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    lesson    (PDF)

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* Text jumble 24

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* Gap-fill

  Haze at record levels in Singapore (23rd June, 2013)

Pollution levels in Singapore caused by forest fires in Indonesia are continuing to reach new record highs. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 401 on Friday, the highest ever recorded in Singapore. The previous high was in 1997 when the PSI reached 226. A PSI of 150 is deemed to be "unhealthy", while anything above 300 is defined as "hazardous". Singapore's government said a reading above 400 sustained for 24 hours "may be life-threatening to ill and elderly persons". It has advised all of its citizens to stay indoors and to wear face masks if they have to go outside. Authorities will distribute one million masks free to the poorest 200,000 households starting from Sunday.


 

The haze has strained relations between Singapore and Indonesia over who is responsible for the choking smog. Singapore has accused Indonesia of recklessness and irresponsibility in letting fires get so out of control. Indonesia responded by calling Singapore hypocritical, as many of its companies own plantations where fires are being set to clear forests for cultivation. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry would not apologise for the haze crisis, but insisted that everything was being done to tackle the problem. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said "all the country's resources" would be mobilised to extinguish the fires. Singapore's Prime Minister warned that the haze could last until the end of the dry season in October.

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22998592
http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/the-haze-singapore/story/indonesia-will-not-apologise-singapore-haze-foreign-minister-
http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/the-haze-singapore/story/haze-update-indonesian-fires-worsen-singapore-smog-sets-recor


 
 

WARM-UPS

1. SMOG: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about smog. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

pollution / forest fires / record highs / hazardous / life-threatening / face masks / strained relations / choking smog / recklessness / hypocritical / cultivation / dry season

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. POLLUTION: How do we reduce it? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How bad it is

How to control it

haze

 

 

from cars

 

 

in rivers

 

 

noise pollution

 

 

by factories

 

 

of our minds

 

 

4. HAZARDOUS: Students A strongly believe pollution will become so bad in the future that many cities will be permanently hazardous to live in; Students B strongly believe otherwise.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. RECORD LEVELS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the worst at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • pollution
  • crime
  • traffic
  • e-mail spam
  • rain
  • unemployment
  • influenza
  • inflation

6. FACE MASK: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'face mask'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.

Fires in Singapore have resulted in record levels of pollution.

T / F

b.

Pollution levels are over twice those considered to be unhealthy.

T / F

c.

Singapore's government has told people to wear face masks indoors.

T / F

d.

Singapore's government will soon hand out 200,000 face masks.

T / F

e.

Singapore has shared blame for the fires with Indonesia.

T / F

f.

Indonesia said Singapore was being hypocritical.

T / F

g.

Indonesia said it would not say sorry to Singapore for the fires.

T / F

h.

The pollution could be a problem until October.

T / F

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

1.

previous

a.

put out

2.

deemed

b.

carelessness

3.

sustained

c.

hand out

4.

citizens

d.

prior

5.

distribute

e.

considered

6.

strained

f.

insincere

7.

recklessness

g.

continued

8.

hypocritical

h.

nationals

9.

tackle

i.

awkward

10.

extinguish

j.

deal with

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

1.

continuing to

a.

defined as "hazardous"

2.

The previous

b.

to tackle the problem

3.

anything above 300 is

c.

one million masks

4.

It has advised all of its citizens

d.

out of control

5.

Authorities will distribute

e.

reach new record highs

6.

strained

f.

the end of the dry season

7.

letting fires get so

g.

relations

8.

fires are being set to clear

h.

to stay indoors

9.

everything was being done

i.

forests for cultivation

10.

the haze could last until

j.

high was in 1997

 

GAP FILL

Pollution levels in Singapore caused by forest fires in Indonesia are (1) ____________ to reach new record highs. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 401 on Friday, the highest ever (2) ____________ in Singapore. The previous (3) ____________ was in 1997 when the PSI reached 226. A PSI of 150 is deemed to be "unhealthy", while anything above 300 is (4) ____________ as "hazardous". Singapore's government said a (5) ____________ above 400 sustained for 24 hours "may be life-(6) ____________ to ill and elderly persons". It has advised all of its citizens to stay indoors and to wear face masks if they have to go outside. Authorities will (7) ____________ one million masks free to the poorest 200,000 (8) ____________ starting from Sunday.

