The Reading / Listening - Food Waste - Level 6

More than one billion meals are thrown away worldwide every day, despite famine and millions of people starving. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently reported that households are responsible for 60 per cent of food waste, followed by restaurants and food services at 28 per cent, and shops at 12 per cent. The Maldives has the highest estimated household food waste per person, at around 260 kilograms annually. Syria, Seychelles, Mexico and Tunisia also recorded high levels. Globally, food waste accounts for 8 to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. As discarded food decomposes in landfills, it releases the dangerous greenhouse gas methane, which accelerates global warming.

Individuals, businesses and governments can all take practical steps to reduce food waste. People should plan meals, prepare shopping lists, and purchase only what they need. We should store ingredients correctly and freeze surplus portions. We should also turn leftovers into new dishes and compost inedible waste. Restaurants and supermarkets also have a huge part to play in reducing food loss. They can donate surplus food to communities in need. Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, said: "Every meal rescued, shared or never wasted is food put to better use." Reducing waste would save money, improve food security and help curb climate change.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Food Waste - Level 4  or  Food Waste - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.unep.org/en/news-and-stories/story/rotting-food-supercharging-climate-crisis-heres-what-do-about
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/16/which-countries-waste-the-most-food-and-how-to-reduce-waste-at-home
  • https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/how-much-food-is-wasted-in-schools-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/


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. FOOD WASTE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about food waste. 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?
       meals / famine / UN / food waste / restaurants / greenhouse gas / landfills / methane
       businesses / governments / shopping lists / leftovers / compost / food security
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BUY LESS FOOD: Students A strongly believe everyone should buy less food; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. WASTE: How bad is it to waste these things? What can we do to not waste them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How Bad

What We Can Do

Food

 

 

Money

 

 

Time

 

 

Water

 

 

Electricity

 

 

Paper

 

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

  • Shopping lists
  • Eat leftovers later
  • Freeze leftover
  • Share food
  • Check food dates
  • Grow own food
  • Buy less food
  • Restaurant doggy bags

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. famine a. Gases that go into the air.
      2. starving b. Thrown away because they are no longer wanted or needed.
      3. estimated c. A serious lack of food when many people do not have enough to eat.
      4. emissions d. Places where rubbish is put into the ground.
      5. discarded e. Having no food or not enough food for a long time.
      6. decomposes f. Thought to be a particular amount, but not known exactly.
      7. landfills g. Breaks down into smaller parts over time.

    Paragraph 2

      8. individuals h. To control or reduce something.
      9. practical i. People, rather than groups or organisations.
      10. purchase j. Useful and possible to do.
      11. surplus k. To turn old food and other natural materials into soil for plants.
      12. compost l. More than is needed.
      13. inedible m. To buy something.
      14. curb n. Not safe or suitable to eat.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Over a billion meals go to waste every day in Asia.     T / F
  2. Food in the home represents 60% of global food waste.     T / F
  3. Maldives has the highest amount of food waste per person.     T / F
  4. Food waste is responsible for up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions.     T / F
  5. The article says shopping lists can help to reduce food waste.     T / F
  6. The article says we should throw away leftovers.     T / F
  7. The article says restaurants give 15% of their stock to communities.     T / F
  8. Reducing food waste can help curb climate change.     T / F

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

  1. thrown away
  2. famine
  3. estimated
  4. decomposes
  5. accelerates
  6. practical
  7. purchase
  8. leftovers
  9. surplus
  10. curb
  1. workable
  2. rots
  3. uneaten food
  4. speeds up
  5. food shortages
  6. hold back
  7. approximate
  8. excess
  9. discarded
  10. buy

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

  1. despite famine and millions
  2. households are responsible
  3. Tunisia also recorded
  4. discarded food decomposes
  5. it releases the dangerous
  6. take practical steps to
  7. take practical steps
  8. turn leftovers into
  9. donate surplus food
  10. improve food
  1. to reduce food waste
  2. greenhouse gas methane
  3. high levels
  4. security
  5. reduce food waste
  6. of people starving
  7. to communities
  8. in landfills
  9. new dishes
  10. for 60 per cent

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
followed
levels
accelerates
famine
discarded
per
recently
accounts

