The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced for the first time that South-East Asia is now free from polio. The WHO certified 11 countries as being clear of the disease. The WHO website said: "This is the fourth of six WHO regions to be certified, marking an important step towards global eradication of polio – a highly infectious virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. With this step, 80 per cent of the world's population now lives in certified polio-free regions." One of the newly-certified countries is India, which as recently as 2009, was home to almost 50 per cent of the world's polio cases. India hasn't seen a single polio case for the last three years.

Polio is currently an incurable disease. It leads to paralysis of the limbs and can kill anyone who contracts it. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for the WHO, said: "This is a momentous victory for the millions of health workers who have worked with governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society and international partners to eradicate polio from the region." She added: "It is a sign of what we can bequeath our children when we work together." Dr Singh also cautioned against becoming complacent in the fight against the disease. She said: "Until polio is globally eradicated, all countries are at risk and the region's polio-free status remains fragile."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47444&Cr=polio&Cr1=#.UzSxJl4uKHA
  • http://time.com/39919/india-declared-free-of-polio/
  • http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-WHOs-SE-Asia-now-polio-free/articleshow/32790183.cms


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about infectious diseases. 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.

 

the first time / certified / an important step / infectious / virus / population / cases / incurable / disease / regional / victory / partners / complacent / at risk / fragile

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

3. FREE: How can we make the world free from these problems? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How?

What's stopping this happening?

Malaria

 

 

Corruption

 

 

War

 

 

Cyber-crime

 

 

Racism

 

 

Global warming

 

 

4. ERADICATED: Students A strongly believe all diseases will be eradicated one day; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. DISEASE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best ways to eradicate diseases at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • medicines

  • clean water

  • education

  • raise living standards

  • ban international travel

  • research and development

  • vaccines

  • genetic engineering

6. VIRUS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "virus". 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.

UNESCO has announced Asia is free from polio.

T / F

b.

A total of 11 countries have been given the all-clear regarding polio.

T / F

c.

Polio is a disease that attacks the body's nervous system.

T / F

d.

Nearly half of all global cases of polio in 2009 were in India.

T / F

e.

Polio is actually a curable disease.

T / F

f.

A WHO doctor said the eradication was a victory for a few researchers.

T / F

g.

The doctor warned against future complacency with polio.

T / F

h.

The doctor said Asia's status as polio-free was extremely strong.

T / F

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

1.

announced

a.

occurrence

2.

regions

b.

elimination

3.

eradication

c.

leave

4.

infectious

d.

significant

5.

case

e.

warned

6.

incurable

f.

made public

7.

momentous

g.

delicate

8.

bequeath

h.

catching

9.

cautioned

i.

areas

10.

fragile

j.

untreatable

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

1.

announced for

a.

an incurable disease

2.

certified 11 countries as being

b.

regions to be certified

3.

This is the fourth of six WHO

c.

our children

4.

a highly

d.

victory

5.

India hasn't seen a

e.

clear of the disease

6.

Polio is currently

f.

remains fragile

7.

a momentous

g.

infectious virus

8.

eradicate polio

h.

single polio case

9.

what we can bequeath

i.

from the region

10.

the region's polio-free status

j.

the first time

GAP FILL

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced for the first time that South-East Asia is now (1) ____________ from polio. The WHO certified 11 countries as being clear of the disease. The WHO website said: "This is the fourth of six WHO (2) ____________ to be certified, marking an important step towards global (3) ____________ of polio – a (4) ____________ infectious virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause total (5) ____________ in a matter of hours. With this step, 80 per cent of the world's (6) ____________ now lives in certified polio-free regions." One of the newly-certified countries is India, which as recently as 2009, was (7) ____________ to almost 50 per cent of the world's polio cases. India hasn't seen a (8) ____________ polio case for the last three years.

 

 

population
highly
regions
home
free
single
paralysis
eradication

Polio is currently an (9) ____________ disease. It leads to paralysis of the limbs and can kill anyone who contracts it. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, (10) ____________ director for the WHO, said: "This is a momentous (11) ____________ for the millions of health workers who have worked with governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society and international (12) ____________ to eradicate polio from the region." She added: "It is a sign of what we can bequeath our children when we work together." Dr Singh also (13) ____________ against becoming (14) ____________ in the fight against the disease. She said: "Until polio is globally eradicated, all countries are at (15) ____________ and the region's polio-free status remains (16) ____________."