 

 

distribute
defined
recorded
households
continuing
reading
high
threatening

The haze has (9) ____________ relations between Singapore and Indonesia over who is responsible for the (10) ____________ smog. Singapore has accused Indonesia of (11) ____________ and irresponsibility in letting fires get so out of control. Indonesia responded by calling Singapore (12) ____________, as many of its companies own plantations where fires are being set to clear forests for (13) ____________. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry would not apologise for the haze crisis, but insisted that everything was being done to (14) ____________ the problem. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said "all the country's resources" would be mobilised to (15) ____________ the fires. Singapore's Prime Minister warned that the haze could last until the end of the (16) ____________ season in October.

 

tackle
hypocritical
dry
choking
cultivation
strained
extinguish
recklessness

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Pollution levels in Singapore caused by forest fires in Indonesia are continuing to reach ______

 

a.  new recording highs
b.  new records highs
c.  new record highs
d.  new recorded highs

2)

The previous high was in 1997 when the ______

 

a.  PSI reached 226
b.  BCI reached 226
c.  PXI reached 226
d.  BSI reached 226

3)

anything above 300 is ______

 

a.  defined as "hazards us"
b.  defined "as hazard as"
c.  defined as "has a dose"
d.  defined as "hazardous"

4)

a reading above 400 sustained for 24 hours may ______

 

a.  be life-threaten in
b.  be life-threatening
c.  be life-threat an inn
d.  be life-treating an

5)

Authorities will distribute one million masks free to the poorest ______

 

a.  200,000 houses hold
b.  200,000 how solders
c.  200,000 householders
d.  200,000 households

6)

The haze has ______ between Singapore and Indonesia

 

a.  stained relations
b.  stringed relations
c.  strayed  relations
d.  strained relations

7)

Singapore has accused Indonesia of ______

 

a.  recklessness and responsibility
b.  reckless and irresponsibility
c.  recklessness and irresponsible
d.  recklessness and irresponsibility

8)

Indonesia responded by calling ______

 

a.  Singapore hippo-critical
b.  Singapore hypocritical
c.  Singapore hip or critical
d.  Singapore hype or critic all

9)

plantations where fires are being set to clear ______

 

a.  forests for cultivation
b.  forests for cultivating
c.  forests for cult aviation
d.  forests for colt ovation

10)

all the country's resources would be mobilised to ______

 

a.  distinguish the fires
b.  ex-anguish the fires
c.  exiting wish the fires
d.  extinguish the fires

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Pollution levels in Singapore (1) ____________________ in Indonesia are continuing to reach new record highs. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 401 on Friday, the (2) ____________________ in Singapore. The previous high was in 1997 when the PSI reached 226. A PSI of 150 is (3) ____________________, while anything above 300 is defined as "hazardous". Singapore's government said a (4) ____________________ for 24 hours "may be life-threatening to ill and elderly persons". It has advised (5) ____________________ stay indoors and to wear face masks if they have to go outside. Authorities will distribute one million masks free to the poorest (6) _______________________ from Sunday.

The (7) _______________________ between Singapore and Indonesia over who is responsible (8) ____________________. Singapore has accused Indonesia of recklessness and irresponsibility (9) ____________________ of control. Indonesia responded by calling Singapore hypocritical, as many of its companies own plantations where fires (10) ____________________ forests for cultivation. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry would not apologise for the haze crisis, but insisted that everything was being done to tackle the problem. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said "all the country's resources" would be (11) ____________________ the fires. Singapore's Prime Minister warned that the haze could (12) _______________________ season in October.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What does PSI mean?

2.

When did the PSI first hit 226?

3.

What PSI level is considered to be hazardous?

