Breaking News English Lesson: Energy Prices

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European Union warns of energy price crisis (1st October 2026)

The Reading / Listening - Energy Prices - Level 3

The European Union (EU) is worried about rising energy prices. An EU body called the European Commission wants countries to reduce their use of gas and electricity to help control prices. The EU's Energy Commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, said: "We are facing a price crisis linked to a supply crisis." He said using less energy could help to keep fuel prices down. He added that people needed to use less because supplies are limited. He pointed to the fact that gas storage in Europe is only 68 per cent full. Mr Jorgensen said any action to control energy prices should be "well targeted" and "temporary". He asked countries to lower their energy demand until the situation improves.

In particular, Europe is worried about diesel supplies and prices. Diesel is essential for farming, construction, shipping, logistics, and other industries. Higher diesel prices increase the cost of the food we buy. The EU imports a lot of its diesel. Around 50 per cent of its diesel imports are from the USA. The European Commission is worried it might not be able to import enough of the fuel from the USA. In the past week, President Donald Trump has talked about banning exports from the USA. He said: "Let's not send out the diesel." He added that he was thinking about a ban "very seriously". EU leaders want more European-produced clean energy so that they can rely less on imported oil and gas.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Energy Prices - Level 0, Energy Prices - Level 1 or Energy Prices - Level 2

Sources

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-commission-calls-for-gas-electricity-demand-cuts/
https://www.dw.com/en/diesel-prices-are-surging-putting-further-pressure-on-europe/a-79390992
https://www.euronews.com/2026/09/25/how-european-governments-are-trying-to-ease-the-fuel-price-shock

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. ENERGY PRICES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about energy prices. 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?
European Union / energy prices / gas / electricity / crisis / supplies / facts / demand /
diesel / farming / construction / shipping / food costs / import / ban / clean energy
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CLEAN ENERGY: Students A strongly believe we shop stop using oil and gas and use clean energy immediately; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ENERGY: What are the good and bad things about these forms of energy? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good Things	Bad Things
Oil
Coal
Nuclear
Solar
Wind
Hydroelectric

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. EUROPE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "Europe". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CRISES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most worrying crises in the world at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Energy prices
Climate change
Iran War
AI takeover
Refugee crisis
Food crisis
Ukraine War
Biodiversity crisis

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	rising	a.	The amount of something that is available to use or buy.
2.	facing	b.	Becomes better.
3.	crisis	c.	Becoming higher or increasing.
4.	supply	d.	A very serious problem or difficult situation.
5.	fuel (noun)	e.	Having to deal with a difficult situation.
6.	temporary	f.	A substance such as gas or oil that is used to produce energy.
7.	improves	g.	Lasting for only a short time.

Paragraph 2

8.	essential	h.	The work of building things such as houses, roads, and buildings.
9.	construction	i.	The work of moving and organizing goods from one place to another.
10.	logistics	j.	Goods that are sent to another country to be sold.
11.	imports (verb)	k.	Very important or necessary.
12.	banning	l.	Need or trust someone or something for help or support.
13.	exports (noun)	m.	Stopping something from being allowed.
14.	rely on	n.	Brings goods into a country from another country.

Before reading / listening

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

The European Commission is not part of the European Union. T / F
An EU spokesperson said a price crisis was linked to a supply crisis. T / F
Gas storage in Europe is less than half full. T / F
The EU spokesperson said actions to control prices should be long term. T / F
The article says diesel is no longer needed by farmers. T / F
Food prices are linked to diesel prices. T / F
US President Donald Trump may stop American diesel exports. T / F
EU leaders want to move from oil and gas to clean energy. T / F

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

worried
body
reduce
limited
temporary
essential
increase
banning
produced
rely

lower
rise
short-term
important
made
concerned
stopping
group
depend
in short supply

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

reduce their use
using less energy could help to
gas storage in Europe is only
action to control energy
He asked countries to lower their
Diesel is essential
Higher diesel prices increase the cost of
The EU imports
Trump has talked about banning
they can rely less

68 per cent full
for farming
a lot of its diesel
of gas and electricity
on imported oil
prices
exports
energy demand
keep fuel prices down
the food we buy

