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* 26-page lesson
    (40 exercises)

 

* 2-page MINI
    lesson    (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (Canada female)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation -
    (10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
    (100 - 300 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

  Toilet paper shortage ends in Venezuela (24th May, 2013)

Venezuela's government has come up with a plan to end the country's shortage of toilet paper. There was a danger that shops would have no toilet paper to sell. Even though Venezuela is rich in oil, it has difficulty in paying for things from other countries. This is because of controls on the Venezuelan currency. The government has decided to spend $79 million on buying 39 million rolls of toilet paper to make sure people do not run out. The money will also be used to buy toothpaste and soap. People around the country have to wait in long lines at supermarkets and pharmacies to buy basic things, sometimes for days. They then buy all they can, which means stores run out quickly.


 

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said the shortage of toilet paper was because of rich people and those who are unhappy with the government. He did not say why these people's actions meant the country almost ran out of basic supplies. Economists say the way the government runs the economy led to the shortages. The government keeps prices low for many goods, which means Venezuelan companies find it hard to produce things and make a profit. The price controls also push up inflation because when there is a shortage of something, people will pay a higher price to get it. Venezuela has the highest rate of inflation in Latin America. The current rate is about 25 per cent.

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22621833
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2013/05/22/venezuela-toilet-paper-shortage-appears-to-have-end-in-sight/#ixzz2U4qH0jec
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/22/venezuela-toilet-paper-shortage-79-million_n_3317221.html


 
 

WARM-UPS

1. TOILET PAPER: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about toilet paper. 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.

 

Venezuela / plan / danger / shortages / currency / run out of things / toothpaste / president / unhappy / basic supplies / economy / companies / profit / Latin America

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

3. SHORTAGE: What would you do if you were running out of these things? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s).

Shortage of…

How big a problem?

What would you do?

toilet paper

 

 

money

 

 

water

 

 

breath

 

 

time to study

 

 

other _______

 

 

4. IMPORTANT: Students A strongly believe that toilet paper is one of the most important things we must buy; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. ESSENTIALS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the things you need most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • toilet paper
  • mobile phone
  • toothpaste
  • bicycle
  • chocolate
  • Internet
  • deodorant
  • music

6. DANGER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'danger'. 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.

Venezuela has found a way to make sure people have toilet paper.

T / F

b.

Most of the shops in Venezuela had no toilet paper to sell.

T / F

c.

Venezuela's government bought 79 million toilet rolls.

T / F

d.

Sometimes people had to wait in line for days to buy toilet paper.

T / F

e.

Venezuela's leader said rich people caused the shortage of toilet paper.

T / F

f.

Economists agreed that rich people's actions led to the shortage.

T / F

g.

It is difficult for many Venezuelan companies to make a profit.

T / F

h.

Venezuela has one of Latin America's lowest rates of inflation.

T / F

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

1.

come up with

a.

use up

2.

danger

b.

stocks

3.

difficulty

c.

simple

4.

run out of

d.

make

5.

basic

e.

thought of

6.

rich

f.

present

7.

supplies

g.

increase

8.

produce

h.

risk

9.

push up

i.

wealthy

10.

current

j.

problems

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

1.

come up

a.

in paying for things

2.

end the country's

b.

runs the economy

3.

it has difficulty

c.

all they can

4.

wait in

d.

up inflation

5.

They then buy

e.

shortage of toilet paper

6.

ran out

f.

low for many goods

7.

the way the government

g.

with a plan

8.

The government keeps prices

h.

about 25 per cent

9.

push

i.

of basic supplies

10.

The current rate is

j.

long lines

 

GAP FILL

Venezuela's government has come (1) ____________ with a plan to end the country's shortage of toilet paper. There was a (2) ____________ that shops would have no toilet paper to sell. Even though Venezuela is rich in oil, it has difficulty (3) ____________ paying for things from other countries. This is because of controls on the Venezuelan (4) ____________. The government has decided to spend $79 million on buying 39 million rolls of toilet paper to (5) ____________ sure people do not run out. The money will also be (6) ____________ to buy toothpaste and soap. People around the country have to wait in long (7) ____________ at supermarkets and pharmacies to buy basic things, sometimes for days. They then buy all they can, which means stores (8) ____________ out quickly.