4.

Who is at risk with PSI levels above 400?

5.

Who will get a free face mask?

6.

What adjective was used to describe the smog?

7.

What did Indonesia call Singapore?

8.

Who will not apologise?

9.

What is Indonesia doing to tackle the problem?

10.

Until which month could the haze continue?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What does PSI mean?

6.

What adjective was used to describe the smog?

 

a) Polluting State Information
b) Pollution Searching Inspection
c) Pollutant Standards Index
d) Polluted Singapore Initiative

 

a) unacceptable
b) choking
c) grey
d) smoggy

2.

When did the PSI first hit 226?

7.

What did Indonesia call Singapore?

 

a) 1997
b) last week
c) earlier this year
d) October 21, 2004

 

a) complaining
b) inferior
c) unlucky
d) hypocritical

3.

What PSI level is considered to be hazardous?

8.

Who will not apologise?

 

a) 280
b) 300
c) 150
d) 226

 

a) Singapore's government
b) Indonesia's Foreign Ministry
c) those slashing and burning
d) plantation workers

4.

Who is at risk with PSI levels above 400?

9.

What is Indonesia doing to tackle the problem?

 

a) athletes
b) babies
c) Singapore's government
d) the elderly

 

a) this and that
b) everything
c) talking
d) nothing

5.

Who will get a free face mask?

10.

Until which month could the haze continue?

 

a) elderly people
b) models
c) the poorest households
d) Singapore's government

 

a) October
b) August
c) September
d) November

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Singapore leader

You are furious with Indonesia for the haze. Tell the others three reasons why. You want the Indonesian government to extinguish all fires immediately. You also want promises that there will be no more fires in the future. You will call for a global ban on Indonesian goods if nothing happens.

Role  B – Indonesian leader

You are very angry with Singapore for overreacting to the haze. Tell the others three reasons why. Many of the plantations that started the fires are owned by Singaporean companies. You are doing your best to limit the haze. Singapore should be more patient and not make threats.

Role  C – Plantation owner

You have no time for the governments of Singapore or Indonesia. Tell the others three reasons why. You have employees with mouths to feed. You must burn the forests or you and your workers will have no money. Tell both leaders that they are hypocrites.

Role  D – Singaporean

You are fed up with your government and Indonesia's leader. Tell the others three reasons why. Ask your leader why he can't guarantee breathable air. Ask Indonesia's leader why he thinks it's OK to let such pollution affect other countries. Ask if they care that people's health is suffering.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

record

level

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • caused
  • ever
  • 226
  • 400
  • wear
  • free
  • relations
  • control
  • own
  • apologise
  • tackle
  • dry

POLLUTION SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about pollution 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.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

POLLUTION DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'pollution'?

c)

What do you know about the Singapore haze?

d)

How would you feel about your city being polluted by another country?

e)

Who is at fault – Indonesia or Singaporean plantation owners?

f)

What can Singaporeans do to live normally?

g)

Could this be the future of the Earth?

h)

Do governments and big companies really care about ordinary people?

i)

Would you stay indoors?

j)

Would you consider moving away from Singapore if you lived there?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

How can Singapore and Indonesia improve relations?

c)

What's the worst pollution you've experienced?

d)

Should the world ban the produce the forests are being burnt for?

e)

Why are all governments so incapable of helping people?

f)

How hypocritical is Singapore?

g)

What is your answer to this crisis?

h)

Should Singaporeans get compensation for this?

i)

What damage will the haze do?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Singapore's Prime Minister?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

Pollution levels in Singapore caused by forest fires in Indonesia are continuing to reach new record (1) ____. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 401 on Friday, the highest ever recorded in Singapore. The (2) ____ high was in 1997 when the PSI reached 226. A PSI of 150 is (3) ____ to be "unhealthy", while anything above 300 is defined (4) ____ "hazardous". Singapore's government said a reading above 400 sustained for 24 hours "may be life-(5) ____ to ill and elderly persons". It has advised all of its citizens to stay indoors and to wear face masks if they have to go outside. Authorities will distribute one million masks free to the poorest 200,000  (6) ____ starting from Sunday.

