competitive," and develop new "economic zones / clones" in India.

Mr Modi focused on / in plans to make India a carbon-neutral country. He gave his speech was / as part of India's 75th Independence Day celebrations. He wowed / vowed that before India turned 100, the country would be "energy independent". Modi pledged to invest / ingest more in sustainable resources such as solar technology and "green hydroxide / hydrogen". He wants the country to move away from its reliance / relies on oil. India is the world's third-largest oil importer. In particular, he outlined ambitious / ambition plans for transforming India's baste / vast railway network - the largest in the world. He said he wants the whole network to be a net-zero carbon emission / emitter by 2030. Modi said his country is "moving fast towards / for achieving its climate goals".

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)

_nd__'s Pr_m_ M_n_st_r N_r_ndr_ M_d_ h_s _nn__nc_d _ h_g_ f_n_nc__l p_ck_g_ f_r h_s c__ntry's _c_n_my. Mr M_d_ __tl_n_d pl_ns f_r sp_nd_ng $1.35 tr_ll__n _n _nfr_str_ct_r_ _t _n _nd_p_nd_nc_ D_y sp__ch _n __g_st th_ 15th. Th_ h_g_ _nv_stm_nt w_ll f_c_s _n th_ _c_n_my, y__th _mpl_ym_nt _pp_rt_n_t__s, _nd _n w_ys t_ t_ckl_ cl_m_t_ ch_ng_. M_d_ h_p_s th_ g_rg_nt__n _nj_ct__n _f c_sh w_ll pr_v_d_ _ b__st t_ th_ _c_n_my. H_ s__d th_ sp_nd_ng pl_ns w_ll "cr__t_ j_b _pp_rt_n_t__s f_r h_ndr_ds _f th__s_nds _f y__ng p__pl_". H_ _dd_d th_t th_ st_m_l_s w__ld h_lp l_c_l m_n_f_ct_r_rs t_ b_c_m_ "gl_b_lly c_mp_t_t_v_," _nd d_v_l_p n_w "_c_n_m_c z_n_s" _n _nd__.

Mr M_d_ f_c_s_d _n pl_ns t_ m_k_ _nd__ _ c_rb_n-n__tr_l c__ntry. H_ g_v_ h_s sp__ch _s p_rt _f _nd__'s 75th _nd_p_nd_nc_ D_y c_l_br_t__ns. H_ v_w_d th_t b_f_r_ _nd__ t_rn_d 100, th_ c__ntry w__ld b_ "_n_rgy _nd_p_nd_nt". M_d_ pl_dg_d t_ _nv_st m_r_ _n s_st__n_bl_ r_s__rc_s s_ch _s s_l_r t_chn_l_gy _nd "gr__n hydr_g_n". H_ w_nts th_ c__ntry t_ m_v_ _w_y fr_m _ts r_l__nc_ _n __l. _nd__ _s th_ w_rld's th_rd-l_rg_st __l _mp_rt_r. _n p_rt_c_l_r, h_ __tl_n_d _mb_t___s pl_ns f_r tr_nsf_rm_ng _nd__'s v_st r__lw_y n_tw_rk - th_ l_rg_st _n th_ w_rld. H_ s__d h_ w_nts th_ wh_l_ n_tw_rk t_ b_ _ n_t-z_r_ c_rb_n _m_tt_r by 2030. M_d_ s__d h_s c__ntry _s "m_v_ng f_st t_w_rds _ch__v_ng _ts cl_m_t_ g__ls".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

indias prime minister narendra modi has announced a huge financial package for his countrys economy mr modi outlined plans for spending 135 trillion on infrastructure at an independence day speech on august the 15th the huge investment will focus on the economy youth employment opportunities and on ways to tackle climate change modi hopes the gargantuan injection of cash will provide a boost to the economy he said the spending plans will create job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people he added that the stimulus would help local manufacturers to become globally competitive and develop new economic zones in india

mr modi focused on plans to make india a carbonneutral country he gave his speech as part of indias 75th independence day celebrations he vowed that before india turned 100 the country would be energy independent modi pledged to invest more in sustainable resources such as solar technology and green hydrogen he wants the country to move away from its reliance on oil india is the worlds thirdlargest oil importer in particular he outlined ambitious plans for transforming indias vast railway network the largest in the world he said he wants the whole network to be a netzero carbon emitter by 2030 modi said his country is moving fast towards achieving its climate goals

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

India'sPrimeMinisterNarendraModihasannouncedahugefinancialpac
kageforhiscountry'seconomy.MrModioutlinedplansforspending$1.3
5trilliononinfrastructureatanIndependenceDayspeechonAugustthe
15th.Thehugeinvestmentwillfocusontheeconomy,youthemploymen
topportunities,andonwaystotackleclimatechange.Modihopesthegar
gantuaninjectionofcashwillprovideaboosttotheeconomy.Hesaidthes
pendingplanswill"createjobopportunitiesforhundredsofthousandsof
youngpeople".Headdedthatthestimuluswouldhelplocalmanufac
turerstobecome"globallycompetitive,"anddevelopnew"economiczo
nes"inIndia.MrModifocusedonplanstomakeIndiaacarbon-neutralc
ountry.HegavehisspeechaspartofIndia's75thIndependenceDaycele
brations.HevowedthatbeforeIndiaturned100,thecountrywouldbe"e
nergyindependent".Modipledgedtoinvestmoreinsustainableresourc
essuchassolartechnologyand"greenhydrogen".Hewantsthecountryt
omoveawayfromitsrelianceonoil.Indiaistheworld'sthird-largestoi
limporter.Inparticular,heoutlinedambitiousplansfortransformingIn
dia'svastrailwaynetwork-thelargestintheworld.Hesaidhewantsthew
holenetworktobeanet-zerocarbonemitterby2030.Modisaidhiscoun
tryis"movingfasttowardsachievingitsclimategoals".

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

It is more important to spend money on climate change than jobs. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. INDIA: Make a poster about India. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. JOBS: Write a magazine article about governments spending more money on jobs than on climate change. 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 India. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions of India. 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

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

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