 

 

currency
lines
danger
used
up
run
in
make

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said the shortage of toilet paper was because of (9) ____________ people and those who are unhappy with the government. He did not say why these people's actions meant the country almost ran out of (10) ____________ supplies. Economists say the (11) _________ the government runs the economy (12) ____________ to the shortages. The government keeps prices low for many goods, which means Venezuelan companies find it (13) ____________ to produce things and make a profit. The price controls also (14) ____________ up inflation because when there is a shortage of something, people will pay a higher price to get it. Venezuela has the highest (15) ____________ of inflation in Latin America. The (16) ____________ rate is about 25 per cent.

 

hard
way
rate
rich
current
push
basic
led

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

______ plan to end the country's shortage of toilet paper

 

a.  come up with a
b.  came up with a
c.  coming up with a
d.  comes up with a

2)

a danger that shops would have no toilet ______

 

a.  paper to selling
b.  paper to sale
c.  paper to sell
d.  paper to sells

3)

it has difficulty in paying for things ______

 

a.  from another country
b.  from all other countries
c.  from the other countries
d.  from other countries

4)

wait in long lines at supermarkets and pharmacies to ______

 

a.  buy basic thing
b.  buy basically things
c.  buy basics things
d.  buy basic things

5)

They then buy all they can, which means stores ______

 

a.  run up quickly
b.  run out quickly
c.  run over quickly
d.  run in quickly

6)

the shortage of toilet paper was because of rich people and those who are ______

 

a.  unhappy with the government
b.  unhappy at the government
c.  unhappy without the government
d.  unhappy within the government

7)

He did not say why these people meant the country almost ran out ______

 

a.  of basic suppliers
b.  of basic supplies
c.  of basic supply
d.  of basic surprise

8)

Venezuelan companies find it hard to produce things and ______

 

a.  make a profit
b.  make the profit
c.  make any profit
d.  make big profits

9)

The price controls also push up inflation because when there is a ______

 

a.  shortage of some thing
b.  shortage of something
c.  shortage of some things
d.  shortage if some thing

10)

The current rate is ______

 

a.  about 20 per cent
b.  around 25 per cent
c.  around 20 per cent
d.  about 25 per cent

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Venezuela's government has come (1) _____________________ end the country's shortage of toilet paper. (2) _____________________ shops would have no toilet paper to sell. Even though Venezuela is rich in oil, it has difficulty (3) _______________________ other countries. This is because of controls on the Venezuelan currency. The government has decided to spend $79 million (4) _____________________ rolls of toilet paper to make sure people do not run out. The money will (5) _____________________ toothpaste and soap. People around the country have to wait in long lines at supermarkets and pharmacies to buy basic things, sometimes for days. They (6) _____________________, which means stores run out quickly.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said the shortage of toilet paper was because of rich people and (7) _____________________ with the government. He did not say why these people's actions meant the country almost ran (8) _____________________. Economists say the way the government runs the economy led to the shortages. The government (9) _____________________ many goods, which means Venezuelan companies find it hard to produce (10) ______________________. The price (11) _____________________ inflation because when there is a shortage of something, people will pay a higher price to get it. Venezuela has the highest rate of inflation in Latin America. (12) _________________ 25 per cent.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Who thought of a plan to end a toilet paper shortage?

2.

What danger did the article describe?

3.

What is it difficult for Venezuela to do?

4.

What other things did Venezuela spend $79 million on?

5.

How long did people have to wait to buy toilet paper?

6.

Who did Venezuela's leader say created the shortage?

7.

Who did economists say created the shortages?

8.

What is it difficult for Venezuelan companies to do?

9.

What do price controls do?

10.

Which South American country has the highest inflation rate?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Who thought of a plan to end a toilet paper shortage?

6.

Who did Venezuela's leader say created the shortage?

 

a) the boss of a toilet paper company
b) Venezuela's government
c) an economist
d) a supermarket worker

 

a) wealthy people
b) foreign governments
c) toilet paper makers
d) supermarkets and pharmacies

2.

What danger did the article describe?

7.

Who did economists say created the shortages?

 

a) toilet paper riots in the streets
b) $10 for one roll of toilet paper
c) stores running out of toilet paper
d) everyone getting diarrhoea

 

a) people who go to the toilet too often
b) the whole world
c) the company P&G
d) Venezuela's government

3.

What is it difficult for Venezuela to do?

8.

What is it difficult for Venezuelan companies to do?

 

a) find 39 million toilet paper rolls
b) make its own toilet paper
c) spend its oil money
d) pay for foreign goods

 

a) push up inflation
b) sell toilet paper
c) make profits
d) make 4-ply toilet paper

4.

What other things did Venezuela spend $79 million on?

9.

What do price controls do?

