The Reading / Listening - Caremongering - Level 6

A new term has emerged with the advent of the coronavirus outbreak. The word "caremongering" started trending after acts of kindness in Canada. The word comes from the less positive word "scaremongering" which is a recognised part of the English lexicon. It is not yet known whether the word "caremongering" will stay around long enough for dictionary editors to include it in future editions of their word lists. "Caremongering" arose after Canadians found new ways of helping vulnerable people during the COVID-19 virus. Social media is helping to spread the concept across Canada. Within 72 hours of the term trending, over 35 Facebook groups were set up with more than 30,000 members.

The founders of the first caremongering group spoke about the meaning of the name. Valentina Harper told the BBC: "Scaremongering is a big problem. We wanted to switch that around and get people to connect on a positive level, to connect with each other." She added: "Caremongering has spread the opposite of panic in people, brought out community and camaraderie, and allowed us to tackle the needs of those who are at risk." Ms Harper explained why caremongering was important in society. She said: "Anxiety, isolation and lack of hope affects you....This virtual community...is really showing people there is still hope for humanity. We haven't lost our hope."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Caremongering - Level 4  or  Caremongering - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/coronavirus-kind-canadians-start-caremongering-trend-a4390076.html
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51915723
  • https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/you-re-not-alone-in-this-canadians-are-caremongering-through-the-covid-19-pandemic-1.4859369


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. CARING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about caring. 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?
       term / emerged / outbreak / kindness / lexicon / dictionary / future / vulnerable /
       founders / meaning / problem / connect / opposite / panic / at risk / virtual / hope
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CARE: Students A strongly believe the world will be a more caring place after the coronavirus; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. KINDNESS: How kind are you to these people? How can we be kinder? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How Kind Are You?

How Can You Be Kinder?

Neighbours

 

 

Teachers

 

 

Hospital staff

 

 

Strangers

 

 

Sales assistants

 

 

Family

 

 
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. DICTIONARY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "dictionary". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. COVID-19: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst things about COVID-19 at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Anxiety
  • Isolation
  • Fear
  • Worry about family
  • The unknown
  • Fake news
  • Political leadership
  • The future

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. emerged a. An idea; a general notion.
      2. advent b. The start of something notable.
      3. scaremongering c. The vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge.
      4. lexicon d. Became apparent.
      5. vulnerable e. A word or phrase used to describe a thing or to express a concept, especially in a particular kind of language.
      6. concept f. Putting about reports or rumours to frighten people.
      7. term g. Of a person in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, or risk of abuse or neglect.

    Paragraph 2

      8. founder h. Make efforts to deal with a problem or difficult task.
      9. panic i. Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
      10. camaraderie j. The process of being alone with no other people around.
      11. tackle k. A person who started an organisation or idea.
      12. anxiety l. Sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behavior.
      13. isolation m. All of the people in the world thought of together.
      14. humanity n. A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. "Caremongering" is a word that is over 100 years old.     T / F
  2. The word "caremongering" comes from the word "scaremongering".     T / F
  3. The word "caremongering" is in the top three English dictionaries.     T / F
  4. Caremongering started after Canadians helped vulnerable people.     T / F
  5. A Facebook group founder said caremongering was a big problem.     T / F
  6. The founder wants camaraderie to increase.     T / F
  7. The founder said caremongering was important in our society.     T / F
  8. The founder said caremongering means we haven't lost hope.     T / F

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

  1. term
  2. advent
  3. lexicon
  4. editions
  5. concept
  6. meaning
  7. switch
  8. camaraderie
  9. at risk
  10. humanity
  1. change
  2. versions
  3. notion
  4. start
  5. definition
  6. in danger
  7. phrase
  8. people
  9. vocabulary
  10. friendship

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

  1. emerged with the advent
  2. acts of
  3. the less positive word
  4. new ways of helping
  5. helping to spread the concept
  6. get people to connect on a
  7. community and
  8. the needs of those who are at
  9. Anxiety, isolation
  10. there is still hope
  1. positive level
  2. "scaremongering"
  3. across Canada
  4. risk
  5. for humanity
  6. vulnerable people
  7. of the coronavirus
  8. and lack of hope
  9. kindness
  10. camaraderie

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
less
concept
arose
emerged
set
dictionary
acts
vulnerable

