The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Plant biologists have thought of a clever new way to increase the size of crops by as much as 20 per cent. They have genetically modified part of the mechanism in plants that is responsible for photosynthesis. Of course, photosynthesis is the most important chemical reaction in the world. It is the process where plants use sunlight to change carbon dioxide into oxygen. This means we can all breathe. The scientists have found a way for plants to use the energy they get from sunlight better, so they grow bigger and produce more food. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Long said his team is genetically modifying staple crops such as rice, wheat, maize and soybean – the world's biggest crops.

The scientists targeted the mechanism that plants use to protect themselves from damage when the Sun's rays are too strong. To prevent damage, plants turn their energy into heat, which disappears into the air. However, this heat-loss process continues even when clouds block the Sun. The scientists put extra copies of the heat-loss genes into modified plants. These additional copies speed up the heat-loss process so the plants can more quickly return to using energy to grow. Professor Long believes this could help the world's food needs. He said if he could get 20 per cent more food from crops, "that would greatly [reduce] what we see as the future pressure on food supply".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/11/how-turning-plants-sunshield-can-grow-bigger-crops
  • https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161117141231.htm
  • http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/47544/title/Genetic-Modification-Improves-Photosynthetic-Efficiency/
  • J. Kromdijk et al., "Improving photosynthesis and crop productivity by accelerating recovery from photoprotection," Science, 354:857-61, 2016.


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. PLANTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about plants. 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?

       plant / biologists / genetically modified / mechanism / chemical / reaction / sunlight /
       protect / damage / energy / heat / process / grow / food / future / pressure / supply

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

3. FOOD SUPPLY: Students A strongly believe there will always be enough food; Students B strongly believe there won't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. STAPLE CROPS: What do you know about the uses of these staple crops? Talk about this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Rice
  • Wheat
  • Maize
  • Soybean
  • Potato
  • Lentils
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. OXYGEN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "oxygen". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. FOOD SUPPLY: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest dangers to food supply at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • pests
  • genetic modification
  • war
  • ageing workers
  • overpopulation
  • climate change
  • overeating
  • drought

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Biologists have created a better sunblock from plants and crops.     T / F
  2. Photosynthesis is the process that concerts oxygen to carbon dioxide.     T / F
  3. Scientists found a better way for plants to use energy to grow.     T / F
  4. Scientists said they had genetically modified stable crops.     T / F
  5. Plants cannot protect themselves from the sun's strong rays.     T / F
  6. Plants turn their energy to heat even when it is cloudy.     T / F
  7. Scientists added genes to plants so they could use energy to grow.     T / F
  8. The scientists say their idea could help the world's food supply.     T / F

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

  1. clever
  2. mechanism
  3. change
  4. found
  5. produce
  6. damage
  7. continues
  8. additional
  9. believes
  10. reduce
  1. extra
  2. discovered
  3. harm
  4. thinks
  5. smart
  6. goes on
  7. transform
  8. cut
  9. process
  10. grow

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

  1. Plant biologists have thought of a clever
  2. increase the size of crops by as
  3. chemical
  4. use the energy they
  5. crops such as rice, wheat, maize
  6. protect themselves
  7. the Sun's rays are too
  8. plants turn their energy
  9. this could help the world's food
  10. the future pressure
  1. and soybean
  2. get from sunlight
  3. needs
  4. from damage
  5. much as 20 per cent
  6. into heat
  7. new way
  8. on food supply
  9. reaction
  10. strong

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
reaction
way
wheat
clever
produce
modified
oxygen
better

Plant biologists have thought of a (1) ____________ new way to increase the size of crops by as much as 20 per cent. They have genetically (2) ____________ part of the mechanism in plants that is responsible for photosynthesis. Of course, photosynthesis is the most important chemical (3) ____________ in the world. It is the process where plants use sunlight to change carbon dioxide into (4) ____________. This means we can all breathe. The scientists have found a (5) ____________ for plants to use the energy they get from sunlight (6) ____________, so they grow bigger and (7) ____________ more food. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Long said his team is genetically modifying staple crops such as rice, (8) ____________, maize and soybean – the world's biggest crops.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
strong
additional
reduce
heat
supply
targeted
grow
block