 

a) washing-up liquid and bleach
b) deodorant and mouthwash
c) toothpaste and soap
d) lipstick and mascara

 

a) make people richer
b) help rich people
c) lower inflation
d) increase inflation

5.

How long did people have to wait to buy toilet paper?

10.

Which South American country has the highest inflation rate?

 

a) days
b) weeks
c) months
d) 7 hours

 

a) Brazil
b) Venezuela
c) Bolivia
d) Argentina

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Toilet paper

You think toilet paper is the most essential thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least essential of these (and why): toothbrushes, soap or deodorant.

Role  B – Toothbrush

You think toothbrushes are the most essential things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least essential of these (and why): toilet paper, soap or deodorant.

Role  C – Soap

You think soap is the most essential thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least essential of these (and why): toothbrushes, toilet paper or deodorant.

Role  D – Deodorant

You think deodorant is the most essential thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least essential of these (and why): toothbrushes, soap or toilet paper.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

toilet

paper

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • come
  • danger
  • currency
  • 39
  • soap
  • stores
  • rich
  • actions
  • economy
  • profit
  • higher
  • 25

TOILET PAPER SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about toilet paper 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.

TOILET PAPER 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 'toilet paper'?

c)

How important is toilet paper in our life?

d)

What do you think of an oil-rich country running low on toilet paper?

e)

Which is more important, toilet paper or a newspaper?

f)

Do you think 39 million rolls of toilet paper is enough?

g)

How long would you wait in line for toilet paper?

h)

What would you do if you ran out of toilet paper?

i)

What is the best toilet paper in the world?

j)

How do they make toilet paper?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

How could rich people cause the toilet paper shortage?

c)

What would you think of your government if there was no toilet paper?

d)

Is the word "toilet paper" a good word or is there a better word?

e)

Which is better - white, coloured or patterned toilet paper?

f)

What's the maximum you would pay for a roll of toilet paper?

g)

Have you ever had a bad "toilet paper experience"?

h)

What are the good and bad things about toilet paper?

i)

What kind of toilet paper might we use in 100 years from now?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the boss of a toilet paper maker?

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.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

Venezuela's government has (1) ____ up with a plan to end the country's shortage of toilet paper. There was a (2) ____ that shops would have no toilet paper to sell. Even though Venezuela is rich in oil, it has difficulty (3) ____ paying for things from other countries. This is because of controls on the Venezuelan currency. The government has decided to (4) ____ $79 million on buying 39 million rolls of toilet paper to make sure people do not run out. The money will also be used to buy toothpaste and soap. People around the country have to wait in long (5) ____ at supermarkets and pharmacies to buy basic things, sometimes for days. They then buy all they can, which means stores run out (6) ____.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said the shortage of toilet paper was because of rich people and those who are unhappy (7) ____ the government. He did not say why these people's actions (8) ____ the country almost ran out of basic supplies. Economists say the way the government runs the economy led to the shortages. The government (9) ____ prices low for many goods, which means Venezuelan companies (10) ____ it hard to produce things and make a profit. The price controls also push (11) ____ inflation because when there is a shortage of something, people will pay a higher price to get it. Venezuela has the highest rate of inflation in Latin America. The (12) ____ rate is about 25 per cent.

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

1.

(a)

came

(b)

coming

(c)

come

(d)

comes

2.

(a)

danger

(b)

dangerous

(c)

endanger

(d)

dangers

3.

(a)

in

(b)

on

(c)

by

(d)

at

4.

(a)

cost

(b)

spend

(c)

profit

(d)

purchase

5.

(a)

aisles

(b)

channels

(c)

roads

(d)

lines

6.

(a)

quick

(b)

quickly

(c)

quicken

(d)

quickened

7.

(a)

with

(b)

by

(c)

at

(d)

of

8.

(a)

meaning

(b)

meanies

(c)

meant

(d)

meanings

9.

(a)

stays

(b)

stills

(c)

lasts

(d)

keeps

10.

(a)

find

(b)

search

(c)

recover

(d)

look

11.

(a)

in

(b)

up

(c)

over

(d)

down

12.

