The Reading / Listening - Birth Rate Crisis - Level 3

The United Nations has said the world is experiencing a birth rate crisis. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released a report called "State of World Population 2025". It highlights how fewer and fewer children are being born all over the world. At the same time, people are living longer. Falling birth rates and increased longevity are creating many problems. Smaller numbers of workers are having to pay the pensions of older people who have retired. Dr Natalia Kanem, executive director of UNFPA, said: "Many countries are [struggling] with ageing and shrinking populations, labour shortages, and rising healthcare and pension costs. These are real concerns."

The United Nations surveyed over 14,000 people in 14 countries on five continents to make its report. One of the key findings was of the global fertility crisis. The UN said the high cost of parenthood is the biggest reason for women not having children. Many couples want children, but they cannot afford them. Nearly 20 per cent of adults believe they will not be able to have the number of children they want. There were other reasons for falling birth rates. These include low salaries, expensive housing, and worries about the future of our world. The UN said one solution to the crisis is to create "family-friendly policies, such as affordable childcare and paid leave for all carers".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Birth Rate Crisis - Level 0,  Birth Rate Crisis - Level 1   or  Birth Rate Crisis - Level 2

Sources
  • https://news.sky.com/story/global-birth-rates-crisis-people-do-still-want-to-have-children-but-many-cant-heres-why-13381290
  • https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jun/10/un-population-fund-unfpa-report-reasons-falling-global-fertility
  • https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/swp25-highlights-%5Beng%5D-v250530-web.pdf


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. BABIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about babies. 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?
       United Nations / birth rate / crisis / report / population / children / pension / concerns
       continents / fertility / parenthood / couples / salaries / housing / the future / carers
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. THREE BABIES: Students A strongly believe all couples should have three or more babies; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. UNITED NATIONS: What do you know about these United Nations agencies? What would you like to know? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Want To Know

UNESCO

 

 

WHO

 

 

WFP

 

 

FAO

 

 

UNICEF

 

 

IAEA

 

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

  • Money
  • No sleep
  • Work-life balance
  • Worries about their future
  • Non-stop responsibility
  • Safety
  • Childcare
  • Bad behaviour

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. birth rate a. Gave or showed something to the public.
      2. crisis b. How many babies are born in a place each year.
      3. released c. Living for a long time.
      4. longevity d. Money people get when they stop working because they are old.
      5. pension e. A big and serious problem.
      6. struggling f. Becoming smaller and smaller.
      7. shrinking g. Having a hard time doing something.

    Paragraph 2

      8. surveyed h. The seven big areas of land - Africa, Europe, South America, North America, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica.
      9. continent i. Have enough money to buy or do something.
      10. key j. Asked people questions to learn what they think.
      11. couple k. Very (most) important.
      12. afford l. The answer to a problem.
      13. solution m. Two people in a relationship (like a husband and wife).
      14. policy n. A plan or rule made by a group or government for people to follow.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The WHO said there will be a crisis because fewer babies are being born. T / F
  2. Fewer babies are being born and people are living longer.     T / F
  3. There are fewer workers to pay for the pensions of retired people.     T / F
  4. Many countries are having problems finding workers.     T / F
  5. The U.N. questioned people in 140 countries about having children.     T / F
  6. A key finding of the report was a global virility crisis.     T / F
  7. One in five adults worry they can't have the number of kids they want.    T / F
  8. The U.N. said there should be more paid leave only for mothers.     T / F

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

  1. crisis
  2. released
  3. longevity
  4. shrinking
  5. concerns
  6. surveyed
  7. afford
  8. reasons
  9. solution
  10. policies
  1. questioned
  2. getting smaller
  3. pay for
  4. issued
  5. strategies
  6. answer
  7. disaster
  8. worries
  9. causes
  10. long life

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

  1. the world is experiencing
  2. At the same time, people are
  3. pay the pensions of older people
  4. countries are struggling with ageing
  5. rising healthcare and pension
  6. The United Nations surveyed
  7. 14 countries
  8. the biggest reason for women
  9. worries about the
  10. family-friendly policies, such as
  1. and shrinking populations
  2. on five continents
  3. costs
  4. over 14,000 people
  5. affordable childcare
  6. who have retired
  7. future of our world
  8. a birth rate crisis
  9. not having children
  10. living longer

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
longevity
retired
released
concerns
pensions
experiencing
shortages
born