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

facing
supplies
improves
body
temporary
down
control
full

The European Union (EU) is worried about rising energy prices. An EU (1) ______________________________________________ called the European Commission wants countries to reduce their use of gas and electricity to help (2) ______________________________________________ prices. The EU's Energy Commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, said: "We are (3) ______________________________________________ a price crisis linked to a supply crisis." He said using less energy could help to keep fuel prices (4) ______________________________________________. He added that people needed to use less because (5) ______________________________________________ are limited. He pointed to the fact that gas storage in Europe is only 68 per cent (6) ______________________________________________. Mr Jorgensen said any action to control energy prices should be "well targeted" and "(7) ______________________________________________". He asked countries to lower their energy demand until the situation (8) ______________________________________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

able
rely
cost
seriously
essential
past
lot
banning

In particular, Europe is worried about diesel supplies and prices. Diesel is (9) ______________________________________________ for farming, construction, shipping, logistics, and other industries. Higher diesel prices increase the (10) ______________________________________________ of the food we buy. The EU imports a (11) ______________________________________________ of its diesel. Around 50 per cent of its diesel imports are from the USA. The European Commission is worried it might not be (12) ______________________________________________ to import enough of the fuel from the USA. In the (13) ______________________________________________ week, President Donald Trump has talked about (14) ______________________________________________ exports from the USA. He said: "Let's not send out the diesel." He added that he was thinking about a ban "very (15) ______________________________________________". EU leaders want more European-produced clean energy so that they can (16) ______________________________________________ less on imported oil and gas.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) the European Commission wants countries to reduce their ______
     a. use of gas
     b. use off gas
     c. used of gas
     d. useful gas
2) He said using less energy could help to keep ______
     a. fail prices down
     b. fuel price is down
     c. feel prices down
     d. fuel prices down
3) He added that people needed to use less because ______
     a. supplies are limits
     b. supplies are limited
     c. supplies are limit it
     d. supplies are limiting
4) any action to control energy prices should be well ______
     a. target it and temporary
     b. targeted and temporary
     c. targeted and temporarily
     d. target and temporary
5) He asked countries to lower their energy demand until ______
     a. the situational improves
     b. the situation improves
     c. the situation improve
     d. a situation improve

6) essential for farming, construction, shipping, logistics, ______
     a. and other industry
     b. end other industries
     c. and another industries
     d. and other industries
7) Higher diesel prices increase the cost of the ______
     a. food we buyer
     b. food they buy
     c. food we buy
     d. food we buys
8) The European Commission is worried it might not be able ______
     a. to import enough
     b. too import enough
     c. twin port enough
     d. to impart enough
9) He added that he was thinking about a ______
     a. band very seriously
     b. ban very seriously
     c. ban vary seriously
     d. band very serious
10) leaders want more European-produced clean energy so that they can rely less ______
     a. in imported oil
     b. on imported oil
     c. of imported oil
     d. an imported oil

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The European Union (EU) is (1) __________________________________________________ energy prices. An EU body called the European Commission wants countries to reduce their use of gas and electricity to (2) __________________________________________________. The EU's Energy Commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, said: "We are facing a price crisis linked to (3) __________________________________________________." He said using less energy could help to keep fuel prices down. He added that people needed to use less because (4) __________________________________________________. He pointed to the fact that gas storage in Europe is only 68 per cent full. Mr Jorgensen said (5) __________________________________________________ control energy prices should be "well targeted" and "temporary". He asked countries to lower their (6) __________________________________________________ the situation improves.

In particular, Europe is worried about diesel (7) __________________________________________________. Diesel is essential for farming, construction, shipping, logistics, (8) __________________________________________________. Higher diesel prices increase (9) __________________________________________________ the food we buy. The EU imports a lot of its diesel. Around 50 per cent of its diesel imports are from the USA. The European Commission is worried it might not (10) __________________________________________________ import enough of the fuel from the USA. In the past week, President Donald Trump has talked (11) __________________________________________________ from the USA. He said: "Let's not send out the diesel." He added that he was thinking about a ban "very seriously". EU leaders want more European-produced clean energy so that they can (12) __________________________________________________ imported oil and gas.

