The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The government in Kenya has agreed on a new law on marriage. It has made many female politicians very angry. The Marriage Bill allows men to have as many wives as they want. Men will soon be able to marry other women without even telling their wife. There was a big argument between the male and female politicians. Many female lawmakers walked out of the debate in anger. The law was going to make it illegal to have more than one wife, but male lawmakers changed their mind. One male politician said the law was fair to women. He said that for the first time, women who get divorced would have 30 per cent of the family house and other things of value belonging to the couple.

Kenyan politician Samuel Chepkong'a said the new law simply keeps alive Kenya's traditions. He told reporters: "When you marry an African woman, she must know the second one is on the way, and a third wife. This is Africa." Kenya's Nation newspaper said the law did not show Kenya as a modern country. It wrote: "This is a [backwards] move that is simply taking us back into the Dark Ages, at a time when we should be strengthening family values." Female politician Sopian Tuya said the law was unfair to the first wife because the second wife would take all the money. She also warned men about marrying in secret, saying: "We know that men are afraid of women's tongues more than anything else."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26681580
  • http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Editorial/Reject-law-that-will--discriminate-against-women-/-/440804/2253228/-/11p2k62z/-/index.html
  • http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2014/03/uproar-as-mps-pass-bill-promoting-polygamy/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. MARRIAGE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about marriage. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

law / marriage / female politicians / argument / anger / illegal / fair / family house / traditions / a modern country / family values / take all the money / in secret / tongues

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

3. MARRIAGE: Who usually does what with these things? Is that OK? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What the husband does

OK?

What the wife does

OK?

Romance

 

 

 

 

Money decisions

 

 

 

 

Child discipline

 

 

 

 

Driving

 

 

 

 

Housework

 

 

 

 

Earn money

 

 

 

 

4. POLYGAMY: Students A strongly believe no culture should allow polygamy (being married to more than one person at the same time); Students B strongly believe if that's what the culture is, it's OK.  Change partners talk about your conversations.

5. MORE THAN ONE: Rank these with your partner. Put the things people shouldn't have more than one of at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • spouse

  • house

  • mobile phone

  • job

  • car

  • chin

  • TV

  • piece of chocolate cake

6. POLITICIAN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "politician". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.

Male and female politicians welcomed Kenya's new marriage law.

T / F

b.

Men can marry other women only after telling their wife.

T / F

c.

A male lawmaker said the new law was fair to women.

T / F

d.

The new law says a couple's property is split 50-50 after a divorce.

T / F

e.

A politician said the law supports Kenyan traditions.

T / F

f.

A newspaper said the law shows Kenya is not a modern country.

T / F

g.

A female politician said the law was unfair to newer wives.

T / F

h.

The politician said men were most afraid of a woman's tongue.

T / F

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

1.

agreed

a.

rage

2.

argument

b.

reinforcing

3.

anger

c.

owned by

4.

illegal

d.

scared

5.

belonging to

e.

settled

6.

traditions

f.

up to date

7.

modern

g.

unlawful

8.

strengthening

h.

cautioned

9.

warned

i.

fight

10.

afraid

j.

customs

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

1.

agreed

a.

country

2.

have as many

b.

even telling their wife

3.

marry other women without

c.

family values

4.

male lawmakers changed

d.

alive Kenya's traditions

5.

things of value

e.

on a new law on marriage

6.

the new law simply keeps

f.

the way

7.

the second one is on

g.

their mind

8.

a modern

h.

belonging to the couple

9.

strengthening

i.

of women's tongues

10.

men are afraid

j.

wives as they want

GAP FILL

The government in Kenya has (1) ____________ on a new law on marriage. It has made many female politicians very angry. The Marriage Bill (2) ____________ men to have as many wives as they want. Men will soon be able to marry other women without even (3) ____________ their wife. There was a big argument between the male and female politicians. Many female lawmakers (4) ____________ out of the debate in anger. The law was going to make it (5) ____________ to have more than one wife, but male lawmakers changed their (6) ____________. One male politician said the law was fair to women. He said that for the first time, women who get (7) ____________ would have 30 per cent of the family house and other things of value (8) ____________ to the couple.

 

 

walked
mind
allows
divorced
illegal
agreed
belonging
telling

Kenyan politician Samuel Chepkong'a said the new law (9) ____________ keeps alive Kenya's (10) ____________. He told reporters: "When you marry an African woman, she must know the second one is on the way, and a third wife. This is Africa." Kenya's Nation newspaper said the law did not show Kenya as a (11) ____________ country. It wrote: "This is a [backwards] move that is simply taking us (12) ____________ into the Dark Ages, at a time when we should be (13) ____________ family values." Female politician Sopian Tuya said the law was (14) ____________ to the first wife because the second wife would take all the money. She also warned men about marrying in (15) ____________, saying: "We know that men are afraid of women's (16) ____________ more than anything else."