 

partners
risk
victory
incurable
complacent
fragile
regional
cautioned

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

The WHO certified 11 countries as being ______

 

a.  clears of the disease
b.  clear of the disease
c.  clearer of the disease
d.  clearing of the disease

2)

… marking an important step towards global ______

 

a.  eradication of polio
b.  extraction of polio
c.  emancipation of polio
d.  irradiation of polio

3)

a highly infectious virus that attacks the nervous system and can ______

 

a.  cause total paralyse
b.  cause total paralysis
c.  cause total paralyse it
d.  cause total paralyse is

4)

With this step, 80 per cent of the world's population now lives in certified ______

 

a.  polio-freed regions
b.  polio-freeze regions
c.  polio-freer regions
d.  polio-free regions

5)

India hasn't seen a ______

 

a.  single polio cased
b.  single polio close
c.  single polio case
d.  single polio chase

6)

Polio is currently an ______

 

a.  incurable disease
b.  incurably disease
c.  incalculable disease
d.  ink your able disease

7)

Singh, regional director for the WHO, said: "This is a ______ …"

 

a.  moment as victory
b.  momentous victory
c.  moment us victory
d.  moment as a victory

8)

She added: "It is a sign of what we can ______..."

 

a.  beneath our children
b.  bequeath our children
c.  bereave our children
d.  bee queen our children

9)

Dr Singh also cautioned against ______

 

a.  becoming complacency
b.  becoming complacent
c.  becoming compartments
d.  becoming con placement

10)

all countries are at risk and the region's polio-free status ______

 

a.  remains fragility
b.  remains fragile
c.  remains for agile
d.  remains far agile

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The World Health Organization (WHO) (1) ___________________ the first time that South-East Asia is now free from polio. The WHO certified 11 countries (2) ___________________ disease. The WHO website said: "This is the fourth of six WHO regions (3) ___________________, marking an important step towards global eradication of polio – a highly infectious virus that attacks (4) ___________________ and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. With this step, 80 per cent of the world's population now lives in certified polio-free regions." One of the newly-certified countries is India, (5) ___________________ 2009, was home to almost 50 per cent of the world's polio cases. India hasn't (6) ___________________ case for the last three years.

Polio is currently (7) ___________________. It leads to paralysis of the limbs and can kill anyone who contracts it. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for the WHO, said: "This is (8) ___________________ for the millions of health workers who have worked with governments, non-governmental organizations, (9) ___________________ and international partners to eradicate polio from the region." She added: "It is a sign of what we (10) ___________________ children when we work together." Dr Singh also cautioned against (11) ___________________ in the fight against the disease. She said: "Until polio is globally eradicated, all countries are at risk and the region's polio-free (12) ___________________."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

How many times has Asia been polio-free before?

2.

How many countries did the WHO certify as being polio-free?

3.

How many WHO regions are not polio-free?

4.

What proportion of the world lives in polio-free areas?

5.

How many polio cases has India seen in the past three years?

6.

What does polio paralyse?

7.

What kind of victory did a doctor say the eradication was?

8.

What did the doctor say the eradication was a sign of?

9.

What did Dr Singh warn against being?

10.

How did Dr Singh describe the polio-free status of Asia?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

How many times has Asia been polio-free before?

6.

What does polio paralyse?

 

a) three
b) none
c) one
d) two

 

a) bacteria
b) hope
c) arms and legs
d) society

2.

How many countries did the WHO certify as being polio-free?

7.

What kind of victory did a doctor say the eradication was?

 

a) 8
b) 9
c) 10
d) 11

 

a) a good one
b) a closely fought one
c) a hard-fought one
d) a momentous one

3.

How many WHO regions are not polio-free?

8.

What did the doctor say the eradication was a sign of?

 

a) 2
b) 1
c) 3
d) 0

 

a) good that can come from working
    together
b) the times
c) 21st-century science
d) things to come

4.

What proportion of the world lives in polio-free areas?

9.

What did Dr Singh warn against being?

 

a) 60%
b) 70%
c) 80%
d) 90%

 

a) complacent
b) ill
c) a doctor
d) content

5.

How many polio cases has India seen in the past three years?

10.

How did Dr Singh describe the polio-free status of Asia?

 

a) none
b) 27
c) 862
d) 12,000

 

a) fallible
b) fragile
c) feline
d) futile

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Clean water

You think clean water is the best way of avoiding disease. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are problematic about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): education, vaccines or genetic engineering.

