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Falling insect numbers dangerous to humans (28 July, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The number of insects in the world has fallen by 45 per cent in the past 35 years. Scientists say this could be dangerous for humans. A report on insect numbers has been published in the journal 'Science'. It says the human population has doubled since 1980 while the number of insects has nearly halved. One of the biggest reasons for this loss of insects is deforestation. Many of the places where insects live are disappearing because of new cities and land being used for farming. Another reason is global warming. Scientists say that in the UK, the number of beetles, butterflies, bees and wasps has fallen by up to 60 per cent. Many countries are worried about the disappearance of bees and butterflies.

Scientists say the decline in insect populations will lead to many problems for humans. One of the biggest dangers is that there will be fewer insects to pollinate flowers. This means that farmers will have problems growing food. The lead author of the report, professor Rodolfo Dirzo, said falling numbers of insects could also lead to more disease in humans. He said rats and mice would have less food to eat so they will move to cities and bring diseases with them. Dr Ben Collen from London University said we needed to stop more insects from dying. He added that scientists must understand, "what species are winning and losing in the fight for survival". He said this knowledge would help us to protect the "helpful" insects.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/10989198/Creepy-crawlies-decline-as-human-population-soars.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2704973/Insect-population-45-just-35-years-Scientists-fear-drop-harm-planet-vital-role-play.html#ixzz38XUJsEL2
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/end-world-predicted-scientists-who-3913927#ixzz38XUjx9pp

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. INSECTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about insects. 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?

insects / dangerous / report / published / reasons / deforestation / global warming / decline / populations / flowers / diseases / species / winning / knowledge / survival

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

3. BUGS: How helpful are these bugs? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How useful?	What do they do?
Bees
Spiders
Ants
Butterflies
Worms
Spiders

4. SQUASH: Students A strongly believe we should never squash or kill any insects; Students B strongly believe it's OK to kill an insect. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. FAVOURITES: Rank these with your partner. Put your favourite insects at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• ants

• spiders

• ladybirds (ladybugs)

• butterflies

• bees

• dragonflies

• worms

• grasshoppers

6. BUTTERFLY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "butterfly". 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.	The number of insects fell by 35% in the past 45 years.	T / F
b.	A report was published in the science journal "Insects Today".	T / F
c.	The number of people on Earth has doubled since 1980.	T / F
d.	Bee and butterfly populations fell by up to 60% in the UK.	T / F
e.	There could be problems with insects not pollinating flowers.	T / F
f.	A professor said fewer insects would mean fewer diseases for humans.	T / F
g.	A fall in the number of insects would mean rats leaving cities.	T / F
h.	Scientists need to know which insects are winning the fight for survival.	T / F

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

1.	fallen	a.	difficulties
2.	humans	b.	agriculture
3.	disappearing	c.	prevent
4.	farming	d.	people
5.	worried	e.	safeguard
6.	lead to	f.	concerned
7.	problems	g.	dropped
8.	author	h.	result in
9.	stop	i.	writer
10.	protect	j.	vanishing

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

1.	fallen by 45 per cent	a.	insects has nearly halved
2.	It says the human population has	b.	warming
3.	the number of	c.	diseases with them
4.	Another reason is global	d.	doubled since 1980
5.	worried about the	e.	for survival
6.	fewer insects to pollinate	f.	in the past 35 years
7.	farmers will have problems	g.	the helpful insects
8.	move to cities and bring	h.	growing food
9.	losing in the fight	i.	disappearance of bees
10.	help us to protect	j.	flowers

GAP FILL

The (1) ____________ of insects in the world has fallen by 45 per cent in the past 35 years. Scientists say this could be (2) ____________ for humans. A report on insect numbers has been published in the (3) ____________ 'Science'. It says the human population has doubled since 1980 while the number of insects has nearly (4) ____________. One of the biggest reasons for this (5) ____________ of insects is deforestation. Many of the places where insects live are disappearing because of new cities and (6) ____________ being used for farming. Another reason is global warming. Scientists say that in the UK, the number of beetles, butterflies, bees and (7) ____________ has fallen by up to 60 per cent. Many countries are worried about the (8) ____________ of bees and butterflies.