A new term has (1) ____________ with the advent of the coronavirus outbreak. The word "caremongering" started trending after (2) ____________ of kindness in Canada. The word comes from the (3) ____________ positive word "scaremongering" which is a recognised part of the English lexicon. It is not yet known whether the word "caremongering" will stay around long enough for (4) ____________ editors to include it in future editions of their word lists. "Caremongering" (5) ____________ after Canadians found new ways of helping (6) ____________ people during the COVID-19 virus. Social media is helping to spread the (7) ____________ across Canada. Within 72 hours of the term trending, over 35 Facebook groups were (8) ____________ up with more than 30,000 members.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
level
virtual
tackle
hope
founders
switch
isolation
opposite

The (9) ____________ of the first caremongering group spoke about the meaning of the name. Valentina Harper told the BBC: "Scaremongering is a big problem. We wanted to (10) ____________ that around and get people to connect on a positive (11) ____________, to connect with each other." She added: "Caremongering has spread the (12) ____________ of panic in people, brought out community and camaraderie, and allowed us to (13) ____________ the needs of those who are at risk." Ms Harper explained why caremongering was important in society. She said: "Anxiety, (14) ____________ and lack of hope affects you....This (15) ____________ community...is really showing people there is still hope for humanity. We haven't lost our (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A new term has emerged with the advent of the ______
     a.  coronavirus out broken
     b.  coronavirus outer break
     c.  coronavirus out beak
     d.  coronavirus outbreak
2)  The word "caremongering" started trending after ______
     a.  reacts of kindness
     b.  acts of kindness
     c.  enacts of kindness
     d.  redacts of kindness
3)  the less positive word "scaremongering" which is a recognised part of ______
     a.  the English lets it con
     b.  the English lets a con
     c.  the English lexis con
     d.  the English lexicon
4) long enough for dictionary editors to include it in future editions of ______
     a.  their wordy lists
     b.  their nerd lists
     c.  their heard lists
     d.  their word lists
5)  Social media is helping to spread the ______ Canada
     a.  concept at cross
     b.  concept a cross
     c.  concept across
     d.  concept are loss

6)  The founders of the first caremongering group spoke about the meaning ______
     a.  of the name
     b.  of the game
     c.  of the dame
     d.  of the same
7)  We wanted to switch that around and get people to connect on ______
     a.  a positive level
     b.  app positive level
     c.  ape positive level
     d.  are positive level
8)  Caremongering has spread the opposite of ______
     a.  panics in people
     b.  panicky in people
     c.  panic in people
     d.  panicked in people
9)  and allowed us to tackle the needs of those who ______
     a.  are on risk
     b.  are rat risk
     c.  a rat risk
     d.  are at risk
10)  really showing people there is still hope for humanity. We haven't ______
     a.  lost our hoping
     b.  lost our hoop
     c.  lost our hop
     d.  lost our hope

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new term (1) ___________________ the advent of the coronavirus outbreak. The word "caremongering" started trending after acts of kindness in Canada. The word comes from (2) ___________________ word "scaremongering" which is a recognised part of the English lexicon. It is not (3) ___________________ the word "caremongering" will stay around long enough for dictionary editors to include it (4) ___________________ of their word lists. "Caremongering" arose after Canadians found new ways of helping vulnerable people during the COVID-19 virus. Social media is helping to (5) ___________________ across Canada. Within 72 hours of the term trending, over 35 Facebook groups were (6) ___________________ more than 30,000 members.

The founders of the first caremongering (7) ___________________ the meaning of the name. Valentina Harper told the BBC: "Scaremongering is a big problem. We (8) ___________________ that around and get people to connect on a positive level, (9) ___________________ each other." She added: "Caremongering has spread the opposite of panic in people, brought out community and camaraderie, and allowed (10) ___________________ the needs of those who are at risk." Ms Harper explained why caremongering was important in society. She said: "Anxiety, (11) ___________________ of hope affects you....This virtual community...is really showing people there is still hope for humanity. We haven't (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. What kinds of acts brought about the word "caremongering"?
  2. Where word does the word "caremongering" come from?
  3. When will the word "caremongering" enter future dictionaries?
  4. Who did Canadians help?
  5. How many people have joined Facebook caremongering groups?
  6. Who is Valentina Harper?
  7. Who said scaremongering was a big problem?
  8. What does caremongering spread the opposite of?
  9. What did caremongering bring out besides community?
  10. What did Ms Harper say people had not lost?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What kinds of acts brought about the word "caremongering"?
a) nasty acts
b) acts of kindness
c) selfish acts
d) short acts
2) Where word does the word "caremongering" come from?
a) social media
b) Medieval English
c) Australia
d) scaremongering
3) When will the word "caremongering" enter future dictionaries?
a) in a few months
b) 2021
c) it is not known
d) next week
4) Who did Canadians help?
a) vulnerable people
b) Americans
c) old people
d) each other
5) How many people have joined Facebook caremongering groups?
a) exactly 30,000
b) over 30,000
c) around 30,000
d) just under 30,000

