The Reading / Listening - Cow Burps - Level 3

New Zealand is thinking about introducing a new tax to help the environment. It wants farmers to pay tax on the numbers of farm animals they have. Sheep, cows and other livestock create a lot of methane. This is one of the most damaging greenhouse gases. It is a big cause of climate change. Animals release methane every time they burp or fart. The "burp tax" would take effect in 2025. New Zealand has over 20,000 farms. There are around 26 million sheep, 4 million cows and other animals in the country. James Shaw, New Zealand's climate change minister, said: "There is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into the atmosphere."

Farming animals accounts for around 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gasses. This comes from animals burping and farting, animal waste, clearing land for animals and transporting animals. Mr Shaw wants farming to be more environmentally friendly. Farmers will have to pay a kind of tax for the methane their animals produce. Shaw also wants farmers to change the way they farm. He wants them to feed their animals on seaweed instead of grass. This will produce fewer emissions. Mr Shaw also said farmers can reduce the tax they pay by planting more trees. Another suggestion is for cows to wear special masks. New Zealand's farmers support the government. They want to do their bit to help the environment.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Cow Burps - Level 0,  Cow Burps - Level 1   or  Cow Burps - Level 2

Sources
  • https://news.yahoo.com/new-zealand-considers-taxing-cow-and-sheep-burps-to-combat-climate-change-184504518.html
  • https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/government-in-race-against-time-to-price-farm-emissions-by-2025/FSV7YDFQVOJBLCR2XCAML73XSA/
  • https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/environment/new-zealand-tax-burps-of-cows-sheep-climate-crisis/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. COW BURPS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about cow burps. 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?
       New Zealand / tax / environment / farmers / livestock / greenhouses gasses / sheep /
       burping / farting / animal waste / methane / seaweed / grass / cows / trees / masks
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BURP TAX: Students A strongly believe taxing cow and sheep burps is a good idea; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TAX: What do you think of a tax on these things? How much should it be? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Think

How Much

Why

Cow burps

 

 

 

Sugar

 

 

 

Cigarettes

 

 

 

Company profits

 

 

 

Income

 

 

 

Water

 

 

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

  • Cows
  • Pigs
  • Goats
  • Chickens
  • Sheep
  • Ostriches
  • Horses
  • Dogs

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. introducing a. A reason for something happening.
      2. pay b. Farm animals that will be sold for meat or milk.
      3. livestock c. Give money for shopping or tax.
      4. methane d. Start to apply.
      5. cause e. Bringing something, especially a product, action, or concept) into use or operation for the first time.
      6. release f. A colourless, odourless gas that causes a lot of harm to the environment.
      7. take effect g. Allow something to move, act, or flow freely.

    Paragraph 2

      8. account for h. To have the job of growing crops or keeping sheep, cows, etc.
      9. waste i. Putting a seed, bulb, or plant in the ground so that it can grow.
      10. produce j. The production and release of something, especially gas or radiation.
      11. farm k. What comes out or animals' (and humans') bodies when they go to the toilet.
      12. emissions l. Does a fair share of helping.
      13. planting m. Be part of or make up a number, amount or proportion.
      14. do their bit n. Create or make.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. New Zealand wants a new tax to help the environment.     T / F
  2. Cow and sheep burps create a lot of greenhouse gas.     T / F
  3. There are around 26 million cows in New Zealand.     T / F
  4. New Zealand's climate change minister said he had no questions.     T / F
  5. New Zealand's farms create 14.5% of global greenhouse gases.    T / F
  6. Cows in New Zealand might have to eat seaweed instead of grass.     T / F
  7. Cows in New Zealand might have to wear masks.     T / F
  8. New Zealand's farmers do not support the government's plans.     T / F

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

  1. thinking about
  2. livestock
  3. cause
  4. burp
  5. cut
  6. transporting
  7. produce
  8. change
  9. suggestion
  10. support
  1. idea
  2. belch
  3. moving
  4. reduce
  5. farm animals
  6. back
  7. create
  8. considering
  9. amend
  10. reason

