The Reading / Listening - Great Barrier Reef - Level 6

Australia's world-famous Great Barrier Reef has been assigned a monetary value for the first time. The financial advising company Deloitte Access Economics has outlined the worth of one of nature's most spectacular wonders. Deloitte's report puts a value of US$42.5 billion on the reef, and a worth of US$4.9 billion a year to the Australian economy. It also supports 64,000 full-time jobs in the tourism, fishing, recreation and scientific research industries. This is over three times more than those employed by Australia's national airline Qantas. The report says: "The livelihoods and businesses the reef supports across Australia far exceeds the numbers supported by many industries we would consider too big to fail."

Deloitte says quantifying the World Heritage-listed reef's worth is one attempt at conserving it for future generations. People will look after the reef better if they know how valuable it is. Deloitte said the reef is worth "more than 12 Sydney Opera Houses". However, the reef and its 1,700 fish species are in danger. Global warming is bleaching and killing the reef's coral. A local businessman said it was "astounding" that a value was put on the reef. He said: "Why on earth do we need...to quantify it in terms of money? We have a social conscience to look after the Great Barrier Reef…. It's on our doorstep and we should be looking after it." He added: "If that motivates our politicians...then that is good."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Great Barrier Reef - Level 4  or  Great Barrier Reef - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.whitsundaytimes.com.au/news/great-barrier-reef-worth-56-billion/3194692/
  • http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/26/threatened-great-barrier-reef-worth-over-42-billion-says-deloitte-report.html
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/insideasia/2017/06/28/42b-great-barrier-reef-too-big-to-fail-whats-the-real-value-of-worlds-treasures/


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. THE GREAT BARRIER REEF: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the Great Barrier Reef. 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?

       world-famous / monetary / value / financial / tourism / employed / airline / reef /
       quantifying / future / generations / valuable / coral / astounding / social / politicians

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

3. VALUE: Students A strongly believe a value should be put on all the world's natural wonders; Students B strongly believe that's silly.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. VALUABLE: How valuable are these natural wonders? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How valuable?

Who to?

Dangers to it

Great Barrier Reef

 

 

 

The Sahara Desert

 

 

 

The Amazon Rainforest

 

 

 

Mount Everest

 

 

 

Antarctica

 

 

 

The Serengeti

 

 

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

6. NATURAL WONDERS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most spectacular natural wonders at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Antarctica
  • The Serengeti
  • Norwegian Fjords
  • Niagara Falls
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • The Sahara Desert
  • The Amazon Rainforest
  • Mount Everest

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. It is the second time the reef has been given a monetary value.     T / F
  2. The reef is worth over US$5 billion a year to the Australian economy.     T / F
  3. The reef supports 64,000 full-time jobs.     T / F
  4. Most Australian industries support more full-time jobs than the reef.     T / F
  5. The article says people will care for the reef more if they know its value.  T / F
  6. Deloitte said the reef is worth as much as 12 Sydney Opera Houses.     T / F
  7. Global warming is not bleaching the Great Barrier Reef.     T / F
  8. A local businessman said the reef was on his doorstep.     T / F

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

  1. assigned
  2. worth
  3. spectacular
  4. exceeds
  5. consider
  6. attempt
  7. valuable
  8. astounding
  9. on our doorstep
  10. motivates
  1. deem
  2. surpasses
  3. amazing
  4. value
  5. encourages
  6. effort
  7. given
  8. nearby
  9. picturesque
  10. precious

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

  1. assigned a monetary
  2. one of nature's most spectacular
  3. It also supports
  4. livelihoods
  5. industries we would consider too
  6. conserving it for future
  7. if they know how
  8. bleaching and killing
  9. quantify it in terms
  10. It's on our
  1. big to fail
  2. the reef's coral
  3. generations
  4. wonders
  5. of money
  6. 64,000 full-time jobs
  7. value for the first time
  8. and businesses
  9. doorstep
  10. valuable it is

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
supports
livelihoods
assigned
fail
advising
industries
exceeds
outlined

