The Reading / Listening - Swiss Cheese - Level 3

Only a handful of countries are famous for producing cheese. Switzerland is one of them. However, for the first time, Switzerland is importing more cheese than it exports. The reason is that in the 1990s, Switzerland opened up its milk market. This meant other countries could sell milk in Switzerland. The result is that Swiss farmers have had difficulty competing with the cheaper, imported milk. Many Swiss dairy farmers have given up because they can no longer make a profit. This has led to a decrease in the quantity of cheese made in Switzerland. A spokesperson for the Swiss Dairy Association said the country can now only produce enough cheese for its own population.

Swiss cheese like Gruyere and Emmental are well known for their high quality. Restaurants worldwide add these cheeses to their menus. However, eateries and supermarkets around the world may have to replace Swiss cheeses with those from England, France or Venezuela. Even though Switzerland is not exporting as much cheese, the Swiss are still big cheese eaters. They are actually eating more cheese than ever. The Swiss Info website said Swiss people ate an average of 22.9 kg per person last year. Dairy farmer Lina Fischer was sad to see so many farms disappearing. She said: "From fondues to fried cheese balls, cheese is a big part of life in Switzerland. We need our farms, and cheese."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Swiss Cheese - Level 0,  Swiss Cheese - Level 1   or  Swiss Cheese - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/switzerland-set-to-import-more-cheese-than-it-exports-for-first-time/48650616
  • https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-cheese-imports-exports-trade-39462fdb0269c5953d42f4f0d1ff8f72
  • https://www.huffpost.com/entry/switzerland-to-become-net-importer-of-cheese-this-year-for-first-time_n_64a9d59ce4b0e87d6554e3ad


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. CHEESE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about cheese. 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?
       a handful / cheese / the first time / exports / the 1990s / milk / difficulty / profit /
       Swiss / restaurants / supermarkets / cheese eaters / average / fondues / farms
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. MELTED CHEESE: Students A strongly believe melted ; Students B strongly believe non-melted cheese is best. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. NATIONAL FOOD: What do you know about the food from these countries? What do you think of it? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Think

France

 

 

Japan

 

 

India

 

 

Mexico

 

 

Lebanon

 

 

Thailand

 

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

  • Cheese
  • Milk
  • Yoghurt
  • Butter
  • Cream
  • Condensed milk
  • Custard
  • Ice cream

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. a handful a. All of the people in a village, town, city, area, country or the world.
      2. producing b. A small number.
      3. import c. Trying against other people, teams or countries to be better than them, or to win something.
      4. export d. Making something.
      5. competing e. Send things from your country to another country for sale.
      6. profit f. Bring things into a country from another country for sale.
      7. population g. The money a person or business makes (minus business costs).

    Paragraph 2

      8. eatery h. A restaurant or cafe.
      9. replace i. An area of land and its buildings, used for growing rice, wheat, vegetables, etc. and for keeping animals.
      10. eater j. Change one thing for another.
      11. actually k. About the production of milk and milk products.
      12. average l. A person or animal who consumes food in a particular way.
      13. dairy m. The truth or facts of a situation; really.
      14. farm n. The average, usual or normal.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says many countries are famous for producing cheese.     T / F
  2. Switzerland's milk market was closed to other countries until the 2010s.  T / F
  3. Swiss milk is generally cheaper than the milk from other countries.     T / F
  4. Swiss cheese makers can only make enough cheese for Swiss people.     T / F
  5. Restaurants around the world may have to switch from Swiss cheeses.    T / F
  6. Swiss people are actually eating less cheese.     T / F
  7. A Swiss dairy farmer was sad at the disappearance of farms.     T / F
  8. The dairy farmer said cheese was important in Swiss life.     T / F

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

  1. producing
  2. difficulty
  3. given up
  4. quantity
  5. population
  6. well known
  7. ever
  8. ate
  9. disappearing
  10. part
  1. amount
  2. component
  3. citizens
  4. famous
  5. vanishing
  6. trouble
  7. consumed
  8. making
  9. before
  10. quit

