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Shoppers in Venezuela to be fingerprinted (25th August, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

There are many food shortages in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans cannot buy basic goods. This problem is made worse because people buy too much of something when they see it in the stores. It's a kind of panic buying. President Nicolas Maduro has started a new system to stop people buying too much. Shoppers must soon start scanning their fingerprints when they buy food at grocery stores and supermarkets. This is to make sure that more people can buy an equal share of food and groceries. Mr Maduro has not said when the new system will start, but people close to him say it could be January. It is also unclear how much food people can buy and what happens if they buy too much.

There are many reasons for Venezuela's food shortages. The government blames smugglers who buy cheap goods and take them to Colombia to resell them for up to four times their original price. Another reason is that the government controls the price of food. Many food companies say the price is too low for them to make a profit, so they do not produce as much as they could. A final reason is the strength of the US dollar against Venezuela's currency. This means it is very expensive to import food from other countries. Critics say the fingerprinting takes away people's privacy and will not work. They say the whole economy needs to change and that the government needs to have less control.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/08/22/venezuela-wants-to-fingerprint-grocery-shoppers-to-control-how-much-food-by/
http://www.biometricupdate.com/201408/venezuela-government-looking-to-biometrics-to-prevent-food-smuggling
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2349150&CategoryId=10717

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. FOOD: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about food. 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?

food shortages / basic goods / panic buying / fingerprints / grocery stores / system / smugglers / cheap goods / the price of food / make a profit / currency / privacy

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

3. FINGERPRINTING: Where might fingerprinting be good or bad? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good things	Bad things
Paying for things
Accessing a computer
Unlocking a door
Passport replacement
Car key replacement
Legal contracts

4. GROCERY STORES: Students A strongly believe fingerprinting is a good way to control food shortages; Students B strongly believe it isn't. 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. FOOD SHORTAGES: Rank these with your partner. Put the things you would miss most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• chocolate

• onions

• bread

• eggs

• potatoes

• tomatoes

• chicken

• rice

6. SUPERMARKET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "supermarket". 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.	Panic buying is helping to create food shortages in Venezuela.	T / F
b.	Venezuela's president will start a system to limit what people can buy.	T / F
c.	Shoppers in Venezuela will be fingerprinted when they buy petrol.	T / F
d.	Shoppers will not be able to buy more than three of any item.	T / F
e.	The government blames people who smuggle goods from Colombia.	T / F
f.	In Venezuela, the government controls the price of food.	T / F
g.	Some people are worried fingerprinting will take away people's privacy.	T / F
h.	Critics said the economy should stay as it is.	T / F

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

1.	basic	a.	method
2.	stores	b.	make
3.	system	c.	uncertain
4.	equal	d.	removes
5.	unclear	e.	necessary
6.	goods	f.	first
7.	initial	g.	shops
8.	produce	h.	identical
9.	takes away	i.	entire
10.	whole	j.	products

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

1.	basic	a.	share of food
2.	It's a kind of panic	b.	people's privacy
3.	Shoppers must soon start scanning	c.	food people can buy
4.	buy an equal	d.	smugglers
5.	It is also unclear how much	e.	buying
6.	The government blames	f.	their original price
7.	resell them for up to four times	g.	goods
8.	the price is too low for	h.	of the US dollar
9.	the strength	i.	their fingerprints
10.	fingerprinting takes away	j.	them to make a profit

GAP FILL

There are many food (1) ____________ in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans cannot buy basic goods. This problem is made (2) ____________ because people buy too much of something when they see it in the stores. It's a kind of (3) ____________ buying. President Nicolas Maduro has started a new system to stop people buying too much. Shoppers must soon start (4) ____________ their fingerprints when they buy food at grocery stores and supermarkets. This is to make sure that more people can buy an (5) ____________ share of food and groceries. Mr Maduro has not said when the new system will start, but people (6) ____________ to him say it could be January. It is also (7) ____________ how much food people can buy and what (8) ____________ if they buy too much.

