The Reading / Listening - Level 3

A new study shows that having a low social status can be bad for our health. The study was on monkeys. Researchers from Duke University in the USA looked at the behaviour and health of 45 female monkeys and found that those with a lower social status had more health problems. The monkeys were split up into five groups of nine. The researchers gave the monkeys in each group time to get to know each other. Then they took one monkey from each group and put her into another group. This meant she was the "new girl" and was at the bottom of the group. When scientists checked the health of the monkeys, they found that the "new girl" was unhealthier than the other monkeys.

The researchers said that although their study focused on monkeys, the findings could also be true for humans because we share a lot of our DNA with monkeys. Professor Graham Rook, from University College London, told the BBC News that the findings of the study may also apply to humans. He said governments must understand that people with a lower social status suffer more from health problems. He said that just because "people at the bottom" have got cars and TVs, it does not mean they are happy. If they feel they are at the bottom compared with richer people, their health will worsen. People who are richer can live up to two decades longer than those who are poorer.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.nhs.uk/news/2016/11November/Pages/Low-social-status-damages-immune-function.aspx
  • http://www. bbc.com/news/health-38092146
  • https://www.newscientist.com/article/2114070-being-popular-is-good-for-health-in-monkeys-at-least/


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. SOCIAL STATUS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about social status. 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?

       study / health / behaviour / female / monkeys / split up / bottom / scientists /
       researchers / humans / DNA / governments / suffer / happy / richer people / decades

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

3. EQUAL: Students A strongly believe everyone in the world will be equal one day; Students B strongly believe that will never happen.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. SOCIAL STATUS: How important are these things? How do they show your social status? Talk about this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Car
  • Job
  • Education
  • House
  • Body language
  • Jewellery
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. HEALTH: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "health". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. HAPPINESS: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that make you the happiest at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • love
  • friends
  • sleep
  • nature
  • money
  • family
  • chocolate
  • mobile phone

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Research on monkeys shows a low social status is bad for our health.      T / F
  2. The study was conducted at a laboratory at Oxford University in the UK.  T / F
  3. Over 450 monkeys took part in the study.     T / F
  4. A monkey that was new to a group became the "top girl".     T / F
  5. A professor said the study's findings could also be true for humans.     T / F
  6. The professor said governments did not need this information.     T / F
  7. The professor said cars and TV do not mean poor people are happy.     T / F
  8. Richer people can live 20 years longer than poorer people.     T / F

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

  1. study
  2. found
  3. split
  4. each
  5. checked
  6. true
  7. apply
  8. suffer
  9. compared
  10. worsen
  1. the behaviour and health of 45 female
  2. The monkeys were split up into five
  3. they took one monkey
  4. scientists checked the
  5. the "new girl" was unhealthier than
  6. the findings could also
  7. we share a lot of our
  8. If they feel they are
  9. their health will
  10. People who are richer can live up

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

  1. the behaviour and health of 45 female
  2. The monkeys were split up into five
  3. they took one monkey
  4. scientists checked the
  5. the "new girl" was unhealthier than
  6. the findings could also
  7. we share a lot of our
  8. If they feel they are
  9. their health will
  10. People who are richer can live up
  1. health of the monkeys
  2. worsen
  3. be true for humans
  4. groups of nine
  5. to two decades longer
  6. from each group
  7. at the bottom
  8. the other monkeys
  9. DNA with monkeys
  10. monkeys

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
nine
having
meant
other
split
bottom
female
each

A new study shows that (1) ____________ a low social status can be bad for our health. The study was on monkeys. Researchers from Duke University in the USA looked at the behaviour and health of 45 (2) ____________ monkeys and found that those with a lower social status had more health problems. The monkeys were (3) ____________ up into five groups of (4) ____________. The researchers gave the monkeys in each group time to get to know (5) ____________ other. Then they took one monkey from each group and put her into another group. This (6) ____________ she was the "new girl" and was at the (7) ____________ of the group. When scientists checked the health of the monkeys, they found that the "new girl" was unhealthier than the (8) ____________ monkeys.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
findings
happy
decades
focused
DNA
worsen
true
suffer