(a)

currant

(b)

currently

(c)

current

(d)

currency

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

Venezuela's geneorvmtn

2.

it has ifdityfluc in paying for things

3.

controls on the Venezuelan urcnyrce

4.

decided to spend $79 nimliol

5.

thatptoseo and soap

6.

supermarkets and erasimpcha

Paragraph 2

7.

ran out of basic pesulpsi

8.

sostoecmni say…

9.

hard to edoucpr things

10.

make a porfti

11.

rate of fnnilaoti

12.

the ruetrnc rate

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said the shortage of toilet paper was because of rich

(    )

in paying for things from other countries. This is because of controls on the Venezuelan currency. The government has

(    )

controls also push up inflation because when there is a shortage of something, people will pay a higher price to

(    )

Venezuelan companies find it hard to produce things and make a profit. The price

1  )

Venezuela's government has come up with a plan to end the country's shortage of toilet paper. There was a

(    )

danger that shops would have no toilet paper to sell. Even though Venezuela is rich in oil, it has difficulty

(    )

sure people do not run out. The money will also be used to buy toothpaste

(    )

get it. Venezuela has the highest rate of inflation in Latin America. The current rate is about 25 per cent.

(    )

decided to spend $79 million on buying 39 million rolls of toilet paper to make

(    )

people and those who are unhappy with the government. He did not say why these people's

(    )

things, sometimes for days. They then buy all they can, which means stores run out quickly.

(    )

actions meant the country almost ran out of basic supplies. Economists say the way the government runs the

(    )

and soap. People around the country have to wait in long lines at supermarkets and pharmacies to buy basic

(    )

economy led to the shortages. The government keeps prices low for many goods, which means

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

plan     come     up     Venezuela's     with     government     a     has.    

2.

shops     no     that     have     paper     danger     would     toilet     A.    

3.

39     buying     rolls     $79     on     million     Spend     million.    

4.

be     buy     The     also     to     will     used     toothpaste     money.    

5.

have    to    wait    in    long   lines    People     around    the    country.    

6.

of    was    rich   shortage   paper    of   The    toilet   because    people.

7.

out     the     country     People's     almost     actions     ran     meant.    

8.

government     many     keeps     goods     prices     low     The     for.    

9.

inflation     up     push     also     controls     price     The.    

10.

the     highest     rate     of     inflation     Venezuela     .     has

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Venezuela's government has come / coming up with a plan to end the country's shortage for / of toilet paper. There was a danger that shops would have no toilet paper to sale / sell. Even though Venezuela is rich in oil, it has difficulty in / on paying for things from other countries. This is because of controls on the Venezuelan currants / currency. The government has decided to spend $79 million on / of buying 39 million rolls of toilet paper to make take / sure people do not run out. The money will also be used to buy toothpaste and soap. People around the country have to wait in long aisles / lines at supermarkets and pharmacies to buy basically / basic things, sometimes for days. They then buy all they can, which means stores run out quickly / quick.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said the shortage of toilet paper was because of rich people and those who are unhappy / unhappiness with the government. He did not say why these people's actions meaning / meant the country almost ran out of basically / basic supplies. Economists say the way the government runs / ruins the economy led to the shortages. The government keeps / stays prices low for many goods / goodies, which means Venezuelan companies find it solid / hard to produce things and make a profit / money. The price controls also push up / over inflation because when there is a shortage of something, people will pay a higher price to get it. Venezuela has the highest rate of inflation in Latin America. The currant / current rate is about 25 per cent.

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)

V_n_z__l_'s g_v_rnm_nt h_s c_m_ _p w_th _ pl_n t_ _nd th_ c__ntry's sh_rt_g_ _f t__l_t p_p_r. Th_r_ w_s _ d_ng_r th_t sh_ps w__ld h_v_ n_ t__l_t p_p_r t_ s_ll. _v_n th__gh V_n_z__l_ _s r_ch _n __l, _t h_s d_ff_c_lty _n p_y_ng f_r th_ngs fr_m _th_r c__ntr__s. Th_s _s b_c__s_ _f c_ntr_ls _n th_ V_n_z__l_n c_rr_ncy. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt h_s d_c_d_d t_ sp_nd $79 m_ll__n _n b_y_ng 39 m_ll__n r_lls _f t__l_t p_p_r t_ m_k_ s_r_ p__pl_ d_ n_t r_n __t. Th_ m_n_y w_ll _ls_ b_ _s_d t_ b_y t__thp_st_ _nd s__p. P__pl_ _r__nd th_ c__ntry h_v_ t_ w__t _n l_ng l_n_s _t s_p_rm_rk_ts _nd ph_rm_c__s t_ b_y b_s_c th_ngs, s_m_t_m_s f_r d_ys. Th_y th_n b_y _ll th_y c_n, wh_ch m__ns st_r_s r_n __t q__ckly.