Role  B – Education

You think education is the best way of avoiding disease. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are problematic about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): clean water, vaccines or genetic engineering.

Role  C – Vaccines

You think vaccines are the best way of avoiding disease. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are problematic about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): education, clean water or genetic engineering.

Role  D – Genetic engineering

You think genetic engineering is the best way of avoiding disease. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are problematic about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): education, vaccines or clean water.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

infectious

 

virus

 

 

  • 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:

  • first
  • 11
  • nervous
  • 80
  • 2009
  • three
  • limbs
  • millions
  • society
  • children
  • fight
  • fragile

INFECTIOUS DISEASES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about infectious diseases 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.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES 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 'polio'?

c)

How good is this news?

d)

Why has it taken so long to eradicate polio in this region?

e)

What do you know about polio?

f)

What is the nervous system?

g)

How can countries prevent the spread of infectious diseases?

h)

What diseases are common in your country?

i)

What would it be like to work for the WHO?

j)

What's the biggest illness you've ever had?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Do you think doctors will be able to cure all diseases one day?

c)

Should the WHO get a special prize for this achievement?

d)

What diseases would you give money to fight (and why)?

e)

What difficulties do you think health workers had in Asia?

f)

Could countries cure more diseases if they didn't spend so much money on weapons?

g)

How is it possible to completely eradicate a virus?

h)

Do you worry about infectious diseases?

i)

What infectious disease is the biggest threat to humans?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the head of the WHO?

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.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The World Health Organization (WHO) has (1) ____ for the first time that South-East Asia is now free from polio. The WHO certified 11 countries (2) ____ being clear of the disease. The WHO website said: "This is the fourth of six WHO regions to be certified, (3) ____ an important step towards global eradication of polio – a (4) ____ infectious virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a (5) ____ of hours. With this step, 80 per cent of the world's population now lives in certified polio-free regions." One of the newly-certified countries is India, which as recently as 2009, was (6) ____ to almost 50 per cent of the world's polio cases. India hasn't seen a single polio case for the last three years.

Polio is currently an (7) ____ disease. It leads to paralysis of the limbs and can kill anyone who contracts it. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for the WHO, said: "This is a (8) ____ victory for the millions of health workers who have worked with governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society and international partners to (9) ____ polio from the region." She added: "It is a sign of what we can bequeath our children when we work together." Dr Singh also cautioned against becoming (10) ____ in the fight against the disease. She said: "Until polio is globally eradicated, all countries are (11) ____ risk and the region's polio-free status remains (12) ____."

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

1.

(a)

announced

(b)

narrated

(c)

orated

(d)

voiced

2.

(a)

was

(b)

has

(c)

as

(d)

is

3.

(a)

marks

(b)

marked

(c)

marking

(d)

mark

4.

(a)

elevated

(b)

upper

(c)

strengthening

(d)

highly

5.

(a)

case

(b)

concern

(c)

matter

(d)

problem

6.

(a)

residence

(b)

home

(c)

accommodation

(d)

domicile

7.

(a)

incalculable

(b)

incurable

(c)

incapable

(d)

incidental

8.

(a)

mementos

(b)

momentous

(c)

monuments

(d)

moments

9.

(a)

irradiate

(b)

elongate

(c)

eradicate

(d)

erudite

10.

(a)

competencies

(b)

compartments

(c)

competence

(d)

complacent

11.

(a)

in

(b)

on

(c)

to

(d)

at

12.

(a)

fallible

(b)

futile

(c)

frigid

(d)

fragile

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

nnencdauo for the first time

2.

The WHO iicfrtdee 11 countries as being clear

3.

an important step towards global natraidoeci of polio

4.

a highly uesncitfio virus

5.

attacks the sorneuv system

6.

cause total lsrpaiysa in a matter of hours

Paragraph 2

7.

Polio is currently an caileubrn disease

8.

This is a mmsunoteo victory

9.

viicl society

10.

what we can etbahuqe our children

11.

cautioned against becoming nplacctmeo

12.

the region's polio-free status remains iareflg

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

certified countries is India, which as recently as 2009, was home to almost 50 per cent of the world's polio

(    )

of polio – a highly infectious virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. With this

(    )

polio. The WHO certified 11 countries as being clear of the disease. The WHO website said: "This is the fourth

(    )

of six WHO regions to be certified, marking an important step towards global eradication

(    )

victory for the millions of health workers who have worked with governments, non-governmental

(    )

eradicated, all countries are at risk and the region's polio-free status remains fragile."

