Breaking News English Lesson: Fertilizer

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War in Middle East creating fertilizer shortages (30th March 2026)

The Reading / Listening - Fertilizer - Level 6

The war in Iran has sharply increased fertilizer prices because it has disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran's near shutdown of the Strait is in retaliation for attacks by the U.S. and Israel. The Persian Gulf region is a critical supplier of fertilizer ingredients. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Oman are among the world's top exporters. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in around 30 to 40 per cent of the world's fertilizer trade being significantly disrupted. Farmers worldwide are having to pay up to 35 per cent more for fertilizer. Experts predict farmers will be planting fewer crops like corn, rice, and wheat, which will lead to lower yields and higher food prices.

The United Nations has stated that the crisis will cause a global food shortage. Carl Skau of the World Food Programme spoke about the impact the conflict might have. He outlined two scenarios, saying: "In the worst case, this means lower yields and crop failures next season. In the best case, higher input costs will be included in food prices next year." Maximo Torero, Chief Economist of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, said: "It is a systemic shock affecting agrifood systems globally." He added: "Farmers are facing a dual cost shock. They have more expensive fertilizers alongside rising fuel costs, affecting the entire agricultural value chain, including irrigation and transport."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Fertilizer - Level 4 or Fertilizer - Level 5

Sources

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167205
https://www.npr.org/2026/03/26/g-s1-115240/iran-war-strait-hormuz-fertilizer-exports-farmers-planting-season
https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-fertilizer-exports-farming-3b7c92d58dba0817c3aa8f1db47464b7

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. FERTILIZER: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about fertilizer. 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?
war / Iran / fertilizer / shipping / retaliation / ingredients / hostilities / farmers / crops
United Nations / food shortage / conflict / food prices / fuel costs / irrigation / chain
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NATURAL: Students A strongly believe we should grow food naturally, without fertilizers; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CROPS: What do you know about these crops? What can we do with them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	Uses
Rice
Wheat
Corn
Potatoes
Soy beans
Cassava

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. WAR: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "war". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SHORTAGES: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst things to be in short supply at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Oil
Rare earth materials
Natural gas
Semiconductors
Salt
Cocoa beans
Milk
Sugar

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	disrupted	a.	Very important.
2.	strategic	b.	A narrow area of water between two pieces of land.
3.	strait	c.	About the identification of long-term or overall aims and the ways of achieving them.
4.	retaliation	d.	The quantity of crops, fruit, vegetables, etc. produced by farmers or growers.
5.	critical	e.	Stopped or changed in a way that caused problems.
6.	hostilities	f.	An action done to hurt someone because they hurt you first.
7.	yields (noun)	g.	Fighting or angry actions between groups or countries.

Paragraph 2

8.	impact (noun)	h.	Described the main points of something.
9.	outlined	i.	Affecting a whole system, not only one part.
10.	scenarios	j.	The way water is brought to land so plants can grow.
11.	crop	k.	Possible situations or ways that something could happen.
12.	systemic	l.	Having two parts or two uses.
13.	dual	m.	A plant grown on a farm for food.
14.	irrigation	n.	An effect or change caused by something.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says fertilizer prices have disrupted international shipping. T / F
Persian Gulf nations produce much of the world's fertilizer ingredients. T / F
The article says farmers may have to use up to 35% more fertilizers. T / F
The article says farmers may plant less wheat and corn. T / F
The U.N. has warned of a possible global food shortage. T / F
The World Food Programme outlined three dangerous scenarios. T / F
The Food and Agriculture Organization said farmers will get two shocks. T / F
Rising fuel costs could affect irrigation. T / F

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

disrupted
strategic
retaliation
hostilities
yields
shortage
scenarios
case
dual
entire

revenge
whole
harvests
double
crucial
instance
scarcity
upset
fighting
situations

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

The war in Iran has sharply
it has disrupted
in retaliation
The Persian Gulf region is a critical
Experts predict farmers will be
the crisis will cause a
the impact the
this means lower yields
Farmers are facing a dual
more expensive fertilizers alongside

global food shortage
for attacks by the U.S.
cost shock
conflict might have
shipping
planting fewer crops
rising fuel costs
increased fertilizer prices
and crop failures
supplier of fertilizer

