The Reading / Listening - Insect Apocalypse - Level 3

Scientists say that global warming isn't the only serious threat to humans. Another major threat is the falling numbers of insects and the extinction of many species. Scientists say that half of all insects worldwide have been declining since the 1970s. A new warning is that over 40 per cent of insect species could die out in our lifetime. Researchers said the number of insects is decreasing by 2.5 per cent every year. The scientists are calling it an "insect apocalypse". Many species of butterflies, bees and other bugs are now extinct. In the U.K. researchers say 23 bee and wasp species have gone extinct in the past century. Scientists say the apocalypse could trigger, "a catastrophic collapse of Earth's ecosystems".

Lead researcher Professor Dave Goulson said a lot of insects are being killed by pesticides used for farming and gardening. He said fewer numbers of insects might mean we cannot feed people. He told reporters: "Three quarters of our crops depend on insect pollinators. Crops will begin to fail. We won't have things like strawberries. We can't feed 7.5 billion people without insects." He said one of the most worrying trends is the decline of honeybees. In the USA, the number of honeybee colonies dropped from six million in 1947 to just 2.5 million in 2014. Professor Goulson warned people that: "We can't wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will be too late."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Insect Apocalypse - Level 0 Insect Apocalypse - Level 1   or  Insect Apocalypse - Level 2

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/13/europe/insect-apocalypse-report-scn/index.html
  • https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/42563/20191114/insect-apocalypse-coming-heres-what-during-breakout.htm
  • https://www.businessinsider.com/insect-apocalypse-ecosystem-collapse-food-insecurity-2019-11


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. INSECT APOCALYPSE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about an insect apocalypse. 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?
       scientists / global warming / threat / humans / extinction / species / century / Earth /
       researcher / pesticide / farming / gardening / crops / honeybee / trends / six million
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. ILLEGAL: Students A strongly believe it should be illegal to kill mosquitos; Students B strongly believe it shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SPECIES: How can we protect these species and save them from extinction? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How?

Would It Work?

Bees

 

 

Pandas

 

 

Rhino

 

 

Hummingbirds

 

 

Giant tortoise

 

 

Whales

 

 

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

  • honeybees
  • ants
  • worms
  • butterflies
  • cockroaches
  • spiders
  • ladybirds / Ladybugs
  • praying mantis

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. threat a. Going down in number, size, quality, etc.
      2. major b. Having or causing sudden great damage or suffering.
      3. extinction c. A statement to cause pain, injury, damage, or other bad action to someone.
      4. species d. Important, serious, or significant.
      5. declining e. A group of living things capable of exchanging genes or producing young (babies) together.
      6. century f. A period of 100 years.
      7. catastrophic g. The state of all of one kind of animals, plants, fish, insects etc. dying out forever.

    Paragraph 2

      8. pesticide h. A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
      9. farming i. Controlled  by another thing or action.
      10. feed j. Plants that are grown as food, especially a grain, fruit, or vegetable.
      11. crops k. A liquid or powder used to destroy insects or other things that are harmful to plants or to animals.
      12. depend on l. A group of animals or insects living in the same community or place.
      13. trend m. The activity or business of growing crops and raising animals.
      14. colony n. Give food to.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Scientists said insect extinction is a bigger threat than global warming.    T / F
  2. A third of insects around the world have died since the 1970s.     T / F
  3. The number of insects is decreasing at a rate of 2.5 per cent a year.     T / F
  4. The article says there are only 23 species of bee left in the UK.     T / F
  5. A professor said pesticides used on farms and gardens are killing insects. T / F
  6. The article said 75% of our crops depend on insect pollinators.     T / F
  7. There are only 2.5 million honeybee colonies in the USA today.     T / F
  8. A professor said it is too late to wait another 25 years to act.     T / F

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

  1. threat
  2. extinction
  3. worldwide
  4. decreasing
  5. catastrophic
  6. farming
  7. depend
  8. worrying
  9. dropped
  10. wait
  1. concerning
  2. falling
  3. agriculture
  4. dying out
  5. rely
  6. hold on
  7. danger
  8. fell
  9. globally
  10. disastrous

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

  1. global warming isn't the only
  2. Another major threat is the
  3. insect species could die
  4. species of butterflies, bees
  5. a catastrophic collapse
  6. a lot of insects are being
  7. Three quarters of our crops depend
  8. one of the most worrying
  9. the number of honeybee
  10. We can't wait another 25 years
  1. killed by pesticides
  2. and other bugs
  3. trends
  4. falling numbers of insects
  5. colonies dropped
  6. serious threat to humans
  7. before we do anything
  8. on insect pollinators
  9. of Earth's ecosystems
  10. out in our lifetime