scanning
happens
panic
shortages
unclear
worse
equal
close

There are many (9) ____________ for Venezuela's food shortages. The government blames (10) ____________ who buy cheap goods and take them to Colombia to resell them for up to four times their (11) ____________ price. Another reason is that the government controls the price of food. Many food companies say the price is too (12) ____________ for them to make a profit, so they do not produce as much as they could. A final reason is the (13) ____________ of the US dollar against Venezuela's currency. This means it is very expensive to (14) ____________ food from other countries. Critics say the fingerprinting takes away people's (15) ____________ and will not work. They say the whole economy needs to change and that the government needs to have (16) ____________ control.

low
privacy
smugglers
less
reasons
strength
original
import

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Many Venezuelans cannot buy ______
	a. basically goods b. basics goods c. basic goods d. basic good
2)	It's a kind of ______
	a. panics buying b. panic buying c. panicked buying d. picnic buying
3)	Shoppers must soon start ______ fingerprints
	a. scanning their b. scamming their c. scan in their d. scanning in their
4)	This is to make sure that more people can buy ______
	a. an equality share b. an equals share c. an equaled share d. an equal share
5)	unclear how much food people can buy and what ______ too much
	a. happens if they buy b. happened if they buy c. happenings if they buy d. happen if they buy
6)	The government ______
	a. blamed smugglers b. blame smugglers c. blames smuggler d. blames smugglers
7)	resell them for up to four times ______
	a. their originally price b. their originals price c. their origin all price d. their original price
8)	Many food companies say the price is too low for them to ______
	a. make a profits b. make a profitable c. make a profit d. make a profited
9)	A final reason is the strength of the US dollar against ______
	a. Venezuela's currency b. Venezuela's current see c. Venezuela's currant sea d. Venezuela's currencies
10)	Critics say the fingerprinting takes away ______
	a. people's privet see b. people's private sea c. people's privacy d. people's privacies

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

There are (1) ___________________ in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans cannot buy basic goods. This problem is made worse because people buy too much of something when they see it in the stores. (2) ___________________ buying. President Nicolas Maduro has started a new system to stop people buying too much. Shoppers must soon start scanning (3) ___________________ they buy food at grocery stores and supermarkets. This is to make sure that more people (4) ___________________ share of food and groceries. Mr Maduro has not said when the new system will start, but people (5) ___________________ it could be January. It is also unclear how much food people can buy and what happens if (6) ___________________.

There are many reasons for Venezuela's food shortages. The government (7) ___________________ buy cheap goods and take them to Colombia to resell them (8) ___________________ their original price. Another reason is that the government controls the price of food. Many food companies say the (9) ___________________ them to make a profit, so they do not produce as much as they could. A final (10) ___________________ of the US dollar against Venezuela's currency. This means it is very expensive to (11) ___________________ other countries. Critics say the fingerprinting takes away people's privacy and will not work. They say the whole economy needs to change and that the government needs (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What kind of goods are Venezuelans finding it difficult to buy?
2.	What did the article call the problem of people buying too much?
3.	Where will shoppers have to scan their fingerprints?
4.	What will fingerprinting make sure people get an equal share of?
5.	When might the new system start?
6.	Who does the government blame for the food shortages?
7.	How much more than the original price are smugglers selling goods?
8.	What did companies say they cannot make because of low prices?
9.	What strong currency is one of the reasons for the food shortages?
10.	What are critics worried about being removed?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What kind of goods are Venezuelans finding it difficult to buy?	6.	Who does the government blame for the food shortages?
	a) basic goods b) imported goods c) expensive goods d) luxuries		a) Colombia b) food companies c) grocery stores d) smugglers
2.	What did the article call the problem of people buying too much?	7.	How much more than the original price are smugglers selling goods?
	a) overbuying b) problem buying c) panic buying d) market buying		a) 3 b) 4 c) 5 d) 6
3.	Where will shoppers have to scan their fingerprints?	8.	What did companies say they can't make because of low prices?
	a) a government department b) grocery stores and supermarkets c) at home d) in police stations		a) goods b) bread c) jobs d) profits
4.	What will fingerprinting make sure people get an equal share of?	9.	What strong currency is one of the reasons for the food shortages?
	a) bread b) shopping time c) money d) food and groceries		a) euro b) peso c) dollar d) yen
5.	When might the new system start?	10.	What are critics worried about being removed?
	a) January b) February c) March d) April		a) fingerprints b) privacy c) discounts d) shelves

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Paying for things

You think the best use of fingerprints is paying for things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their uses aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least workable of these (and why): unlocking doors, as a passport or as a car key.