Australia's world-famous Great Barrier Reef has been (1) ____________ a monetary value for the first time. The financial (2) ____________ company Deloitte Access Economics has (3) ____________ the worth of one of nature's most spectacular wonders. Deloitte's report puts a value of US$42.5 billion on the reef, and a worth of US$4.9 billion a year to the Australian economy. It also (4) ____________ 64,000 full-time jobs in the tourism, fishing, recreation and scientific research (5) ____________. This is over three times more than those employed by Australia's national airline Qantas. The report says: "The (6) ____________ and businesses the reef supports across Australia far (7) ____________ the numbers supported by many industries we would consider too big to (8) ____________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
social
generations
species
motivates
worth
doorstep
astounding
valuable

Deloitte says quantifying the World Heritage-listed reef's (9) ____________ is one attempt at conserving it for future (10) ____________. People will look after the reef better if they know how (11) ____________ it is. Deloitte said the reef is worth "more than 12 Sydney Opera Houses". However, the reef and its 1,700 fish (12) ____________ are in danger. Global warming is bleaching and killing the reef's coral. A local businessman said it was "(13) ____________ " that a value was put on the reef. He said: "Why on earth do we need...to quantify it in terms of money? We have a (14) ____________ conscience to look after the Great Barrier Reef…. It's on our (15) ____________ and we should be looking after it." He added: "If that (16) ____________ our politicians...then that is good."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Great Barrier Reef has been assigned a monetary ______ time
     a.  valued for the first
     b.  values for the first
     c.  value for the first
     d.  valuer for the first

2)  Deloitte Access Economics has outlined the worth of one of nature's ______
     a.  must spectacular wonders
     b.  most spectacular wonders
     c.  mast spectacular wonders
     d.  mist spectacular wonders

3)  Deloitte's report puts a value of US$42.5 billion ______
     a.  on the reef
     b.  in the reef
     c.  of the reef
     d.  at the reef

4)  This is over three times more than those employed by Australia's ______ Qantas
     a.  national airliner
     b.  nationals airline
     c.  nationals airliner
     d.  national airline

5)  supported by many industries we would consider ______
     a.  too big to failure
     b.  too big to fail
     c.  too big to failing
     d.  too big to fails

6)  … the World Heritage-listed reef's worth is one attempt at conserving it ______
     a.  for future generation
     b.  four future generations
     c.  far future generations
     d.  for future generations

7)  People will look after the reef better if they know how ______
     a.  value a ball it is
     b.  valuable it is
     c.  valuables it is
     d.  value able it is

8)  He said: "Why on earth do we need...to quantify it ______?"
     a.  in terms of money
     b.  in teams of money
     c.  in turns of money
     d.  in times of money

9)  We have a social conscience to look after the Great Barrier Reef…. It's ______
     a.  in our doorsteps
     b.  on our doorstep
     c.  of our doorstep
     d.  in our doorstep

10)  and we should be looking after it." He added: "If that ______ politicians...
     a.  motivate ours
     b.  motivates your
     c.  motivate our
     d.  motivates our

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Australia's world-famous Great Barrier Reef (1) ___________________ a monetary value for the first time. The financial advising company Deloitte Access Economics has (2) ___________________ of one of nature's most spectacular wonders. Deloitte's report puts a value of US$42.5 billion on the reef, (3) ___________________ US$4.9 billion a year to the Australian economy. It also supports 64,000 full-time (4) ___________________, fishing, recreation and scientific research industries. This is over three times more than (5) ___________________ Australia's national airline Qantas. The report says: "The livelihoods and businesses the reef supports across Australia (6) ___________________ numbers supported by many industries we would consider too big to fail."

Deloitte says quantifying the World Heritage-listed (7) ___________________ one attempt at conserving it for future generations. People will look after the reef better if they know (8) ___________________. Deloitte said the reef is worth "more than 12 Sydney Opera Houses". However, the reef and its 1,700 fish (9) ___________________ danger. Global warming is bleaching and killing the reef's coral. A local businessman said it was "astounding" (10) ___________________ put on the reef. He said: "Why on earth do we need...to quantify it in terms of money? We have a social conscience to look after the Great Barrier Reef…. It's (11) ___________________ and we should be looking after it." He added: "If that motivates (12) ___________________ that is good."