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

hostilities
sharply
critical
predict
yields
exporters
having
strategic

The war in Iran has (1) _________________________________ increased fertilizer prices because it has disrupted shipping through the (2) _________________________________ Strait of Hormuz. Iran's near shutdown of the Strait is in retaliation for attacks by the U.S. and Israel. The Persian Gulf region is a (3) _________________________________ supplier of fertilizer ingredients. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Oman are among the world's top (4) _________________________________. The ongoing (5) _________________________________ have resulted in around 30 to 40 per cent of the world's fertilizer trade being significantly disrupted. Farmers worldwide are (6) _________________________________ to pay up to 35 per cent more for fertilizer. Experts (7) _________________________________ farmers will be planting fewer crops like corn, rice, and wheat, which will lead to lower (8) _________________________________ and higher food prices.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

season
dual
impact
systemic
irrigation
crisis
lower
fuel

The United Nations has stated that the (9) _________________________________ will cause a global food shortage. Carl Skau of the World Food Programme spoke about the (10) _________________________________ the conflict might have. He outlined two scenarios, saying: "In the worst case, this means (11) _________________________________ yields and crop failures next (12) _________________________________. In the best case, higher input costs will be included in food prices next year." Maximo Torero, Chief Economist of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, said: "It is a (13) _________________________________ shock affecting agrifood systems globally." He added: "Farmers are facing a (14) _________________________________ cost shock. They have more expensive fertilizers alongside rising (15) _________________________________ costs, affecting the entire agricultural value chain, including (16) _________________________________ and transport."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The war in Iran has sharply increased fertilizer prices because it ______
     a. has disruptive shipping
     b. has disrupted shipping
     c. has disrupt it shipping
     d. has erupted shipping
2) Iran's near shutdown of the Strait is in ______
     a. retaliating for attacks
     b. retaliation for attacks
     c. retaliation four attacks
     d. retaliation for attack
3) The Persian Gulf region is a critical supplier ______
     a. of fertilizer ingredients
     b. of fertilizer ingredient
     c. off fertilizer ingredients
     d. oft fertilizer ingredients
4) resulted in around 30 to 40 per cent of the world's fertilizer trade ______
     a. being significant disrupted
     b. been significantly disrupted
     c. being significantly disrupt it
     d. being significantly disrupted
5) Experts predict farmers will be planting fewer crops like corn, ______
     a. lice, and wheat
     b. rice, and heat
     c. rice, and wheat
     d. rice, and whet

6) Programme spoke about the impact the ______
     a. convict might have
     b. conflicted might have
     c. conflicts might have
     d. conflict might have
7) In the worst case, this means lower yields and crop ______
     a. failures next seasons
     b. fail lures next season
     c. failures next season
     d. failures annexed season
8) It is a systemic shock affecting ______
     a. agrifood systems globalize
     b. agrifood systems global
     c. agrifood systems globally
     d. agrifood systems global
9) He added: "Farmers are facing a ______
     a. dually cost shock
     b. duel cost shock
     c. dual cost shock
     d. jewel cost shock
10) alongside rising fuel costs, affecting the entire agricultural value ______
     a. chain, including irrigation
     b. chain, including irritation
     c. chain, including immigration
     d. chain, including emigration

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The war in Iran (1) _______________________________________________ fertilizer prices because it has disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran's near shutdown of the Strait is (2) _______________________________________________ attacks by the U.S. and Israel. The Persian Gulf region is (3) _______________________________________________ of fertilizer ingredients. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Oman are among the (4) _______________________________________________. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in around 30 to 40 per cent of the world's fertilizer trade being significantly disrupted. Farmers worldwide are (5) _______________________________________________ up to 35 per cent more for fertilizer. Experts predict farmers will be planting fewer crops like corn, rice, and wheat, which will (6) _______________________________________________ yields and higher food prices.

The United Nations has stated that the (7) _______________________________________________ a global food shortage. Carl Skau of the World Food Programme spoke about the impact the conflict might have. He (8) _______________________________________________, saying: "In the worst case, this means lower yields and crop failures next season. In the best case, (9) _______________________________________________ will be included in food prices next year." Maximo Torero, Chief Economist of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, said: "It is (10) _______________________________________________ affecting agrifood systems globally." He added: "Farmers are (11) _______________________________________________ cost shock. They have more expensive fertilizers alongside rising fuel costs, (12) _______________________________________________ agricultural value chain, including irrigation and transport."