The scientists (9) ____________ the mechanism that plants use to protect themselves from damage when the Sun's rays are too (10) ____________. To prevent damage, plants turning their energy into (11) ____________, which disappears into the air. However, this heat-loss process continues even when clouds (12) ____________ the Sun. The scientists put extra copies of the heat-loss genes into modified plants. These (13) ____________ copies speed up the heat-loss process so the plants can more quickly return to using energy to (14) ____________. Professor Long believes this could help the world's food needs. He said if he could get 20 per cent more food from crops, "that would greatly (15) ____________ what we see as the future pressure on food (16) ____________".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Plant biologists have thought of a clever new way to increase the ______
     a.  sized of crops
     b.  seize of crops
     c.  sizing of crops
     d.  size of crops

2)  They have genetically modified part of the ______
     a.  mechanism on plants
     b.  mechanism in plants
     c.  mechanism at plants
     d.  mechanism by plants

3)  photosynthesis is the most important chemical ______ world
     a.  reaction in the world
     b.  reactions in the world
     c.  reacting in the world
     d.  retraction in the world

4)  scientists have found a way for plants to use the energy they ______
     a.  get for sunlight
     b.  gets from sunlight
     c.  get from sun lights
     d.  get from sunlight

5)  genetically modifying staple crops such as rice, wheat, ______
     a.  maze and soybeans
     b.  maize and soybean
     c.  amaze and soybeans
     d.  maze and soybean

6)  targeted the mechanism that plants use to protect themselves ______
     a.  from damaged
     b.  from damaging
     c.  from damaged
     d.  from damage

7)  To prevent damage, plants turn their energy ______
     a.  onto heat
     b.  in two heat
     c.  into heat
     d.  into heats

8)  However, this heat-loss process continues even when ______ Sun
     a.  clouds block the
     b.  clouds black the
     c.  cloud block the
     d.  cloud black the

9)  Professor Long believes this could help the ______
     a.  world's food needy
     b.  world's food needed
     c.  world's food needing
     d.  world's food needs

10)  that would greatly reduce what we see as the future pressure ______
     a.  in food supply
     b.  on food supply
     c.  on food supplied
     d.  on food supplier

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Plant biologists have thought (1) ___________________ new way to increase the size of crops by as much as 20 per cent. They have genetically modified part of the mechanism in plants that (2) ___________________ photosynthesis. Of course, photosynthesis is the most important chemical reaction in the world. It (3) ___________________ where plants use sunlight to change carbon dioxide into oxygen. This means we can all breathe. The scientists have found (4) ___________________ plants to use the energy they get from sunlight better, so (5) ___________________ and produce more food. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Long said his team is genetically modifying staple crops (6) ___________________, wheat, maize and soybean – the world's biggest crops.

The scientists targeted the mechanism that plants (7) __________________ themselves from damage when the Sun's rays are too strong. To prevent damage, plants turning (8) ___________________ heat, which disappears into the air. However, (9) ___________________ process continues even when clouds block the Sun. The scientists put extra copies of the heat-loss genes into modified plants. These (10) ___________________ speed up the heat-loss process so the plants can more quickly return to using energy to grow. Professor Long believes this could (11) ___________________ food needs. He said if he could get 20 per cent more food from crops, "that would greatly [reduce] (12) ___________________ the future pressure on food supply".

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of biologists thought of a new way to increase crop sizes?
  2. What is the name of the chemical reaction mentioned in the article?
  3. Where do plants get their energy from?
  4. What did the scientists make plants grow more of?
  5. What kind of crops are rice, wheat, maize and soybean?
  6. What do plants protect themselves from?
  7. Where does the heat from plants disappear into?
  8. What do plants use their extra energy for?
  9. Who believes the new idea could help the world's food needs?
  10. What does a scientist think there will be less pressure on?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of biologists thought of a new way to increase crop sizes?
a) plant biologists
b) prize-winning biologists
c) French biologists
d) human biologists

2) What is the name of the chemical reaction mentioned in the article?
a) photoshopping
b) photovoltaic
c) photosynthesis
d) photography

3) Where do plants get their energy from?
a) gas
b) sunlight
c) electricity
d) bees

4) What did the scientists make plants grow more of?
a) pollen
b) roots
c) petals
d) food

5) What kind of crops are rice, wheat, maize and soybean?
a) staple crops
b) stable crops
c) stubble crops
d) stapler crops

6) What do plants protect themselves from?
a) scientists
b) bees
c) themselves
d) the Sun's rays

7) Where does the heat from plants disappear into?
a) the ground
b) the air
c) their roots
d) the forest

8) What do plants use their extra energy for?
a) to attract bees
b) to get deeper roots
c) to become more green
d) to grow

9) Who believes the new idea could help the world's food needs?
a) beekeepers
b) chefs
c) Professor Long
d) farmers

10) What does a scientist think there will be less pressure on?
a) bees
b) food supply
c) blood
d) money

Role play

Role A — Overpopulation

You think overpopulation is the biggest danger to the world's food supply. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their reasons aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the smallest danger of these (and why): climate change, over-eating or ageing workers.