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

  1. New Zealand is thinking about
  2. Sheep, cows and other livestock create
  3. The "burp tax" would take
  4. There is no question that we need
  5. methane we are putting
  6. Farming animals accounts for
  7. Mr Shaw wants farming to be more
  8. feed their animals on seaweed
  9. farmers can reduce
  10. They want to do their
  1. a lot of methane
  2. environmentally friendly
  3. into the atmosphere
  4. instead of grass
  5. around 14.5 per cent
  6. bit to help
  7. introducing a new tax
  8. the tax they pay
  9. to cut the amount
  10. effect in 2025

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
other
livestock
atmosphere
methane
help
question
effect
cause

New Zealand is thinking about introducing a new tax to (1) _____________________ the environment. It wants farmers to pay tax on the numbers of farm animals they have. Sheep, cows and other (2) _____________________ create a lot of methane. This is one of the most damaging greenhouse gases. It is a big (3) _____________________ of climate change. Animals release (4) _____________________ every time they burp or fart. The "burp tax" would take (5) _____________________ in 2025. New Zealand has over 20,000 farms. There are around 26 million sheep, 4 million cows and (6) _____________________ animals in the country. James Shaw, New Zealand's climate change minister, said: "There is no (7) _____________________ that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into the (8) _____________________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
kind
accounts
suggestion
friendly
bit
way
waste
fewer

Farming animals (9) _____________________ for around 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gasses. This comes from animals burping and farting, animal (10) _____________________, clearing land for animals and transporting animals. Mr Shaw wants farming to be more environmentally (11) _____________________. Farmers will have to pay a (12) _____________________ of tax for the methane their animals produce. Shaw also wants farmers to change the (13) _____________________ they farm. He wants them to feed their animals on seaweed instead of grass. This will produce (14) _____________________ emissions. Mr Shaw also said farmers can reduce the tax they pay by planting more trees. Another (15) _____________________ is for cows to wear special masks. New Zealand's farmers support the government. They want to do their (16) _____________________ to help the environment.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) New Zealand is thinking about introducing a new tax to ______
     a.  help an environment
     b.  help a environment
     c.  help that environment
     d.  help the environment
2)  Sheep, cows and other livestock create a ______
     a.  lot off meth aim
     b.  lot of me thinks
     c.  lot of methane
     d.  lot of methanol
3)  Animals release methane every time they ______
     a.  burp or part
     b.  burp or fart
     c.  burp or heart
     d.  burp or flirt
4)  There are around 26 million sheep, 4 million cows and other animals ______
     a.  in a country
     b.  in the country
     c.  in that country
     d.  inner country
5)  There is no question that we need to cut the ______
     a.  a mountain of methane
     b.  aim mount of methane
     c.  am mount of methane
     d.  amount of methane

6)  This comes from animals burping and farting, ______
     a.  animal waste
     b.  animal wastes
     c.  animal haste
     d.  animal waist
7)  Farmers will have to pay a kind of tax for the methane ______
     a.  their animals reduce
     b.  their animals product
     c.  their animals prod deuce
     d.  their animals produce
8)  He wants them to feed their animals on seaweed ______
     a.  instead odd grass
     b.  instead doff grass
     c.  instead of grass
     d.  in stead of glass
9)  Another suggestion is for cows to ______
     a.  weir special masks
     b.  wore special masks
     c.  where special masks
     d.  wear special masks
10)  They want to do their bit to ______
     a.  helps the environment
     b.  help the environment
     c.  helping the environment
     d.  helper environment

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

New Zealand (1) ____________________ introducing a new tax to help the environment. It wants farmers to pay tax on (2) ____________________ farm animals they have. Sheep, cows and other livestock create a lot of methane. This is (3) ____________________ most damaging greenhouse gases. It is a big cause of climate change. Animals release methane every time they burp or fart. The "burp tax" (4) ____________________ in 2025. New Zealand has over 20,000 farms. There are around 26 million sheep, 4 million (5) ____________________ animals in the country. James Shaw, New Zealand's climate change minister, said: "There is no question that we need to (6) ____________________ of methane we are putting into the atmosphere."