 

strengthening
tongues
modern
unfair
simply
secret
traditions
back

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

The government in Kenya has ______ law

 

a.  agrees on a new
b.  agreeing on a new
c.  agreed on a new
d.  a greed on a new

2)

Men will soon be able to marry other women without even ______

 

a.  telling their wife
b.  talking their wife
c.  tailing their wife
d.  taking their wife

3)

Many female lawmakers walked out of the ______

 

a.  debate on anger
b.  debate in angry
c.  debate in anger
d.  debate on angry

4)

…but male lawmakers changed ______

 

a.  their minder
b.  their minds
c.  their minded
d.  their mind

5)

the family house and other things of value ______

 

a.  belonging to the couplet
b.  belonging to the couple
c.  belonging to the couples
d.  belonging to the couple of

6)

…the new law simply keeps alive ______

 

a.  Kenya's traditional
b.  Kenya's tradition
c.  Kenya's traditions
d.  Kenya's traditionally

7)

Kenya's Nation newspaper said the law did not show Kenya as ______

 

a.  a modern country
b.  a modernist country
c.  amid and country
d.  ammo darn country

8)

at a time when we should be strengthening ______

 

a.  family valued
b.  family value
c.  family valuations
d.  family values

9)

Female politician Sopian Tuya said the law was unfair ______

 

a.  of the first wife
b.  to the first wife
c.  for the first wife
d.  at the first wife

10)

We know that men are afraid of ______

 

a.  women's tongs
b.  women's tongues
c.  women's tans
d.  women's tunes

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The government in Kenya (1) ___________________ new law on marriage. It has made many female politicians very angry. The Marriage Bill allows men (2) ___________________ wives as they want. Men will soon be able to marry other women (3) ___________________ their wife. There was a big argument between the male and female politicians. Many female lawmakers walked (4) ___________________ in anger. The law was going to make it illegal to have more than one wife, but male lawmakers changed their mind. One male politician said (5) ___________________ women. He said that for the first time, women who get divorced would have 30 per cent of the family house (6) ___________________ value belonging to the couple.

Kenyan politician Samuel Chepkong'a said the (7) ___________________ keeps alive Kenya's traditions. He told reporters: "When you marry an African woman, she must know the second (8) ___________________ way, and a third wife. This is Africa." Kenya's Nation newspaper said the law did not show Kenya as a modern country. It wrote: "This is a [backwards] move that is simply (9) ___________________ into the Dark Ages, at a time when we should (10) ___________________ family values." Female politician Sopian Tuya said the law was unfair to the first wife because the second wife would take all the money. She also warned men (11) ___________________, saying: "We know that men are afraid (12) ___________________ more than anything else."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Who did Kenya's new marriage law anger?

2.

How many wives will Kenyan men be able to have?

3.

What did female politicians do during a debate?

4.

What was the law originally going to do?

5.

How much will a woman get after a divorce?

6.

What did a politician say the law kept alive?

7.

What did a newspaper say the law showed?

8.

What did the newspaper say should be getting stronger?

9.

What might a second wife do?

10.

What did a female politician say women were most afraid of?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Who did Kenya's new marriage law anger?

6.

What did a politician say the law kept alive?

 

a) men
b) married couples
c) divorced couples
d) female lawmakers

 

a) Kenya's population
b) men
c) Kenya's traditions
d) family

2.

How many wives will Kenyan men be able to have?

7.

What did a newspaper say the law showed?

 

a) still to be decided
b) as many as they want
c) 5
d) a maximum of 19

 

a) Kenya wasn't modern
b) men like getting married
c) women are more sensible
d) the news

3.

What did female politicians do during a debate?

8.

What did the newspaper say should be getting stronger?

 

a) sing
b) sit in silence
c) lock the doors
d) walk out

 

a) men's marriage duties
b) women
c) family values
d) politicians

4.

What was the law originally going to do?

9.

What might a second wife do?

 

a) ban divorce
b) let women have many husbands
c) make having more than one wife illegal
d) increase the marrying age to 21

 

a) fight the first wife
b) take all the money
c) say "no more wives"
d) marry in secret

5.

How much will a woman get after a divorce?

10.

What did a female politician say women were most afraid of?