The researchers said that although their study (9) ____________ on monkeys, the findings could also be (10) ____________ for humans because we share a lot of our (11) ____________ with monkeys. Professor Graham Rook, from University College London, told the BBC News that the (12) ____________ of the study may also apply to humans. He said governments must understand that people with a lower social status (13) ____________ more from health problems. He said that just because "people at the bottom" have got cars and TVs, it does not mean they are (14) ____________. If they feel they are at the bottom compared with richer people, their health will (15) ____________. People who are richer can live up to two (16) ____________ longer than those who are poorer.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A new study shows that having a low social status can ______ health
     a.  be bad from our
     b.  be bad for our
     c.  be badly for our
     d.  be bad for your

2)  The monkeys were split up into ______
     a.  five groups of nine
     b.  nine groups of five
     c.  five groupings of nine
     d.  nine groupings of five

3)  The researchers gave the monkeys in each group time to get to ______
     a.  known each other
     b.  knows each other
     c.  know each other
     d.  knowing each other

4)  This meant she was the "new girl" and was at the bottom ______
     a.  of a group
     b.  of the group
     c.  of that group
     d.  of this group

5)  they found that the "new girl" was unhealthier than the ______
     a.  another monkeys
     b.  other monkey
     c.  other monkeys
     d.  others monkeys

6)  … told the BBC News that the findings of the study may also ______
     a.  reply to humans
     b.  comply to humans
     c.  supply to humans
     d.  apply to humans

7) understand that people with a lower social status suffer more from ______
     a.  healthy problems
     b.  healthy problem
     c.  health problems
     d.  health problem

8) just because people at the bottom have got cars and TVs, it does not ______ happy
     a.  meant they are
     b.  meaning they are
     c.  mean they are
     d.  meant they are

9)  If they feel they are at the bottom compared with richer people, their ______
     a.  health will worsen
     b.  health will worsens
     c.  healthy will worsened
     d.  healthy will worsen

10)  People who are richer can live up to two decades longer than those ______
     a.  whom are poorer
     b.  who were poorer
     c.  who are poorest
     d.  who are poorer

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new study shows (1) ___________________ low social status can be bad for our health. The study was on monkeys. Researchers from Duke University in the USA (2) ___________________ behaviour and health of 45 female monkeys and found that those with a lower social status had more health problems. The monkeys were (3) ___________________ five groups of nine. The researchers gave the monkeys in each group time to get to know each other. Then (4) ___________________ monkey from each group and put her into another group. This (5) ___________________ the "new girl" and was at the bottom of the group. When scientists checked the health of the monkeys, they found that the "new girl" (6) ___________________ than the other monkeys.

The researchers said that although (7) ___________________ on monkeys, the findings could (8) ___________________ for humans because we share a lot of our DNA with monkeys. Professor Graham Rook, from University College London, told the BBC News that the (9) ___________________ study may also apply to humans. He said governments must understand that people with a lower social status (10) ___________________ health problems. He said that just because "people at the bottom" have got cars and TVs, it does not mean they are happy. If they (11) ___________________ at the bottom compared with richer people, their health will worsen. People who are richer can (12) ___________________ decades longer than those who are poorer.

Comprehension questions

  1. What university conducted the study?
  2. How many monkeys did researchers use in the study?
  3. How many groups did the researchers split the monkeys into?
  4. How many monkeys were changed and put in a new group?
  5. Which monkey became unhealthier?
  6. Who did a professor say the findings could also be true for?
  7. What did the professor say we share a lot of with monkeys?
  8. Who did the professor say must understand about lower social status?
  9. What did the professor say might not mean poorer people are happy?
  10. How much longer can richer people live?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What university conducted the study?
a) Sorbonne
b) Duke
c) Oxford
d) Primate

2)  How many monkeys did researchers use in the study?
a) 43
b) 44
c) 45
d) 46

3)  How many groups did the researchers split the monkeys into?
a) 8
b) 7
c) 6
d) 5

4)  How many monkeys were changed and put in a new group?
a) 5
b) 1
c) 3
d) 4

5)  Which monkey became unhealthier?
a) the "new girl"
b) the smallest one
c) the oldest one
d) Betty

6)  Who did a professor say the findings could also be true for?
a) humans
b) rats
c) scientists
d) men

7)  What did the professor say we share a lot of with monkeys?
a) jungle
b) bananas
c) laughs
d) DNA

8)  Who did the professor say must understand about lower social status?
a) females
b) researchers
c) governments
d) monkeys

9)  What did the professor say might not mean poorer people are happy?
a) pets
b) holidays
c) money
d) cars and TVs

10)  How much longer can richer people live?
a) 12 years
b) 20 years
c) 8 years
d) a few years

Role play

Role A — Money

You think money is the key to happiness. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things will not bring happiness. Also, tell the others which of these is the least likely to make you happy (and why): family, chocolate or sleep.