journal
land
wasps
dangerous
loss
number
disappearance
halved

Scientists say the (9) ____________ in insect populations will lead to many problems for humans. One of the biggest dangers is that there will be fewer insects to (10) ____________ flowers. This means that farmers will have problems (11) ____________ food. The lead author of the report, professor Rodolfo Dirzo, said falling numbers of insects could also lead to more (12) ____________ in humans. He said rats and mice would have less food to eat so they will move to (13) ____________ and bring diseases with them. Dr Ben Collen from London University said we needed to stop more insects from (14) ____________. He added that scientists must understand, "what species are winning and (15) ____________ in the fight for survival". He said this knowledge would help us to (16) ____________ the "helpful" insects.

disease
protect
cities
losing
pollinate
decline
dying
growing

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The number of insects in the world has fallen by 45 per cent in the ______
	a. passed 35 years b. past 35 years c. parsed 35 years d. post 35 years
2)	Scientists say this could be dangerous ______
	a. four humans b. fore humans c. for humans d. ford humans
3)	It says the human population has ______
	a. double since 1980 b. double it since 1980 c. dub all since 1980 d. doubled since 1980
4)	disappearing because of new cities and land being ______
	a. useful for farming b. used four farming c. uses for farming d. used for farming
5)	Many countries are worried about the disappearance of ______
	a. bees and butterflies b. bees in butterflies c. bees then butterflies d. bees an butterflies
6)	the decline in insect populations will lead to many ______
	a. problem for humans b. problems four humans c. problems for humans d. problem four humans
7)	there will be fewer insects to ______
	a. pollinate flowers b. pollinated flowers c. pollinates flowers d. pollinating flowers
8)	falling numbers of insects could also lead to more ______
	a. diseased in humans b. disease in human c. disease in humans d. diseased in human
9)	what species are winning and losing in the ______
	a. fights for survival b. fight for survival c. fight from survival d. fight form survival
10)	He said this knowledge would help us to protect ______
	a. then helpful insects b. the helpful insects c. them helpful insects d. these helpful insects

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The number of insects in the (1) ___________________ 45 per cent in the past 35 years. Scientists say this could (2) ___________________ humans. A report on insect numbers has been published in the journal 'Science'. It says the human population (3) ___________________ 1980 while the number of insects has nearly halved. One of the biggest reasons for this loss of insects is deforestation. Many (4) ___________________ insects live are disappearing because of new cities and land being used for farming. Another reason (5) ___________________. Scientists say that in the UK, the number of beetles, butterflies, bees and wasps has fallen by up to 60 per cent. Many countries are worried about (6) ___________________ bees and butterflies.

Scientists (7) ___________________ insect populations will lead to many problems for humans. One of the biggest dangers is that there will be fewer insects (8) ___________________. This means that farmers will have problems growing food. The lead author of the report, professor Rodolfo Dirzo, said falling numbers of insects could (9) ___________________ disease in humans. He said rats and mice would have less food to eat so they (10) ___________________ bring diseases with them. Dr Ben Collen from London University said we needed to stop more insects from dying. He added that scientists must understand, "what (11) ___________________ and losing in the fight for survival". He said this knowledge would help us to protect (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	By how much has the insect population fallen over the past 35 years?
2.	What is the name of the journal with the report on insects?
3.	What has happened to the human population since 1980?
4.	What is land that insects used to live on being used for?
5.	What insects are countries worried about disappearing?
6.	What won't insects be able to do to flowers?
7.	What will farmers have problems doing?
8.	What will rats and mice bring with them to cities?
9.	What did a doctor say we needed to stop?
10.	What did a doctor say knowledge would help us do?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	By how much has the insect population fallen over the past 35 years?	6.	What won't insects be able to do to flowers?
	a) 25% b) 35% c) 45% d) 55%		a) look at them b) pollinate them c) live in them d) eat them
2.	What is the name of the journal with the report on insects?	7.	What will farmers have problems doing?
	a) "Science" b) "Earth" c) "Insects Today" d) "Bees and Butterflies"		a) killing pests b) preparing land c) making money d) growing food
3.	What has happened to the human population since 1980?	8.	What will rats and mice bring with them to cities?
	a) it has increased by 10% b) it has doubled c) it has stayed the same d) it has trebled		a) dirt b) diseases c) insects d) fleas
4.	What is land that insects used to live on being used for?	9.	What did a doctor say we needed to stop?
	a) research b) shopping malls c) roads d) farming		a) too much farming b) insects dying c) pesticides d) development
5.	What insects are countries worried about disappearing?	10.	What did a doctor say knowledge would help us do?
	a) grasshoppers b) ants c) bees d) mosquitos		a) protect insects b) grow more food c) breed insects d) create new insects

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Ants

You think ants are the most important bugs. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bug isn't so interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): spiders, butterflies or bees.