The haze has (7) ____ relations between Singapore and Indonesia over who is responsible for the choking smog. Singapore has accused Indonesia of recklessness and irresponsibility in (8) ____ fires get so out of control. Indonesia responded by calling Singapore hypocritical, as many of its companies own plantations where fires are being (9) ____ to clear forests for (10) ____. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry would not apologise for the haze crisis, but insisted that everything was being done to tackle the problem. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said "all the country's resources" would be mobilised to (11) ____ the fires. Singapore's Prime Minister warned that the haze could (12) ____ until the end of the dry season in October.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

highs

(b)

height

(c)

heightens

(d)

high

2.

(a)

history

(b)

earliest

(c)

previous

(d)

precedent

3.

(a)

doomed

(b)

domed

(c)

deemed

(d)

damned

4.

(a)

being

(b)

for

(c)

by

(d)

as

5.

(a)

threats

(b)

threatens

(c)

threatening

(d)

threat

6.

(a)

homeowner

(b)

households

(c)

homemakers

(d)

houses

7.

(a)

stained

(b)

strained

(c)

stoned

(d)

streamed

8.

(a)

lets

(b)

letting

(c)

let

(d)

lettings

9.

(a)

wet

(b)

let

(c)

set

(d)

net

10.

(a)

distribution

(b)

aggravation

(c)

motivation

(d)

cultivation

11.

(a)

distinguish

(b)

anguish

(c)

languish

(d)

extinguish

12.

(a)

fast

(b)

past

(c)

mast

(d)

last

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

totPnulal Standards Index

2.

the riepsvuo high

3.

defined as "dzhauraso"

4.

may be life-gienthnaert to ill and elderly persons

5.

Authorities will eudsiribtt one million masks

6.

the poorest 200,000 ohlhsudoes

Paragraph 2

7.

siantdre relations

8.

Singapore has cecsuad Indonesia

9.

recklessness and yiinslbrpeoriist

10.

set to clear forests for lcvonatitui

11.

iesidtsn that everything was being done

12.

xigetiuhns the fires

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

1  )

Pollution levels in Singapore caused by forest fires in Indonesia are continuing to reach new record

(    )

smog. Singapore has accused Indonesia of recklessness and irresponsibility in letting fires get so

(    )

plantations where fires are being set to clear forests for cultivation. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry would not

(    )

out of control. Indonesia responded by calling Singapore hypocritical, as many of its companies own

(    )

apologise for the haze crisis, but insisted that everything was being done to tackle the

(    )

to the poorest 200,000 households starting from Sunday.

(    )

high was in 1997 when the PSI reached 226. A PSI of 150 is deemed to be "unhealthy", while anything above 300 is defined

(    )

as "hazardous". Singapore's government said a reading above 400 sustained for 24 hours "may be life-

(    )

and to wear face masks if they have to go outside. Authorities will distribute one million masks free

(    )

the fires. Singapore's Prime Minister warned that the haze could last until the end of the dry season in October.

(    )

The haze has strained relations between Singapore and Indonesia over who is responsible for the choking

(    )

problem. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said "all the country's resources" would be mobilised to extinguish

(    )

threatening to ill and elderly persons". It has advised all of its citizens to stay indoors

(    )

highs. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 401 on Friday, the highest ever recorded in Singapore. The previous

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

fires     Singapore     caused     Pollution     by     levels     forest     in.    

2.

Anything     as     above     300     "hazardous"     is     .     defined

3.

advised     its     stay     has     of     to     It     all     citizens     indoors.    

4.

they     Wear     masks     face     .     to     outside     go     if     have

5.

will     Authorities     free     masks     million     one     distribute.    

6.

responsible     Who     choking     for     is     smog     the.    

7.

letting     so     control     in     get     of     Irresponsibility    fires    out.    

8.

clear     Fires     cultivation     set     are     forests     to     being     for.    