Role B — Family

You think family is the key to happiness. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things will not bring happiness. Also, tell the others which of these is the least likely to make you happy (and why): money, chocolate or sleep.

Role C — Chocolate

You think chocolate is the key to happiness. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things will not bring happiness. Also, tell the others which of these is the least likely to make you happy (and why): family, money or sleep.

Role D — Sleep

You think sleep is the key to happiness. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things will not bring happiness. Also, tell the others which of these is the least likely to make you happy (and why): family, chocolate or money.

After reading / listening

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

'social'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'status'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • although
    • lot
    • humans
    • just
    • feel
    • poorer
    • shows
    • 45
    • 9
    • another
    • one
    • checked

    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 - Low social status bad for health

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'monkey'?
    3. What do you know about social status?
    4. Why is social status important?
    5. What do you think about what you read?
    6. What different kinds of social status are there?
    7. Why might social status be bad for our health?
    8. What kind of social status do you think you have?
    9. How can the Internet change your social status?
    10. What is it like to be the new person in a group?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What things can change your social status?
    3. Could the same be true for human social status like it was for monkeys
    4. What can governments do to improve our social status?
    5. Do cars and other things make people happier?
    6. How can lots of money change your social status?
    7. Are rich people happier because of their social status?
    8. How would you like to change your social status?
    9. Who is social status more important for?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    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)

    A new study shows that having a low social status can be bad for our health. The study was (1) ____ monkeys. Researchers from Duke University in the USA looked at the behaviour and health of 45 (2) ____ monkeys and found that those with a lower social status had more health problems. The monkeys were split (3) ____ into five groups of nine. The researchers gave the monkeys in each group time to get to know (4) ____ other. Then they took one monkey from each group and put her into another group. This (5) ____ she was the "new girl" and was at the bottom of the group. When scientists (6) ____ the health of the monkeys, they found that the "new girl" was unhealthier than the other monkeys.

    The researchers said that (7) ____ their study focused on monkeys, the findings could also be true for humans because we share a lot of our (8) ____ with monkeys. Professor Graham Rook, from University College London, told the BBC News that the findings of the study may also apply (9) ____ humans. He said governments must understand that people with a lower social status suffer more from health problems. He said that just (10) ____ "people at the bottom" have got cars and TVs, it does not mean they are happy. If they feel they are at the bottom compared (11) ____ richer people, their health will worsen. People who are richer can live up (12) ____ two decades longer than those who are poorer.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     on     (b)     to     (c)     in     (d)     by    
    2. (a)     girl     (b)     female     (c)     women     (d)     feminine    
    3. (a)     to     (b)     on     (c)     up     (d)     over    
    4. (a)     one     (b)     every     (c)     all     (d)     each    
    5. (a)     means     (b)     meaning     (c)     meant     (d)     mean    
    6. (a)     ticked     (b)     checked     (c)     did     (d)     stored    
    7. (a)     however     (b)     although     (c)     anyway     (d)     but    
    8. (a)     bananas     (b)     DNA     (c)     jungle     (d)     research    
    9. (a)     of     (b)     by     (c)     to     (d)     on    
    10. (a)     while     (b)     that     (c)     so     (d)     because    
    11. (a)     on     (b)     by     (c)     at     (d)     with    
    12. (a)     of     (b)     on     (c)     by     (d)     to

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. rraeeerhscs from Duke University
    2. arieuohbv (UK)  /  ihorveab (USA) and health
    3. 45 mfeale monkeys
    4. The monkeys were ilpst up
    5. at the oobttm of the group
    6. uithharenle than the other monkeys

    Paragraph 2

    1. their study cdsuoef on monkeys
    2. the sngndfii could also be true for humans
    3. the study may also palyp to humans
    4. efsufr more from health problems
    5. opramecd with richer people
    6. live up to two dscadee longer

    Put the text back together

    (    )     other. Then they took one monkey from each group and put her into another group. This meant she was the

    (    )     up into five groups of nine. The researchers gave the monkeys in each group time to get to know each

    (    )     the health of the monkeys, they found that the "new girl" was unhealthier than the other monkeys.