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
falling
bugs
species
serious
collapse
extinction
past
number

Scientists say that global warming isn't the only (1) ____________ threat to humans. Another major threat is the (2) ____________ numbers of insects and the (3) ____________ of many species. Scientists say that half of all insects worldwide have been declining since the 1970s. A new warning is that over 40 per cent of insect (4) ____________ could die out in our lifetime. Researchers said the (5) ____________ of insects is decreasing by 2.5 per cent every year. The scientists are calling it an "insect apocalypse". Many species of butterflies, bees and other (6) ____________ are now extinct. In the U.K. researchers say 23 bee and wasp species have gone extinct in the (7) ____________ century. Scientists say the apocalypse could trigger, "a catastrophic (8) ____________ of Earth's ecosystems".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
like
wait
feed
trends
late
pesticides
crops
dropped

Lead researcher Professor Dave Goulson said a lot of insects are being killed by (9) ____________ used for farming and gardening. He said fewer numbers of insects might mean we cannot (10) ____________ people. He told reporters: "Three quarters of our (11) ____________ depend on insect pollinators. Crops will begin to fail. We won't have things (12) ____________ strawberries. We can't feed 7.5 billion people without insects." He said one of the most worrying (13) ____________ is the decline of honeybees. In the USA, the number of honeybee colonies (14) ____________ from six million in 1947 to just 2.5 million in 2014. Professor Goulson warned people that: "We can't (15) ____________ another 25 years before we do anything because it will be too (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Scientists say that global warming isn't the only ______ humans
     a.  serious treat to
     b.  serious threaten to
     c.  serious fret to
     d.  serious threat to
2)  the falling numbers of insects and the extinction ______
     a.  off many species
     b.  of many specials
     c.  of many species
     d.  off many spaces
3)  Scientists say that half of all insects worldwide have ______
     a.  been declining
     b.  bin declining
     c.  being declining
     d.  be declining
4)  Many species of butterflies, bees and other bugs ______
     a.  are now extinct
     b.  are now extinction
     c.  are know extant
     d.  are know exacting
5)  the apocalypse could trigger, "a catastrophic ______ ecosystems"
     a.  collapsing of Earth's
     b.  collapsed of Earth's
     c.  collapses of Earth's
     d.  collapse of Earth's

6) researcher Professor Dave Goulson said a lot of insects are being ______
     a.  killed by pesticides
     b.  killed by herbicides
     c.  killed by suicides
     d.  killed by homicides
7)  He said fewer numbers of insects might mean ______ people
     a.  we cannot freed
     b.  we cannot feed
     c.  we cannot fled
     d.  we cannot food
8)  Three quarters of our crops depend on ______
     a.  insect pollination
     b.  insect pollen raters
     c.  insect polling raters
     d.  insect pollinators
9)  He said one of the most worrying trends is _____ honeybees
     a.  the recline of
     b.  the incline of
     c.  the decline of
     d.  the cline of
10)  We can't wait another 25 years before ______
     a.  it do anything
     b.  when do anything
     c.  where do anything
     d.  we do anything

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists say that global warming isn't the (1) ___________________ to humans. Another major threat is the falling numbers of insects and the extinction (2) ___________________. Scientists say that half of all insects worldwide have been declining since the 1970s. A new warning is that over 40 per cent of insect species could (3) ___________________ our lifetime. Researchers said the number of insects (4) ___________________ 2.5 per cent every year. The scientists are calling it an "insect apocalypse". Many species of butterflies, bees (5) ___________________ are now extinct. In the U.K. researchers say 23 bee and wasp species (6) __________________ in the past century. Scientists say the apocalypse could trigger, "a catastrophic collapse of Earth's ecosystems".