6) Who is Valentina Harper?
a) founder of a caremongering group
b) a carer
c) a victim
d) a journalist
7) Who said scaremongering was a big problem?
a) a journalist
b) the head of the WHO
c) Valentina Harper
d) a dictionary editor
8) What does caremongering spread the opposite of?
a) panic
b) disease
c) selfishness
d) calm
9) What did caremongering bring out besides community?
a) shy people
b) sick people
c) collaboration
d) camaraderie
10) What did Ms Harper say people had not lost?
a) time
b) money
c) hope
d) their mind

Role play

Role  A – Anxiety
You think anxiety is the biggest thing to worry about regarding COVID-19. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): political leadership, worry about family or food shortages.

Role  B – Political Leadership
You think political leadership is the biggest thing to worry about regarding COVID-19. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): anxiety, worry about family or food shortages.

Role  C – Worry About Family
You think worry about family is the biggest thing to worry about regarding COVID-19. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): political leadership, anxiety or food shortages.

Role  D – Food Shortages
You think a shortage of food is the biggest thing to worry about regarding COVID-19. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): political leadership, worry about family or anxiety.

After reading / listening

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

'care'

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

    • and trend''.

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

    • • 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:

    • new
    • less
    • long
    • arose
    • helping
    • set
    • first
    • big
    • level
    • tackle
    • lack
    • hope

    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 - Caremongering

    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 'caremongering'?
    3. How caring are you?
    4. What do you think of the word 'caremongering'?
    5. What acts of kindness have you seen recently?
    6. What acts of selfishness have you seen recently?
    7. Should the word 'caremongering' be in the dictionary?
    8. What kind things have you done recently?
    9. What kind things would you like to do today?
    10. Will the world be a more caring place after COVID-19?

    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 'hope'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What examples of scaremongering have you seen?
    5. How can people connect with each other safely?
    6. How likely is it do you think people will riot?
    7. Who is most at risk from COVID-19?
    8. How anxious are you about COVID-19?
    9. How important are virtual communities?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the caremongers?

    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 term has emerged with the (1) ____ of the coronavirus outbreak. The word "caremongering" started trending after acts of kindness in Canada. The word comes from the (2) ____ positive word "scaremongering" which is a recognised part of the English lexicon. It is not yet known (3) ____ the word "caremongering" will stay around long enough for dictionary editors to include it in future editions of their word lists. "Caremongering" (4) ____ after Canadians found new ways of helping vulnerable people during the COVID-19 virus. Social media is helping to spread the (5) ____ across Canada. Within 72 hours of the term trending, over 35 Facebook groups were set (6) ____ with more than 30,000 members.

    The (7) ____ of the first caremongering group spoke about the meaning of the name. Valentina Harper told the BBC: "Scaremongering is a big problem. We wanted to switch that around and get people to connect (8) ____ a positive level, to connect with each other." She added: "Caremongering has spread the opposite of panic (9) ____ people, brought out community and camaraderie, and allowed us to tackle the needs of those who are at risk." Ms Harper explained why caremongering was (10) ____ in society. She said: "Anxiety, isolation and lack of hope affects you....This (11) ____ community...is really showing people there is still hope for humanity. We haven't (12) ____ our hope."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     vent     (b)     venting     (c)     venture     (d)     advent    
    2. (a)     reduced     (b)     smaller     (c)     fewer     (d)     less    
    3. (a)     what     (b)     whether     (c)     should     (d)     regardless    
    4. (a)     arouse     (b)     rouse     (c)     arose     (d)     risen    
    5. (a)     concept     (b)     contraption     (c)     concern     (d)     contact    
    6. (a)     up     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     down    
    7. (a)     findings     (b)     finders     (c)     flounders     (d)     founders    
    8. (a)     on     (b)     in     (c)     of     (d)     up    
    9. (a)     on     (b)     in     (c)     up     (d)     as    
    10. (a)     import     (b)     importance     (c)     important     (d)     importantly    
    11. (a)     vacuum     (b)     vitality     (c)     virtual     (d)     vat    
    12. (a)     hoped     (b)     lost     (c)     vented     (d)     wished

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the tdvnae of the coronavirus outbreak
    2. the less positive word garoinecegrnms
    3. part of the English liexnoc
    4. future deinsito of their word lists
    5. helping aubevnllre people
    6. spread the eocpcnt