The United Nations has said the world is (1) ______________________________________________ a birth rate crisis. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has (2) ______________________________________________ a report called "State of World Population 2025". It highlights how fewer and fewer children are being (3) ______________________________________________ all over the world. At the same time, people are living longer. Falling birth rates and increased (4) ______________________________________________ are creating many problems. Smaller numbers of workers are having to pay the (5) ______________________________________________ of older people who have (6) ______________________________________________. Dr Natalia Kanem, executive director of UNFPA, said: "Many countries are [struggling] with ageing and shrinking populations, labour (7) ______________________________________________, and rising healthcare and pension costs. These are real (8) ______________________________________________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
key
number
solution
surveyed
paid
afford
falling
cost

The United Nations (9) ______________________________________________ over 14,000 people in 14 countries on five continents to make its report. One of the (10) ______________________________________________ findings was of the global fertility crisis. The UN said the high (11) ______________________________________________ of parenthood is the biggest reason for women not having children. Many couples want children, but they cannot (12) ______________________________________________ them. Nearly 20 per cent of adults believe they will not be able to have the (13) ______________________________________________ of children they want. There were other reasons for (14) ______________________________________________ birth rates. These include low salaries, expensive housing, and worries about the future of our world. The UN said one (15) ______________________________________________ to the crisis is to create "family-friendly policies, such as affordable childcare and (16) ______________________________________________ leave for all carers".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The United Nations has said the world is experiencing a ______
     a.  birth late crisis
     b.  bath rate crisis
     c.  birth rate crisis
     d.  birth rate crises
2)  The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has ______
     a.  released the report
     b.  released a reports
     c.  release a report
     d.  released a report
3)  It highlights how fewer and fewer children are being born all ______
     a.  over a world
     b.  over the worlds
     c.  cover the world
     d.  over the world
4)  workers are having to pay the pensions of older people ______
     a.  who has retired
     b.  who have retired
     c.  whom have retired
     d.  who have retire
5)  shrinking populations, labour shortages, and rising healthcare ______
     a.  and person costs
     b.  and pension costs
     c.  end pension costs
     d.  and pension accosts

6)  The United Nations surveyed over 14,000 people in 14 countries ______
     a.  on five continents
     b.  on five incontinence
     c.  on five contents
     d.  on five containments
7)  One of the key findings was of the ______
     a.  global philately crisis
     b.  global fertility crisis
     c.  global formality crisis
     d.  global fragility crisis
8)  Many couples want children, but they ______
     a.  cannot afford the
     b.  cannot afford there
     c.  cannot afford then
     d.  cannot afford thumb
9)  These include low salaries, expensive housing, and worries ______
     a.  about a future
     b.  about that future
     c.  about the future
     d.  about this future
10)  the crisis is to create family-friendly policies, such as affordable childcare ______
     a.  end paid leave
     b.  and plaid leave
     c.  and paid leave
     d.  and paid leaf

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Nations has said the world (1) _________________________________________________ birth rate crisis. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released a report called "State of World Population 2025". It (2) __________________________________________________ and fewer children are being born all over the world. At (3) __________________________________________________, people are living longer. Falling birth rates and increased (4) __________________________________________________ many problems. Smaller numbers of workers are having to (5) __________________________________________________ of older people who have retired. Dr Natalia Kanem, executive director of UNFPA, said: "Many countries are [struggling] with ageing and shrinking populations, labour shortages, (6) __________________________________________________ and pension costs. These are real concerns."

The United Nations surveyed over 14,000 people in 14 countries (7) __________________________________________________ to make its report. One of the key findings was of the global fertility crisis. The UN said the (8) __________________________________________________ parenthood is the biggest reason for women not having children. Many couples want children, but they (9) __________________________________________________. Nearly 20 per cent of adults believe they will not be able to have the number of children they want. There were (10) __________________________________________________ falling birth rates. These include low salaries, expensive housing, and worries about the future of our world. The UN said (11) __________________________________________________ the crisis is to create "family-friendly policies, (12) __________________________________________________ childcare and paid leave for all carers".

Comprehension questions

  1. What U.N. agency is responsible for the report in the article?
  2. What is the name of the report?
  3. What is happening at the same time as falling birth rates?
  4. What do young workers have to pay for?
  5. What does the article say are shrinking?
  6. How many people did the U.N. interview?
  7. What was one of the key findings of the report?
  8. How many adults worry about not having the number of kids they want?
  9. What are young people worrying about the future of?
  10. What kind of policies did the U.N. say needed to be introduced?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What U.N. agency is responsible for the report in the article?
a) UNESCO
b) UNFPA
c) WHO
d) UNICEF
2)  What is the name of the report?
a) World State of Population
b) Population State of World
c) State of World Population
d) State of Population World
3)  What is happening at the same time as falling birth rates?
a) A.I. is taking over.
b) Immigration is increasing.
c) Climate change
d) People are living longer.
4)  What do young workers have to pay for?
a) travel
b) pensions
c) insurance
d) healthcare
5)  What does the article say are shrinking?
a) populations
b) waistlines
c) budgets
d) hopes