More than one billion meals are thrown away worldwide every day, despite (1) _________________________________ and millions of people starving. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2) _________________________________ reported that households are responsible for 60 per cent of food waste, (3) _________________________________ by restaurants and food services at 28 per cent, and shops at 12 per cent. The Maldives has the highest estimated household food waste (4) _________________________________ person, at around 260 kilograms annually. Syria, Seychelles, Mexico and Tunisia also recorded high (5) _________________________________. Globally, food waste (6) _________________________________ for 8 to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. As (7) _________________________________ food decomposes in landfills, it releases the dangerous greenhouse gas methane, which (8) _________________________________ global warming.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
surplus
lists
freeze
use
rescued
curb
compost
steps

Individuals, businesses and governments can all take practical (9) _________________________________ to reduce food waste. People should plan meals, prepare shopping (10) _________________________________, and purchase only what they need. We should store ingredients correctly and (11) _________________________________ surplus portions. We should also turn leftovers into new dishes and (12) _________________________________ inedible waste. Restaurants and supermarkets also have a huge part to play in reducing food loss. They can donate (13) _________________________________ food to communities in need. Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, said: "Every meal (14) _________________________________, shared or never wasted is food put to better (15) _________________________________." Reducing waste would save money, improve food security and help (16) _________________________________ climate change.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  More than one billion meals are thrown away worldwide every ______
     a.  day, the spite famine
     b.  day, the spate famine
     c.  day, despite famine
     d.  day, dispute famine
2)  The United Nations Environment Programme recently reported that ______
     a.  households are responsibly
     b.  households are responsibility
     c.  households are irresponsible
     d.  households are responsible
3)  The Maldives has the highest estimated household food ______
     a.  waste par person
     b.  waste per person
     c.  waste poor person
     d.  waste pour person
4)  food waste accounts for 8 to 10 per cent of ______
     a.  greenhouse gas emissions
     b.  greenhouse gas emission
     c.  greenhouse gas remissions
     d.  greenhouse gas commissions
5)  it releases the dangerous greenhouse gas methane, which ______
     a.  accelerates global warming
     b.  accelerates globally warming
     c.  accelerates global warm in
     d.  accelerate global warming

6)  businesses and governments can all take practical steps to ______
     a.  deduce food waste
     b.  reduce food waste
     c.  induce food waste
     d.  deuce food waste
7)  We should store ingredients correctly and ______
     a.  freeze supplies portions
     b.  freeze surplus portions
     c.  freeze supple portions
     d.  freeze surplus partitions
8)  We should also turn leftovers into new dishes and ______
     a.  competes inedible waste
     b.  compute inedible waste
     c.  compost inedible waste
     d.  compose inedible waste
9)  They can donate surplus food to ______
     a.  communities on need
     b.  communities in need
     c.  community in need
     d.  commune it is in need
10)  Reducing waste would save money, improve food security and help ______
     a.  club climate change
     b.  kerb climate change
     c.  curb climate change
     d.  carb climate change

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

More than one billion meals are thrown away worldwide every day, (1) _______________________________________________ millions of people starving. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently reported that (2) _______________________________________________ for 60 per cent of food waste, followed by restaurants and food services at 28 per cent, and shops at 12 per cent. The Maldives has (3) _______________________________________________ household food waste per person, at around 260 kilograms annually. Syria, Seychelles, Mexico and Tunisia also (4) _______________________________________________. Globally, food waste accounts for 8 to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. As discarded food (5) _______________________________________________, it releases the dangerous greenhouse gas methane, (6) _______________________________________________ warming.

Individuals, businesses and governments can all (7) _______________________________________________ to reduce food waste. People should plan meals, prepare shopping lists, and purchase only what they need. We should (8) _______________________________________________ and freeze surplus portions. We should also turn leftovers into new dishes and (9) _______________________________________________. Restaurants and supermarkets also have a huge part to play in reducing food loss. They (10) _______________________________________________ food to communities in need. Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, said: "Every (11) _______________________________________________ or never wasted is food put to better use." Reducing waste would save money, improve food security (12) _______________________________________________ climate change.

Comprehension questions

  1. How much food waste is produced by households?
  2. Which country wastes the most food per capita?
  3. What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions is from food waste?
  4. Where does discarded food decompose?
  5. What does the article say accelerates global warming?
  6. What kind of lists can people make to reduce food waste?
  7. What does the article recommend freezing?
  8. What does the article say we should do to inedible waste?
  9. What does the article say has a huge part to play in reducing food loss?
  10. What can reducing food waste help curb?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  How much food waste is produced by households?
a) 50%
b) 60%
c) 70%
d) 80%
2)  Which country wastes the most food per capita?
a) Australia
b) Brazil
c) USA
d) Maldives
3) What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions is from food waste?
a) 8-10%
b) 9-11%
c) 10-12%
d) 11-13%
4) Where does discarded food decompose?
a) gardens
b) trash cans
c) landfills
d) in the streets
5) What does the article say accelerates global warming?
a) cars
b) methane
c) cows
d) AI