Comprehension questions

What is the European Commission part of?
What might reducing the use of gas and electricity help to control?
What did an EU commissioner say the price crisis is linked to?
How much of Europe's gas storage is full?
How long should actions to control energy prices be?
What industries are diesel essential for besides farming and shipping?
What do higher diesel prices increase the cost of?
How much of the EU's diesel comes from the USA?
Who is talking about banning diesel exports?
What do EU leaders want Europe to produce more of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the European Commission part of?
a) the UN
b) the IMF
c) NATO
d) the EU
2) What might reducing the use of gas and electricity help to control?
a) climate change
b) prices
c) health
d) pollution

3) What did an EU commissioner say the price crisis is linked to?
a) unemployment
b) obesity
c) an economic crisis
d) a supply crisis

4) How much of Europe's gas storage is full?
a) 48%
b) 58%
c) 68%
d) 78%
5) How long should actions to control energy prices be?
a) long-term
b) a decade
c) years
d) temporary

6) What industries are diesel essential for besides farming and shipping?
a) education and leisure
b) fishing and tourism
c) construction and logistics
d) AI and computing
7) What do higher diesel prices increase the cost of?
a) food
b) cars
c) books
d) smartphones
8) How much of the EU's diesel comes from the USA?
a) exactly 50%
b) more than 50%
c) around 50%
d) less than 50%
9) Who is talking about banning diesel exports?
a) the EU president
b) President Donald Trump
c) an oil company CEO
d) Vladimir Putin
10) What do EU leaders want Europe to produce more of?
a) clean energy
b) electric cars
c) bio-food
d) babies

Role play

Role A – Energy Prices
You think rising energy prices is the biggest crisis facing the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their crises aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): climate change, the Iran War or biodiversity crisis.

Role B – Climate Change
You think climate change is the biggest crisis facing the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their crises aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): energy prices, the Iran War or biodiversity crisis.

Role C – The Iran War
You think the Iran War is the biggest crisis facing the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their crises aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): climate change, energy prices or biodiversity crisis.

Role D – Biodiversity Crisis
You think the biodiversity crisis is the biggest crisis facing the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their crises aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): climate change, the Iran War or energy prices.

After reading / listening

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

'energy'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

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:

called

help

linked

keep

only

action

essential

lot

able

past

send

clean

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 - Energy Prices

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 'energy'?
What do you know about the European Union?
What are your energy prices like?
How worried are you about energy prices?
How easy would it be for you to use less energy?
What crises are we living through?
Have fuel bills changed your spending?
What actions can governments take to control energy prices?
What message do you have for energy company bosses?

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 'crisis'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of the European Union?
What different kinds of energy do you use?
What are food prices like in your country?
Why are energy prices going up?
Should more countries use more clean energy?
Do you think it's possible to not use fossil fuels?
What questions would you like to ask the EU's leader?

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 European Union (EU) is worried about (1) ____ energy prices. An EU body called the European Commission wants countries to (2) ____ their use of gas and electricity to help control prices. The EU's Energy Commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, said: "We are (3) ____ a price crisis linked to a supply crisis." He said using less energy could help to keep fuel prices down. He added (4) ____ people needed to use less because supplies are limited. He pointed (5) ____ the fact that gas storage in Europe is only 68 per cent full. Mr Jorgensen said any action to control energy prices should be "(6) ____ targeted" and "temporary". He asked countries to lower their energy demand until the situation improves.

In particular, Europe is worried about diesel supplies and prices. Diesel is essential (7) ____ farming, construction, shipping, logistics, and other industries. Higher diesel prices increase the (8) ____ of the food we buy. The EU imports a lot of its diesel. Around 50 per cent of its diesel imports are from the USA. The European Commission is worried it might not (9) ____ able to import enough of the fuel from the USA. In the past week, President Donald Trump has (10) ____ about banning exports from the USA. He said: "Let's not send out the diesel." He added that he was thinking about a ban "very (11) ____". EU leaders want more European-produced clean energy so that they can rely (12) ____ on imported oil and gas.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) risen (b) rising (c) arisen (d) raise
(a) reduces (b) reduce (c) reduction (d) reducing
(a) daring (b) heading (c) backing (d) facing
(a) which (b) that (c) thus (d) what
(a) by (b) down (c) up (d) to
(a) good (b) nice (c) well (d) healthy
(a) for (b) of (c) at (d) by
(a) profit (b) demand (c) cost (d) taste
(a) have (b) do (c) get (d) be
(a) talked (b) speak (c) chatting (d) voiced
(a) seriously (b) series (c) serious (d) seriousness
(a) less (b) not (c) under (d) more

Spelling

Paragraph 1

rdueec their use of gas
keep ulfe prices down
plussepi are limited
gas egstoar
prices should be well targeted and ytrreoapm
until the situation rpsmievo