6)  How many people did the U.N. interview?
a) more than 14,000 people
b) exactly 14,000
c) around 14,000
d) just fewer than 14,000
7)  What was one of the key findings of the report?
a) domestic violence
b) global hunger
c) A.I. is a danger
d) the global fertility crisis
8)  How many adults worry about not having the number of kids they want?
a) nearly 40%
b) nearly 30%
c) nearly 20%
d) nearly 10%
9)  What are young people worrying about the future of?
a) investments
b) children
c) money
d) our world
10)  What kind of policies did the U.N. say needed to be introduced?
a) new laws
b) family-friendly policies
c) payments to parents
d) more schools

Role play

Role  A – Money
You think money is the biggest worry about having children. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as worrying. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): no sleep, bad behaviour or worries about children's future.

Role  B – No Sleep
You think no sleep is the biggest worry about having children. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as worrying. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): money, bad behaviour or worries about children's future.

Role  C – Bad Behaviour
You think bad behaviour is the biggest worry about having children. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as worrying. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): no sleep, money or worries about children's future.

Role  D – Worries About Their Future
You think worries about children's future is the biggest worry about having children. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as worrying. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): no sleep, bad behaviour or money.

After reading / listening

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

'birth'

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

    • and 'crisis'.

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

    • • 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:

    • experiencing
    • born
    • workers
    • smaller
    • ageing
    • real
    • 14
    • key
    • high
    • adults
    • future
    • such

    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 - Birth Rate Crisis

    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 'birth'?
    3. What do you know about the United Nations?
    4. What do you think of the state of the world population?
    5. Why are fewer and fewer babies being born?
    6. Why might it be good if the global population becomes smaller?
    7. Is it a good or bad thing that people are living longer?
    8. What are the problems of people living longer?
    9. Do you worry about your old age?
    10. What will the world be like in 50 years from now?

    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 'crisis'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How expensive is it to have children?
    5. Should the government pay people to have children?
    6. What are the problems of fewer babies being born?
    7. What worries do you have about the future?
    8. Do you worry about bringing babies into this world?
    9. Is there a maximum number of people that can live on Earth?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the United Nations?

    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)

    The United Nations has said the world is experiencing a birth rate crisis. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has (1) ____ a report called "State of World Population 2025". It highlights how fewer and fewer children are being (2) ____ all over the world. At the same time, people are living (3) ____. Falling birth rates and increased longevity are creating many problems. Smaller numbers of workers are having to (4) ____ the pensions of older people who have (5) ____. Dr Natalia Kanem, executive director of UNFPA, said: "Many countries are [struggling] with ageing and shrinking populations, labour shortages, and rising healthcare and pension costs. These are real (6) ____."

    The United Nations surveyed over 14,000 people (7) ____ 14 countries on five continents to make its report. One of the key findings was (8) ____ the global fertility crisis. The UN said the high cost of parenthood is the biggest reason (9) ____ women not having children. Many couples want children, but they cannot afford them. Nearly 20 per cent of adults (10) ____ they will not be able to have the number of children they want. There were other reasons for falling birth rates. These include low salaries, expensive (11) ____, and worries about the future of our world. The UN said one solution to the crisis is to create "family-friendly policies, such as affordable childcare and paid (12) ____ for all carers".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     releases     (b)     releasing     (c)     release     (d)     released    
    2. (a)     berthed     (b)     birthed     (c)     birth     (d)     born    
    3. (a)     lengthen     (b)     longer     (c)     longing     (d)     longs    
    4. (a)     paying     (b)     paid     (c)     pay     (d)     payee    
    5. (a)     retired     (b)     retried     (c)     fired     (d)     refired    
    6. (a)     concerns     (b)     corners     (c)     concertinas     (d)     curtains    
    7. (a)     by     (b)     as     (c)     at     (d)     in    
    8. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     up     (d)     down    
    9. (a)     from     (b)     for     (c)     of     (d)     free    
    10. (a)     belief     (b)     believer     (c)     believe     (d)     believes    
    11. (a)     house     (b)     housed     (c)     housing     (d)     household    
    12. (a)     remain     (b)     leave     (c)     stay     (d)     depart

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. reengnipxeci a birth rate crisis
    2. eardsele a report
    3. Falling birth rates and increased otliveyng
    4. Many countries are igtuglgsrn
    5. labour geshroast
    6. These are real nconsecr