Role B — Climate Change

You think climate change is the biggest danger to the world's food supply. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their reasons aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the smallest danger of these (and why): overpopulation, over-eating or ageing workers.

Role C — Over-eating

You think over-eating is the biggest danger to the world's food supply. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their reasons aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the smallest danger of these (and why): climate change, overpopulation or ageing workers.

Role D — Ageing Workers

You think workers getting older is the biggest danger to the world's food supply. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their reasons aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the smallest danger of these (and why): climate change, over-eating or overpopulation.

After reading / listening

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

'food'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'supply'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • protect
    • air
    • extra
    • speed
    • quickly
    • see
    • clever
    • responsible
    • reaction
    • breathe
    • bigger
    • such

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Scientists change plants sunblock to grow more crops

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'plant'?
    3. What do you know about photosynthesis?
    4. What do you think of genetically modifying plants and crops?
    5. What do you think about what you read?
    6. How important could this news be?
    7. Where do you get your energy from?
    8. Which staple food do you prefer, and why?
    9. What does sunlight do to you?
    10. What advice do you have for farmers?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What are the dangers of genetically modified food?
    3. What are the benefits of genetically modified food?
    4. What do you know about genes?
    5. What did the scientists do to make the crops bigger?
    6. Why are so many people in the world without food?
    7. What will happen if we cannot produce enough food?
    8. How would the world change if we were all vegetarian?
    9. What will the food supply be like in 50 years from now?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    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)

    Plant biologists have thought of a (1) ____ new way to increase the size of crops by as much as 20 per cent. They have genetically modified part of the mechanism in plants that is (2) ____ for photosynthesis. Of course, photosynthesis is the most important chemical reaction in the world. It is the process where plants use sunlight to change carbon dioxide (3) ____ oxygen. This means we can all (4) ____. The scientists have found a way for plants to use the energy they get from sunlight (5) ____, so they grow bigger and produce more food. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Long said his team is genetically modifying (6) ____ crops such as rice, wheat, maize and soybean – the world's biggest crops.

    The scientists targeted the mechanism that plants use (7) ____ protect themselves from damage when the Sun's rays are too strong. To prevent damage, plants turning their energy into heat, which disappears into the air. However, this heat-loss process continues (8) ____ when clouds block the Sun. The scientists put extra copies of the heat-loss genes into modified plants. These (9) ____ copies speed up the heat-loss process so the plants can more (10) ____ return to using energy to grow. Professor Long believes this could help the world's food (11) ____. He said if he could get 20 per cent more food from crops, "that would greatly [reduce] what we see as the future pressure (12) ____ food supply".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     cleaver     (b)     clever     (c)     cleft     (d)     cleverly    
    2. (a)     responsibly     (b)     responsible     (c)     responsibilities     (d)     responsibility    
    3. (a)     on two     (b)     onto     (c)     unto     (d)     into    
    4. (a)     breathy     (b)     breathe     (c)     breath     (d)     breather    
    5. (a)     efficient     (b)     better     (c)     good     (d)     wellness    
    6. (a)     stubble     (b)     stable     (c)     staple     (d)     stapler    
    7. (a)     for     (b)     at     (c)     to     (d)     by    
    8. (a)     ever     (b)     never     (c)     even     (d)     near    
    9. (a)     adds     (b)     add     (c)     addition     (d)     additional    
    10. (a)     quickly     (b)     quick     (c)     quicker     (d)     quickest    
    11. (a)     needs     (b)     needy     (c)     needing     (d)     needed    
    12. (a)     in     (b)     by     (c)     on     (d)     at

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Plant siloigostb
    2. that is loserenibps for photosynthesis
    3. use the energy they get from higtlnus
    4. oepdcru more food
    5. epltsa crops
    6. rice, wteah, maize and soybean

    Paragraph 2

    1. protect themselves from aamged
    2. this heat-loss crpsoes continues
    3. meodiidf plants
    4. litaniaodd copies
    5. that would greatly ueedcr what we see
    6. the future essreurp on food supply

    Put the text back together

    (    )     better, so they grow bigger and produce more food. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Long said his team

    (    )     is genetically modifying staple crops such as rice, wheat, maize and soybean – the world's biggest crops.