Lead researcher Professor Dave Goulson said a lot (7) __________________ being killed by pesticides used for farming and gardening. He said (8) ___________________ insects might mean we cannot feed people. He told reporters: "Three quarters of our crops (9) ___________________ pollinators. Crops will begin to fail. We won't have things like strawberries. We can't feed 7.5 billion people without insects." He said one of the most worrying trends (10) ___________________ of honeybees. In the USA, the number of honeybee (11) ___________________ six million in 1947 to just 2.5 million in 2014. Professor Goulson warned people that: "We can't wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. What other threat did the scientists say there was?
  2. How many insects worldwide have been lost since the 1970s?
  3. By how much is the number of insects decreasing every year?
  4. How many bee and wasp species are extinct in the UK?
  5. What did scientists say there could be a catastrophic collapse in?
  6. What did a professor say was killing insects?
  7. What fraction of our crops depends on insect pollinators?
  8. How many people won't be fed without insects?
  9. How many bee colonies were there in the USA in 1947?
  10. How long did a professor say we could not wait to act?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What other threat did the scientists say there was?
a) cyber attacks
b) nuclear war
c) global warming
d) alien attacks
2) How many insects worldwide have been lost since the 1970s?
a) half
b) two thirds
c) a fifth
d) three quarters
3) By how much is the number of insects decreasing every year?
a) 2.5%
b) 2.3%
c) 2.8%
d) 3.2%
4) How many bee and wasp species are extinct in the UK?
a) 25
b) 23
c) 21
d) 18
5) What did scientists say there could be a catastrophic collapse in?
a) the global economy
b) water levels
c) volcanoes
d) Earth's ecosystems

6) What did a professor say was killing insects?
a) birds
b) pesticides
c) a lack of water
d) global warming
7) What fraction of our crops depends on insect pollinators?
a) three quarters
b) three tenths
c) two fifths
d) three eighths
8) How many people won't be fed without insects?
a) 6.5 billion
b) 8.5 billion
c) 7.5 billion
d) 5.5 billion
9) How many bee colonies were there in the USA in 1947?
a) four million
b) 5.5 million
c) five million
d) six million
10) How long did a professor say we could not wait to act?
a) 25 years
b) 24 years
c) 23 years
d) 22 years

Role play

Role  A – Honeybees
You think honeybees are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): ants, spiders or worms.

Role  B – Ants
You think ants are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): honeybees, spiders or worms.

Role  C – Spiders
You think spiders are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): ants, honeybees or worms.

Role  D – Worms
You think worms are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): ants, spiders or honeybees.

After reading / listening

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

'insect'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'apocalypse'.

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

    • serious
    • half
    • 40
    • 2.5
    • 23
    • trigger
    • killed
    • fewer
    • depend
    • 7.5
    • trends
    • 25

    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 - Insect Apocalypse

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'insect'?
    3. What do you think of an insect apocalypse?
    4. What are serious threats to humans?
    5. Would the earth be better without humans?
    6. What do you think of insects?
    7. What is your favourite insect and why?
    8. What is the danger of fewer insects?
    9. How big a threat is an insect apocalypse?
    10. How can we save our insects?

    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 'apocalypse'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How can we use fewer pesticides?
    5. What can farmers do to help the insects?
    6. What happens when we cannot feed everyone?
    7. What do you think of strawberries?
    8. What can you do to help insects?
    9. Do you think it is too late?
    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)

    Scientists say that global warming isn't the only (1) ____ threat to humans. Another major threat is the (2) ____ numbers of insects and the extinction of many species. Scientists say that half of all insects worldwide have been declining (3) ____ the 1970s. A new warning is that over 40 per cent of insect species could die (4) ____ in our lifetime. Researchers said the number of insects is decreasing by 2.5 per cent every year. The scientists are calling it an "insect apocalypse". Many (5) ____ of butterflies, bees and other bugs are now extinct. In the U.K. researchers say 23 bee and wasp species have (6) ____ extinct in the past century. Scientists say the apocalypse could trigger, "a catastrophic collapse of Earth's ecosystems".

    Lead researcher Professor Dave Goulson said a (7) ____ of insects are being killed by pesticides used for farming and gardening. He said fewer (8) ____ of insects might mean we cannot feed people. He told reporters: "Three quarters of our crops depend on insect pollinators. Crops will begin to (9) ____. We won't have things like strawberries. We can't feed 7.5 billion people without insects." He said one of the most worrying (10) ____ is the decline of honeybees. In the USA, the number of honeybee colonies dropped from six million in 1947 to (11) ____ 2.5 million in 2014. Professor Goulson warned people that: "We can't wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will be too (12) ____."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     serious     (b)     series     (c)     cereal     (d)     species    
    2. (a)     tripping     (b)     stumbling     (c)     falling     (d)     downing     
    3. (a)     for     (b)     during     (c)     in     (d)     since    
    4. (a)     in     (b)     out     (c)     up     (d)     down    
    5. (a)     specs     (b)     spatial     (c)     specials     (d)     species    
    6. (a)     given     (b)     taken     (c)     gone     (d)     done    
    7. (a)     lots     (b)     lot     (c)     allot     (d)     loads    
    8. (a)     numbers     (b)     figures     (c)     statues     (d)     digits    
    9. (a)     fail     (b)     pass     (c)     deny     (d)     refuse    
    10. (a)     blends     (b)     mends     (c)     trends     (d)     glands    
    11. (a)     adjust     (b)     justly     (c)     justice     (d)     just    
    12. (a)     later     (b)     late     (c)     lately     (d)     latent