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of value has been assigned to the Great Barrier Reef?
  2. What kind of wonder did the article call the Great Barrier Reef?
  3. How much is the reef worth to the Australian economy each year?
  4. How many full-time jobs does the reef support?
  5. What is the name of Australia's national airline?
  6. Who did Deloitte say the reef is being conserved for?
  7. How many Sydney Opera Houses have the same value as the reef?
  8. What is global warming doing to the reef?
  9. Who said he was astounded?
  10. Where did a local businessman say the Great Barrier Reef was located?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of value has been assigned to the Great Barrier Reef?
a) a marine value
b) a scientific value
c) a monetary value
d) a fishy value

2) What kind of wonder did the article call the Great Barrier Reef?
a) a spectacular wonder
b) the ninth wonder
c) a digital wonder
d) a human-made wonder

3) How much is the reef worth to the Australian economy each year?
a) US$4.9 billion
b) US$49 billion
c) US$42.5 billion
d) US$4.25 billion

4) How many full-time jobs does the reef support?
a) 164,000
b) 64,000
c) 146,000
d) 46,000

5) What is the name of Australia's national airline?
a) Air Australia
b) Australian Airlines
c) Boomerang Air
d) Qantas

6) Who did Deloitte say the reef is being conserved for?
a) politicians
b) future generations
c) the tourism industry
d) fish

7) How many Sydney Opera Houses have the same value as the reef?
a) 12
b) 14
c) 16
d) 18

8) What is global warming doing to the reef?
a) increasing it
b) diluting it
c) bleaching it
d) exceeding it

9) Who said he was astounded?
a) a politician
b) a fisherman
c) a marine biologist
d) a local businessman

10) Where did a local businessman say the Great Barrier Reef was located?
a) on our doorstep
b) in the north
c) near here
d) over there

Role play

Role  A – Great Barrier Reef

You think the Great Barrier Reef is the world's most precious natural wonder. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their wonders aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least great of these (and why): Amazon Rainforest, Mount Everest or Niagara Falls.

Role  B – Amazon Rainforest

You think the Amazon Rainforest is the world's most precious natural wonder. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their wonders aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least great of these (and why): Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest or Niagara Falls.

Role  C – Mount Everest

You think Mount Everest is the world's most precious natural wonder. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their wonders aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least great of these (and why): Amazon Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef or Niagara Falls.

Role  D – Niagara Falls

You think Niagara Falls is the world's most precious natural wonder. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their wonders aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least great of these (and why):  Amazon Rainforest, Mount Everest or Great Barrier Reef.

After reading / listening

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

'barrier'

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

    • and 'reef'.

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

    • • 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:

    • far
    • know
    • 12
    • 1,700
    • earth
    • looking
    • first
    • wonders
    • economy
    • tourism
    • over
    • big

    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 - Great Barrier Reef valued at $42.5 billion

    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 'reef'?
    3. What do you know about the Great Barrier Reef?
    4. What use is there of putting a monetary value on the reef?
    5. How do you think the company valued the reef?
    6. Should all natural wonders be valued?
    7. Should someone be able to buy the Great Barrier Reef?
    8. What dangers does the Great Barrier Reef face?
    9. Would it be useful to treat the Great Barrier Reef as a company?
    10. What is the best way to protect the Great Barrier Reef?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'value'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think the Great Barrier Reef will be like in 100 years?
    5. Do you think people will value the reef more?
    6. What do you think of the comparison with 12 Sydney Opera Houses?
    7. What damage does bleaching do to the reef?
    8. How will a social conscience help the reef?
    9. What can politicians do to help the reef?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Deloitte?