    (    )     much as 20 per cent. They have genetically modified part of the mechanism in plants that is responsible

    (    )     can all breathe. The scientists have found a way for plants to use the energy they get from sunlight

    1  )     Plant biologists have thought of a clever new way to increase the size of crops by as

    (    )     help the world's food needs. He said if he could get 20 per cent more food from

    (    )     too strong. To prevent damage, plants turn their energy into heat, which disappears into the

    (    )     copies of the heat-loss genes into modified plants. These additional copies speed up the heat-loss process so the

    (    )     plants can more quickly return to using energy to grow. Professor Long believes this could

    (    )     crops, "that would greatly reduce what we see as the future pressure on food supply".

    (    )     reaction in the world. It is the process where plants use sunlight to change carbon dioxide into oxygen. This means we

    (    )     air. However, this heat-loss process continues even when clouds block the Sun. The scientists put extra

    (    )     for photosynthesis. Of course, photosynthesis is the most important chemical

    (    )     The scientists targeted the mechanism that plants use to protect themselves from damage when the Sun's rays are

    Put the words in the right order

    1. of   Plant   a   biologists   clever   have   new   thought   way   .
    2. size   the   Increase   cent   per   20   as   much   as   by   crops   of   .
    3. reaction   chemical   important   most   The   world   the   in   .
    4. sunlight  from   get  they   energy  the   use   to   plants  for   way  A   .
    5. rice   is   staple   as  team   modifying  such   His   genetically   crops   .
    6. to   use   plants   that   mechanism   The   themselves   protect   .
    7. into   prevent   plants   energy   To   ,   their   heat   damage   turn   .
    8. Sun  the  block  clouds  when  even  continues  process  heat-loss  This  .
    9. additional   up   -   These   speed   heat   process   copies   the   loss   .
    10. needs   help   Long   the   believes   world's   this   food   could   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Plant biologists have thought / thinking of a clever new way to increase the size of crops by as many / much as 20 per cent. They have genetically modified part of the mechanism on / in plants that is responsible for / from photosynthesis. Of course, photosynthesis is the most important chemical reaction in the world. It is the process where plants use sunlight / sunny to change carbon dioxide into / onto oxygen. This means we can all breath / breathe. The scientists have found a way for plants to use the / an energy they get from sunlight better, so they grow / grew bigger and produce more food. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Long said his team is genetically modifying staple crops such / much as rice, wheat, maize and soybean – the world's biggest crops.

    The scientists targeted the mechanism / mechanic that plants use to protect themselves from damage when the Sun's rays are too strength / strong. To prevent damage, plants turning their energy into hot / heat, which disappears into the air. However, this heat-loss process continues / continue even when cloudy / clouds block the Sun. The scientists put extra copies of the heat-loss genes into modified plants. These addition / additional copies speed up the heat-loss process so / such the plants can more quickly return to using energy to growth / grow. Professor Long believes this could help the world's food needing / needs. He said if he could get 20 per cent more food from crops, "that would greatly [reduce] what we see as the future pressure on / in food supply".

    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)

    Pl_nt b__l_g_sts h_v_ th__ght _f _ cl_v_r n_w w_y t_ _ncr__s_ th_ s_z_ _f cr_ps by _s m_ch _s 20 p_r c_nt. Th_y h_v_ g_n_t_c_lly m_d_f__d p_rt _f th_ m_ch_n_sm _n pl_nts th_t _s r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r ph_t_synth_s_s. _f c__rs_, ph_t_synth_s_s _s th_ m_st _mp_rt_nt ch_m_c_l r__ct__n _n th_ w_rld. _t _s th_ pr_c_ss wh_r_ pl_nts _s_ s_nl_ght t_ ch_ng_ c_rb_n d__x_d_ _nt_ _xyg_n. Th_s m__ns w_ c_n _ll br__th_. Th_ sc__nt_sts h_v_ f__nd _ w_y f_r pl_nts t_ _s_ th_ _n_rgy th_y g_t fr_m s_nl_ght b_tt_r, s_ th_y gr_w b_gg_r _nd pr_d_c_ m_r_ f__d. L__d r_s__rch_r Pr_f_ss_r St_ph_n L_ng s__d h_s t__m _s g_n_t_c_lly m_d_fy_ng st_pl_ cr_ps s_ch _s r_c_, wh__t, m__z_ _nd s_yb__n – th_ w_rld's b_gg_st cr_ps.