V_n_z__l_'s Pr_s_d_nt N_c_l_s M_d_r_ s__d th_ sh_rt_g_ _f t__l_t p_p_r w_s b_c__s_ _f r_ch p__pl_ _nd th_s_ wh_ _r_ _nh_ppy w_th th_ g_v_rnm_nt. H_ d_d n_t s_y why th_s_ p__pl_'s _ct__ns m__nt th_ c__ntry _lm_st r_n __t _f b_s_c s_ppl__s. _c_n_m_sts s_y th_ w_y th_ g_v_rnm_nt r_ns th_ _c_n_my l_d t_ th_ sh_rt_g_s. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt k__ps pr_c_s l_w f_r m_ny g__ds, wh_ch m__ns V_n_z__l_n c_mp_n__s f_nd _t h_rd t_ pr_d_c_ th_ngs _nd m_k_ _ pr_f_t. Th_ pr_c_ c_ntr_ls _ls_ p_sh _p _nfl_t__n b_c__s_ wh_n th_r_ _s _ sh_rt_g_ _f s_m_th_ng, p__pl_ w_ll p_y _ h_gh_r pr_c_ t_ g_t _t. V_n_z__l_ h_s th_ h_gh_st r_t_ _f _nfl_t__n _n L_t_n _m_r_c_. Th_ c_rr_nt r_t_ _s _b__t 25 p_r c_nt.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

venezuela's government has come up with a plan to end the country's shortage of toilet paper there was a danger that shops would have no toilet paper to sell even though venezuela is rich in oil it has difficulty in paying for things from other countries this is because of controls on the venezuelan currency the government has decided to spend $79 million on buying 39 million rolls of toilet paper to make sure people do not run out the money will also be used to buy toothpaste and soap people around the country have to wait in long lines at supermarkets and pharmacies to buy basic things sometimes for days they then buy all they can which means stores run out quickly

venezuela's president nicolas maduro said the shortage of toilet paper was because of rich people and those who are unhappy with the government he did not say why these people's actions meant the country almost ran out of basic supplies economists say the way the government runs the economy led to the shortages the government keeps prices low for many goods which means venezuelan companies find it hard to produce things and make a profit the price controls also push up inflation because when there is a shortage of something people will pay a higher price to get it venezuela has the highest rate of inflation in latin america the current rate is about 25 per cent

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Venezuela'sgovernmenthascomeupwithaplantoendthecountry'sshortageof
toiletpaper.Therewasadangerthatshopswouldhavenotoiletpapertosell.Even
thoughVenezuelaisrichinoil,ithasdifficultyinpayingforthingsfromothercountries.
ThisisbecauseofcontrolsontheVenezuelancurrency.Thegovernmenthasdecided
tospend$79milliononbuying39millionrollsoftoiletpapertomakesurepeopledonot
runout.Themoneywillalsobeusedtobuytoothpasteandsoap.Peoplearoundthe
countryhavetowaitinlonglinesatsupermarketsandpharmaciestobuybasicthings,
sometimesfordays.Theythenbuyalltheycan,whichmeansstoresrunoutquickly.
Venezuela'sPresidentNicolasMadurosaidtheshortageoftoiletpaperwasbecause
ofrichpeopleandthosewhoareunhappywiththegovernment.Hedidnotsaywhy
thesepeople'sactionsmeantthecountryalmostranoutofbasicsupplies.Economists
saythewaythegovernmentrunstheeconomyledtotheshortages.Thegovernment
keepspriceslowformanygoods,whichmeansVenezuelancompaniesfindithardto
producethingsandmakeaprofit.Thepricecontrolsalsopushupinflationbecause
whenthereisashortageofsomething,peoplewillpayahigherpricetogetit.Venezuela
hasthehighestrateofinflationinLatinAmerica.Thecurrentrateisabout25percent.

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Toilet paper is one of the most important things in 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 toilet paper. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. TOILET PAPER: Make a poster about toilet paper. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. SHORTAGES: Write a magazine article about shortages of basic things. Include imaginary interviews with people who ran out of them.

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 toilet paper. Ask him/her three questions about toilet paper. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

come up with

a.

use up

2.

danger

b.

stocks

3.

difficulty

c.

simple

4.

run out of

d.

make

5.

basic

e.

thought of

6.

rich

f.

present

7.

supplies

g.

increase

8.

produce

h.

risk

9.

push up

i.

wealthy

10.

current

j.

problems

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

The Venezuelan government

2.

Shops having no toilet paper to sell

3.

Pay for things from other countries

4.

Toothpaste and soap

5.

Days

6.

The rich and those unhappy with the government

7.

The government

8.

Make things and profits

9.

Push up inflation

10.

Venezuela

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

a

7.

d

8.

c

9.

d

10.

b

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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