 

a) 60%
b) 50%
c) 40%
d) 30%

 

a) women's tongues
b) loneliness
c) themselves
d) divorce

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Love

You think love is most important in a marriage. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them reasons why these things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): conversation, respect or faithfulness.

Role  B – Conversation

You think conversation is most important in a marriage. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them reasons why these things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): love, respect or faithfulness.

Role  C – Respect

You think respect is most important in a marriage. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them reasons why these things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): conversation, love or faithfulness.

Role  D – Faithfulness

You think faithfulness is most important in a marriage. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them reasons why these things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): conversation, respect or love.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

male

female

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • agreed
  • want
  • walked
  • mind
  • first
  • couple
  • alive
  • way
  • move
  • values
  • money
  • afraid

MARRIAGE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about marriage in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

MARRIAGE DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'marriage'?

c)

What do you think of Kenya's new law?

d)

What three adjectives best describe this news for you?

e)

Why would a man want more than one wife?

f)

If some cultures allow more than one married partner, should we respect their tradition?

g)

Why do most people believe just one married partner is best?

h)

What can Kenya's women do to change this law?

i)

Is 30% of the house and money in a divorce still very unfair?

j)

Should Kenya let women have more than one husband?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Why would a woman marry a man who will have many wives?

c)

Is Kenya's 'Nation' newspaper right in saying the law is backwards?

d)

What is the Dark Ages?

e)

What family values need strengthening in your country?

f)

What are the biggest problems married couples have?

g)

Who is the new law unfair to most?

h)

Should there be a world law on marriage?

i)

Are men afraid of women's tongues?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the leader of Kenya?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

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

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The government in Kenya has agreed (1) ____ a new law on marriage. It has made many female politicians very (2) ____. The Marriage Bill allows men to have as many wives as they want. Men will soon be able to marry (3) ____ women without even telling their wife. There was a big argument between the male and female politicians. Many female lawmakers walked (4) ____ of the debate in anger. The law was going to make it illegal to have more than one wife, but male lawmakers changed their (5) ____. One male politician said the law was fair to women. He said that for the first time, women who get divorced would have 30 per cent of the family house and other things of value (6) ____ to the couple.

Kenyan politician Samuel Chepkong'a said the new law simply (7) ____ alive Kenya's traditions. He told reporters: "When you marry an African woman, she must know the second one is on the (8) ____, and a third wife. This is Africa." Kenya's Nation newspaper said the law did not show Kenya as a modern country. It wrote: "This is a [backwards] (9) ____ that is simply taking us back into the Dark Ages, at a time when we should be strengthening (10) ____ values." Female politician Sopian Tuya said the law was unfair to the first wife because the second wife would take (11) ____ the money. She also warned men about marrying in secret, saying: "We know that men are afraid (12) ____ women's tongues more than anything else."

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

1.

(a)

in

(b)

at

(c)

by

(d)

on

2.

(a)

anger

(b)

angered

(c)

angers

(d)

angry

3.

(a)

others

(b)

other

(c)

the others

(d)

another

4.

(a)

up

(b)

in

(c)

out

(d)

to

5.

(a)

brain

(b)

head

(c)

mind

(d)

brain

6.

(a)

belonging

(b)

belongings

(c)

belonged

(d)

belong

7.

(a)

takes

(b)

keeps

(c)

stays

(d)

gives

8.

(a)

way

(b)

weigh

(c)

why

(d)

whey

9.

(a)

movie

(b)

move

(c)

moved

(d)

movements

10.

(a)

familiar

(b)

familiarize

(c)

family

(d)

family tree

11.

(a)

every

(b)

spend

(c)

all

(d)

whole

12.

(a)

by

(b)

at

(c)

on

(d)

of

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

a new law on raeaimrg

2.

female sotcinipila

3.

There was a big rmeganut

4.

make it eglllai to have more than one wife

5.

get dodciver

6.

things of value elgngionb to the couple

Paragraph 2

7.

the new law simply keeps alive Kenya's ntrtodsiai

8.

a nmdeor country

9.

we should be nihenttrggnse family values

10.

the law was rinfau to the first wife

11.

marrying in tcrese

12.

men are afraid of women's esotgnu

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

argument between the male and female politicians. Many female lawmakers walked out of the debate

(    )

as they want. Men will soon be able to marry other women without even telling their wife. There was a big

(    )

divorced would have 30 per cent of the family house and other things of value belonging to the couple.