(    )

cautioned against becoming complacent in the fight against the disease. She said: "Until polio is globally

(    )

who contracts it. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for the WHO, said: "This is a momentous

(    )

sign of what we can bequeath our children when we work together." Dr Singh also

(    )

step, 80 per cent of the world's population now lives in certified polio-free regions." One of the newly-

(    )

Polio is currently an incurable disease. It leads to paralysis of the limbs and can kill anyone

(    )

organizations, civil society and international partners to eradicate polio from the region." She added: "It is a

(    )

cases. India hasn't seen a single polio case for the last three years.

1  )

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced for the first time that South-East Asia is now free from

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

countries    The    as    WHO    being    certified    clear    11.   

2.

of    fourth    the    is    This    certified    be    to    regions    WHO   six.   

3.

highly    that    nervous    A    virus    the   infectious   attacks   system.   

4.

is    One    newly    countries    the    certified    India    of    -.   

5.

single   hasn't  years   the   polio   seen   last   case   a   India   3    for.   

6.

disease    Polio    currently    incurable    is    an.   

7.

anyone    kill    can    and    limbs    the    of   paralysis   to   leads    It.   

8.

momentous    the    health    A    for    of    victory    millions   workers.   

9.

fight    Becoming    against    complacent    the    in    disease    the.   

10.

The    status    region's    remains    polio    fragile    -    free.   

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced / announcement for the first time that South-East Asia is now freely / free from polio. The WHO certified 11 countries as being clear of the a / the disease. The WHO website said: "This is the four / fourth of six WHO regions to be certified, marking an important step towards global eradication of polio – a highly infectious viral / virus that attacks the nervous / nervousness system and can cause total paralysed / paralysis in a matter of hours. With this step, 80 per cent of the world's population now / current lives in certified polio-free regions." One of the newly-certified countries is India, which as recently was / as 2009, was home to almost 50 per cent of the world's polio cases. India hasn't seen a single / singular polio case for the last three years.

Polio is currently an incumbent / incurable disease. It leads to paralysis of the lambs / limbs and can kill anyone who contracts / contacts it. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional direction / director for the WHO, said: "This is a momentous / moments victory for the millions of health workers who have worked with governments, non-governmental organizations, civilian / civil society and international partners to eradicate polio from the regionally / region." She added: "It is a sign of what we can bequeath / beneath our children when we work together." Dr Singh also cautioned against becoming complacent / combatant in the fight against the disease. She said: "Until polio is globally eradicated, all countries are at risk and the region's polio-free status remains fragile / futile."

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)

Th_ W_rld H__lth _rg_n_z_t__n (WH_) h_s _nn__nc_d f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ th_t S__th-__st _s__ _s n_w fr__ fr_m p_l__. Th_ WH_ c_rt_f__d 11 c__ntr__s _s b__ng cl__r _f th_ d_s__s_. Th_ WH_ w_bs_t_ s__d: "Th_s _s th_ f__rth _f s_x WH_ r_g__ns t_ b_ c_rt_f__d, m_rk_ng _n _mp_rt_nt st_p t_w_rds gl_b_l _r_d_c_t__n _f p_l__ – _ h_ghly _nf_ct___s v_r_s th_t _tt_cks th_ n_rv__s syst_m _nd c_n c__s_ t_t_l p_r_lys_s _n _ m_tt_r _f h__rs. W_th th_s st_p, 80 p_r c_nt _f th_ w_rld's p_p_l_t__n n_w l_v_s _n c_rt_f__d p_l__-fr__ r_g__ns." _n_ _f th_ n_wly-c_rt_f__d c__ntr__s _s _nd__, wh_ch _s r_c_ntly _s 2009, w_s h_m_ t_ _lm_st 50 p_r c_nt _f th_ w_rld's p_l__ c_s_s. _nd__ h_sn't s__n _ s_ngl_ p_l__ c_s_ f_r th_ l_st thr__ y__rs.