9.

fires     mobilised     to     Resources     extinguish     would    the     be.    

10.

haze    The    season    dry    the    of    end    the   until    last     could.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Pollution level / levels in Singapore caused by forest fires in Indonesia are continuing to reach new record heightens / highs. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 401 on Friday, the highest ever recorded in Singapore. The previous / impervious high was in 1997 when the PSI reached 226. A PSI of 150 is deemed / doomed to be "unhealthy", while anything atop / above 300 is defined has / as "hazardous". Singapore's government said a reading above 400 sustained for 24 hours "may be life-threatening / life-threatens to ill and elderly persons". It has advice / advised all of its citizens to stay indoors and to wear face masks if they have / must to go outside. Authorities will distribute one million masks free to the poorest 200,000 households / freeholders starting from Sunday.

The haze has strained / stained relations between Singapore and Indonesia over who is responsible for the smoking / choking smog. Singapore has accused / abused Indonesia of recklessness and irresponsibility in letting fires get so / such out of control. Indonesia responded by calling / calls Singapore hypocritical, as many of its companies own plantations where fires are being set / let to clear forests for cultivation. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry would not apologise for the haze / hazy crisis, but insisted that everything was being done to tackle / offence the problem. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said "all the country's resources" would be mobilised to extinguish / distinguish the fires. Singapore's Prime Minister warned that the haze could past / last until the end of the dry season in October.

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

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

P_ll_t__n l_v_ls _n S_ng_p_r_ c__s_d by f_r_st f_r_s _n _nd_n_s__ _r_ c_nt_n__ng t_ r__ch n_w r_c_rd h_ghs. Th_ P_ll_t_nt St_nd_rds _nd_x (PS_) h_t 401 _n Fr_d_y, th_ h_gh_st _v_r r_c_rd_d _n S_ng_p_r_. Th_ pr_v___s h_gh w_s _n 1997 wh_n th_ PS_ r__ch_d 226. _ PS_ _f 150 _s d__m_d t_ b_ "_nh__lthy", wh_l_ _nyth_ng _b_v_ 300 _s d_f_n_d _s "h_z_rd__s". S_ng_p_r_'s g_v_rnm_nt s__d _ r__d_ng _b_v_ 400 s_st__n_d f_r 24 h__rs "m_y b_ l_f_-thr__t_n_ng t_ _ll _nd _ld_rly p_rs_ns". _t h_s _dv_s_d _ll _f _ts c_t_z_ns t_ st_y _nd__rs _nd t_ w__r f_c_ m_sks _f th_y h_v_ t_ g_ __ts_d_. __th_r_t__s w_ll d_str_b_t_ _n_ m_ll__n m_sks fr__ t_ th_ p__r_st 200,000 h__s_h_lds st_rt_ng fr_m S_nd_y.

Th_ h_z_ h_s str__n_d r_l_t__ns b_tw__n S_ng_p_r_ _nd _nd_n_s__ _v_r wh_ _s r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r th_ ch_k_ng sm_g. S_ng_p_r_ h_s _cc_s_d _nd_n_s__ _f r_ckl_ssn_ss _nd _rr_sp_ns_b_l_ty _n l_tt_ng f_r_s g_t s_ __t _f c_ntr_l. _nd_n_s__ r_sp_nd_d by c_ll_ng S_ng_p_r_ hyp_cr_t_c_l, _s m_ny _f _ts c_mp_n__s _wn pl_nt_t__ns wh_r_ f_r_s _r_ b__ng s_t t_ cl__r f_r_sts f_r c_lt_v_t__n. _nd_n_s__'s F_r__gn M_n_stry w__ld n_t _p_l_g_s_ f_r th_ h_z_ cr_s_s, b_t _ns_st_d th_t _v_ryth_ng w_s b__ng d_n_ t_ t_ckl_ th_ pr_bl_m. Pr_s_d_nt S_s_l_ B_mb_ng Y_dh_y_n_ s__d "_ll th_ c__ntry's r_s__rc_s" w__ld b_ m_b_l_s_d t_ _xt_ng__sh th_ f_r_s. S_ng_p_r_'s Pr_m_ M_n_st_r w_rn_d th_t th_ h_z_ c__ld l_st _nt_l th_ _nd _f th_ dry s__s_n _n _ct_b_r.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