    Paragraph 2

    1. The UN uesrvyed over 14,000 people
    2. 14 countries on five esticontnn
    3. the global rietflyti crisis
    4. they cannot daorff them
    5. low srlsaaei
    6. one otulnsoi to the crisis

    Put the text back together

    (    )     (UNFPA) has released a report called "State of World Population 2025". It highlights how fewer and
    (    )     continents to make its report. One of the key findings was of the global fertility crisis. The UN said the high
    (    )     cost of parenthood is the biggest reason for women not having children. Many couples want children, but
    (    )     crisis is to create "family-friendly policies, such as affordable childcare and paid leave for all carers".
    (    )     fewer children are being born all over the world. At the same time, people are living longer. Falling birth rates and
    (    )     increased longevity are creating many problems. Smaller numbers of workers are having to pay the pensions
    (    )     of children they want. There were other reasons for falling birth rates. These include low
    (    )     of older people who have retired. Dr Natalia Kanem, executive director
    (    )     of UNFPA, said: "Many countries are [struggling] with ageing and shrinking populations, labour
    (    )     salaries, expensive housing, and worries about the future of our world. The UN said one solution to the
    (    )     shortages, and rising healthcare and pension costs. These are real concerns."
    (  1  )   The United Nations has said the world is experiencing a birth rate crisis. The United Nations Population Fund
    (    )     The United Nations surveyed over 14,000 people in 14 countries on five
    (    )     they cannot afford them. Nearly 20 per cent of adults believe they will not be able to have the number

    Put the words in the right order

    1. The   crisis   world   a   is   birth   rate   experiencing   .
    2. Fewer   children   and   being   fewer   are   born   .
    3. Smaller   having   to   are   workers   of   numbers   pay   .
    4. The   retired   people   have   who   pensions   of   older   .
    5. Countries   populations  and  with   shrinking  ageing   struggling   are  .
    6. People   on   countries   five   in   14   continents   .
    7. High   reason   is   the   of   costs   parenthood   biggest   .
    8. Have   want   the   they   of   children   number   .
    9. There   reasons   rates   were   other   birth   falling   for   .
    10. Childcare   for   paid   leave   carers   and   all   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The United Nations has said the world is experiencing the / a birth rate crisis. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released a / the report called "State of World Population 2025". It highlights how few / fewer and fewer children are being born all over / under the world. At the same time, people are living long / longer. Falling birth rates and increased longevity are creating many problems. Smaller numbers of works / workers are having to pay / paid the pensions of older people who have retiring / retired. Dr Natalia Kanem, executive director of UNFPA, said: "Many countries are [struggling] with agent / ageing and shrinking populations, labour shortages, and rising healthcare and pension costs. These are real concern / concerns."

    The United Nations surveyed over 14,000 people in 14 countries on five continents for / to make its report. One of the key / keyed findings was of the global virility / fertility crisis. The UN said the high / height cost of parenthood is the biggest reason / reasons for women not having children. Many couples want children, but they cannot afford them. Nearly 20 per cent of adults believe they will not be ability / able to have the number of children they want. There were other reasons for filling / falling birth rates. These include slow / low salaries, expensive housing, and worries about the future of our world. The UN said once / one solution to the crisis is to create "family-friendly policies, such as affordable childcare and paid leave / leaf for all carers".

    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)

    Th_  _n_t_d  N_t__ns  h_s  s__d  th_  w_rld  _s  _xp_r__nc_ng  _  b_rth  r_t_  cr_s_s.  Th_  _n_t_d  N_t__ns  P_p_l_t__n  F_nd  (_NFP_)  h_s  r_l__s_d  _  r_p_rt  c_ll_d  "St_t_  _f  W_rld  P_p_l_t__n  2025".  _t  h_ghl_ghts  h_w  f_w_r  _nd  f_w_r  ch_ldr_n  _r_  b__ng  b_rn  _ll  _v_r  th_  w_rld.  _t  th_  s_m_  t_m_,  p__pl_  _r_  l_v_ng  l_ng_r.  F_ll_ng  b_rth  r_t_s  _nd  _ncr__s_d  l_ng_v_ty  _r_  cr__t_ng  m_ny  pr_bl_ms.  Sm_ll_r  n_mb_rs  _f  w_rk_rs  _r_  h_v_ng  t_  p_y  th_  p_ns__ns  _f  _ld_r  p__pl_  wh_  h_v_  r_t_r_d.  Dr  N_t_l__  K_n_m,  _x_c_t_v_  d_r_ct_r  _f  _NFP_,  s__d:  "M_ny  c__ntr__s  _r_  [str_ggl_ng]  w_th  _g__ng  _nd  shr_nk_ng  p_p_l_t__ns,  l_b__r  sh_rt_g_s,  _nd  r_s_ng  h__lthc_r_  _nd  p_ns__n  c_sts.  Th_s_  _r_  r__l  c_nc_rns."