Paragraph 2

diesel is ilsntseae for farming
shipping, logistics, and other iisnretuds
The EU tpmisro a lot of its diesel.
Trump has talked about banning rpxoets.
thinking about a ban very rioeyslus
so that they can yerl less

Put the text back together

(    )   and "temporary". He asked countries to lower their energy demand until the situation improves.
(    )   buy. The EU imports a lot of its diesel. Around 50 per cent of its diesel imports are from the USA. The European
(    )   Commission is worried it might not be able to import enough of the fuel from the USA. In the past
(    )   European Commission wants countries to reduce their use of gas and electricity to help control
(    )   farming, construction, shipping, logistics, and other industries. Higher diesel prices increase the cost of the food we
(    )   full. Mr Jorgensen said any action to control energy prices should be "well targeted"
(    )   In particular, Europe is worried about diesel supplies and prices. Diesel is essential for
(    )   leaders want more European-produced clean energy so that they can rely less on imported oil and gas.
(    )   out the diesel." He added that he was thinking about a ban "very seriously". EU
(    )   prices. The EU's Energy Commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, said: "We are facing a price crisis linked
( 1 )   The European Union (EU) is worried about rising energy prices. An EU body called the
(    )   to a supply crisis." He said using less energy could help to keep fuel prices down. He added that people needed to
(    )   use less because supplies are limited. He pointed to the fact that gas storage in Europe is only 68 per cent
(    )   week, President Donald Trump has talked about banning exports from the USA. He said: "Let's not send

Put the words in the right order

EU The about energy is prices rising worried .
Reduce their control gas of prices to use .
He a are crisis facing price said we .
Less could energy help keep prices to down .
He asked countries demand energy lower their to .
Europe In about diesel is particular, supplies worried .
Higher increase cost diesel food of prices the .
EU a diesel its imports lot of The .
It enough import might not be able to .
They can imported less oil on rely .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The European Union (EU) is worried about risen / rising energy prices. An EU body called the European Commission wants countries to reduce their used / use of gas and electricity to help control prices / price. The EU's Energy Commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, said: "We are facing / heading a price crisis linked to a supply crisis / crises." He said using less energy could help for / to keep fuel prices down. He added that people needed for / to use less because supplies are limits / limited. He pointed to the fact that gas storage in Europe is only 68 per cent fully / full. Mr Jorgensen said any action to control energy prices should be "well targeted" and "temporary". He asked countries to lower their energy demand until / still the situation improves.

In particular, Europe is worried / worries about diesel supplies and prices. Diesel is essential for farming, construct / construction, shipping, logistics, and other industries / industry. Higher diesel prices increase a / the cost of the food we buy. The EU imports a lot / lots of its diesel. Around 50 per cent of its diesel imports are from the USA. The European Commission is worried it might not be ability / able to import enough of the fuel from the USA. In the past / passed week, President Donald Trump has talked about burning / banning exports from the USA. He said: "Let's not send out / in the diesel." He added that he was thinking about a ban "very seriously". EU leaders want more European-produced clean energy so that they can rely less in / on imported oil and gas.

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_ __r_p__n _n__n (__) _s w_rr__d _b__t r_s_ng _n_rgy pr_c_s. _n __ b_dy c_ll_d th_ __r_p__n C_mm_ss__n w_nts c__ntr__s t_ r_d_c_ th__r _s_ _f g_s _nd _l_ctr_c_ty t_ h_lp c_ntr_l pr_c_s. Th_ __'s _n_rgy C_mm_ss__n_r, D_n J_rg_ns_n, s__d: "W_ _r_ f_c_ng _ pr_c_ cr_s_s l_nk_d t_ _ s_pply cr_s_s." H_ s__d _s_ng l_ss _n_rgy c__ld h_lp t_ k__p f__l pr_c_s d_wn. H_ _dd_d th_t p__pl_ n__d_d t_ _s_ l_ss b_c__s_ s_ppl__s _r_ l_m_t_d. H_ p__nt_d t_ th_ f_ct th_t g_s st_r_g_ _n __r_p_ _s _nly 68 p_r c_nt f_ll. Mr J_rg_ns_n s__d _ny _ct__n t_ c_ntr_l _n_rgy pr_c_s sh__ld b_ "w_ll t_rg_t_d" _nd "t_mp_r_ry". H_ _sk_d c__ntr__s t_ l_w_r th__r _n_rgy d_m_nd _nt_l th_ s_t__t__n _mpr_v_s.