    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)

    Australia's world-famous Great Barrier Reef has been (1) ____ a monetary value for the first time. The financial (2) ____ company Deloitte Access Economics has outlined the worth of one of nature's most spectacular wonders. Deloitte's report puts a value of US$42.5 billion on the reef, and a (3) ____ of US$4.9 billion a year to the Australian economy. It also supports 64,000 full-time jobs in the tourism, fishing, recreation and scientific research (4) ____. This is over three times more than those employed (5) ____ Australia's national airline Qantas. The report says: "The livelihoods and businesses the reef supports across Australia (6) ____ exceeds the numbers supported by many industries we would consider too big to fail."

    Deloitte says quantifying the World Heritage-listed reef's worth is (7) ____ attempt at conserving it for future generations. People will look after the reef better if they know how (8) ____ it is. Deloitte said the reef is worth "more than 12 Sydney Opera Houses". However, the reef and its 1,700 fish (9) ____ are in danger. Global warming is bleaching and killing the reef's coral. A local businessman said it was "astounding" that a (10) ____ was put on the reef. He said: "Why on earth do we need...to quantify it (11) ____ terms of money? We have a social conscience to look after the Great Barrier Reef…. It's on our (12) ____ and we should be looking after it." He added: "If that motivates our politicians...then that is good."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     resigned     (b)     consigned     (c)     assigned     (d)     singed    
    2. (a)     advising     (b)     advise     (c)     advisor     (d)     advised    
    3. (a)     worth     (b)     worthy     (c)     worthwhile     (d)     worthless    
    4. (a)     industries     (b)     industry     (c)     industrialize     (d)     industrious    
    5. (a)     to     (b)     as     (c)     on     (d)     by    
    6. (a)     fur     (b)     fir     (c)     for     (d)     far    
    7. (a)     one     (b)     only     (c)     once     (d)     oneness    
    8. (a)     valuation     (b)     values     (c)     valuing     (d)     valuable    
    9. (a)     species     (b)     specials     (c)     specs     (d)     spectres    
    10. (a)     valet     (b)     value     (c)     vale     (d)     valve    
    11. (a)     to     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     at    
    12. (a)     doorstep     (b)     instep     (c)     out of step     (d)     step by step

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. assigned a rotemyna value
    2. financial idgisnav company
    3. nature's most scarualcept wonders
    4. lovieshdilo and businesses
    5. far xseeecd the numbers
    6. supported by many ruestndiis

    Paragraph 2

    1. know how lulavaeb it is
    2. 1,700 fish iescsep are in danger
    3. A local businessman said it was sngnidaout
    4. iuyantqf it in terms of money
    5. We have a social encosecnic
    6. If that sitmetoav our politicians

    Put the text back together

    (    )     exceeds the numbers supported by many industries we would consider too big to fail."

    (    )     advising company Deloitte Access Economics has outlined the worth of one of nature's most spectacular

    (    )     and scientific research industries. This is over three times more than those employed by Australia's national

    (    )     a year to the Australian economy. It also supports 64,000 full-time jobs in the tourism, fishing, recreation

    (    )     wonders. Deloitte's report puts a value of US$42.5 billion on the reef, and a worth of US$4.9 billion

    (    )     airline Qantas. The report says: "The livelihoods and businesses the reef supports across Australia far

    (    )     on the reef. He said: "Why on earth do we need...to quantify it in terms of money? We have a social

    (    )     generations. People will look after the reef better if they know how valuable it is. Deloitte said the reef is worth "more than

    (  1  )     Australia's world-famous Great Barrier Reef has been assigned a monetary value for the first time. The financial

    (    )     conscience to look after the Great Barrier Reef…. It's on our doorstep and we should be

    (    )     looking after it." He added: "If that motivates our politicians...then that is good."