Farming animals (7) ____________________ 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gasses. This comes from animals burping and farting, animal waste, (8) ____________________ animals and transporting animals. Mr Shaw wants farming to be more environmentally friendly. Farmers will have to pay a kind of tax for the methane (9) ____________________. Shaw also wants farmers to change the way they farm. He wants them to feed their animals on seaweed (10) ____________________. This will produce fewer emissions. Mr Shaw also said farmers can reduce the tax they pay by (11) ____________________. Another suggestion is for cows to wear special masks. New Zealand's farmers support the government. They want to (12) ____________________ to help the environment.

Comprehension questions

  1. What does the new tax want to help?
  2. What does livestock create a lot of?
  3. When might the tax come into effect?
  4. How many cows are there in New Zealand?
  5. What does New Zealand's climate change minister want to cut?
  6. What accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gasses?
  7. What does James Shaw want farming to be?
  8. What might cows have to eat instead of grass?
  9. What might cows have to wear?
  10. What do farmers want to do to help the environment?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the new tax want to help?
a) cows
b) farmers
c) the environment
d) chickens
2) What does livestock create a lot of?
a) methane
b) noise
c) meat
d) interesting smells
3) When might the tax come into effect?
a) 2024
b) 2025
c) 2026
d) 2027
4) How many cows are there in New Zealand?
a) 26 million
b) 20,000
c) 14.5 million
d) four million
5) What does New Zealand's climate change minister want to cut?
a) the number of cows
b) the number of farms
c) methane emissions
d) his ties with farming

6) What accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gasses?
a) growing vegetables
b) farming animals
c) growing rice
d) tractors
7) What does James Shaw want farming to be?
a) more popular
b) profitable
c) easier to do
d) more environmentally friendly
8) What might cows have to eat instead of grass?
a) fruit
b) seaweed
c) baked beans
d) tofu
9) What might cows have to wear?
a) helmets
b) masks
c) boots
d) cow underpants
10) What do farmers want to do to help the environment?
a) their bit
b) grow more vegetables
c) farm more chickens
d) become vegetarian

Role play

Role  A – Cows
You think cows are the best farm animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their animals. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): sheep, goats or chickens.

Role  B – Sheep
You think sheep are the best farm animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their animals. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): cows, goats or chickens.

Role  C – Goats
You think goats are the best farm animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their animals. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): sheep, cows or chickens.

Role  D – Chickens
You think chickens are the best farm animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their animals. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): sheep, goats or cows.

After reading / listening

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

'tax'

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

    • and 'farm'.

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

    • • 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:

    • thinking
    • numbers
    • big
    • 2025
    • 4
    • question
    • 14.5
    • waste
    • land
    • trees
    • fewer
    • bit

    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 - Cow Burps

    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 'farmer'?
    3. What do you think of taxes?
    4. What do you think of taxing animals that burp and fart?
    5. What do you think of farmers?
    6. What do you know about methane?
    7. How can we better protect the environment?
    8. Should we farm fewer cows and sheep?
    9. Should there be a burp and fart tax on people?
    10. What advice do you have for farmers?

    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 'tax'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Would people becoming vegetarian cut methane emissions?
    5. Do you do your bit to help the environment?
    6. Do you think cows will like seaweed?
    7. Should we all plant more trees?
    8. Should farmers capture the methane from burping animals?
    9. What kinds of masks should cows wear?
    10. What questions would you like to ask New Zealand farmers?