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

  1. Only a handful
  2. Switzerland opened
  3. Many Swiss dairy farmers
  4. they can no longer make
  5. produce enough cheese
  6. Switzerland is not exporting
  7. the Swiss are still big
  8. eating more cheese than
  9. Swiss people ate an average
  10. cheese is a big part
  1. up its milk market
  2. of 22.9 kg per person
  3. for its own population
  4. of life in Switzerland
  5. cheese eaters
  6. of countries
  7. have given up
  8. as much cheese
  9. a profit
  10. ever

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
reason
imported
quantity
handful
population
time
meant
profit

Only a (1) _____________________ of countries are famous for producing cheese. Switzerland is one of them. However, for the first (2) _____________________, Switzerland is importing more cheese than it exports. The (3) _____________________ is that in the 1990s, Switzerland opened up its milk market. This (4) _____________________ other countries could sell milk in Switzerland. The result is that Swiss farmers have had difficulty competing with the cheaper, (5) _____________________ milk. Many Swiss dairy farmers have given up because they can no longer make a (6) _____________________. This has led to a decrease in the (7) _____________________ of cheese made in Switzerland. A spokesperson for the Swiss Dairy Association said the country can now only produce enough cheese for its own (8) _____________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
average
eaters
life
menus
ever
known
sad
replace

Swiss cheese like Gruyere and Emmental are well (9) _____________________ for their high quality. Restaurants worldwide add these cheeses to their (10) _____________________. However, eateries and supermarkets around the world may have to (11) _____________________ Swiss cheeses with those from England, France or Venezuela. Even though Switzerland is not exporting as much cheese, the Swiss are still big cheese (12) _____________________. They are actually eating more cheese than (13) _____________________. The Swiss Info website said Swiss people ate an (14) _____________________ of 22.9 kg per person last year. Dairy farmer Lina Fischer was (15) _____________________ to see so many farms disappearing. She said: "From fondues to fried cheese balls, cheese is a big part of (16) _____________________ in Switzerland. We need our farms, and cheese."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Only a handful of countries are famous ______
     a.  for reducing cheese
     b.  for produce sin cheese
     c.  for produce in cheese
     d.  for producing cheese
2)  Switzerland is importing more cheese ______
     a.  than it expats
     b.  than it experts
     c.  than it exports
     d.  than it exhorts
3)  dairy farmers have given up because they can no longer ______
     a.  make a profit
     b.  make a profits
     c.  make a profited
     d.  make a profitable
4)  This has led to a decrease ______
     a.  in the quantity
     b.  in the quantify
     c.  in the quality
     d.  in the quantum
5)  the country can now only produce enough cheese for ______
     a.  its own populated
     b.  its own population
     c.  its own populate it
     d.  its own population

6)  Swiss cheese like Gruyere and Emmental are well known for ______
     a.  their height quality
     b.  their hike quality
     c.  their hi quality
     d.  their high quality
7)  eateries and supermarkets around the world may have to ______
     a.  reap place Swiss cheeses
     b.  rip place Swiss cheeses
     c.  replace Swiss cheeses
     d.  ripple ace Swiss cheeses
8)  Even though Switzerland is not ______
     a.  exporting as much
     b.  exporting a smooch
     c.  exporting as mulch
     d.  export tin as much
9)  The Swiss Info website said Swiss people ate an ______
     a.  average of 22.9 kg
     b.  average of 22.8 kg
     c.  average of 22.4 kg
     d.  average of 23.9 kg
10)  From fondues to fried cheese balls, cheese is a big ______
     a.  partner off life
     b.  part of life
     c.  party of life
     d.  part off life

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Only (1) ____________________ countries are famous for producing cheese. Switzerland is one of them. However, for (2) ____________________, Switzerland is importing more cheese than it exports. The reason is that in the 1990s, Switzerland (3) ____________________ milk market. This meant other countries could sell milk in Switzerland. The result is that Swiss farmers have had difficulty competing with (4) ____________________ milk. Many Swiss dairy farmers have given up because they can no longer make a profit. This has led (5) ____________________ in the quantity of cheese made in Switzerland. A spokesperson for the Swiss Dairy Association said the country can now only produce enough cheese for (6) ____________________.