    Th_ sc__nt_sts t_rg_t_d th_ m_ch_n_sm th_t pl_nts _s_ t_ pr_t_ct th_ms_lv_s fr_m d_m_g_ wh_n th_ S_n's r_ys _r_ t__ str_ng. T_ pr_v_nt d_m_g_, pl_nts t_rn_ng th__r _n_rgy _nt_ h__t, wh_ch d_s_pp__rs _nt_ th_ __r. H_w_v_r, th_s h__t-l_ss pr_c_ss c_nt_n__s _v_n wh_n cl__ds bl_ck th_ S_n. Th_ sc__nt_sts p_t _xtr_ c_p__s _f th_ h__t-l_ss g_n_s _nt_ m_d_f__d pl_nts. Th_s_ _dd_t__n_l c_p__s sp__d _p th_ h__t-l_ss pr_c_ss s_ th_ pl_nts c_n m_r_ q__ckly r_t_rn t_ _s_ng _n_rgy t_ gr_w. Pr_f_ss_r L_ng b_l__v_s th_s c__ld h_lp th_ w_rld's f__d n__ds. H_ s__d _f h_ c__ld g_t 20 p_r c_nt m_r_ f__d fr_m cr_ps, "th_t w__ld gr__tly [r_d_c_] wh_t w_ s__ _s th_ f_t_r_ pr_ss_r_ _n f__d s_pply".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    plant biologists have thought of a clever new way to increase the size of crops by as much as 20 per cent they have genetically modified part of the mechanism in plants that is responsible for photosynthesis of course photosynthesis is the most important chemical reaction in the world it is the process where plants use sunlight to change carbon dioxide into oxygen this means we can all breathe the scientists have found a way for plants to use the energy they get from sunlight better so they grow bigger and produce more food lead researcher professor stephen long said his team is genetically modifying staple crops such as rice wheat maize and soybean – the world's biggest crops

    the scientists targeted the mechanism that plants use to protect themselves from damage when the sun's rays are too strong to prevent damage plants turning their energy into heat which disappears into the air however this heat-loss process continues even when clouds block the sun the scientists put extra copies of the heat-loss genes into modified plants these additional copies speed up the heat-loss process so the plants can more quickly return to using energy to grow professor long believes this could help the world's food needs he said if he could get 20 per cent more food from crops "that would greatly [reduce] what we see as the future pressure on food supply"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Plantbiologistshavethoughtofaclevernewwaytoincreasethesizeofcro
    psbyasmuchas20percent.Theyhavegeneticallymodifiedpartofthem
    echanisminplantsthatisresponsibleforphotosynthesis.Ofcourse,pho
    tosynthesisisthemostimportantchemicalreactionintheworld.Itisthe
    processwhereplantsusesunlighttochangecarbondioxideintooxygen.
    Thismeanswecanallbreathe.Thescientistshavefoundawayforplantst
    ousetheenergytheygetfromsunlightbetter,sotheygrowbiggerandpr
    oducemorefood.LeadresearcherProfessorStephenLongsaidhisteami
    sgeneticallymodifyingstaplecropssuchasrice,wheat,maizeandsoybe
    an–theworld'sbiggestcrops.Thescientiststargetedthemechanismth
    atplantsusetoprotectthemselvesfromdamagewhentheSun'sraysare
    toostrong.Topreventdamage,plantsturntheirenergyintoheat,which
    disappearsintotheair.However,thisheat-lossprocesscontinueseve
    nwhencloudsblocktheSun.Thescientistsputextracopiesoftheheat-l
    ossgenesintomodifiedplants.Theseadditionalcopiesspeeduptheheat
    -lossprocesssotheplantscanmorequicklyreturntousingenergytogro
    w.ProfessorLongbelievesthiscouldhelptheworld'sfoodneeds.Hesaidi
    fhecouldget20percentmorefoodfromcrops,"thatwouldgreatly[reduc
    e]whatweseeasthefuturepressureonfoodsupply".

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    We should stop the world population growing. 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 genetically modified (GM) plants. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. PLANTS: Make a poster about genetically modified (GM) plants. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. GM: Write a magazine article about genetically modified (GM) plants. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them.

    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 plants. Ask him/her three questions about GM plants. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to feed the world. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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