Comprehension questions

What adjective does the writer use to describe the Hormuz Strait?
What does the writer say is a major supplier of fertilizer ingredients?
How much of the world's fertilizer trade has been disrupted?
What crops will farmers be planting fewer of?
What will the fertilizer crisis lead to besides rising costs and prices?
What U.N. agency does Carl Skau work for?
What did Carl Skau say would happen in the worst-case scenario?
What did Carl Skau say would happen in the best-case scenario?
What systems will the fertilizer shock affect?
What part of the agricultural chain will be affected besides transport?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What adjective does the writer use to describe the Hormuz Strait?
a) remote
b) scenic
c) dangerous
d) strategic
2) What does the writer say is a major supplier of fertilizer ingredients?
a) deserts
b) the Persian Gulf region
c) the Strait of Hormuz
d) factories in Jordan
3) How much of the world's fertilizer trade has been disrupted?
a) around 20 to 30 per cent
b) around 30 to 40 per cent
c) around 40 to 50 per cent
d) around 50 to 60 per cent
4) What crops will farmers be planting fewer of?
a) corn, rice, and wheat
b) soy beans, potatoes and sugar cane
c) tulips, daffodils and roses
d) trees
5) What will the fertilizer crisis lead to besides rising costs and prices?
a) empty supermarket shelves
b) poorer quality fruit
c) lower yields
d) a change in our diets

6) What U.N. agency does Carl Skau work for?
a) World Health Organization
b) World Food Programme
c) World Bank
d) Food and Agriculture Organization
7) What did Carl Skau say would happen in the worst-case scenario?
a) drought
b) rioting in the streets
c) Farms will increase in size.
d) lower yields and crop failures
8) What did Carl Skau say would happen in the best-case scenario?
a) higher food prices
b) lower food prices
c) better quality produce
d) bigger farms
9) What systems will the fertilizer shock affect?
a) defensive systems
b) financial systems
c) agrifood systems
d) immune systems
10) What part of the agricultural chain will be affected besides transport?
a) advertising
b) irrigation
c) research and development
d) refuse collection

Role play

Role A – Oil
You think oil is the thing we need most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as necessary. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): semiconductors, cocoa beans or milk.

Role B – Semiconductors
You think semiconductors is the thing we need most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as necessary. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): oil, cocoa beans or milk.

Role C – Cocoa Beans
You think cocoa beans are the things we need most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as necessary. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): semiconductors, oil or milk.

Role D – Milk
You think milk is the thing we need most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as necessary. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): semiconductors, cocoa beans or oil.

After reading / listening

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

'fertilizer'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'shortage'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

sharply

near

critical

top

pay

fewer

crisis

outlined

means

shock

added

value

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 - Fertilizer

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'fertilizer'?
What do you know about fertilizers?
What do you know about the Strait of Hormuz?
How has the war in Iran affected you?
What is the best way to end the war in the Middle East?
Have you seen prices rising in the shops?
What will you do if prices get really high?
Should farmers use less fertilizer?
What advice do you have for the leaders of the US, Israel and Iran?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'shortages'?
What do you think about what you read?
How important are fertilizers?
What do you think of everyone growing some food?
How do you think the crisis in the Middle East will end?
What role does the U.N. have in this crisis?
Should we change what we eat to crops needing fewer fertilizers?
What do you think the region will be like in a month from now?
What questions would you like to ask the leaders of the US and Iran?

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 war in Iran has (1) ____ increased fertilizer prices because it has disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran's (2) ____ shutdown of the Strait is (3) ____ retaliation for attacks by the U.S. and Israel. The Persian Gulf region is a critical supplier of fertilizer ingredients. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Oman are (4) ____ the world's top exporters. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in around 30 to 40 per cent of the world's fertilizer trade (5) ____ significantly disrupted. Farmers worldwide are having to pay up to 35 per cent more for fertilizer. Experts predict farmers will be planting fewer crops like corn, rice, and wheat, which will lead to lower (6) ____ and higher food prices.

The United Nations has stated that the crisis will cause a global food shortage. Carl Skau of the World Food Programme spoke about the (7) ____ the conflict might have. He outlined two scenarios, saying: "In the worst case, this means lower yields and crop failures next (8) ____. In the best case, higher input costs will be (9) ____ in food prices next year." Maximo Torero, Chief Economist of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, said: "It is a (10) ____ shock affecting agrifood systems globally." He added: "Farmers are facing a (11) ____ cost shock. They have more expensive fertilizers alongside rising fuel costs, affecting the entire agricultural value chain, including (12) ____ and transport."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) sharpen (b) sharply (c) sharpish (d) sharp-eyed
(a) nearly (b) near (c) neared (d) nears
(a) by (b) of (c) at (d) in
(a) between (b) among (c) over (d) under
(a) be (b) been (c) was (d) being
(a) wields (b) fields (c) yields (d) fells
(a) impact (b) pact (c) compact (d) packed
(a) seasonal (b) seasoned (c) season (d) seasons
(a) inclusion (b) includes (c) inclusive (d) included
(a) systemic (b) endemic (c) pandemic (d) polemic
(a) dual (b) triple (c) quadruple (d) quintuple
(a) irrigation (b) sewerage (c) desalination (d) deluging