pollution levels in singapore caused by forest fires in indonesia are continuing to reach new record highs the pollutant standards index (psi) hit 401 on friday the highest ever recorded in singapore the previous high was in 1997 when the psi reached 226 a psi of 150 is deemed to be "unhealthy" while anything above 300 is defined as "hazardous" singapore's government said a reading above 400 sustained for 24 hours "may be life-threatening to ill and elderly persons" it has advised all of its citizens to stay indoors and to wear face masks if they have to go outside authorities will distribute one million masks free to the poorest 200000 households starting from sunday

the haze has strained relations between singapore and indonesia over who is responsible for the choking smog singapore has accused indonesia of recklessness and irresponsibility in letting fires get so out of control indonesia responded by calling singapore hypocritical as many of its companies own plantations where fires are being set to clear forests for cultivation indonesia's foreign ministry would not apologise for the haze crisis but insisted that everything was being done to tackle the problem president susilo bambang yudhoyono said "all the country's resources" would be mobilised to extinguish the fires singapore's prime minister warned that the haze could last until the end of the dry season in october

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

PollutionlevelsinSingaporecausedbyforestfiresinIndonesiaarecontinuingto
reachnewrecordhighs.ThePollutantStandardsIndex(PSI)hit401onFriday,the
highesteverrecordedinSingapore.Theprevioushighwasin1997whenthePSI
reached226.APSIof150isdeemedtobe"unhealthy",whileanythingabove300
isdefinedas"hazardous".Singapore'sgovernmentsaidareadingabove400
sustainedfor24hours"maybelife-threateningtoillandelderlypersons".Ithas
advisedallofitscitizenstostayindoorsandtowearfacemasksiftheyhavetogo
outside.Authoritieswilldistributeonemillionmasksfreetothepoorest200,000
householdsstartingfromSunday.Thehazehasstrainedrelationsbetween
SingaporeandIndonesiaoverwhoisresponsibleforthechokingsmog.Singapore
hasaccusedIndonesiaofrecklessnessandirresponsibilityinlettingfiresgetsoout
ofcontrol.IndonesiarespondedbycallingSingaporehypocritical,asmanyofits
companiesownplantationswherefiresarebeingsettoclearforestsforcultivation.
Indonesia'sForeignMinistrywouldnotapologiseforthehazecrisis,butinsisted
thateverythingwasbeingdonetotackletheproblem.PresidentSusiloBambang
Yudhoyonosaid"allthecountry'sresources"wouldbemobilisedtoextinguish
thefires.Singapore'sPrimeMinisterwarnedthatthehazecouldlastuntiltheend
ofthedryseasoninOctober.

FREE WRITING

Write about pollution for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Countries need to put the environment ahead of profits and start being serious about tackling pollution.   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 the haze covering Singapore. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. POLLUTION: Make a poster about pollution. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. HAZE: Write a magazine article about the haze. Include imaginary interviews with people who live in Singapore.

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 Indonesia's leader. Ask him three questions about the haze. Give him three ideas on how to tackle it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

previous

a.

prior

2.

deemed

b.

considered

3.

sustained

c.

continued

4.

citizens

d.

nationals

5.

distribute

e.

hand out

6.

strained

f.

awkward

7.

recklessness

g.

carelessness

8.

hypocritical

h.

insincere

9.

tackle

i.

deal with

10.

extinguish

j.

put out

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Pollutant Standards Index

2.

1997

3.

Anything above 300

4.

Ill and elderly persons

5.

The poorest households

6.

Choking

7.

Hypocritical

8.

Indonesia's Foreign Ministry

9.

Everything

10.

October

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

b

4.

d

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

b

9.

b

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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