6) What kind of lists can people make to reduce food waste?
a) shopping lists
b) to-do lists
c) ingredient lists
d) emergency lists
7) What does the article recommend freezing?
a) bread
b) meat and fish
c) surplus portions
d) ice
8) What does the article say we should do to inedible waste?
a) compost it
b) burn it
c) bury it
d) trash it
9) What does the article say has a huge part to play in reducing food loss?
a) restaurants and supermarkets
b) school children
c) cooks and chefs
d) farmers and gardeners
10) What can reducing food waste help curb?
a) famine
b) obesity
c) poverty
d) climate change

Role play

Role  A – Shopping Lists
You think making shopping lists is the best way to save food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): freezing leftovers, growing your own food or checking food dates.

Role  B – Freezing Leftovers
You think freezing leftovers is the best way to save food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): making shopping lists, growing your own food or checking food dates.

Role  C – Growing Your Own Food
You think growing your own food is the best way to save food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): freezing leftovers, making shopping lists or checking food dates.

Role  D – Checking Food Dates
You think checking food dates is the best way to save food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): freezing leftovers, growing your own food or making shopping lists.

After reading / listening

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

'food'

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

    • and 'waste'.

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

    • • 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:

    • despite
    • responsible
    • highest
    • recorded
    • accounts
    • landfills
    • steps
    • prepare
    • store
    • huge
    • need
    • money

    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 - Food Waste

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'food'?
    3. What do you think of food waste?
    4. How much food do you waste?
    5. How do you feel when you throw food away?
    6. What can we do about food waste?
    7. How can we give food that we might waste to those who need it?
    8. How can we waste so much food while people are starving?
    9. What do you know about methane?
    10. What can we do with food waste rather than put it in landfills?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'waste'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What can individuals do to reduce food waste?
    5. What can supermarkets do to reduce food waste?
    6. What can governments do to reduce food waste?
    7. What do you do with leftovers?
    8. What do you think of all of us growing our own food?
    9. Should everyone eat much less?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the UN?

    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)

    More than one billion meals are (1) ____ away worldwide every day, despite famine and millions of people starving. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently reported that (2) ____ are responsible for 60 per cent of food waste, followed (3) ____ restaurants and food services at 28 per cent, and shops at 12 per cent. The Maldives has the highest (4) ____ household food waste per person, at around 260 kilograms annually. Syria, Seychelles, Mexico and Tunisia also (5) ____ high levels. Globally, food waste accounts for 8 to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. As discarded food decomposes in (6) ____, it releases the dangerous greenhouse gas methane, which accelerates global warming.

    Individuals, businesses and governments can all take (7) ____ steps to reduce food waste. People should plan meals, prepare shopping lists, and purchase only what they need. We should store ingredients (8) ____ and freeze surplus portions. We should also (9) ____ leftovers into new dishes and compost inedible waste. Restaurants and supermarkets also have a huge part to (10) ____ in reducing food loss. They can donate surplus food to communities (11) ____ need. Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, said: "Every meal rescued, shared or never wasted is food put to better use." Reducing waste would save money, improve food security and help (12) ____ climate change.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     thrown     (b)     throwing     (c)     strewn     (d)     frown    
    2. (a)     homecoming     (b)     homesteads     (c)     households     (d)     houseboats    
    3. (a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     by     (d)     in    
    4. (a)     forecasts     (b)     esteemed     (c)     guesstimate     (d)     estimated    
    5. (a)     recorded     (b)     accounted     (c)     chronicled     (d)     transcribed    
    6. (a)     landmarks     (b)     landfills     (c)     landscapes     (d)     landmarks    
    7. (a)     practicality     (b)     practically     (c)     practice     (d)     practical    
    8. (a)     correction     (b)     correctly     (c)     corrects     (d)     corrective    
    9. (a)     revolve     (b)     spin     (c)     turn     (d)     gyrate    
    10. (a)     amuse     (b)     mess around     (c)     frolic     (d)     play    
    11. (a)     by     (b)     of     (c)     at     (d)     in    
    12. (a)     kerb     (b)     curb     (c)     curt     (d)     curse