Swiss cheese like Gruyere and Emmental are well known for (7) ____________________. Restaurants worldwide add these cheeses to their menus. However, eateries and supermarkets around the world may (8) ____________________ Swiss cheeses with those from England, France or Venezuela. Even though Switzerland is not exporting as much cheese, the Swiss are still (9) ____________________. They are actually eating more cheese than ever. The Swiss Info website said Swiss people (10) ____________________ of 22.9 kg per person last year. Dairy farmer Lina Fischer was (11) ____________________ so many farms disappearing. She said: "From fondues to fried cheese balls, cheese is a big part of life in Switzerland. We (12) ____________________, and cheese."

Comprehension questions

  1. How many countries are famous for producing cheese?
  2. When did Switzerland open its milk market to other countries?
  3. What do Swiss farmers have difficulty doing?
  4. What can Swiss farmers no longer make?
  5. Who can Switzerland make cheese for?
  6. What do many restaurants add to their menus?
  7. What cheese might eateries sell besides English and French cheese?
  8. Who does the article say are big cheese eaters?
  9. How much cheese did the average Swiss person eat last year?
  10. What did a dairy farmer say she needed?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many countries are famous for producing cheese?
a) around 32
b) dozens
c) a handful
d) two
2) When did Switzerland open its milk market to other countries?
a) in the 1990s
b) in the 1980s
c) in the 1970s
d) in the 2000s
3) What do Swiss farmers have difficulty doing?
a) producing beef
b) raising cows
c) making butter and yoghurt
d) competing with cheaper milk
4) What can Swiss farmers no longer make?
a) cream
b) a profit
c) news
d) new species of cows
5) Who can Switzerland make cheese for?
a) the world
b) Europeans
c) Swiss people
d) cheese lovers

6) What do many restaurants add to their menus?
a) QR codes
b) photos
c) calorie information
d) Swiss cheese
7) What cheese might eateries sell besides English and French cheese?
a) Greek cheese
b) Venezuelan cheese
c) Dutch cheese
d) Lebanese cheese
8) Who does the article say are big cheese eaters?
a) vegetarians
b) cyclists
c) mice
d) Swiss people
9) How much cheese did the average Swiss person eat last year?
a) 22.9 kg
b) 29.2 kg
c) 92.2 kg
d) 22.2 kg
10) What did a dairy farmer say she needed?
a) a milk shake
b) a cheese sandwich
c) fondue
d) farms and cheese

Role play

Role  A – Cheese
You think cheese is the best dairy product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their products. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): milk, butter or yoghurt.

Role  B – Milk
You think milk is the best dairy product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their products. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): cheese, butter or yoghurt.

Role  C – Butter
You think butter is the best dairy product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their products. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): milk, cheese or yoghurt.

Role  D – Yoghurt
You think yoghurt is the best dairy product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their products. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): milk, butter or cheese.

After reading / listening

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

'cheese'

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

    • and 'import'.

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

    • • 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:

    • handful
    • reason
    • result
    • cheaper
    • profit
    • enough
    • known
    • replace
    • big
    • actually
    • average
    • need

    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 - Swiss Cheese

    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 'cheese'?
    3. What do you think of cheese?
    4. What can we do with cheese?
    5. Which country makes the best cheese?
    6. What are your country's biggest exports?
    7. What would life as a farmer be like?
    8. How important is cheese in your country?
    9. Is melted or non-melted cheese best?
    10. What advice do you have for Switzerland's dairy 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 'Switzerland'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What different kinds of cheese are there?
    5. What dishes containing cheese do you like?
    6. How healthy is cheese?
    7. Are you a big cheese eater?
    8. What do you think of fondues and fried cheese balls?
    9. What food do you really need?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Swiss cheese makers?