Role B – Spiders

You think spiders are the most important bugs. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bug isn't so interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): ants, butterflies or bees.

Role C – Butterflies

You think butterflies are the most important bugs. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bug isn't so interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): spiders, ants or bees.

Role D – Bees

You think bees are the most important bugs. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bug isn't so interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): spiders, butterflies or ants.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

insect

bug

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:

past
report
1980
cities
60
worried

decline
flowers
growing
mice
stop
protect

BUGS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about bugs 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.

BUGS 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 'insect'?
c)	What's your favourite insect?
d)	What do you think of the fact that so many insects have gone?
e)	Why could it be dangerous if many insects disappear?
f)	How useful are ants?
g)	Should governments start projects to increase insect numbers?
h)	Why would global warming harm insects?
i)	What insect do you dislike most?
j)	Why are many people afraid of insects?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Why are bees so useful?
c)	Do you kill an insect if one is in your house?
d)	Should children learn more about how important insects are?
e)	Why aren't governments doing more to protect animals?
f)	What would you do if there were lots of rats in your area?
g)	What are the most useful insects in the world?
h)	Spiders are not insects. Why not?
i)	What would happen to the world if all the bugs died?
j)	What questions would you like to ask an insect expert?

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 number of insects in the world has (1) ____ by 45 per cent in the past 35 years. Scientists say this could be dangerous for humans. A report on insect numbers has been published in the (2) ____ 'Science'. It says the human population has (3) ____ since 1980 while the number of insects has nearly halved. One of the biggest reasons for this (4) ____ of insects is deforestation. Many of the places where insects live are disappearing because of new cities and land (5) ____ used for farming. Another reason is global warming. Scientists say that in the UK, the number of beetles, butterflies, bees and wasps has fallen (6) ____ up to 60 per cent. Many countries are worried about the disappearance of bees and butterflies.

Scientists say the decline in insect populations will lead to many problems for humans. One of the biggest dangers is that there will be fewer insects to (7) ____ flowers. This means that farmers will have problems (8) ____ food. The lead author of the report, professor Rodolfo Dirzo, said falling numbers of insects could also lead to more disease (9) ____ humans. He said rats and mice would have less food to eat so they will move to cities and bring diseases with (10) ____. Dr Ben Collen from London University said we needed to stop more insects from (11) ____. He added that scientists must understand, "what species are winning and losing in the fight for survival". He said this knowledge would help (12) ____ to protect the "helpful" insects.

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

1.	(a)	fell	(b)	fallen	(c)	falls	(d)	falling
2.	(a)	magazine	(b)	book	(c)	Internet	(d)	journal
3.	(a)	upped	(b)	doubled	(c)	heightened	(d)	downed
4.	(a)	lass	(b)	lose	(c)	loss	(d)	less
5.	(a)	being	(b)	been	(c)	be	(d)	bees
6.	(a)	by	(b)	at	(c)	to	(d)	for
7.	(a)	dilute	(b)	decorate	(c)	accent	(d)	pollinate
8.	(a)	growing	(b)	grows	(c)	grown	(d)	growth
9.	(a)	by	(b)	in	(c)	at	(d)	of
10.	(a)	her	(b)	all	(c)	them	(d)	speed
11.	(a)	death	(b)	dead	(c)	dying	(d)	dies
12.	(a)	we	(b)	us	(c)	me	(d)	you

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	sescitsitn say this could be dangerous
2.	dpbhueisl in the journal 'Science'
3.	the human population has elbodud
4.	the number of insects has nearly elvhad
5.	Another aneros is global warming
6.	worried about the darcenaaepsip of bees
Paragraph 2
7.	the ceeilnd in insect populations
8.	fewer insects to tpaleilno flowers
9.	The lead tarhou of the report
10.	lead to more sdesaie in humans
11.	what csepsie are winning and losing
12.	help us to orettpc the "helpful" insects