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the only serious hterat to humans
    2. eldnicing since the 1970s
    3. insect cepises could die out
    4. bugs are now tenixct
    5. could trigger a catastrophic llcaospe
    6. Earth's yosscetems

    Paragraph 2

    1. insects are being killed by istcedipes
    2. Three quarters of our orcps
    3. feed 7.5 lbilion people
    4. one of the most worrying retdns
    5. the number of honeybee onolices
    6. Professor Goulson rawned people

    Put the text back together

    (...)  worldwide have been declining since the 1970s. A new warning is that over 40 per cent of insect species could die
    (...)  calling it an "insect apocalypse". Many species of butterflies, bees and other bugs are now
    (...)  out in our lifetime. Researchers said the number of insects is decreasing by 2.5 per cent every year. The scientists are
    (...)  strawberries. We can't feed 7.5 billion people without insects." He said one of the most worrying trends is the decline
    (...)  numbers of insects and the extinction of many species. Scientists say that half of all insects
    1  ) Scientists say that global warming isn't the only serious threat to humans. Another major threat is the falling
    (...)  of honeybees. In the USA, the number of honeybee colonies dropped from six
    (...)  and gardening. He said fewer numbers of insects might mean we cannot feed people. He told reporters: "Three
    (...)  Lead researcher Professor Dave Goulson said a lot of insects are being killed by pesticides used for farming
    (...)  quarters of our crops depend on insect pollinators. Crops will begin to fail. We won't have things like
    (...)  extinct. In the U.K. researchers say 23 bee and wasp species have gone extinct in the past
    (...)  century. Scientists say the apocalypse could trigger, "a catastrophic collapse of Earth's ecosystems".
    (...)  wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will be too late."
    (...)  million in 1947 to just 2.5 million in 2014. Professor Goulson warned people that: "We can't

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the   isn't   threat   .   Global   only   warming   serious
    2. numbers   falling   of   is   insects   .   Another   threat   the
    3. are   calling   an   apocalypse   .   insect   The   scientists   it
    4. extinct   in   Species   gone   past   the   have   century   .
    5. of   ecosystems   .   collapse   Trigger   catastrophic   Earth's   a
    6. being   Lots   are   of   insects   killed   by   pesticides   .
    7. might   we   people   .   cannot   feed   mean   insects   Fewer
    8. without   insects   .   can't   7.5   billion   We   feed   people
    9. six million   .   from   honeybee   The   colonies   of   dropped   number
    10. 25   do   before   we   another   anything   .   Wait   years

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Scientists say that global warming isn't the only series / serious threat to humans. Another major threat is the falling / failing numbers of insects and the extinction of many species. Scientists say that halve / half of all insects worldwide have been declining for / since the 1970s. A new warning is that over 40 per cent of insect species could die up / out in our lifetime. Researchers said the number of insects is decreasing by / for 2.5 per cent every year. The scientists are called / calling it an "insect apocalypse". Many species of butterflies, bees and other hugs / bugs are now extinct. In the U.K. researchers say 23 bee and wasp species have gone / going extinct in the past century. Scientists say the apocalypse could barrel / trigger, "a catastrophic collapse of Earth's ecosystems".

    Lead researcher Professor Dave Goulson said a lot / lots of insects are being killed by pesticides used / using for farming and gardening. He said fewest / fewer numbers of insects might mean we cannot feed / food people. He told reporters: "Three quarters of our crops depend on / in insect pollinators. Crops will begin to fail. We won't have things / thing like strawberries. We can't feed 7.5 billion people within / without insects." He said one of the most worried / worrying trends is the decline of honeybees. In the USA, the number of honeybee colonies tripped / dropped from six million in 1947 to just 2.5 million in 2014. Professor Goulson warned people that: "We can't wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will been / be too late."