P_l__ _s c_rr_ntly _n _nc_r_bl_ d_s__s_. _t l__ds t_ p_r_lys_s _f th_ l_mbs _nd c_n k_ll _ny_n_ wh_ c_ntr_cts _t. Dr P__n_m Kh_tr_p_l S_ngh, r_g__n_l d_r_ct_r f_r th_ WH_, s__d: "Th_s _s _ m_m_nt__s v_ct_ry f_r th_ m_ll__ns _f h__lth w_rk_rs wh_ h_v_ w_rk_d w_th g_v_rnm_nts, n_n-g_v_rnm_nt_l _rg_n_z_t__ns, c_v_l s_c__ty _nd _nt_rn_t__n_l p_rtn_rs t_ _r_d_c_t_ p_l__ fr_m th_ r_g__n." Sh_ _dd_d: "_t _s _ s_gn _f wh_t w_ c_n b_q___th __r ch_ldr_n wh_n w_ w_rk t_g_th_r." Dr S_ngh _ls_ c__t__n_d _g__nst b_c_m_ng c_mpl_c_nt _n th_ f_ght _g__nst th_ d_s__s_. Sh_ s__d: "_nt_l p_l__ _s gl_b_lly _r_d_c_t_d, _ll c__ntr__s _r_ _t r_sk _nd th_ r_g__n's p_l__-fr__ st_t_s r_m__ns fr_g_l_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the world health organization (who) has announced for the first time that south-east asia is now free from polio the who certified 11 countries as being clear of the disease the who website said "this is the fourth of six who regions to be certified marking an important step towards global eradication of polio – a highly infectious virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours with this step 80 per cent of the world's population now lives in certified polio-free regions" one of the newly-certified countries is india which as recently as 2009 was home to almost 50 per cent of the world's polio cases india hasn't seen a single polio case for the last three years

polio is currently an incurable disease it leads to paralysis of the limbs and can kill anyone who contracts it dr poonam khetrapal singh regional director for the who said "this is a momentous victory for the millions of health workers who have worked with governments non-governmental organizations civil society and international partners to eradicate polio from the region" she added "it is a sign of what we can bequeath our children when we work together" dr singh also cautioned against becoming complacent in the fight against the disease she said "until polio is globally eradicated all countries are at risk and the region's polio-free status remains fragile"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

From  http://www.BreakingNewsEnglish.com/1403/140330-polio.html

TheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)hasannouncedforthefirsttim
ethatSouth-EastAsiaisnowfreefrompolio.TheWHOcertified11c
ountriesasbeingclearofthedisease.TheWHOwebsitesaid:"Thisist
hefourthofsixWHOregionstobecertified,markinganimportantstep
towardsglobaleradicationofpolio–ahighlyinfectiousvirusthata
ttacksthenervoussystemandcancausetotalparalysisinamatterof
hours.Withthisstep,80percentoftheworld'spopulationnowlivesin
certifiedpolio-freeregions."Oneofthenewly-certifiedcountriesi
sIndia,whichasrecentlyas2009,washometoalmost50percentofth
eworld'spoliocases.Indiahasn'tseenasinglepoliocaseforthelastth
reeyears.Polioiscurrentlyanincurabledisease.Itleadstoparalysiso
fthelimbsandcankillanyonewhocontractsit.DrPoonamKhetrapalS
ingh,regionaldirectorfortheWHO,said:"Thisisamomentousvictor
yforthemillionsofhealthworkerswhohaveworkedwithgovernment
s,non-governmentalorganizations,civilsocietyandinternatio
nalpartnerstoeradicatepoliofromtheregion."Sheadded:"Itisasign
ofwhatwecanbequeathourchildrenwhenweworktogether."DrSin
ghalsocautionedagainstbecomingcomplacentinthefightagainstth
edisease.Shesaid:"Untilpolioisgloballyeradicated,allcountriesare
atriskandtheregion'spolio-freestatusremainsfragile."

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Curing all diseases will lead to overpopulation. Is this true? Is it good or bad?

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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 infectious diseases. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. ERADICATION: Write a magazine article about the WHO's attempts at eradicating the world's diseases. Include imaginary interviews with people who work for the WHO.

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 infectious diseases. Ask him/her three questions about infectious diseases. Give him/her three of your fears about 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

announced

a.

made public

2.

regions

b.

areas

3.

eradication

c.

elimination

4.

infectious

d.

catching

5.

case

e.

occurrence

6.

incurable

f.

untreatable

7.

momentous

g.

significant

8.

bequeath

h.

leave

9.

cautioned

i.

warned

10.

fragile

j.

delicate

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

None

2.

11

3.

2

4.

80%

5.

None

6.

Limbs

7.

A momentous one

8.

What can happen by working together

9.

Complacent

10.

Fragile

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

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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