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	more insects from dying. He added that scientists must understand, "what species
( )	where insects live are disappearing because of new cities and land being used for farming. Another reason is global
( )	'Science'. It says the human population has doubled since 1980 while the number of insects has nearly
( )	halved. One of the biggest reasons for this loss of insects is deforestation. Many of the places
( )	of insects could also lead to more disease in humans. He said rats and mice would have less food to eat so they will move
( )	to cities and bring diseases with them. Dr Ben Collen from London University said we needed to stop
( )	be dangerous for humans. A report on insect numbers has been published in the journal
( )	problems growing food. The lead author of the report, professor Rodolfo Dirzo, said falling numbers
( )	dangers is that there will be fewer insects to pollinate flowers. This means that farmers will have
( )	wasps has fallen by up to 60 per cent. Many countries are worried about the disappearance of bees and butterflies.
( )	are winning and losing in the fight for survival". He said this knowledge would help us to protect the "helpful" insects.
( )	warming. Scientists say that in the UK, the number of beetles, butterflies, bees and
( 1 )	The number of insects in the world has fallen by 45 per cent in the past 35 years. Scientists say this could
( )	Scientists say the decline in insect populations will lead to many problems for humans. One of the biggest

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	of the fallen number in has The insects world.
2.	be could humans this for say dangerous Scientists.
3.	human doubled the has 1980 says population since It.
4.	for and farming land being New used cities.
5.	the Countries disappearance are of worried bees about.
6.	insects There to will pollinate be flowers fewer.
7.	food means will growing This farmers problems that have.
8.	disease Falling numbers of insects could also lead to more.
9.	so they will move Mice would have less food to eat .
10.	would to helpful Knowledge us the help protect insects.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The number of insects in the world has falling / fallen by 45 per cent in the past 35 years. Scientists say this could be dangerous for humans / beings. A report on insect number / numbers has been published in the journal 'Science'. It says the human population has doubled / doubles since 1980 while the number of insects has nearly halves / halved. One of the biggest reasons for this loss of insects is deforestation / reforestation. Many of the places where insects live are disappearing / disappearance because of new cities and land being used / using for farming. Another reason is global warming. Scientists say that in the UK, the number of beetles, butterflies, bees and wasp / wasps has fallen by up to 60 per cent. Many countries are worried for / about the disappearance of bees and butterflies.

Scientists say the decline / recline in insect populations will lead to much / many problems for humans. One of the biggest dangers is that there will be fewer / less insects to pollinate flowers. This means that farmers will have problems growth / growing food. The lead / leader author of the report, professor Rodolfo Dirzo, said falling numbers of insects could also lead to more disease in humans. He said rats and mouse / mice would have less food to eat so they will moving / move to cities and bring diseases with them. Dr Ben Collen from London University said we needed to stop more insects from / for dying. He added that scientists must understand, "what species are winning and losers / losing in the fight for survival". He said this knowledge would help us to protect / protecting the "helpful" insects.

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_ n_mb_r _f _ns_cts _n th_ w_rld h_s f_ll_n by 45 p_r c_nt _n th_ p_st 35 y__rs. Sc__nt_sts s_y th_s c__ld b_ d_ng_r__s f_r h_m_ns. _ r_p_rt _n _ns_ct n_mb_rs h_s b__n p_bl_sh_d _n th_ j__rn_l 'Sc__nc_'. _t s_ys th_ h_m_n p_p_l_t__n h_s d__bl_d s_nc_ 1980 wh_l_ th_ n_mb_r _f _ns_cts h_s n__rly h_lv_d. _n_ _f th_ b_gg_st r__s_ns f_r th_s l_ss _f _ns_cts _s d_f_r_st_t__n. M_ny _f th_ pl_c_s wh_r_ _ns_cts l_v_ _r_ d_s_pp__r_ng b_c__s_ _f n_w c_t__s _nd l_nd b__ng _s_d f_r f_rm_ng. _n_th_r r__s_n _s gl_b_l w_rm_ng. Sc__nt_sts s_y th_t _n th_ _K, th_ n_mb_r _f b__tl_s, b_tt_rfl__s, b__s _nd w_sps h_s f_ll_n by _p t_ 60 p_r c_nt. M_ny c__ntr__s _r_ w_rr__d _b__t th_ d_s_pp__r_nc_ _f b__s _nd b_tt_rfl__s.