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. despite fieman and millions of people starving
    2. households are lbseprseoni
    3. greenhouse gas eisssnoim
    4. As discarded food coessdopem in landfills
    5. the dangerous greenhouse gas emtenha
    6. laaeestcerc global warming

    Paragraph 2

    1. dliavnidsiu, businesses and governments
    2. pehracsu only what they need
    3. freeze rulupss portions
    4. compost bideenli waste
    5. euciismtnmo in need
    6. ubrc climate change

    Put the text back together

    (    )   260 kilograms annually. Syria, Seychelles, Mexico and Tunisia also recorded high levels. Globally, food waste
    (    )   accounts for 8 to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. As discarded food decomposes in
    (    )   correctly and freeze surplus portions. We should also turn leftovers into new dishes and compost
    (    )   for 60 per cent of food waste, followed by restaurants and food services at 28 per cent, and
    (    )   Individuals, businesses and governments can all take practical steps to reduce food waste. People should plan
    (    )   inedible waste. Restaurants and supermarkets also have a huge part to play in reducing food loss. They can donate
    (    )   landfills, it releases the dangerous greenhouse gas methane, which accelerates global warming.
    (    )   meal rescued, shared or never wasted is food put to better use." Reducing waste
    (    )   meals, prepare shopping lists, and purchase only what they need. We should store ingredients
    (  1  )   More than one billion meals are thrown away worldwide every day, despite famine and millions of people
    (    )   shops at 12 per cent. The Maldives has the highest estimated household food waste per person, at around
    (    )   starving. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently reported that households are responsible
    (    )   surplus food to communities in need. Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, said: "Every
    (    )   would save money, improve food security and help curb climate change.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. are   away   billion   meals   More   one   than   thrown   .
    2. 60%   are   food   for   Households   of   responsible   waste   .
    3. estimated   food   household   highest   per   person   The   waste   .
    4. 8   accounts   10%   food   for   Globally,   to   waste   .
    5. dangerous   gas   greenhouse   It   methane   releases   the   .
    6. food   practical   reduce   steps   Take   to   waste   .
    7. need   only   People   purchase   should   what   they   .
    8. and   correctly   ingredients   portions   Store   surplus   freeze   .
    9. communities   Donate   food   in   need   surplus   to   .
    10. climate   curb   food   help   Improve   change   and   security   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    More than one billion meals are thrown away worldwide every day, despite / spiteful famine and millions of people starving. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recent / recently reported that households are responsible of / for 60 per cent of food waste, followed by / to restaurants and food services at 28 per cent, and shops at 12 per cent. The Maldives has a / the highest estimated household food waste per / for person, at around 260 kilograms annual / annually. Syria, Seychelles, Mexico and Tunisia also recorded high / height levels. Globally, food waste accounts for 8 to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. As / Has discarded food decomposes in landfills, it releases the dangerous greenhouse gas methane, which accelerates global warming / warmth.

    Individuals, businesses and governments can all take practical steps / stairs to reduce food waste. People should plan meals, prepare shopping lists / list, and purchase only what they need. We should store ingredient / ingredients correctly and freeze samples / surplus portions. We should also turn leftovers into / onto new dishes and compost inedible waste. Restaurants and supermarkets also have a huge part to play / contend in reducing food loss. They can donate supplies / surplus food to communities in need / needy. Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, said: "Every meal rescued / reclused, shared or never wasted is food give / put to better use." Reducing waste would save money, improve food security and help curb climate change.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    M_r_ th_n _n_ b_ll__n m__ls _r_ thr_wn _w_y w_rldw_d_ _v_ry d_y, d_sp_t_ f_m_n_ _nd m_ll__ns _f p__pl_ st_rv_ng. Th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns _nv_r_nm_nt Pr_gr_mm_ (_N_P) r_c_ntly r_p_rt_d th_t h__s_h_lds _r_ r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r 60 p_r c_nt _f f__d w_st_, f_ll_w_d by r_st__r_nts _nd f__d s_rv_c_s _t 28 p_r c_nt, _nd sh_ps _t 12 p_r c_nt. Th_ M_ld_v_s h_s th_ h_gh_st _st_m_t_d h__s_h_ld f__d w_st_ p_r p_rs_n, _t _r__nd 260 k_l_gr_ms _nn__lly. Syr__, S_ych_ll_s, M_x_c_ _nd T_n_s__ _ls_ r_c_rd h_gh l_v_ls. Gl_b_lly, f__d w_st_ _cc__nts f_r 8 t_ 10 p_r c_nt _f gr__nh__s_ g_s _m_ss__ns. _s d_sc_rd_d f__d d_c_mp_s_s _n l_ndf_lls, _t r_l__s_s th_ d_ng_r__s gr__nh__s_ g_s m_th_n_, wh_ch _cc_l_r_t_s gl_b_l w_rm_ng.

