Breaking News English Lesson: Afghanistan

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G20 leaders agree to help Afghanistan (14th October, 2021)

The Reading / Listening - Afghanistan - Level 3

The G20 is a group of 19 rich countries plus the European Union. It meets to talk about and act on major world problems. It has just met to discuss the future of Afghanistan. Leaders of the G20 promised to stop Afghanistan falling into deeper economic chaos. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, the economy has almost collapsed. Germany's leader Angela Merkel said it was essential to help Afghanistan. She said if the country's financial system collapsed, no humanitarian aid could be given. She added: "To look on as 40 million people descend into chaos because there's no financial system must not be the goal of the international community."

The G20 leaders will involve the Taliban in sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister and current leader of the G20, said: "It is very hard to see how you can help people in Afghanistan without involving the Taliban." The EU said it would increase the amount of aid it gives the country to $1.15 billion. The IMF and World Bank said they would also provide aid but did not say how much. The Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said: "The international community needs to start cooperating with us." He said the aid would help the Taliban to stop insecurity in the country. He said it would also help the Taliban to "engage positively with the world".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Afghanistan - Level 0, Afghanistan - Level 1 or Afghanistan - Level 2

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58887808
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1946211/world
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/12/afghanistan-at-make-or-break-point-says-un-as-g20-ministers-meet

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. AFGHANISTAN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Afghanistan. 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?
group / problems / the future / chaos / economy / leader / financial system / goal /
humanitarian aid / leader / IMF / World Bank / foreign minister / insecurity / world
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. RECOVER: Students A strongly believe the Afghan economy will recover; Students B strongly believe it won't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ROLES: What are the roles of these organizations / countries in Afghanistan? How can they help the country? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Their Role	How They Can Help
The Taliban
The U.N.
The World Bank
The G20
Pakistan
China

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. FUTURE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "future". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. HELP: Rank these with your partner. Put the countries that need help the most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Afghanistan
Syria
South Sudan
Somalia
Lebanon
Ukraine
Myanmar
Yemen

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	act	a.	An area or place with all of the people who live there.
2.	major	b.	Do something.
3.	discuss	c.	Fell down completely.
4.	chaos	d.	Big and important.
5.	collapsed	e.	Complete disorder and confusion.
6.	essential	f.	Talk about.
7.	community	g.	Very, very important and necessary.

Paragraph 2

8.	aid	h.	Help or assistance.
9.	current	i.	In a good way.
10.	involving	j.	Belonging to the present time.
11.	provide	k.	Meet and talk to.
12.	insecurity	l.	Having or including something as a necessary part.
13.	engage	m.	Make available for use.
14.	positively	n.	The state of being open to danger or threat.

Before reading / listening

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

There are 19 countries in the G20. T / F
The G20 meets to talk about financial problems only. T / F
Germany's leader warned of an inability to give aid to Afghanistan. T / F
Germany's leader said the international community needs a new goal. T / F
Italy's prime minister said the G20 should talk to the Taliban. T / F
The EU said it would give $1.15 billion in aid. T / F
The World Bank said it would give over one billion dollars in aid. T / F
The Taliban said aid would help it to engage with the world. T / F

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

rich
act
promised
collapsed
descend
involve
current
provide
cooperating
insecurity

require
caved in
present
collaborating
take measures
supply
wealthy
fall
vulnerability
vowed

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

The G20 is a group
talk about and act on
falling into deeper economic
the country's financial system
the goal of the international
sending humanitarian
they would
The Taliban's acting foreign
help the Taliban to stop insecurity
engage positively

also provide aid
collapsed
community
in the country
with the world
major world problems
minister
of 19 rich countries
aid
chaos