    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)

    New Zealand is (1) ____ about introducing a new tax to help the environment. It wants farmers to pay tax (2) ____ the numbers of farm animals they have. Sheep, cows and other livestock create a lot of methane. This is one of the most (3) ____ greenhouse gases. It is a big cause of climate change. Animals (4) ____ methane every time they burp or fart. The "burp tax" would take effect in 2025. New Zealand has over 20,000 farms. There are (5) ____ 26 million sheep, 4 million cows and other animals in the country. James Shaw, New Zealand's climate change minister, said: "There is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are (6) ____ into the atmosphere."

    Farming animals (7) ____ for around 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gasses. This comes from animals burping and farting, animal (8) ____, clearing land for animals and transporting animals. Mr Shaw wants farming to be more environmentally friendly. Farmers will have to pay a (9) ____ of tax for the methane their animals produce. Shaw also wants farmers to change the way they (10) ____. He wants them to feed their animals on seaweed instead of grass. This will produce fewer emissions. Mr Shaw also said farmers can reduce the tax they pay by (11) ____ more trees. Another suggestion is for cows to wear special masks. New Zealand's farmers support the government. They want to do their (12) ____ to help the environment.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     thinker     (b)     thinking     (c)     thoughts     (d)     think    
    2. (a)     at     (b)     on     (c)     by     (d)     as    
    3. (a)     damaged     (b)     damages     (c)     damage     (d)     damaging    
    4. (a)     drop     (b)     release     (c)     spill     (d)     distill    
    5. (a)     round     (b)     rounded     (c)     roundly     (d)     around    
    6. (a)     putter     (b)     puts     (c)     putting     (d)     put    
    7. (a)     accounts     (b)     balances     (c)     profits     (d)     entries    
    8. (a)     haste     (b)     baste     (c)     waste     (d)     paste    
    9. (a)     selfless     (b)     class     (c)     gentle     (d)     kind    
    10. (a)     farm     (b)     form     (c)     firm     (d)     frame    
    11. (a)     planting     (b)     plants     (c)     plant     (d)     planted    
    12. (a)     bit     (b)     bite     (c)     biting     (d)     byte

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. help the vtnieennmor
    2. sheep, cows and other sikvleoct
    3. a big sueca of climate change
    4. take cfefte in 2025
    5. we need to cut the nmouta
    6. into the semoahterp

    Paragraph 2

    1. Farming animals cnoasctu for around 14.5%
    2. saedwee instead of grass
    3. This will produce fewer ssniimeos
    4. eurced the tax they pay
    5. Another tsgesogiun
    6. New Zealand's farmers tpusopr the government

    Put the text back together

    (...)  time they burp or fart. The "burp tax" would take effect in 2025. New Zealand has over
    (...)  to be more environmentally friendly. Farmers will have to pay a kind of tax for the methane their animals
    (...)  support the government. They want to do their bit to help the environment.
    (...)  seaweed instead of grass. This will produce fewer emissions. Mr Shaw also said farmers can reduce the tax they pay by
    (...)  Farming animals accounts for around 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gasses. This comes
    (...)  the country. James Shaw, New Zealand's climate change minister, said: "There is no
    (...)  of methane. This is one of the most damaging greenhouse gases. It is a big cause of climate change. Animals release methane every
    (...)  tax on the numbers of farm animals they have. Sheep, cows and other livestock create a lot
    (...)  from animals burping and farting, animal waste, clearing land for animals and transporting animals. Mr Shaw wants farming
    (...)  planting more trees. Another suggestion is for cows to wear special masks. New Zealand's farmers
    (  1  ) New Zealand is thinking about introducing a new tax to help the environment. It wants farmers to pay
    (...)  question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into the atmosphere."
    (...)  20,000 farms. There are around 26 million sheep, 4 million cows and other animals in
    (...)  produce. Shaw also wants farmers to change the way they farm. He wants them to feed their animals on