Spelling

Paragraph 1

it has pisdteurd shipping
the gciesatrt Strait of Hormuz
in oaeltitrian for attacks by the U.S.
a critical supplier of fertilizer dnntreigise
ongoing ieoitshislt
lead to lower ysdlie

Paragraph 2

He outlined two eaicsosrn
crop aesifulr
affecting ogfdoiar systems
facing a ldua cost shock
the entire ugarlralctiu value chain
otgaiinirr and transport

Put the text back together

(    )   30 to 40 per cent of the world's fertilizer trade being significantly disrupted. Farmers worldwide are
(    )   and Oman are among the world's top exporters. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in around
(    )   by the U.S. and Israel. The Persian Gulf region is a critical supplier of fertilizer ingredients. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran,
(    )   case, this means lower yields and crop failures next season. In the best case, higher input
(    )   costs will be included in food prices next year." Maximo Torero, Chief Economist
(    )   fertilizers alongside rising fuel costs, affecting the entire agricultural value chain, including irrigation and transport."
(    )   fewer crops like corn, rice, and wheat, which will lead to lower yields and higher food prices.
(    )   globally." He added: "Farmers are facing a dual cost shock. They have more expensive
(    )   having to pay up to 35 per cent more for fertilizer. Experts predict farmers will be planting
(    )   of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, said: "It is a systemic shock affecting agrifood systems
(    )   Strait of Hormuz. Iran's near shutdown of the Strait is in retaliation for attacks
(    )   The United Nations has stated that the crisis will cause a global food shortage. Carl Skau of the
( 1 )   The war in Iran has sharply increased fertilizer prices because it has disrupted shipping through the strategic
(    )   World Food Programme spoke about the impact the conflict might have. He outlined two scenarios, saying: "In the worst

Put the words in the right order

fertilizer has increased in Iran prices . sharply War
disrupted has It shipping Strait . strategic the through
attacks by for in It's retaliation the U.S.
among exporters . is Oman the world's top
be crops . Experts farmers fewer planting predict will
a cause crisis food global shortage . The will
about conflict have . impact might Speak the the
be costs food Higher included in prices . will
a affecting agrifood It is shock systemic systems .
affect agricultural chain . costs entire Fuel the value

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The war in Iran has sharply / shapely increased fertilizer prices because it has disrupted shipping through the strategy / strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran's near shutdown of the Strait is in / on retaliation for attacks by the U.S. and Israel. The Persian Gulf region / legion is a critical supplier of fertilizer ingredients / ingredient. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Oman are between / among the world's top exporters. The upcoming / ongoing hostilities have resulted in around 30 to 40 per cent of the world's fertilizer trade been / being significantly disrupted. Farmers worldwide are having to pay up to 35 per cent more for fertilizer. Experts predict / contradict farmers will be planting fewer crops like corn, rice, and wheat, which will lead to lower wields / yields and higher food prices.

The United Nations has stated that the crisis will cause a / the global food shortage. Carl Skau of the World Food Programme spoke about the compact / impact the conflict might have. He outlined / outlining two scenarios, saying: "In the worst case, this means lower / lowed yields and crop failures next season. In the best case, higher input costs will be inclusive / included in food prices next year." Maximo Torero, Chief Economist of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, said: "It is a systemic / systems shock affecting agrifood systems globalized / globally." He added: "Farmers are facing a duel / dual cost shock. They have more expensive fertilizers ringside / alongside rising fuel costs, affecting the entire agricultural value / valuable chain, including irrigation and transport."

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_ w_r _n _r_n h_s sh_rply _ncr__s_d f_rt_l_z_r pr_c_s b_c__s_ _t h_s d_sr_pt_d sh_pp_ng thr__gh th_ str_t_g_c Str__t _f H_rm_z. _r_n's n__r sh_td_wn _f th_ Str__t _s _n r_t_l__t__n f_r _tt_cks by th_ _.S. _nd _sr__l. Th_ P_rs__n G_lf r_g__n _s _ cr_t_c_l s_ppl__r _f f_rt_l_z_r _ngr_d__nts. Q_t_r, S__d_ _r_b__, _r_n, _nd _m_n _r_ _m_ng th_ w_rld's t_p _xp_rt_rs. Th_ _ng__ng h_st_l_t__s h_v_ r_s_lt_d _n _r__nd 30 t_ 40 p_r c_nt _f th_ w_rld's f_rt_l_z_r tr_d_ b__ng s_gn_f_c_ntly d_sr_pt_d. F_rm_rs w_rldw_d_ _r_ h_v_ng t_ p_y _p t_ 35 p_r c_nt m_r_ f_r f_rt_l_z_r. _xp_rts pr_d_ct f_rm_rs w_ll b_ pl_nt_ng f_w_r cr_ps l_k_ c_rn, r_c_, _nd wh__t, wh_ch w_ll l__d t_ l_w_r y__lds _nd h_gh_r f__d pr_c_s.