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

future
group
goal
financial
deeper
major
descend
collapsed

The G20 is a (1) _____________________ of 19 rich countries plus the European Union. It meets to talk about and act on (2) _____________________ world problems. It has just met to discuss the (3) _____________________ of Afghanistan. Leaders of the G20 promised to stop Afghanistan falling into (4) _____________________ economic chaos. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, the economy has almost (5) _____________________. Germany's leader Angela Merkel said it was essential to help Afghanistan. She said if the country's (6) _____________________ system collapsed, no humanitarian aid could be given. She added: "To look on as 40 million people (7) _____________________ into chaos because there's no financial system must not be the (8) _____________________ of the international community."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

amount
current
insecurity
much
involve
world
without
start

The G20 leaders will (9) _____________________ the Taliban in sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister and (10) _____________________ leader of the G20, said: "It is very hard to see how you can help people in Afghanistan (11) _____________________ involving the Taliban." The EU said it would increase the (12) _____________________ of aid it gives the country to $1.15 billion. The IMF and World Bank said they would also provide aid but did not say how (13) _____________________. The Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said: "The international community needs to (14) _____________________ cooperating with us." He said the aid would help the Taliban to stop (15) _____________________ in the country. He said it would also help the Taliban to "engage positively with the (16) _____________________".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The G20 is a group of 19 rich countries ______ Union
     a. plus the European
     b. plus a European
     c. plush a European
     d. plush the European
2) It has just met to discuss the ______
     a. future off Afghanistan
     b. future of Afghanistan
     c. futures off Afghanistan
     d. futures of Afghanistan
3) Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, the economy ______
     a. has almost collapses
     b. has almost collapse
     c. has almost collapsed
     d. has almost clasped
4) To look on as 40 million people ______
     a. descend into chasm
     b. descend into quays
     c. descend into keys
     d. descend into chaos
5) there's no financial system must not be the goal of ______
     a. the international commune tea
     b. the international com mutiny
     c. the international common tea
     d. the international community

6) Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister ______
     a. and currant leader
     b. and currency leader
     c. and current leader
     d. and currently leader
7) hard to see how you can help people in Afghanistan without ______
     a. involve in the Taliban
     b. revolving the Taliban
     c. invoking the Taliban
     d. involving the Taliban
8) The international community needs to start ______
     a. cooperation with us
     b. cooperate in with us
     c. cooperating with us
     d. cooperating withers
9) He said the aid would help the Taliban ______
     a. to stopping security
     b. to tops insecurity
     c. to stoop insecurity
     d. to stop insecurity
10) He said it would also help the Taliban ______
     a. to engage positively
     b. to enrage positively
     c. to engage positive
     d. to enrage positive

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The G20 is a (1) ____________________ 19 rich countries plus the European Union. It meets to talk about and (2) ____________________ world problems. It has just met to discuss the future of Afghanistan. Leaders of the G20 promised to stop Afghanistan (3) ____________________ economic chaos. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, the economy has almost collapsed. Germany's leader Angela Merkel said it (4) ____________________ help Afghanistan. She said if the country's financial system collapsed, no humanitarian aid (5) ____________________. She added: "To look on as 40 million people descend into chaos because there's no financial system must not (6) ____________________ of the international community."

The G20 leaders (7) ____________________ Taliban in sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister and current leader of the G20, said: "It is (8) ____________________ see how you can help people in Afghanistan without involving the Taliban." The EU said it would increase (9) ____________________ aid it gives the country to $1.15 billion. The IMF and World Bank said they would also provide aid but did not (10) ____________________. The Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said: "The international community needs to start cooperating with us." He said the aid would help the Taliban (11) ____________________ in the country. He said it would also help the Taliban to "engage (12) ____________________ world".

Comprehension questions

How many countries are in the G20?
What does the G20 meet to talk about?
What do G20 leaders want to stop Afghanistan falling into?
Who said it was essential to help Afghanistan?
How many people are there in Afghanistan?
Who will the G20 talk to in sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan?
Which country is the current leader of the G20?
How much has the EU pledged to give Afghanistan?
How much has the World Bank pledged to give Afghanistan?
Who is Amir Khan Muttaqi?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many countries are in the G20?
a) 21
b) 20
c) 19
d) 18
2) What does the G20 meet to talk about?
a) major world problems
b) economics
c) European affairs
d) climate change
3) What do G20 leaders want to stop Afghanistan falling into?
a) a trap
b) chaos
c) poverty
d) hard times
4) Who said it was essential to help Afghanistan?
a) the IMF
b) the World Bank
c) the USA
d) Angela Merkel
5) How many people are there in Afghanistan?
a) 35 million
b) 37 million
c) 40 million
d) 50 million