    _nd_v_d__ls, b_s_n_ss_s _nd g_v_rnm_nts c_n _ll t_k_ pr_ct_c_l st_ps t_ r_d_c_ f__d w_st_. P__pl_ sh__ld pl_n m__ls, pr_p_r_ sh_pp_ng l_sts, _nd p_rch_s_ _nly wh_t th_y n__d. W_ sh__ld st_r_ _ngr_d__nts c_rr_ctly _nd fr__z_ s_rpl_s p_rt__ns. W_ sh__ld _ls_ t_rn l_ft_v_rs _nt_ n_w d_sh_s _nd c_mp_st _n_d_bl_ w_st_. R_st__r_nts _nd s_p_rm_rk_ts _ls_ h_v_ _ h_g_ p_rt t_ pl_y _n r_d_c_ng f__d l_ss. Th_y c_n d_n_t_ s_rpl_s f__d t_ c_mm_n_t__s _n n__d. M_rt_n Kr__s_, D_r_ct_r _f th_ Cl_m_t_ Ch_ng_ D_v_s__n _t _N_P, s__d: "_v_ry m__l r_sc__d, sh_r_d _r n_v_r w_st_d _s f__d p_t t_ b_tt_r _s_." R_d_c_ng w_st_ w__ld s_v_ m_n_y, _mpr_v_ f__d s_c_r_ty _nd h_lp c_rb cl_m_t_ ch_ng_.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    more than one billion meals are thrown away worldwide every day despite famine and millions of people starving the united nations environment programme unep recently reported that households are responsible for 60 per cent of food waste followed by restaurants and food services at 28 per cent and shops at 12 per cent the maldives has the highest estimated household food waste per person at around 260 kilograms annually syria seychelles mexico and tunisia also recorded high levels globally food waste accounts for 8 to 10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions as discarded food decomposes in landfills it releases the dangerous greenhouse gas methane which accelerates global warming

    individuals businesses and governments can all take practical steps to reduce food waste people should plan meals prepare shopping lists and purchase only what they need we should store ingredients correctly and freeze surplus portions we should also turn leftovers into new dishes and compost inedible waste restaurants and supermarkets also have a huge part to play in reducing food loss they can donate surplus food to communities in need martin krause director of the climate change division at unep said every meal rescued shared or never wasted is food put to better use reducing waste would save money improve food security and help curb climate change

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Morethanonebillionmealsarethrownawayworldwideeveryday,despit
    efamineandmillionsofpeoplestarving.TheUnitedNationsEnvironmen
    tProgramme(UNEP)recentlyreportedthathouseholdsareresponsible
    for60percentoffoodwaste,followedbyrestaurantsandfoodservicesat
    28percent,andshopsat12percent.TheMaldiveshasthehighestestima
    tedhouseholdfoodwasteperperson,ataround260kilogramsannually.
    Syria,Seychelles,MexicoandTunisiaalsorecordedhighlevels.Globally
    ,foodwasteaccountsfor8to10percentofgreenhousegasemissions.As
    discardedfooddecomposesinlandfills,itreleasesthedangerousgreen
    housegasmethane,whichacceleratesglobalwarming.Individuals,bus
    inessesandgovernmentscanalltakepracticalstepstoreducefoodwast
    e.Peopleshouldplanmeals,prepareshoppinglists,andpurchaseonlyw
    hattheyneed.Weshouldstoreingredientscorrectlyandfreezesurplusp
    ortions.Weshouldalsoturnleftoversintonewdishesandcompostinedib
    lewaste.Restaurantsandsupermarketsalsohaveahugeparttoplayinr
    educingfoodloss.Theycandonatesurplusfoodtocommunitiesinneed.
    MartinKrause,DirectoroftheClimateChangeDivisionatUNEP,said:"Ev
    erymealrescued,sharedorneverwastedisfoodputtobetteruse."Redu
    cingwastewouldsavemoney,improvefoodsecurityandhelpcurbclima
    techange.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Countries should be fined for their levels of food waste. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. FOOD WASTE: Make a poster about food waste. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. LESSONS: Write a magazine article about all of us having lessons on reducing food waste. 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 food waste. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to reduce food waste. 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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