Role B – Unlocking doors

You think the best use of fingerprints is for unlocking doors. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their uses aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least workable of these (and why): paying for things, as a passport or as a car key.

Role C – Passport

You think the best use of fingerprints is as a passport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their uses aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least workable of these (and why): unlocking doors, paying for things or as a car key.

Role D – Car key replacement

You think the best use of fingerprints is as a car key. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their uses aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least workable of these (and why): unlocking doors, as a passport or paying for things.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

finger

print

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:

basic
see
stop
sure
start
happens

reasons
four
low
final
privacy
less

FOOD SHORTAGES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about food shortages 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.

FOOD SHORTAGES 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 'fingerprint'?
c)	Have you ever experienced a shortage of something?
d)	What do you do when your favourite things are sold out?
e)	Has your country ever experienced shortages?
f)	Why do people panic buy?
g)	What do you think of fingerprinting shop customers?
h)	Is the fingerprinting a good way to control food shortages?
i)	Do you think a parent of ten will be able to buy more than a single person?
j)	What do you think will happen if people still buy too much?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	How bad is smuggling?
c)	What are the worst things that people smuggle?
d)	How can Venezuela stop smugglers selling things in Colombia?
e)	Why does Venezuela's government control food prices?
f)	Why is it important if a currency is strong or weak?
g)	What imported food do you buy, and why?
h)	What do you think about fingerprinting and privacy
i)	What would you do if a cashier asked to scan your fingerprint?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Venezuela's president?

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

There are many food shortages in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans cannot buy (1) ____ goods. This problem is made worse because people buy too much of (2) ____ when they see it in the stores. It's a kind of panic buying. President Nicolas Maduro has started a new system to (3) ____ people buying too much. Shoppers must soon start (4) ____ their fingerprints when they buy food at grocery stores and supermarkets. This is to make sure that more people can buy an (5) ____ share of food and groceries. Mr Maduro has not said when the new system will start, but people close to him say it could be January. It is also (6) ____ how much food people can buy and what happens if they buy too much.

There are many reasons for Venezuela's food shortages. The government (7) ____ smugglers who buy cheap goods and take them to Colombia to resell them for up to four times their (8) ____ price. Another reason is that the government controls the price of food. Many food companies say the price is too (9) ____ for them to make a profit, so they do not produce as much as they could. A (10) ____ reason is the strength of the US dollar against Venezuela's currency. This means it is very expensive to import food (11) ____ other countries. Critics say the fingerprinting takes away people's privacy and will not work. They say the whole economy needs to change and that the government needs to have (12) ____ control.

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

1.	(a)	base	(b)	basically	(c)	basics	(d)	basic
2.	(a)	nothing	(b)	thing	(c)	anything	(d)	something
3.	(a)	not	(b)	stop	(c)	cease	(d)	close
4.	(a)	scans	(b)	scanned	(c)	scanning	(d)	scanner
5.	(a)	every	(b)	almost	(c)	equal	(d)	about
6.	(a)	unclear	(b)	clarity	(c)	clearly	(d)	cleared
7.	(a)	says	(b)	blames	(c)	responsible	(d)	holds
8.	(a)	original	(b)	originals	(c)	originality	(d)	origins
9.	(a)	little	(b)	low	(c)	below	(d)	small
10.	(a)	semi	(b)	lastly	(c)	final	(d)	end
11.	(a)	for	(b)	of	(c)	from	(d)	far
12.	(a)	under	(b)	smaller	(c)	minus	(d)	less

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	There are many food ogsrthase in Venezuela
2.	ibsac goods
3.	It's a kind of acpin buying
4.	rcgeoyr stores and supermarkets
5.	an aluqe share
6.	the new eytmss will start
Paragraph 2
7.	There are many srnaeos
8.	The government aelsmb smugglers
9.	up to four times their garlnioi price
10.	make a iptrof
11.	the US dollar against Venezuela's enrrccuy
12.	the whole ynemooc needs to change