6) Who will the G20 talk to about sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan?
a) the USA
b) the Taliban
c) Pakistan
d) the G7
7) Which country is the current leader of the G20?
a) China
b) Estonia
c) Brazil
d) Italy
8) How much has the EU pledged to give Afghanistan?
a) $1.25 billion
b) $1.15 billion
c) $1.05 billion
d) $1.55 billion
9) How much has the World Bank pledged to give Afghanistan?
a) $1.55 billion
b) We don't know yet.
c) $1.05 billion
d) $1.25 billion
10) Who is Amir Khan Muttaqi?
a) the Taliban's acting foreign minister
b) the Taliban's leader
c) the Taliban's economics minister
d) the Taliban's defence minister

Role play

Role A – Afghanistan
You think Afghanistan is the country most in need of help. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries aren't as high on the list. Also, tell the others which is the least deserving of these (and why): Somalia, Lebanon or Myanmar.

Role B – Somalia
You think Somalia is the country most in need of help. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries aren't as high on the list. Also, tell the others which is the least deserving of these (and why): Afghanistan, Lebanon or Myanmar.

Role C – Lebanon
You think Lebanon is the country most in need of help. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries aren't as high on the list. Also, tell the others which is the least deserving of these (and why): Somalia, Afghanistan or Myanmar.

Role D – Myanmar
You think Myanmar is the country most in need of help. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries aren't as high on the list. Also, tell the others which is the least deserving of these (and why): Somalia, Lebanon or Afghanistan.

After reading / listening

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

'leader'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'agree'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

group

just

took

essential

look

goal

sending

hard

much

acting

stop

engage

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 - Afghanistan

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 'Afghanistan'?
What do you know about Afghanistan?
What has happened in Afghanistan this year?
Why does Afghanistan need so much aid?
How is your country's economy?
How can you help the people of Afghanistan?
Should the world be doing more to help Afghanistan?
What would happen if Afghanistan descended into chaos?
What advice do you have for Taliban leaders?

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 'leader'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you know about the G20?
Should rich countries give more help to poor countries?
What is the job of the IMF and World Bank?
What do you know about the Taliban?
What do you think Afghanistan will be like in 10 years?
How can the Taliban 'engage positively' with the world?
What questions would you like to ask the head of the G20?

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)

The G20 is a group of 19 (1) ____ countries plus the European Union. It meets to talk about and act (2) ____ major world problems. It has just met to discuss the future of Afghanistan. Leaders of the G20 promised to stop Afghanistan falling into (3) ____ economic chaos. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, the economy has almost collapsed. Germany's leader Angela Merkel said it was essential to help Afghanistan. She said (4) ____ the country's financial system collapsed, no humanitarian aid could be (5) ____. She added: "To look on as 40 million people descend (6) ____ chaos because there's no financial system must not be the goal of the international community."

The G20 leaders will involve the Taliban (7) ____ sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister and current leader of the G20, said: "It is very (8) ____ to see how you can help people in Afghanistan without involving the Taliban." The EU said it would increase the amount of aid it gives the country to $1.15 billion. The IMF and World Bank said they would also provide aid but did not (9) ____ how much. The Taliban's (10) ____ foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said: "The international community needs to start (11) ____ with us." He said the aid would help the Taliban to stop insecurity in the country. He said it would also help the Taliban to "(12) ____ positively with the world".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) richest (b) richness (c) richly (d) rich
(a) to (b) of (c) in (d) on
(a) deepen (b) deeper (c) depend (d) depth
(a) such (b) what (c) if (d) so
(a) given (b) gave (c) gives (d) give
(a) into (b) up (c) of (d) by
(a) up (b) as (c) at (d) in
(a) hard (b) difficulty (c) firm (d) uphill
(a) speak (b) say (c) talk (d) chat
(a) acts (b) act (c) acting (d) acted
(a) position (b) maintain (c) cooperating (d) mistaking
(a) propose (b) engage (c) marry (d) divorce

Spelling

Paragraph 1

susidsc the future of Afghanistan
the economy has almost oaedspllc
it was inltessea to help Afghanistan
descend into schao
there's no ianncfail system
the goal of the international ummitycno