    Paragraph 2

    1. connect on a psivotie level
    2. brought out community and rcreeaaadim
    3. allowed us to actlek the needs
    4. aetixny, isolation and lack of hope
    5. This viaturl community
    6. there is still hope for yhunatim

    Put the text back together

    (...)  of panic in people, brought out community and camaraderie, and allowed us to tackle
    (...)  around long enough for dictionary editors to include it in future editions of their word
    (...)  the needs of those who are at risk." Ms Harper explained why caremongering
    (...)  hours of the term trending, over 35 Facebook groups were set up with more than 30,000 members.
    (...)  The founders of the first caremongering group spoke about the meaning of the name. Valentina Harper told
    (...)  is a recognised part of the English lexicon. It is not yet known whether the word "caremongering" will stay
    (...)  lists. "Caremongering" arose after Canadians found new ways of helping vulnerable people during
    (...)  connect on a positive level, to connect with each other." She added: "Caremongering has spread the opposite
    (...)  community...is really showing people there is still hope for humanity. We haven't lost our hope."
    (...)  the BBC: "Scaremongering is a big problem. We wanted to switch that around and get people to
    (...)  trending after acts of kindness in Canada. The word comes from the less positive word "scaremongering" which
    (...)  the COVID-19 virus. Social media is helping to spread the concept across Canada. Within 72
    (...)  was important in society. She said: "Anxiety, isolation and lack of hope affects you....This virtual
    (  1  ) A new term has emerged with the advent of the coronavirus outbreak. The word "caremongering" started

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the   of   Emerged   the   outbreak   .   with   coronavirus   advent
    2. dictionary   editors   Long   it   .   for   to   enough   include
    3. vulnerable   helping   ways   .   Canadians   found   new   people   of
    4. spread   media   concept   .   Social   helping   is   the   to
    5. 35   groups   up   .   Over   set   were   Facebook
    6. people   level   .   connect   Get   to   a   positive   on
    7. has   spread   opposite   panic   .   Caremongering   the   of
    8. needs   are   who   those   of   risk   .   The   at
    9. important   Harper   was  why   in  society  .  explained   caremongering
    10. is   there   hope   people   humanity   .   Showing   for   still

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new term has engaged / emerged with the advent of the coronavirus outbreak. The word "caremongering" started tending / trending after acts of kindness in Canada. The word comes from the less / few positive word "scaremongering" which is a recognised part of the English lexicon. It is not yet known / knowing whether the word "caremongering" will stay around long / short enough for dictionary editors to include it / them in future editions of their word lists. "Caremongering" aroused / arose after Canadians found new ways of helping vulnerability / vulnerable people during the COVID-19 virus. Social media is helping / helped to spread the concept across Canada. Within 72 hours of the term trending, over 35 Facebook groups were set down / up with more than 30,000 members.

    The founders of the first caremongering group spoken / spoke about the meaning of the name. Valentina Harper spoke / told the BBC: "Scaremongering is a big problem. We wanted to switch / swish that around and get people to connect on a positivity / positive level, to connect with each other." She added: "Caremongering has speared / spread the opposite of panic in people, brought exit / out community and camaraderie, and allowed us to tackle the needs of those who are at risky / risk." Ms Harper explained why caremongering was important / importance in society. She said: "Anxiety, isolation and lack of hope affects / effects you....This virtual community...is really showing people there is still / last hope for humanity. We haven't lost our hope."

    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)

    A n_w t_r m h_s _m_r g_d w_t h t h_ _d v_n t _f t h_ c_r_n_v_r_s __ t b r__ k . T h_ w_r d " c_r_m_n g_r_n g " s t_r t_d t r_n d_n g _f t_r _c t s _f k_n d n_s s _n C_n_d_. T h_ w_r d c_m_s f r_m t h_ l_s s p_s_t_v_ w_r d " s c_r_m_n g_r_n g " w h_c h _s _ r_c_g n_s_d p_r t _f t h_ E n g l_s h l_x_c_n . I t _s n_t y_t k n_w n w h_t h_r t h_ w_r d " c_r_m_n g_r_n g " w_l l s t_y _r__ n d l_n g _n__ g h f_r d_c t__ n_r y _d_t_r s t_ _n c l_d_ _t _n f_t_r_ _d_t__ n s _f t h__ r w_r d l_s t s . " C_r_m_n g_r_n g " _r_s_ _f t_r C_n_d__ n s f__ n d n_w w_y s _f h_l p_n g v_l n_r_b l_ p__ p l_ d_r_n g t h_ C O V I D - 1 9 v_r_s . S_c__ l m_d__ _s h_l p_n g t_ s p r__ d t h_ c_n c_p t _c r_s s C_n_d_. W_t h_n 7 2 h__ r s _f t h_ t_r m t r_n d_n g , _v_r 3 5 F_c_b__ k g r__ p s w_r_ s_t _p w_t h m_r_ t h_n 3 0 , 0 0 0 m_m b_r s .