Th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns h_s st_t_d th_t th_ cr_s_s w_ll c__s_ _ gl_b_l f__d sh_rt_g_. C_rl Sk__ _f th_ W_rld F__d Pr_gr_mm_ sp_k_ _b__t th_ _mp_ct th_ c_nfl_ct m_ght h_v_. H_ __tl_n_d tw_ sc_n_r__s, s_y_ng: "_n th_ w_rst c_s_, th_s m__ns l_w_r y__lds _nd cr_p f__l_r_s n_xt s__s_n. _n th_ b_st c_s_, h_gh_r _np_t c_sts w_ll b_ _ncl_d_d _n f__d pr_c_s n_xt y__r." M_x_m_ T_r_r_, Ch__f _c_n_m_st _f th_ _N's F__d _nd _gr_c_lt_r_ _rg_n_z_t__n, s__d: "_t _s _ syst_m_c sh_ck _ff_ct_ng _gr_f__d syst_ms gl_b_lly." H_ _dd_d: "F_rm_rs _r_ f_c_ng _ d__l c_st sh_ck. Th_y h_v_ m_r_ _xp_ns_v_ f_rt_l_z_rs _l_ngs_d_ r_s_ng f__l c_sts, _ff_ct_ng th_ _nt_r_ _gr_c_lt_r_l v_l__ ch__n, _ncl_d_ng _rr_g_t__n _nd tr_nsp_rt."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the war in iran has sharply increased fertilizer prices because it has disrupted shipping through the strategic strait of hormuz irans near shutdown of the strait is in retaliation for attacks by the us and israel the persian gulf region is a critical supplier of fertilizer ingredients qatar saudi arabia iran and oman are among the worlds top exporters the ongoing hostilities have resulted in around 30 to 40 per cent of the worlds fertilizer trade being significantly disrupted farmers worldwide are having to pay up to 35 per cent more for fertilizer experts predict farmers will be planting fewer crops like corn rice and wheat which will lead to lower yields and higher food prices

the united nations has stated that the crisis will cause a global food shortage carl skau of the world food programme spoke about the impact the conflict might have he outlined two scenarios saying in the worst case this means lower yields and crop failures next season in the best case higher input costs will be included in food prices next year maximo torero chief economist of the uns food and agriculture organization said it is a systemic shock affecting agrifood systems globally he added farmers are facing a dual cost shock they have more expensive fertilizers alongside rising fuel costs affecting the entire agricultural value chain including irrigation and transport

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

ThewarinIranhassharplyincreasedfertilizerpricesbecauseithasdisru
ptedshippingthroughthestrategicStraitofHormuz.Iran'snearshutdo
wnoftheStraitisinretaliationforattacksbytheU.S.andIsrael.ThePersi
anGulfregionisacriticalsupplieroffertilizeringredients.Qatar,SaudiAr
abia,Iran,andOmanareamongtheworld'stopexporters.Theongoingh
ostilitieshaveresultedinaround30to40percentoftheworld'sfertilizert
radebeingsignificantlydisrupted.Farmersworldwidearehavingtopay
upto35percentmoreforfertilizer.Expertspredictfarmerswillbeplantin
gfewercropslikecorn,rice,andwheat,whichwillleadtoloweryieldsand
higherfoodprices.TheUnitedNationshasstatedthatthecrisiswillcause
aglobalfoodshortage.CarlSkauoftheWorldFoodProgrammespokeab
outtheimpacttheconflictmighthave.Heoutlinedtwoscenarios,saying
:"Intheworstcase,thismeansloweryieldsandcropfailuresnextseason
.Inthebestcase,higherinputcostswillbeincludedinfoodpricesnextyea
r."MaximoTorero,ChiefEconomistoftheUN'sFoodandAgricultureOrg
anization,said:"Itisasystemicshockaffectingagrifoodsystemsgloball
y."Headded:"Farmersarefacingadualcostshock.Theyhavemoreexpe
nsivefertilizersalongsiderisingfuelcosts,affectingtheentireagricultur
alvaluechain,includingirrigationandtransport."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We should all grow as much food as we can for ourselves. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. FERTILIZER: Make a poster about fertilizer. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. GROWING FOOD: Write a magazine article about all of us growing food. 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 food shortages. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to solve them. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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Breaking News English Lesson: Fertilizer

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