Paragraph 2

The G20 leaders will ilnveov the Taliban
necrtru leader of the G20
nrseacei the amount of aid
The Taliban's acting groifen minister
stop ysircuetin in the country
engage ptyiiolsev with the world

Put the text back together

(...) to $1.15 billion. The IMF and World Bank said they would also provide aid but did not say how
(...) insecurity in the country. He said it would also help the Taliban to "engage positively with the world".
(...) aid could be given. She added: "To look on as 40 million people descend into chaos
( 1 ) The G20 is a group of 19 rich countries plus the European Union. It meets to talk about and act
(...) of the G20 promised to stop Afghanistan falling into deeper economic chaos. Since the Taliban took
(...) because there's no financial system must not be the goal of the international community."
(...) The G20 leaders will involve the Taliban in sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Mario Draghi, the Italian prime
(...) community needs to start cooperating with us." He said the aid would help the Taliban to stop
(...) over Afghanistan in August, the economy has almost collapsed. Germany's leader Angela Merkel said it was
(...) on major world problems. It has just met to discuss the future of Afghanistan. Leaders
(...) involving the Taliban." The EU said it would increase the amount of aid it gives the country
(...) much. The Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said: "The international
(...) minister and current leader of the G20, said: "It is very hard to see how you can help people in Afghanistan without
(...) essential to help Afghanistan. She said if the country's financial system collapsed, no humanitarian

Put the words in the right order

and on about major act problems . Talk world
met discuss of the It Afghanistan . future to
deeper economic chaos . falling Afghanistan Stop into
the said She system financial country's if collapsed .
of community . the international goal the It's
hard help . how to see can It's you
would said The aid . IMF also provide it
community to start needs international cooperating . The
in insecurity Help Taliban stop the Afghanistan . to
engage Help Taliban the with to world . the

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The G20 is a group of 19 rich countries minus / plus the European Union. It meets to talk about and act on major / majorly world problems. It has just met to discuss a / the future of Afghanistan. Leaders of the G20 promised to stop Afghanistan falling into deeper / deepen economic chaos. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, the economy has almost collapse / collapsed. Germany's leader Angela Merkel said it was essence / essential to help Afghanistan. She said if the country's financial system collapsed, no humanitarian / humanity aid could be given. She added: "To look in / on as 40 million people descend into chaos / chaotic because there's no financial system must not be the goal of the international commune / community."

The G20 leaders will revolve / involve the Taliban in sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister and currant / current leader of the G20, said: "It is very hardly / hard to see how you can help people in Afghanistan without involvement / involving the Taliban." The EU said it would increase the amount of aid it gives the country to / of $1.15 billion. The IMF and World Bank said they would also provide aid but / however did not say how much. The Taliban's acted / acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said: "The international community needs to / by start cooperating with us." He said the aid would help the Taliban to stop insecurity on / in the country. He said it would also help the Taliban to "engage positive / positively with 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)

Th_ G20 _s _ gr__p _f 19 r_ch c__ntr__s pl_s th_ __r_p__n _n__n. _t m__ts t_ t_lk _b__t _nd _ct _n m_j_r w_rld pr_bl_ms. _t h_s j_st m_t t_ d_sc_ss th_ f_t_r_ _f _fgh_n_st_n. L__d_rs _f th_ G20 pr_m_s_d t_ st_p _fgh_n_st_n f_ll_ng _nt_ d__p_r _c_n_m_c ch__s. S_nc_ th_ T_l_b_n t__k _v_r _fgh_n_st_n _n __g_st, th_ _c_n_my h_s _lm_st c_ll_ps_d. G_rm_ny's l__d_r _ng_l_ M_rk_l s__d _t w_s _ss_nt__l t_ h_lp _fgh_n_st_n. Sh_ s__d _f th_ c__ntry's f_n_nc__l syst_m c_ll_ps_d, n_ h_m_n_t_r__n __d c__ld b_ g_v_n. Sh_ _dd_d: "T_ l__k _n _s 40 m_ll__n p__pl_ d_sc_nd _nt_ ch__s b_c__s_ th_r_'s n_ f_n_nc__l syst_m m_st n_t b_ th_ g__l _f th_ _nt_rn_t__n_l c_mm_n_ty."