    T h_ f__ n d_r s _f t h_ f_r s t c_r_m_n g_r_n g g r__ p s p_k_ _b__ t t h_ m__ n_n g _f t h_ n_m_. V_l_n t_n_ H_r p_r t_l d t h_ B B C : " S c_r_m_n g_r_n g _s _ b_g p r_b l_m . W_ w_n t_d t_ s w_t c h t h_t _r__ n d _n d g_t p__ p l_ t_ c_n n_c t _n _ p_s_t_v_ l_v_l , t_ c_n n_c t w_t h __ c h _t h_r . " S h_ _d d_d : " C_r_m_n g_r_n g h_s s p r__ d t h_ _p p_s_t_ _f p_n_c _n p__ p l_, b r__ g h t __ t c_m m_n_t y _n d c_m_r_d_r__ , _n d _l l_w_d _s t_ t_c k l_ t h_ n__ d s _f t h_s_ w h_ _r_ _t r_s k . " M s H_r p_r _x p l__ n_d w h y c_r_m_n g_r_n g w_s _m p_r t_n t _n s_c__ t y . S h_ s__ d : " A n x__ t y , _s_l_t__ n _n d l_c k _f h_p_ _f f_c t s y__ . . . . T h_s v_r t__ l c_m m_n_t y . . ._s r__ l l y s h_w_n g p__ p l_ t h_r_ _s s t_l l h_p_ f_r h_m_n_t y . W_ h_v_n ' t l_s t __ r h_p_. "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new term has emerged with the advent of the coronavirus outbreak the word caremongering started trending after acts of kindness in canada the word comes from the less positive word scaremongering which is a recognised part of the english lexicon it is not yet known whether the word caremongering will stay around long enough for dictionary editors to include it in future editions of their word lists caremongering arose after canadians found new ways of helping vulnerable people during the covid19 virus social media is helping to spread the concept across canada within 72 hours of the term trending over 35 facebook groups were set up with more than 30000 members

    the founders of the first caremongering group spoke about the meaning of the name valentina harper told the bbc scaremongering is a big problem we wanted to switch that around and get people to connect on a positive level to connect with each other she added caremongering has spread the opposite of panic in people brought out community and camaraderie and allowed us to tackle the needs of those who are at risk ms harper explained why caremongering was important in society she said anxiety isolation and lack of hope affects youthis virtual communityis really showing people there is still hope for humanity we havent lost our hope

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Anewtermhasemergedwiththeadventofthecoronavirusoutbreak.Th
    eword"caremongering"startedtrendingafteractsofkindnessinCanad
    a.Thewordcomesfromthelesspositiveword"scaremongering"whichis
    arecognisedpartoftheEnglishlexicon.Itisnotyetknownwhetherthewo
    rd"caremongering"willstayaroundlongenoughfordictionaryeditorsto
    includeitinfutureeditionsoftheirwordlists."Caremongering"aroseaft
    erCanadiansfoundnewwaysofhelpingvulnerablepeopleduringtheCO
    VID-19virus.SocialmediaishelpingtospreadtheconceptacrossCanad
    a.Within72hoursofthetermtrending,over35Facebookgroupswereset
    upwithmorethan30,000members.Thefoundersofthefirstcaremonge
    ringgroupspokeaboutthemeaningofthename.ValentinaHarpertoldth
    eBBC:"Scaremongeringisabigproblem.Wewantedtoswitchthatarou
    ndandgetpeopletoconnectonapositivelevel,toconnectwitheachother
    ."Sheadded:"Caremongeringhasspreadtheoppositeofpanicinpeople
    ,broughtoutcommunityandcamaraderie,andallowedustotacklethen
    eedsofthosewhoareatrisk."MsHarperexplainedwhycaremongeringw
    asimportantinsociety.Shesaid:"Anxiety,isolationandlackofhopeaffe
    ctsyou....Thisvirtualcommunity...isreallyshowingpeoplethereisstill
    hopeforhumanity.Wehaven'tlostourhope."

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    COVID-19 will make the world a more caring place. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    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. CARING: Make a poster about caring. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. CARE LESSONS: Write a magazine article about teaching schoolchildren how to care for others. 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 caring. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can care for others more during the COVID-19 crisis. 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.)

    Back to the top

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You