    Put the words in the right order

    1. a   tax   .   is     New Zealand     about   introducing   thinking   new
    2. numbers   tax   of   on   the   farm   Pay   animals   .
    3. damaging   of   the   most   greenhouse   gases   .   One
    4. every   release   methane   Animals   they   burp   .   time
    5. of   The   methane   amount   into   the   atmosphere   .   put
    6. be   Shaw   farming   to   wants   more   environmentally   friendly   .
    7. their   animals   seaweed   .   feed   to   He   wants   them
    8. planting   tax   the   pay   they   trees   .   by   Reduce
    9. is   masks   .   wear   to   Another   suggestion   for   cows
    10. to   their   bit   help   .   want   to   They   do

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    New Zealand is thinking / thought about introducing a new tax to help the environment. It wants farmers to pay / paid tax on the numbers of farm animals they do / have. Sheep, cows and other livestock create a lot / loads of methane. This is one of the most damaging / damaged greenhouse gases. It is a big case / cause of climate change. Animals realize / release methane every time they burp or fart. The "burp tax" would take affect / effect in 2025. New Zealand has over 20,000 farms. There are around 26 million sheep, 4 million cows and other animals in / on the country. James Shaw, New Zealand's climate change minister, said: "There is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into / onto the atmosphere."

    Farming animals account / accounts for around 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gasses. This comes from animals burping and farting, animal waste / paste, clearing land for animals and transporting animals. Mr Shaw wants farming to be more environmentally friends / friendly. Farmers will have to pay a kind of tax for the methane their / them animals produce. Shaw also wants farmers to charge / change the way they farm. He wants them to feed / food their animals on seaweed instead at / of grass. This will produce fewer emissions. Mr Shaw also said farmers can reduce the tax they pay by / as planting more trees. Another suggestion is for cows to wear / wearing special masks. New Zealand's farmers support the government. They want to do their bit / bite to help the environment.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    N_w  Z__l_nd  _s  th_nk_ng  _b__t  _ntr_d_c_ng  _  n_w  t_x  t_  h_lp  th_  _nv_r_nm_nt.  _t  w_nts  f_rm_rs  t_  p_y  t_x  _n  th_  n_mb_rs  _f  f_rm  _n_m_ls  th_y  h_v_.  Sh__p,  c_ws  _nd  _th_r  l_v_st_ck  cr__t_  _  l_t  _f  m_th_n_.  Th_s  _s  _n_  _f  th_  m_st  d_m_g_ng  gr__nh__s_  g_s_s.  _t  _s  _  b_g  c__s_  _f  cl_m_t_  ch_ng_.  _n_m_ls  r_l__s_  m_th_n_  _v_ry  t_m_  th_y  b_rp  _r  f_rt.  Th_  "b_rp  t_x"  w__ld  t_k_  _ff_ct  _n  2025.  N_w  Z__l_nd  h_s  _v_r  20,000  f_rms.  Th_r_  _r_  _r__nd  26  m_ll__n  sh__p  4  m_ll__n  c_ws  _nd  _th_r  _n_m_ls  _n  th_  c__ntry.  J_m_s  Sh_w,  N_w  Z__l_nd's  cl_m_t_  ch_ng_  m_n_st_r,  s__d:  "Th_r_  _s  n_  q__st__n  th_t  w_  n__d  t_  c_t  th_  _m__nt  _f  m_th_n_  w_  _r_  p_tt_ng  _nt_  th_  _tm_sph_r_."