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	system will start, but people close to him say it could be January. It is also unclear
( )	how much food people can buy and what happens if they buy too much.
( )	goods and take them to Colombia to resell them for up to four times their original price. Another reason is that the government
( )	profit, so they do not produce as much as they could. A final reason is the strength of the US dollar against Venezuela's
( )	There are many reasons for Venezuela's food shortages. The government blames smugglers who buy cheap
( )	sure that more people can buy an equal share of food and groceries. Mr Maduro has not said when the new
( )	needs to change and that the government needs to have less control.
( )	takes away people's privacy and will not work. They say the whole economy
( )	worse because people buy too much of something when they see it in the stores. It's a kind of panic
( )	controls the price of food. Many food companies say the price is too low for them to make a
( 1 )	There are many food shortages in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans cannot buy basic goods. This problem is made
( )	start scanning their fingerprints when they buy food at grocery stores and supermarkets. This is to make
( )	buying. President Nicolas Maduro has started a new system to stop people buying too much. Shoppers must soon
( )	currency. This means it is very expensive to import food from other countries. Critics say the fingerprinting

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	Venezuela in shortages food many are There.
2.	of something when they see it People buy too much.
3.	their Scanning food buy they when fingerprints.
4.	an of More buy share can equal food people.
5.	unclear food buy also much can is how people It.
6.	many shortages reasons for There Venezuela's are food.
7.	to goods Colombia and take Buy them cheap.
8.	times their original price Resell them for up to four.
9.	is the strength of the US dollar A final reason.
10.	say to the change whole economy They needs.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

There are many / much food shortages in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans cannot buy basic goods. This problem is made worst / worse because people buy too much of something when they see it / them in the stores. It's a kind of panic bought / buying. President Nicolas Maduro has started a new system to stop people buying too more / much. Shoppers must soon start scanning their fingerprints when they buy food at groceries / grocery stores and supermarkets. This is to make sure that more people can buy an / the equal share for / of food and groceries. Mr Maduro has not said when the new system will start, but people close to his / him say it could be January. It is also unclear how much food people can buy and what happen / happens if they buy too much.

There are many reasons for Venezuela's food shortages. The government blames / blaming smugglers who buy cheap greats / goods and take them to Colombia to resell them for up / down to four times their originally / original price. Another reason is that the government controls the price of food. Many food companies say the price is far / too low for them to make a profit, so they do not produce as / so much as they could. A final reason is the strength / strongest of the US dollar against Venezuela's currency. This means it is very expenses / expensive to import food from other countries. Critics say the fingerprinting takes away people's privates / privacy and will not work. They say the whole economy needs to change and that the government needs to have less / lesser control.

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_r_ _r_ m_ny f__d sh_rt_g_s _n V_n_z__l_. M_ny V_n_z__l_ns c_nn_t b_y b_s_c g__ds. Th_s pr_bl_m _s m_d_ w_rs_ b_c__s_ p__pl_ b_y t__ m_ch _f s_m_th_ng wh_n th_y s__ _t _n th_ st_r_s. _t's _ k_nd _f p_n_c b_y_ng. Pr_s_d_nt N_c_l_s M_d_r_ h_s st_rt_d _ n_w syst_m t_ st_p p__pl_ b_y_ng t__ m_ch. Sh_pp_rs m_st s__n st_rt sc_nn_ng th__r f_ng_rpr_nts wh_n th_y b_y f__d _t gr_c_ry st_r_s _nd s_p_rm_rk_ts. Th_s _s t_ m_k_ s_r_ th_t m_r_ p__pl_ c_n b_y _n _q__l sh_r_ _f f__d _nd gr_c_r__s. Mr M_d_r_ h_s n_t s__d wh_n th_ n_w syst_m w_ll st_rt, b_t p__pl_ cl_s_ t_ h_m s_y _t c__ld b_ J_n__ry. _t _s _ls_ _ncl__r h_w m_ch f__d p__pl_ c_n b_y _nd wh_t h_pp_ns _f th_y b_y t__ m_ch.