    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)

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    L__ d r_s__ r c h_r P r_f_s s_r D_v_ G__ l s_n s__ d _ l_t _f _n s_c t s _r_ b__ n g k_l l_d b y p_s t_c_d_s _s_d f_r f_r m_n g _n d g_r d_n_n g . H_ s__ d f_w_r n_m b_r s _f _n s_c t s m_g h t m__ n w_ c_n n_t f__ d p__ p l_. H_ t_l d r_p_r t_r s : " T h r__ q__ r t_r s _f __ r c r_p s d_p_n d _n _n s_c t p_l l_n_t_r s . C r_p s w_l l b_g_n t_ f__ l . W_ w_n ' t h_v_ t h_n g s l_k_ s t r_w b_r r__ s . W_ c_n ' t f__ d 7 . 5 b_l l__ n p__ p l_ w_t h__ t _n s_c t s . " H_ s__ d _n_ _f t h_ m_s t w_r r y_n g t r_n d s _s t h_ d_c l_n_ _f h_n_y b__ s . I n t h_ U S A , t h_ n_m b_r _f h_n_y b__ c_l_n__ s d r_p p_d f r_m s_x m_l l__ n _n 1 9 4 7 t_ j_s t 2 . 5 m_l l__ n _n 2 0 1 4 . P r_f_s s_r G__ l s_n w_r n_d p__ p l_ t h_t : " W_ c_n ' t w__ t _n_t h_r 2 5 y__ r s b_f_r_ w_ d_ _n y t h_n g b_c__ s_ _t w_l l b_ t__ l_t_. "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    scientists say that global warming isnt the only serious threat to humans another major threat is the falling numbers of insects and the extinction of many species scientists say that half of all insects worldwide have been declining since the 1970s a new warning is that over 40 per cent of insect species could die out in our lifetime researchers said the number of insects is decreasing by 25 per cent every year the scientists are calling it an insect apocalypse many species of butterflies bees and other bugs are now extinct in the uk researchers say 23 bee and wasp species have gone extinct in the past century scientists say the apocalypse could trigger a catastrophic collapse of earths ecosystems

    lead researcher professor dave goulson said a lot of insects are being killed by pesticides used for farming and gardening he said fewer numbers of insects might mean we cannot feed people he told reporters three quarters of our crops depend on insect pollinators crops will begin to fail we wont have things like strawberries we cant feed 75 billion people without insects he said one of the most worrying trends is the decline of honeybees in the usa the number of honeybee colonies dropped from six million in 1947 to just 25 million in 2014 professor goulson warned people that we cant wait another 25 years before we do anything because it will be too late

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Scientistssaythatglobalwarmingisn'ttheonlyseriousthreattohumans
    .Anothermajorthreatisthefallingnumbersofinsectsandtheextinction
    ofmanyspecies.Scientistssaythathalfofallinsectsworldwidehavebee
    ndecliningsincethe1970s.Anewwarningisthatover40percentofinsect
    speciescoulddieoutinourlifetime.Researcherssaidthenumberofinsec
    tsisdecreasingby2.5percenteveryyear.Thescientistsarecallingitan"i
    nsectapocalypse".Manyspeciesofbutterflies,beesandotherbugsaren
    owextinct.IntheU.K.researcherssay23beeandwaspspecieshavegon
    eextinctinthepastcentury.Scientistssaytheapocalypsecouldtrigger,"
    acatastrophiccollapseofEarth'secosystems".LeadresearcherProfess
    orDaveGoulsonsaidalotofinsectsarebeingkilledbypesticidesusedforf
    armingandgardening.Hesaidfewernumbersofinsectsmightmeanwec
    annotfeedpeople.Hetoldreporters:"Threequartersofourcropsdepen
    doninsectpollinators.Cropswillbegintofail.Wewon'thavethingslikestr
    awberries.Wecan'tfeed7.5billionpeoplewithoutinsects."Hesaidoneo
    fthemostworryingtrendsisthedeclineofhoneybees.IntheUSA,thenu
    mberofhoneybeecoloniesdroppedfromsixmillionin1947tojust2.5mil
    lionin2014.ProfessorGoulsonwarnedpeoplethat:"Wecan'twaitanoth
    er25yearsbeforewedoanythingbecauseitwillbetoolate."

    Free writing

    Write about insect apocalypse for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    It should be made illegal to kill insects. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. INSECTS: Make a poster about insects. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ILLEGAL: Write a magazine article about making it illegal to kill insects. 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 insects. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can protect them. 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

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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