    F_rm_ng  _n_m_ls  _cc__nts  f_r  _r__nd  14.5  p_r  c_nt  _f  gl_b_l  gr__nh__s_  g_ss_s.  Th_s  c_m_s  fr_m  _n_m_ls  b_rp_ng  _nd  f_rt_ng,  _n_m_l  w_st_,  cl__r_ng  l_nd  f_r  _n_m_ls  _nd  tr_nsp_rt_ng  _n_m_ls.  Mr  Sh_w  w_nts  f_rm_ng  t_  b_  m_r_  _nv_r_nm_nt_lly  fr__ndly.  F_rm_rs  w_ll  h_v_  t_  p_y  _  k_nd  _f  t_x  f_r  th_  m_th_n_  th__r  _n_m_ls  pr_d_c_.  Sh_w  _ls_  w_nts  f_rm_rs  t_  ch_ng_  th_  w_y  th_y  f_rm.  H_  w_nts  th_m  t_  f__d  th__r  _n_m_ls  _n  s__w__d  _nst__d  _f  gr_ss.  Th_s  w_ll  pr_d_c_  f_w_r  _m_ss__ns.  Mr  Sh_w  _ls_  s__d  f_rm_rs  c_n  r_d_c_  th_  t_x  th_y  p_y  by  pl_nt_ng  m_r_  tr__s.  _n_th_r  s_gg_st__n  _s  f_r  c_ws  t_  w__r  sp_c__l  m_sks.  N_w  Z__l_nd's  f_rm_rs  s_pp_rt  th_  g_v_rnm_nt.  Th_y  w_nt  t_  d_  th__r  b_t  t_  h_lp  th_  _nv_r_nm_nt.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    new zealand is thinking about introducing a new tax to help the environment it wants farmers to pay tax on the numbers of farm animals they have sheep cows and other livestock create a lot of methane this is one of the most damaging greenhouse gases it is a big cause of climate change animals release methane every time they burp or fart the burp tax would take effect in 2025 new zealand has over 20000 farms there are around 26 million sheep, 4 million cows and other animals in the country james shaw new zealands climate change minister said there is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into the atmosphere

    farming animals accounts for around 145 per cent of global greenhouse gasses this comes from animals burping and farting animal waste clearing land for animals and transporting animals mr shaw wants farming to be more environmentally friendly farmers will have to pay a kind of tax for the methane their animals produce shaw also wants farmers to change the way they farm he wants them to feed their animals on seaweed instead of grass this will produce fewer emissions mr shaw also said farmers can reduce the tax they pay by planting more trees another suggestion is for cows to wear special masks new zealands farmers support the government they want to do their bit to help the environment

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    NewZealandisthinkingaboutintroducinganewtaxtohelptheenvironm
    ent.Itwantsfarmerstopaytaxonthenumbersoffarmanimalstheyhave
    .Sheep,cowsandotherlivestockcreatealotofmethane.Thisisoneofthe
    mostdamaginggreenhousegases.Itisabigcauseofclimatechange.Ani
    malsreleasemethaneeverytimetheyburporfart.The"burptax"wouldt
    akeeffectin2025.NewZealandhasover20,000farms.Therearearound
    26millionsheep,4millioncowsandotheranimalsinthecountry.JamesS
    haw,NewZealand'sclimatechangeminister,said:"Thereisnoquestion
    thatweneedtocuttheamountofmethaneweareputtingintotheatmosp
    here."Farminganimalsaccountsforaround14.5percentofglobalgreen
    housegasses.Thiscomesfromanimalsburpingandfarting,animalwast
    e,clearinglandforanimalsandtransportinganimals.MrShawwantsfar
    mingtobemoreenvironmentallyfriendly.Farmerswillhavetopayakind
    oftaxforthemethanetheiranimalsproduce.Shawalsowantsfarmersto
    changethewaytheyfarm.Hewantsthemtofeedtheiranimalsonseawee
    dinsteadofgrass.Thiswillproducefeweremissions.MrShawalsosaidfa
    rmerscanreducethetaxtheypaybyplantingmoretrees.Anothersugge
    stionisforcowstowearspecialmasks.NewZealand'sfarmerssupportth
    egovernment.Theywanttodotheirbittohelptheenvironment.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    We need to farm less so farm animals produce less greenhouse gas. 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. COW BURPS: Make a poster about cow burps. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. BURP TAXES: Write a magazine article about introducing a burp tax on all farms. 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 cow burps. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on this. 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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