    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)

    Only a (1) ____ of countries are famous for producing cheese. Switzerland is one of them. However, for the first time, Switzerland is importing (2) ____ cheese than it exports. The reason is that in the 1990s, Switzerland opened (3) ____ its milk market. This meant other countries could sell milk in Switzerland. The result is that Swiss farmers have had (4) ____ competing with the cheaper, imported milk. Many Swiss dairy farmers have given up because they can no (5) ____ make a profit. This has led to a decrease in the quantity of cheese made in Switzerland. A spokesperson for the Swiss Dairy Association said the country can now only produce (6) ____ cheese for its own population.

    Swiss cheese like Gruyere and Emmental are well (7) ____ for their high quality. Restaurants worldwide add these cheeses to their menus. However, eateries and supermarkets around the world may have to (8) ____ Swiss cheeses with those from England, France or Venezuela. Even though Switzerland is not exporting (9) ____ much cheese, the Swiss are still big cheese eaters. They are actually eating more cheese than ever. The Swiss Info website said Swiss people ate an average (10) ____ 22.9 kg per person last year. Dairy farmer Lina Fischer was sad to see so many farms (11) ____. She said: "From fondues to fried cheese balls, cheese is a big (12) ____ of life in Switzerland. We need our farms, and cheese."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     armful     (b)     skinful     (c)     mouthful     (d)     handful    
    2. (a)     much     (b)     many     (c)     most     (d)     more    
    3. (a)     on     (b)     up     (c)     in     (d)     down    
    4. (a)     difficult     (b)     difficultness     (c)     difficulty     (d)     differs    
    5. (a)     lengthen     (b)     longing     (c)     longer     (d)     longest    
    6. (a)     enough     (b)     plenty     (c)     amount     (d)     quantity    
    7. (a)     knows     (b)     known     (c)     knowing     (d)     know    
    8. (a)     replace     (b)     cross     (c)     ban     (d)     melt    
    9. (a)     has     (b)     as     (c)     was     (d)     that    
    10. (a)     at     (b)     on     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    11. (a)     diapers     (b)     disappearance     (c)     disappearing     (d)     disappears    
    12. (a)     thing     (b)     matter     (c)     ratio     (d)     part

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Only a adnhful of countries
    2. they can no longer make a rofpit
    3. This has led to a rcdeesae
    4. the unqitaty of cheese made in Switzerland
    5. A soksprepseon for the Swiss Dairy Association
    6. enough cheese for its own lpuaoitpon

    Paragraph 2

    1. well known for their high aqiluty
    2. eplrcae Swiss cheeses
    3. Switzerland is not xoetrping as much cheese
    4. the Swiss are still big cheese aeetrs
    5. an vreaage of 22.9 kg per person
    6. sad to see so many farms spiapearidng

    Put the text back together

    (...)  profit. This has led to a decrease in the quantity of cheese made in Switzerland. A spokesperson
    (...)  with the cheaper, imported milk. Many Swiss dairy farmers have given up because they can no longer make a
    (...)  exports. The reason is that in the 1990s, Switzerland opened up its milk market. This meant other
    (...)  replace Swiss cheeses with those from England, France or Venezuela. Even though Switzerland
    (...)  for the Swiss Dairy Association said the country can now only produce enough cheese for its own population.
    (...)  year. Dairy farmer Lina Fischer was sad to see so many farms disappearing. She said: "From fondues
    (...)  is not exporting as much cheese, the Swiss are still big cheese eaters. They are actually eating more cheese than
    (...)  Swiss cheese like Gruyere and Emmental are well known for their high quality. Restaurants worldwide add these cheeses
    (...)  countries could sell milk in Switzerland. The result is that Swiss farmers have had difficulty competing
    (...)  ever. The Swiss Info website said Swiss people ate an average of 22.9 kg per person last
    (...)  to their menus. However, eateries and supermarkets around the world may have to
    (...)  them. However, for the first time, Switzerland is importing more cheese than it
    (...)  to fried cheese balls, cheese is a big part of life in Switzerland. We need our farms, and cheese."
    (  1  ) Only a handful of countries are famous for producing cheese. Switzerland is one of