(    )

Dark Ages, at a time when we should be strengthening family values." Female politician Sopian Tuya said the law was

(    )

traditions. He told reporters: "When you marry an African woman, she must know the second one is on

(    )

secret, saying: "We know that men are afraid of women's tongues more than anything else."

(    )

mind. One male politician said the law was fair to women. He said that for the first time, women who get

(    )

in anger. The law was going to make it illegal to have more than one wife, but male lawmakers changed their

(    )

unfair to the first wife because the second wife would take all the money. She also warned men about marrying in

(    )

country. It wrote: "This is a [backwards] move that is simply taking us back into the

(    )

the way, and a third wife. This is Africa." Kenya's Nation newspaper said the law did not show Kenya as a modern

(    )

politicians very angry. The Marriage Bill allows men to have as many wives

(    )

Kenyan politician Samuel Chepkong'a said the new law simply keeps alive Kenya's

1  )

The government in Kenya has agreed on a new law on marriage. It has made many female

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

law     The    government    in    Kenya    has    agreed     on    a    new.    

2.

to     have     as     many     wives     as     they    want    Allows    men.    

3.

walked     the     anger    lawmakers    of    in    Female    out    debate.    

4.

fair     to     women    One    male    politician    said    the    law    was.    

5.

the     of     couple     value     belonging     Other     to     things.    

6.

.     law     The     traditions     alive     simply    new    keeps    Kenya's

7.

the     second     one     is     on     the     way     She     must     know.    

8.

country     The     law     did     not    show    Kenya    as    a    modern.    

9.

men     about     She     marrying     also     in     warned     secret.    

10.

afraid     tongues     know     are     women's     We     men     of    that.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The government in Kenya has agreed / agreeing on a new law on marriage. It has made many female politicians very anger / angry. The Marriage Bill allows men to have as many / much wives as they want. Men will soon be able to marry other women without even told / telling their wife. There was a big arguing / argument between the male and female politicians. Many female lawmakers walked out / in of the debate in anger. The law was going to make it illegal / legally to have more than one wife, but male lawmakers changed their mind / mindless. One male politician said the law was fair to women. He said that for the first time, women who get divorcee / divorced would have 30 per cent of the family house and other things of valuable / value belonging to the couple.

Kenyan politician Samuel Chepkong'a said the new law simply keeps life / alive Kenya's traditions. He told reporters: "When you marriage / marry an African woman, she must know the second two / one is on the way, and a third wife. This is / isn't Africa." Kenya's Nation newspaper said the law did not show / showing Kenya as a modern country. It wrote: "This is a [backwards] move that is simple / simply taking us back into the Dark Ages, at a time when we should be strengthening / strongest family values." Female politician Sopian Tuya said the law was unfairly / unfair to the first wife because the second wife would take whole / all the money. She also warned men about marrying in secret, saying: "We know that men are afraid of women's tongues more than anything / nothing else."

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_ g_v_rnm_nt _n K_ny_ h_s _gr__d _n _ n_w l_w _n m_rr__g_. _t h_s m_d_ m_ny f_m_l_ p_l_t_c__ns v_ry _ngry. Th_ M_rr__g_ B_ll _ll_ws m_n t_ h_v_ _s m_ny w_v_s _s th_y w_nt. M_n w_ll s__n b_ _bl_ t_ m_rry _th_r w_m_n w_th__t _v_n t_ll_ng th__r w_f_. Th_r_ w_s _ b_g _rg_m_nt b_tw__n th_ m_l_ _nd f_m_l_ p_l_t_c__ns. M_ny f_m_l_ l_wm_k_rs w_lk_d __t _f th_ d_b_t_ _n _ng_r. Th_ l_w w_s g__ng t_ m_k_ _t _ll_g_l t_ h_v_ m_r_ th_n _n_ w_f_, b_t m_l_ l_wm_k_rs ch_ng_d th__r m_nd. _n_ m_l_ p_l_t_c__n s__d th_ l_w w_s f__r t_ w_m_n. H_ s__d th_t f_r th_ f_rst t_m_, w_m_n wh_ g_t d_v_rc_d w__ld h_v_ 30 p_r c_nt _f th_ f_m_ly h__s_ _nd _th_r th_ngs _f v_l__ b_l_ng_ng t_ th_ c__pl_.