    (    )     monkeys. Researchers from Duke University in the USA looked at the behaviour and health of 45 female monkeys and

    (    )     suffer more from health problems. He said that just because "people at the bottom" have got cars and

    (    )     from University College London, told the BBC News that the findings of the study may also

    (    )     true for humans because we share a lot of our DNA with monkeys. Professor Graham Rook,

    (    )     The researchers said that although their study focused on monkeys, the findings could also be

    (    )     apply to humans. He said governments must understand that people with a lower social status

    (    )     "new girl" and was at the bottom of the group. When scientists checked

    1  )     A new study shows that having a low social status can be bad for our health. The study was on

    (    )     TVs, it does not mean they are happy. If they feel they are at the bottom compared with richer people, their health

    (    )     found that those with a lower social status had more health problems. The monkeys were split

    (    )     will worsen. People who are richer can live up to two decades longer than those who are poorer.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. social   be   our   low   can   for   A   status   bad   health   .
    2. female   45   of   health   and   behaviour   The   monkeys   .
    3. nine   were   into   of   monkeys   up   groups   The   split   five   .
    4. each   gave   group   the   time   monkeys   The   in   researchers   .
    5. checked   scientists   When   monkeys   the   of   health   the   .
    6. findings   The   humans   for   true   be   also   could   .
    7. more   suffer   status   social   lower   a   with   People   .
    8. It   not   they   happy   does   mean   are   .
    9. at   richer   the   people   bottom   They   compared   are   with   .
    10. richer   can   live   up   to   two   decades   longer   People   who   are   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new study shows / showing that having a low social status can be bad for our healthy / health. The study was on / in monkeys. Researchers from Duke University in the USA looked at the behaviour and health of 45 female monkeys and found that them / those with a lower social status had more health problems. The monkeys were split down / up into five groups of nine. The researchers gave the monkeys in each / all group time to get to know each / one other. Then they took one monkey from each group and put her into another group. This meant / mean she was the "new girl" and was at the / a bottom of the group. When scientists checked the health of the monkeys, they found that the "new girl" was unhealthier than another / the other monkeys.

    The researchers said that although their study focusing / focused on monkeys, the findings could also be true / truth for humans because we share / shave a lot of / for our DNA with monkeys. Professor Graham Rook, from University College London, told the BBC News that the findings of the study may also apply / application to humans. He said governments must understand that people with a lower social status suffer / suffering more from health problems. He said that just because "people at the bottom" have got cars and TVs, it does not meaning / mean they are happy. If they feel they are at the bottom compared / comparison with richer people, their health will worse / worsen. People who are richer can live up / from to two decades longer than those who are poorer.

    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)

    _ n_w st_dy sh_ws th_t h_v_ng _ l_w s_c__l st_t_s c_n b_ b_d f_r __r h__lth. Th_ st_dy w_s _n m_nk_ys. R_s__rch_rs fr_m D_k_ _n_v_rs_ty _n th_ _S_ l__k_d _t th_ b_h_v___r _nd h__lth _f 45 f_m_l_ m_nk_ys _nd f__nd th_t th_s_ w_th _ l_w_r s_c__l st_t_s h_d m_r_ h__lth pr_bl_ms. Th_ m_nk_ys w_r_ spl_t _p _nt_ f_v_ gr__ps _f n_n_. Th_ r_s__rch_rs g_v_ th_ m_nk_ys _n __ch gr__p t_m_ t_ g_t t_ kn_w __ch _th_r. Th_n th_y t__k _n_ m_nk_y fr_m __ch gr__p _nd p_t h_r _nt_ _n_th_r gr__p. Th_s m__nt sh_ w_s th_ "n_w g_rl" _nd w_s _t th_ b_tt_m _f th_ gr__p. Wh_n sc__nt_sts ch_ck_d th_ h__lth _f th_ m_nk_ys, th_y f__nd th_t th_ "n_w g_rl" w_s _nh__lth__r th_n th_ _th_r m_nk_ys.