    Put the words in the right order

    1. are   A   countries   for   of   famous   handful   cheese   .
    2. is   importing   than   cheese   Switzerland   more   it   exports   .
    3. countries   could   sell   milk   Other   in   Switzerland   .
    4. can   longer   no   They   make   a   profit   .
    5. produces   enough   cheese   for   its   It   own   population   .
    6. worldwide   cheeses   these   add   to   Restaurants   their   menus   .
    7. may   have   to   replace   Supermarkets   Swiss   cheeses   .
    8. Swiss   still   are   The   big   cheese   eaters   .
    9. are   actually   eating   more   cheese   They   than   ever   .
    10. sad   so   see   to   many   She's   farms   disappearing   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Only a mouthful / handful of countries are famous for / to producing cheese. Switzerland is one of them. However, for the first time, Switzerland is importing more / most cheese than it exports. The reason are / is that in the 1990s, Switzerland opened up its milky / milk market. This meant other countries could sell milk in Switzerland. The result is that Swiss farmers have had difficulty completing / competing with the cheaper, imported milk. Many Swiss dairy farmers have given down / up because they can no longer make a profit. This has led / lid to a decrease in the quantity of cheese made in Switzerland. A spokesperson for the Swiss Dairy Association said the country can know / now only produce enough cheese for its own / owner population.

    Swiss cheese like Gruyere and Emmental are well knowing / known for their high quality. Restaurants worldwide add / minus these cheeses to their menus. However, eateries and supermarkets abound / around the world may have to replace Swiss cheeses with them / those from England, France or Venezuela. Even though Switzerland is not exporting as many / much cheese, the Swiss are still big cheese eats / eaters. They are actually eating more cheese than never / ever. The Swiss Info website said Swiss people ate an average of 22.9 kg per / par person last year. Dairy farmer Lina Fischer was sad to see so many farms disappearing / disappearance. She said: "From fondues to fried cheese balls, cheese is a big part of life in Switzerland. We needy / need our farms, and cheese."

    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)

    _nly  _  h_ndf_l  _f  c__ntr__s  _r_  f_m__s  f_r  pr_d_c_ng  ch__s_.  Sw_tz_rl_nd  _s  _n_  _f  th_m.  H_w_v_r,  f_r  th_  f_rst  t_m_,  Sw_tz_rl_nd  _s  _mp_rt_ng  m_r_  ch__s_  th_n  _t  _xp_rts.  Th_  r__s_n  _s  th_t  _n  th_  1990s,  Sw_tz_rl_nd  _p_n_d  _p  _ts  m_lk  m_rk_t.  Th_s  m__nt  _th_r  c__ntr__s  c__ld  s_ll  m_lk  _n  Sw_tz_rl_nd.  Th_  r_s_lt  _s  th_t  Sw_ss  f_rm_rs  h_v_  h_d  d_ff_c_lty  c_mp_t_ng  w_th  th_  ch__p_r,  _mp_rt_d  m_lk.  M_ny  Sw_ss  d__ry  f_rm_rs  h_v_  g_v_n  _p  b_c__s_  th_y  c_n  n_  l_ng_r  m_k_  _  pr_f_t.  Th_s  h_s  l_d  t_  _  d_cr__s_  _n  th_  q__nt_ty  _f  ch__s_  m_d_  _n  Sw_tz_rl_nd.  _  sp_k_sp_rs_n  f_r  th_  Sw_ss  D__ry  _ss_c__t__n  s__d  th_  c__ntry  c_n  n_w  _nly  pr_d_c_  _n__gh  ch__s_  f_r  _ts  _wn  p_p_l_t__n.