K_ny_n p_l_t_c__n S_m__l Ch_pk_ng'_ s__d th_ n_w l_w s_mply k__ps _l_v_ K_ny_'s tr_d_t__ns. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "Wh_n y__ m_rry _n _fr_c_n w_m_n, sh_ m_st kn_w th_ s_c_nd _n_ _s _n th_ w_y, _nd _ th_rd w_f_. Th_s _s _fr_c_." K_ny_'s N_t__n n_wsp_p_r s__d th_ l_w d_d n_t sh_w K_ny_ _s _ m_d_rn c__ntry. _t wr_t_: "Th_s _s _ [b_ckw_rds] m_v_ th_t _s s_mply t_k_ng _s b_ck _nt_ th_ D_rk _g_s, _t _ t_m_ wh_n w_ sh__ld b_ str_ngth_n_ng f_m_ly v_l__s." F_m_l_ p_l_t_c__n S_p__n T_y_ s__d th_ l_w w_s _nf__r t_ th_ f_rst w_f_ b_c__s_ th_ s_c_nd w_f_ w__ld t_k_ _ll th_ m_n_y. Sh_ _ls_ w_rn_d m_n _b__t m_rry_ng _n s_cr_t, s_y_ng: "W_ kn_w th_t m_n _r_ _fr__d _f w_m_n's t_ng__s m_r_ th_n _nyth_ng _ls_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the government in kenya has agreed on a new law on marriage it has made many female politicians very angry the marriage bill allows men to have as many wives as they want men will soon be able to marry other women without even telling their wife there was a big argument between the male and female politicians many female lawmakers walked out of the debate in anger the law was going to make it illegal to have more than one wife but male lawmakers changed their mind one male politician said the law was fair to women he said that for the first time women who get divorced would have 30 per cent of the family house and other things of value belonging to the couple

kenyan politician samuel chepkong'a said the new law simply keeps alive kenya's traditions he told reporters "when you marry an african woman she must know the second one is on the way and a third wife this is africa" kenya's nation newspaper said the law did not show kenya as a modern country it wrote "this is a [backwards] move that is simply taking us back into the dark ages at a time when we should be strengthening family values" female politician sopian tuya said the law was unfair to the first wife because the second wife would take all the money she also warned men about marrying in secret saying "we know that men are afraid of women's tongues more than anything else"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ThegovernmentinKenyahasagreedonanewlawonmarriage.Ithas
mademanyfemalepoliticiansveryangry.TheMarriageBillallowsme
ntohaveasmanywivesastheywant.Menwillsoonbeabletomarryot
herwomenwithouteventellingtheirwife.Therewasabigargumentb
etweenthemaleandfemalepoliticians.Manyfemalelawmakerswal
kedoutofthedebateinanger.Thelawwasgoingtomakeitillegaltoha
vemorethanonewife,butmalelawmakerschangedtheirmind.One
malepoliticiansaidthelawwasfairtowomen.Hesaidthatforthefirstti
me,womenwhogetdivorcedwouldhave30percentofthefamilyhou
seandotherthingsofvaluebelongingtothecouple.Kenyanpolitician
SamuelChepkong'asaidthenewlawsimplykeepsaliveKenya'stradi
tions.Hetoldreporters:"WhenyoumarryanAfricanwoman,shamus
tknowthesecondoneisontheway,andathirdwife.ThisisAfrica."Ken
ya'sNationnewspapersaidthelawdidnotshowKenyaasamodernco
untry.Itwrote:"Thisisa[backwards]movethatissimplytakingusba
ckintotheDarkAges,atatimewhenweshouldbestrengtheningfamil
yvalues."FemalepoliticianSopianTuyasaidthelawwasunfairtothef
irstwifebecausethesecondwifewouldtakeallthemoney.Shealsow
arnedmenaboutmarryinginsecret,saying:"Weknowthatmenarea
fraidofwomen'stonguesmorethananythingelse."

FREE WRITING

Write about marriage for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

A man or woman can have only one married partner in their whole life. 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 polygamy around the work. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. KENYA LAW: Write a magazine article about Kenya's new marriage. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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 marriage. Ask him/her three questions about marriage. Give him/her three of your thoughts on how to keep marriages happy. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

agreed

a.

settled

2.

argument

b.

fight

3.

anger

c.

rage

4.

illegal

d.

unlawful

5.

belonging to

e.

owned by

6.

traditions

f.

customs

7.

modern

g.

up to date

8.

strengthening

h.

reinforcing

9.

warned

i.

cautioned

10.

afraid

j.

scared

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Female politicians

2.

As many as they want

3.

They walked out

4.

Make it illegal to have more than one wife

5.

30%

6.

Kenya's traditions

7.

That Kenya wasn't a modern country

8.

Family ties

9.

Take all the money

10.

Women's tongues

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

d

4.

c

5.

d

6.

c

7.

a

8.

c

9.

b

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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