    (    )     bleaching and killing the reef's coral. A local businessman said it was "astounding" that a value was put

    (    )     12 Sydney Opera Houses". However, the reef and its 1,700 fish species are in danger. Global warming is

    (    )     Deloitte says quantifying the World Heritage-listed reef's worth is one attempt at conserving it for future

    Put the words in the right order

    1. worth   most   of   spectacular   one   wonders   of   The   nature's   .
    2. supports  the  full-time  also   in   64,000  It   jobs  , industry tourism  .
    3. three   employed   times   This   more   is   than   over   those   .
    4. reef   The   and   the   supports   livelihoods   businesses   .
    5. too   industries   big   we   to   would   fail   consider   Many   .
    6. conserving   at   attempt   One   generations   future   for   it   .
    7. the   if   People   after   better   know   look   reef   they   will   .
    8. earth   need   it   on   we   quantify   Why   do   to?  
    9. and   we   should   be   looking   after   it   It's   on   our   doorstep   .
    10. is   that   politicians   that   If   our   then   good   motivates   ,   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Australia's world-famous Great Barrier Reef has been assessed / assigned a monetary value / valve for the first time. The financial advising company Deloitte Access Economics has outlined the worthy / worth of one of nature's most spectacular wonders / wonderful. Deloitte's report puts a value of US$42.5 billion on the reef, and a worth of US$4.9 billion a year to the Australian economic / economy. It also supports 64,000 full-time jobs in the tourism, fishing, recreation and scientific research industrial / industries. This is over three times more than those employable / employed by Australia's national airline Qantas. The report says: "The livelihoods / lively and businesses the reef supportive / supports across Australia far exceeds the numbers supported by many industries we would consideration / consider too big to fail."

    Deloitte says quantifying / quantity the World Heritage-listed reef's worth is one / once attempt at conserving it for future / futures generations. People will look after the reef better if they know how valuation / valuable it is. Deloitte said the reef is worth "more than 12 Sydney Opera Houses". However, the reef and its 1,700 fish species are on / in danger. Global warming is bleaching / breaching and killing the reef's coral. A locally / local businessman said it was "astounding" that a value was put on/ in the reef. He said: "Why on planet / earth do we need...to quantify it in terms of money? We have a social conscience to look after the Great Barrier Reef…. It's on our doorstep / instep and we should be looking after it." He added: "If that motivates our politicians...then that is good."

    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)

    __str_l__'s w_rld-f_m__s Gr__t B_rr__r R__f h_s b__n _ss_gn_d _ m_n_t_ry v_l__ f_r th_ f_rst t_m_. Th_ f_n_nc__l _dv_s_ng c_mp_ny D_l__tt_ _cc_ss _c_n_m_cs h_s __tl_n_d th_ w_rth _f _n_ _f n_t_r_'s m_st sp_ct_c_l_r w_nd_rs. D_l__tt_'s r_p_rt p_ts _ v_l__ _f _S$42.5 b_ll__n _n th_ r__f, _nd _ w_rth _f _S$4.9 b_ll__n _ y__r t_ th_ __str_l__n _c_n_my. _t _ls_ s_pp_rts 64,000 f_ll-t_m_ j_bs _n th_ t__r_sm, f_sh_ng, r_cr__t__n _nd sc__nt_f_c r_s__rch _nd_str__s. Th_s _s _v_r thr__ t_m_s m_r_ th_n th_s_ _mpl_y_d by __str_l__'s n_t__n_l __rl_n_ Q_nt_s. Th_ r_p_rt s_ys: "Th_ l_v_l_h__ds _nd b_s_n_ss_s th_ r__f s_pp_rts _cr_ss __str_l__ f_r _xc__ds th_ n_mb_rs s_pp_rt_d by m_ny _nd_str__s w_ w__ld c_ns_d_r t__ b_g t_ f__l."