    Th_ r_s__rch_rs s__d th_t _lth__gh th__r st_dy f_c_s_d _n m_nk_ys, th_ f_nd_ngs c__ld _ls_ b_ tr__ f_r h_m_ns b_c__s_ w_ sh_r_ _ l_t _f __r DN_ w_th m_nk_ys. Pr_f_ss_r Gr_h_m R__k, fr_m _n_v_rs_ty C_ll_g_ L_nd_n, t_ld th_ BBC N_ws th_t th_ f_nd_ngs _f th_ st_dy m_y _ls_ _pply t_ h_m_ns. H_ s__d g_v_rnm_nts m_st _nd_rst_nd th_t p__pl_ w_th _ l_w_r s_c__l st_t_s s_ff_r m_r_ fr_m h__lth pr_bl_ms. H_ s__d th_t j_st b_c__s_ "p__pl_ _t th_ b_tt_m" h_v_ g_t c_rs _nd TVs, _t d__s n_t m__n th_y _r_ h_ppy. _f th_y f__l th_y _r_ _t th_ b_tt_m c_mp_r_d w_th r_ch_r p__pl_, th__r h__lth w_ll w_rs_n. P__pl_ wh_ _r_ r_ch_r c_n l_v_ _p t_ tw_ d_c_d_s l_ng_r th_n th_s_ wh_ _r_ p__r_r.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new study shows that having a low social status can be bad for our health the study was on monkeys researchers from duke university in the usa looked at the behaviour and health of 45 female monkeys and found that those with a lower social status had more health problems the monkeys were split up into five groups of nine the researchers gave the monkeys in each group time to get to know each other then they took one monkey from each group and put her into another group this meant she was the "new girl" and was at the bottom of the group when scientists checked the health of the monkeys they found that the "new girl" was unhealthier than the other monkeys

    the researchers said that although their study focused on monkeys the findings could also be true for humans because we share a lot of our dna with monkeys professor graham rook from university college london told the bbc news that the findings of the study may also apply to humans he said governments must understand that people with a lower social status suffer more from health problems he said that just because "people at the bottom" have got cars and tvs it does not mean they are happy if they feel they are at the bottom compared with richer people their health will worsen people who are richer can live up to two decades longer than those who are poorer

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Anewstudyshowsthathavingalowsocialstatuscanbebadforourhealth
    .Thestudywasonmonkeys.ResearchersfromDukeUniversityintheUS
    Alookedatthebehaviourandhealthof45femalemonkeysandfoundtha
    tthosewithalowersocialstatushadmorehealthproblems.Themonkeys
    weresplitupintofivegroupsofnine.Theresearchersgavethemonkeysi
    neachgrouptimetogettoknoweachother.Thentheytookonemonkeyfr
    omeachgroupandputherintoanothergroup.Thismeantshewasthe"ne
    wgirl"andwasatthebottomofthegroup.Whenscientistscheckedthehe
    althofthemonkeys,theyfoundthatthe"newgirl"wasunhealthierthant
    heothermonkeys.Theresearcherssaidthatalthoughtheirstudyfocuse
    donmonkeys,thefindingscouldalsobetrueforhumansbecauseweshar
    ealotofourDNAwithmonkeys.ProfessorGrahamRook,fromUniversity
    CollegeLondon,toldtheBBCNewsthatthefindingsofthestudymayalso
    applytohumans.Hesaidgovernmentsmustunderstandthatpeoplewit
    halowersocialstatussuffermorefromhealthproblems.Hesaidthatjust
    because"peopleatthebottom"havegotcarsandTVs,itdoesnotmeanth
    eyarehappy.Iftheyfeeltheyareatthebottomcomparedwithricherpeo
    ple,theirhealthwillworsen.Peoplewhoarerichercanliveuptotwodecad
    eslongerthanthosewhoarepoorer.

    Free writing

    Write about social status for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    One day, everyone in the world will be equal. 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 the study in the news article. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. SOCIAL STATUS: Make a poster about social status. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. EQUALITY: Write a magazine article about governments introducing plans to make everyone more equal. 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 social status. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how society can become more equal. 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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