    Sw_ss  ch__s_  l_k_  Gr_y_r_  _nd  _mm_nt_l  _r_  w_ll  kn_wn  f_r  th__r  h_gh  q__l_ty.  R_st__r_nts  w_rldw_d_  _dd  th_s_  ch__s_s  t_  th__r  m_n_s.  H_w_v_r,  __t_r__s  _nd  s_p_rm_rk_ts  _r__nd  th_  w_rld  m_y  h_v_  t_  r_pl_c_  Sw_ss  ch__s_s  w_th  th_s_  fr_m  _ngl_nd,  Fr_nc_  _r  V_n_z__l_.  _v_n  th__gh  Sw_tz_rl_nd  _s  n_t  _xp_rt_ng  _s  m_ch  ch__s_,  th_  Sw_ss  _r_  st_ll  b_g  ch__s_  __t_rs.  Th_y  _r_  _ct__lly  __t_ng  m_r_  ch__s_  th_n  _v_r.  Th_  Sw_ss  _nf_  w_bs_t_  s__d  Sw_ss  p__pl_  _t_  _n  _v_r_g_  _f  22.9  kg  p_r  p_rs_n  l_st  y__r.  D__ry  f_rm_r  L_n_  F_sch_r  w_s  s_d  t_  s__  s_  m_ny  f_rms  d_s_pp__r_ng.  Sh_  s__d:  "Fr_m  f_nd__s  t_  fr__d  ch__s_  b_lls,  ch__s_  _s  _  b_g  p_rt  _f  l_f_  _n  Sw_tz_rl_nd.  W_  n__d  __r  f_rms,  _nd  ch__s_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    only a handful of countries are famous for producing cheese switzerland is one of them however for the first time switzerland is importing more cheese than it exports the reason is that in the 1990s switzerland opened up its milk market this meant other countries could sell milk in switzerland the result is that swiss farmers have had difficulty competing with the cheaper imported milk many swiss dairy farmers have given up because they can no longer make a profit this has led to a decrease in the quantity of cheese made in switzerland a spokesperson for the swiss dairy association said the country can now only produce enough cheese for its own population

    swiss cheese like gruyere and emmental are well known for their high quality restaurants worldwide add these cheeses to their menus however eateries and supermarkets around the world may have to replace swiss cheeses with those from england france or venezuela even though switzerland is not exporting as much cheese the swiss are still big cheese eaters they are actually eating more cheese than ever the swiss info website said swiss people ate an average of 229 kg per person last year dairy farmer lina fischer was sad to see so many farms disappearing she said from fondues to fried cheese balls cheese is a big part of life in switzerland we need our farms and cheese

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Onlyahandfulofcountriesarefamousforproducingcheese.Switzerlan
    disoneofthem.However,forthefirsttime,Switzerlandisimportingmor
    echeesethanitexports.Thereasonisthatinthe1990s,Switzerlandopen
    edupitsmilkmarket.ThismeantothercountriescouldsellmilkinSwitzer
    land.TheresultisthatSwissfarmershavehaddifficultycompetingwitht
    hecheaper,importedmilk.ManySwissdairyfarmershavegivenupbeca
    usetheycannolongermakeaprofit.Thishasledtoadecreaseinthequant
    ityofcheesemadeinSwitzerland.AspokespersonfortheSwissDairyAss
    ociationsaidthecountrycannowonlyproduceenoughcheeseforitsown
    population.SwisscheeselikeGruyereandEmmentalarewellknownfort
    heirhighquality.Restaurantsworldwideaddthesecheesestotheirmen
    us.However,eateriesandsupermarketsaroundtheworldmayhavetor
    eplaceSwisscheeseswiththosefromEngland,FranceorVenezuela.Eve
    nthoughSwitzerlandisnotexportingasmuchcheese,theSwissarestillb
    igcheeseeaters.Theyareactuallyeatingmorecheesethanever.TheSw
    issInfowebsitesaidSwisspeopleateanaverageof22.9kgperpersonlas
    tyear.DairyfarmerLinaFischerwassadtoseesomanyfarmsdisappeari
    ng.Shesaid:"Fromfonduestofriedcheeseballs,cheeseisabigpartoflife
    inSwitzerland.Weneedourfarms,andcheese."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Swiss cheese is the best in the world. 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. CHEESE: Make a poster about cheese. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. HELP: Write a magazine article about helping Swiss farmers. 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 cheese. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on cheese. 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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