Th_ G20 l__d_rs w_ll _nv_lv_ th_ T_l_b_n _n s_nd_ng h_m_n_t_r__n __d t_ _fgh_n_st_n. M_r__ Dr_gh_, th_ _t_l__n pr_m_ m_n_st_r _nd c_rr_nt l__d_r _f th_ G20, s__d: "_t _s v_ry h_rd t_ s__ h_w y__ c_n h_lp p__pl_ _n _fgh_n_st_n w_th__t _nv_lv_ng th_ T_l_b_n." Th_ __ s__d _t w__ld _ncr__s_ th_ _m__nt _f __d _t g_v_s th_ c__ntry t_ $1.15 b_ll__n. Th_ _MF _nd W_rld B_nk s__d th_y w__ld _ls_ pr_v_d_ __d b_t d_d n_t s_y h_w m_ch. Th_ T_l_b_n's _ct_ng f_r__gn m_n_st_r, _m_r Kh_n M_tt_q_, s__d: "Th_ _nt_rn_t__n_l c_mm_n_ty n__ds t_ st_rt c__p_r_t_ng w_th _s." H_ s__d th_ __d w__ld h_lp th_ T_l_b_n t_ st_p _ns_c_r_ty _n th_ c__ntry. H_ s__d _t w__ld _ls_ h_lp th_ T_l_b_n t_ "_ng_g_ p_s_t_v_ly w_th th_ w_rld".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the g20 is a group of 19 rich countries plus the european union it meets to talk about and act on major world problems it has just met to discuss the future of afghanistan leaders of the g20 promised to stop afghanistan falling into deeper economic chaos since the taliban took over afghanistan in august the economy has almost collapsed germanys leader angela merkel said it was essential to help afghanistan she said if the countrys financial system collapsed no humanitarian aid could be given she added to look on as 40 million people descend into chaos because theres no financial system must not be the goal of the international community

the g20 leaders will involve the taliban in sending humanitarian aid to afghanistan mario draghi the italian prime minister and current leader of the g20 said it is very hard to see how you can help people in afghanistan without involving the taliban the eu said it would increase the amount of aid it gives the country to 115 billion the imf and world Bank said they would also provide aid but did not say how much the talibans acting foreign minister amir khan muttaqi said the international community needs to start cooperating with us he said the aid would help the taliban to stop insecurity in the country he said it would also help the taliban to engage positively with the world

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheG20isagroupof19richcountriesplustheEuropeanUnion.Itmeetst
otalkaboutandactonmajorworldproblems.Ithasjustmettodiscussthe
futureofAfghanistan.LeadersoftheG20promisedtostopAfghanistanf
allingintodeepereconomicchaos.SincetheTalibantookoverAfghanist
aninAugust,theeconomyhasalmostcollapsed.Germany'sleaderAnge
laMerkelsaiditwasessentialtohelpAfghanistan.Shesaidifthecountry'
sfinancialsystemcollapsed,nohumanitarianaidcouldbegiven.Sheadd
ed:"Tolookonas40millionpeopledescendintochaosbecausethere'sno
financialsystemmustnotbethegoaloftheinternationalcommunity."T
heG20leaderswillinvolvetheTalibaninsendinghumanitarianaidtoAfg
hanistan.MarioDraghi,theItalianprimeministerandcurrentleaderoft
heG20,said:"ItisveryhardtoseehowyoucanhelppeopleinAfghanistan
withoutinvolvingtheTaliban."TheEUsaidtheywouldincreasetheamou
ntofaiditgivesthecountryto$1.15billion.TheIMFandWorldBanksaidit
wouldalsoprovideaidbutdidnotsayhowmuch.TheTaliban'sactingfore
ignminister,AmirKhanMuttaqi,said:"Theinternationalcommunityne
edstostartcooperatingwithus."HesaidtheaidwouldhelptheTalibantos
topinsecurityinthecountry.HesaiditwouldalsohelptheTalibanto"eng
agepositivelywiththeworld".

Free writing

Write about G20 leaders for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

It is essential to give Afghanistan as much aid as possible. 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. AFGHANISTAN: Make a poster about Afghanistan. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. AID: Write a magazine article about aid only being given to charities and not to governments. 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 Afghanistan. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to help Afghanistan. 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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