Sc__nt_sts s_y th_ d_cl_n_ _n _ns_ct p_p_l_t__ns w_ll l__d t_ m_ny pr_bl_ms f_r h_m_ns. _n_ _f th_ b_gg_st d_ng_rs _s th_t th_r_ w_ll b_ f_w_r _ns_cts t_ p_ll_n_t_ fl_w_rs. Th_s m__ns th_t f_rm_rs w_ll h_v_ pr_bl_ms gr_w_ng f__d. Th_ l__d __th_r _f th_ r_p_rt, pr_f_ss_r R_d_lf_ D_rz_, s__d f_ll_ng n_mb_rs _f _ns_cts c__ld _ls_ l__d t_ m_r_ d_s__s_ _n h_m_ns. H_ s__d r_ts _nd m_c_ w__ld h_v_ l_ss f__d t_ __t s_ th_y w_ll m_v_ t_ c_t__s _nd br_ng d_s__s_s w_th th_m. Dr B_n C_ll_n fr_m L_nd_n _n_v_rs_ty s__d w_ n__d_d t_ st_p m_r_ _ns_cts fr_m dy_ng. H_ _dd_d th_t sc__nt_sts m_st _nd_rst_nd, "wh_t sp_c__s _r_ w_nn_ng _nd l_s_ng _n th_ f_ght f_r s_rv_v_l". H_ s__d th_s kn_wl_dg_ w__ld h_lp _s t_ pr_t_ct th_ "h_lpf_l" _ns_cts.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the number of insects in the world has fallen by 45 per cent in the past 35 years scientists say this could be dangerous for humans a report on insect numbers has been published in the journal 'science' it says the human population has doubled since 1980 while the number of insects has nearly halved one of the biggest reasons for this loss of insects is deforestation many of the places where insects live are disappearing because of new cities and land being used for farming another reason is global warming scientists say that in the uk the number of beetles butterflies bees and wasps has fallen by up to 60 per cent many countries are worried about the disappearance of bees and butterflies

scientists say the decline in insect populations will lead to many problems for humans one of the biggest dangers is that there will be fewer insects to pollinate flowers this means that farmers will have problems growing food the lead author of the report professor rodolfo dirzo said falling numbers of insects could also lead to more disease in humans he said rats and mice would have less food to eat so they will move to cities and bring diseases with them dr ben collen from london university said we needed to stop more insects from dying he added that scientists must understand "what species are winning and losing in the fight for survival" he said this knowledge would help us to protect the "helpful" insects

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Thenumberofinsectsintheworldhasfallenby45percentinthepast35years.Sci
entistssaythiscouldbedangerousforhumans.Areportoninsectnumbershasbe
enpublishedinthejournal'Science'.Itsaysthehumanpopulationhasdoubledsi
nce1980whilethenumberofinsectshasnearlyhalved.Oneofthebiggestreason
sforthislossofinsectsisdeforestation.Manyoftheplaceswhereinsectslivearedi
sappearingbecauseofnewcitiesandlandbeingusedforfarming.Anotherreaso
nisglobalwarming.ScientistssaythatintheUK,thenumberofbeetles,butterflie
s,beesandwaspshasfallenbyupto60percent.Manycountriesareworriedabout
thedisappearanceofbeesandbutterflies.Scientistssaythedeclineininsectpop
ulationswillleadtomanyproblemsforhumans.Oneofthebiggestdangersisthat
therewillbefewerinsectstopollinateflowers.Thismeansthatfarmerswillhavep
roblemsgrowingfood.Theleadauthorofthereport,professorRodolfoDirzo,sai
dfallingnumbersofinsectscouldalsoleadtomorediseaseinhumans.Hesaidrats
andmicewouldhavelessfoodtoeatsotheywillmovetocitiesandbringdiseasesw
iththem.DrBenCollenfromLondonUniversitysaidweneededtostopmoreinsec
tsfromdying.Headdedthatscientistsmustunderstand,"whatspeciesarewinni
ngandlosinginthefightforsurvival".Hesaidthisknowledgewouldhelpustoprot
ectthe"helpful"insects.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Which are more helpful, bees or ants? Which do you like better? Why?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 what problems there will be with falling numbers of bugs. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. DISAPPEARING INSECTS: Write a magazine article about the disappearing insects. Include imaginary interviews with people who are worried and with people who know how to help the insects.

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 bugs. Ask him/her three questions about bugs. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	fallen	a.	dropped
2.	humans	b.	people
3.	disappearing	c.	vanishing
4.	farming	d.	agriculture
5.	worried	e.	concerned
6.	lead to	f.	result in
7.	problems	g.	difficulties
8.	author	h.	writer
9.	stop	i.	prevent
10.	protect	j.	safeguard

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	45%
2.	"Science"
3.	It has doubled
4.	Farming
5.	Bees and Butterflies
6.	Pollinate them
7.	Growing food
8.	Diseases
9.	Insects dying
10.	Protect insects

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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Falling insect numbers dangerous to humans (28 July, 2014)

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