    D_l__tt_ s_ys q__nt_fy_ng th_ W_rld H_r_t_g_-l_st_d r__f's w_rth _s _n_ _tt_mpt _t c_ns_rv_ng _t f_r f_t_r_ g_n_r_t__ns. P__pl_ w_ll l__k _ft_r th_ r__f b_tt_r _f th_y kn_w h_w v_l__bl_ _t _s. D_l__tt_ s__d th_ r__f _s w_rth "m_r_ th_n 12 Sydn_y _p_r_ H__s_s". H_w_v_r, th_ r__f _nd _ts 1,700 f_sh sp_c__s _r_ _n d_ng_r. Gl_b_l w_rm_ng _s bl__ch_ng _nd k_ll_ng th_ r__f's c_r_l. _ l_c_l b_s_n_ssm_n s__d _t w_s "_st__nd_ng" th_t _ v_l__ w_s p_t _n th_ r__f. H_ s__d: "Why _n __rth d_ w_ n__d...t_ q__nt_fy _t _n t_rms _f m_n_y? W_ h_v_ _ s_c__l c_nsc__nc_ t_ l__k _ft_r th_ Gr__t B_rr__r R__f…. _t's _n __r d__rst_p _nd w_ sh__ld b_ l__k_ng _ft_r _t." H_ _dd_d: "_f th_t m_t_v_t_s __r p_l_t_c__ns...th_n th_t _s g__d."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    australia's world-famous great barrier reef has been assigned a monetary value for the first time the financial advising company deloitte access economics has outlined the worth of one of nature's most spectacular wonders deloitte's report puts a value of us$425 billion on the reef and a worth of us$49 billion a year to the australian economy it also supports 64000 full-time jobs in the tourism fishing recreation and scientific research industries this is over three times more than those employed by australia's national airline qantas the report says "the livelihoods and businesses the reef supports across australia far exceeds the numbers supported by many industries we would consider too big to fail"

    deloitte says quantifying the world heritage-listed reef's worth is one attempt at conserving it for future generations people will look after the reef better if they know how valuable it is deloitte said the reef is worth "more than 12 sydney opera houses" however the reef and its 1700 fish species are in danger global warming is bleaching and killing the reef's coral a local businessman said it was "astounding" that a value was put on the reef he said "why on earth do we needto quantify it in terms of money we have a social conscience to look after the great barrier reef… it's on our doorstep and we should be looking after it" he added "if that motivates our politiciansthen that is good"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Australia'sworld-famousGreatBarrierReefhasbeenassignedamonet
    aryvalueforthefirsttime.ThefinancialadvisingcompanyDeloitteAcces
    sEconomicshasoutlinedtheworthofoneofnature'smostspectacularw
    onders.Deloitte'sreportputsavalueofUS$42.5billiononthereef,anda
    worthofUS$4.9billionayeartotheAustralianeconomy.Italsosupports
    64,000full-timejobsinthetourism,fishing,recreationandscientificres
    earchindustries.ThisisoverthreetimesmorethanthoseemployedbyA
    ustralia'snationalairlineQantas.Thereportsays:"Thelivelihoodsandb
    usinessesthereefsupportsacrossAustraliafarexceedsthenumberssu
    pportedbymanyindustrieswewouldconsidertoobigtofail."Deloittesa
    ysquantifyingtheWorldHeritage-listedreef'sworthisoneattemptatc
    onservingitforfuturegenerations.Peoplewilllookafterthereefbetterift
    heyknowhowvaluableitis.Deloittesaidthereefisworth"morethan12S
    ydneyOperaHouses".However,thereefandits1,700fishspeciesareind
    anger.Globalwarmingisbleachingandkillingthereef'scoral.Alocalbusi
    nessmansaiditwas"astounding"thatavaluewasputonthereef.Hesaid
    :"Whyonearthdoweneed...toquantifyitintermsofmoney?Wehaveaso
    cialconsciencetolookaftertheGreatBarrierReef….It'sonourdoorstepa
    ndweshouldbelookingafterit."Headded:"Ifthatmotivatesourpoliticia
    ns...thenthatisgood."

    Free writing

    Write about Great Barrier Reef for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    All world heritage sites should have a monetary value. 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 Great Barrier Reef. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. THE GREAT BARRIER REEF: Make a poster about the Great Barrier Reef. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. VALUES: Write a magazine article about whether it is good or bad to put a value on World Heritage Sites. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on the Great Barrier Reef. Ask him/her three questions about the Great Barrier Reef. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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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