_n p_rt_c_l_r, __r_p_ _s w_rr__d _b__t d__s_l s_ppl__s _nd pr_c_s. D__s_l _s _ss_nt__l f_r f_rm_ng, c_nstr_ct__n, sh_pp_ng, l_g_st_cs, _nd _th_r _nd_str__s. H_gh_r d__s_l pr_c_s _ncr__s_ th_ c_st _f th_ f__d w_ b_y. Th_ __ _mp_rts _ l_t _f _ts d__s_l. _r__nd 50 p_r c_nt _f _ts d__s_l _mp_rts _r_ fr_m th_ _S_. Th_ __r_p__n C_mm_ss__n _s w_rr__d _t m_ght n_t b_ _bl_ t_ _mp_rt _n__gh _f th_ f__l fr_m th_ _S_. _n th_ p_st w__k, Pr_s_d_nt D_n_ld Tr_mp h_s t_lk_d _b__t b_nn_ng _xp_rts fr_m th_ _S_. H_ s__d: "L_t's n_t s_nd __t th_ d__s_l." H_ _dd_d th_t h_ w_s th_nk_ng _b__t _ b_n "v_ry s_r___sly". __ l__d_rs w_nt m_r_ __r_p__n-pr_d_c_d cl__n _n_rgy s_ th_t th_y c_n r_ly l_ss _n _mp_rt_d __l _nd g_s.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the european union eu is worried about rising energy prices an eu body called the european commission wants countries to reduce their use of gas and electricity to help control prices the eus energy commissioner dan jorgensen said we are facing a price crisis linked to a supply crisis he said using less energy could help to keep fuel prices down he added that people needed to use less because supplies are limited he pointed to the fact that gas storage in europe is only 68 per cent full mr jorgensen said any action to control energy prices should be well targeted and temporary he asked countries to lower their energy demand until the situation improves

in particular europe is worried about diesel supplies and prices diesel is essential for farming construction shipping logistics and other industries higher diesel prices increase the cost of the food we buy the eu imports a lot of its diesel around 50 per cent of its diesel imports are from the usa the european commission is worried it might not be able to import enough of the fuel from the usa in the past week president donald trump has talked about banning exports from the usa he said lets not send out the diesel he added that he was thinking about a ban very seriously eu leaders want more european produced clean energy so that they can rely less on imported oil and gas

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheEuropeanUnion(EU)isworriedaboutrisingenergyprices.AnEUbod
ycalledtheEuropeanCommissionwantscountriestoreducetheiruseof
gasandelectricitytohelpcontrolprices.TheEU'sEnergyCommissioner,
DanJorgensen,said:"Wearefacingapricecrisislinkedtoasupplycrisis."
Hesaidusinglessenergycouldhelptokeepfuelpricesdown.Headdedth
atpeopleneededtouselessbecausesuppliesarelimited.Hepointedtoth
efactthatgasstorageinEuropeisonly68percentfull.MrJorgensensaida
nyactiontocontrolenergypricesshouldbe"welltargeted"and"tempora
ry".Heaskedcountriestolowertheirenergydemanduntilthesituationi
mproves.Inparticular,Europeisworriedaboutdieselsuppliesandprice
s.Dieselisessentialforfarming,construction,shipping,logistics,andot
herindustries.Higherdieselpricesincreasethecostofthefoodwebuy.T
heEUimportsalotofitsdiesel.Around50percentofitsdieselimportsaref
romtheUSA.TheEuropeanCommissionisworrieditmightnotbeabletoi
mportenoughofthefuelfromtheUSA.Inthepastweek,PresidentDonal
dTrumphastalkedaboutbanningexportsfromtheUSA.Hesaid:"Let'sn
otsendoutthediesel."Headdedthathewasthinkingaboutaban"veryse
riously".EUleaderswantmoreEuropean-producedcleanenergysotha
ttheycanrelylessonimportedoilandgas.

Free writing

Write about energy price crisis for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We should end fossil-fuel use as soon as possible. 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. ENERGY PRICES: Make a poster about energy prices. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. LIFESTYLE CHANGE: Write a magazine article about changing our lifestyles so we worry less about energy prices. 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 energy prices. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can deal with energy prices. 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

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Answers

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

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