    Th_  _n_t_d  N_t__ns  s_rv_y_d  _v_r  14,000  p__pl_  _n  14  c__ntr__s  _n  f_v_  c_nt_n_nts  t_  m_k_  _ts  r_p_rt.  _n_  _f  th_  k_y  f_nd_ngs  w_s  _f  th_  gl_b_l  f_rt_l_ty  cr_s_s.  Th_  _N  s__d  th_  h_gh  c_st  _f  p_r_nth__d  _s  th_  b_gg_st  r__s_n  f_r  w_m_n  n_t  h_v_ng  ch_ldr_n.  M_ny  c__pl_s  w_nt  ch_ldr_n,  b_t  th_y  c_nn_t  _ff_rd  th_m.  N__rly  20  p_r  c_nt  _f  _d_lts  b_l__v_  th_y  w_ll  n_t  b_  _bl_  t_  h_v_  th_  n_mb_r  _f  ch_ldr_n  th_y  w_nt.  Th_r_  w_r_  _th_r  r__s_ns  f_r  f_ll_ng  b_rth  r_t_s.  Th_s_  _ncl_d_  l_w  s_l_r__s,  _xp_ns_v_  h__s_ng,  _nd  w_rr__s  _b__t  th_  f_t_r_  _f  __r  w_rld.  Th_  _N  s__d  _n_  s_l_t__n  t_  th_  cr_s_s  _s  t_  cr__t_  "f_m_ly-fr__ndly  p_l_c__s,  s_ch  _s  _ff_rd_bl_  ch_ldc_r_  _nd  p__d  l__v_  f_r  _ll  c_r_rs".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the united nations has said the world is experiencing a birth rate crisis the united nations population fund unfpa has released a report called state of world population 2025 it highlights how fewer and fewer children are being born all over the world at the same time people are living longer falling birth rates and increased longevity are creating many problems smaller numbers of workers are having to pay the pensions of older people who have retired dr natalia kanem executive director of unfpa said many countries are struggling with ageing and shrinking populations labour shortages and rising healthcare and pension costs these are real concerns

    the united nations surveyed over 14000 people in 14 countries on five continents to make its report one of the key findings was of the global fertility crisis the un said the high cost of parenthood is the biggest reason for women not having children many couples want children but they cannot afford them nearly 20 per cent of adults believe they will not be able to have the number of children they want there were other reasons for falling birth rates these include low salaries expensive housing and worries about the future of our world the un said one solution to the crisis is to create familyfriendly policies such as affordable childcare and paid leave for all carers

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheUnitedNationshassaidtheworldisexperiencingabirthratecrisis.Th
    eUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA)hasreleasedareportcalled"S
    tateofWorldPopulation2025".Ithighlightshowfewerandfewerchildre
    narebeingbornallovertheworld.Atthesametime,peoplearelivinglong
    er.Fallingbirthratesandincreasedlongevityarecreatingmanyproblem
    s.Smallernumbersofworkersarehavingtopaythepensionsofolderpeo
    plewhohaveretired.DrNataliaKanem,executivedirectorofUNFPA,sai
    d:"Manycountriesare[struggling]withageingandshrinkingpopulatio
    ns,labourshortages,andrisinghealthcareandpensioncosts.Theseare
    realconcerns."TheUnitedNationssurveyedover14,000peoplein14co
    untriesonfivecontinentstomakeitsreport.Oneofthekeyfindingswasof
    theglobalfertilitycrisis.TheUNsaidthehighcostofparenthoodisthebig
    gestreasonforwomennothavingchildren.Manycoupleswantchildren,
    buttheycannotaffordthem.Nearly20percentofadultsbelievetheywill
    notbeabletohavethenumberofchildrentheywant.Therewereotherrea
    sonsforfallingbirthrates.Theseincludelowsalaries,expensivehousing
    ,andworriesaboutthefutureofourworld.TheUNsaidonesolutiontothec
    risisistocreate"family-friendlypolicies,suchasaffordablechildcarean
    dpaidleaveforallcarers".

    Free writing

    Write about the lesson page for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Governments should pay couples to have three or more babies. 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. BABIES: Make a poster about babies. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. MORE BABIES: Write a magazine article about governments paying people to have more babies. 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 babies. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to increase birth rates. 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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