Th_r_ _r_ m_ny r__s_ns f_r V_n_z__l_'s f__d sh_rt_g_s. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt bl_m_s sm_ggl_rs wh_ b_y ch__p g__ds _nd t_k_ th_m t_ C_l_mb__ t_ r_s_ll th_m f_r _p t_ f__r t_m_s th__r _r_g_n_l pr_c_. _n_th_r r__s_n _s th_t th_ g_v_rnm_nt c_ntr_ls th_ pr_c_ _f f__d. M_ny f__d c_mp_n__s s_y th_ pr_c_ _s t__ l_w f_r th_m t_ m_k_ _ pr_f_t, s_ th_y d_ n_t pr_d_c_ _s m_ch _s th_y c__ld. _ f_n_l r__s_n _s th_ str_ngth _f th_ _S d_ll_r _g__nst V_n_z__l_'s c_rr_ncy. Th_s m__ns _t _s v_ry _xp_ns_v_ t_ _mp_rt f__d fr_m _th_r c__ntr__s. Cr_t_cs s_y th_ f_ng_rpr_nt_ng t_k_s _w_y p__pl_'s pr_v_cy _nd w_ll n_t w_rk. Th_y s_y th_ wh_l_ _c_n_my n__ds t_ ch_ng_ _nd th_t th_ g_v_rnm_nt n__ds t_ h_v_ l_ss c_ntr_l.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

there are many food shortages in venezuela many venezuelans cannot buy basic goods this problem is made worse because people buy too much of something when they see it in the stores it's a kind of panic buying president nicolas maduro has started a new system to stop people buying too much shoppers must soon start scanning their fingerprints when they buy food at grocery stores and supermarkets this is to make sure that more people can buy an equal share of food and groceries mr maduro has not said when the new system will start but people close to him say it could be january it is also unclear how much food people can buy and what happens if they buy too much

there are many reasons for venezuela's food shortages the government blames smugglers who buy cheap goods and take them to colombia to resell them for up to four times their original price another reason is that the government controls the price of food many food companies say the price is too low for them to make a profit so they do not produce as much as they could a final reason is the strength of the us dollar against venezuela's currency this means it is very expensive to import food from other countries critics say the fingerprinting takes away people's privacy and will not work they say the whole economy needs to change and that the government needs to have less control

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TherearemanyfoodshortagesinVenezuela.ManyVenezuelanscannotbu
ybasicgoods.Thisproblemismadeworsebecausepeoplebuytoomuchofso
methingwhentheyseeitinthestores.It'sakindofpanicbuying.PresidentNic
olasMadurohasstartedanewsystemtostoppeoplebuyingtoomuch.Shopp
ersmustsoonstartscanningtheirfingerprintswhentheybuyfoodatgroceryst
oresandsupermarkets.Thisistomakesurethatmorepeoplecanbuyanequa
lshareoffoodandgroceries.MrMadurohasnotsaidwhenthenewsystemwill
start,butpeopleclosetohimsayitcouldbeJanuary.Itisalsounclearhowmuc
hfoodpeoplecanbuyandwhathappensiftheybuytoomuch.Therearemanyr
easonsforVenezuela'sfoodshortages.Thegovernmentblamessmugglers
whobuycheapgoodsandtakethemtoColombiatoresellthemforuptofourtim
estheiroriginalprice.Anotherreasonisthatthegovernmentcontrolstheprice
offood.Manyfoodcompaniessaythepriceistoolowforthemtomakeaprofit,s
otheydonotproduceasmuchastheycould.Afinalreasonisthestrengthofthe
USdollaragainstVenezuela'scurrency.Thismeansitisveryexpensivetoim
portfoodfromothercountries.Criticssaythefingerprintingtakesawaypeopl
e'sprivacyandwillnotwork.Theysaythewholeeconomyneedstochangean
dthatthegovernmentneedstohavelesscontrol.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Fingerprinting shoppers is never a good idea. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about food shortages in Venezuela. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. FOOD SHORTAGES: Make a poster about food shortages. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. FINGERPRINTING: Write a magazine article about fingerprinting. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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 food shortages. Ask him/her three questions about the situation in Venezuela. Give him/her three of your ideas on hos to make things better. 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

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	basic	a.	necessary
2.	stores	b.	shops
3.	system	c.	method
4.	equal	d.	identical
5.	unclear	e.	uncertain
6.	goods	f.	products
7.	initial	g.	first
8.	produce	h.	make
9.	takes away	i.	removes
10.	whole	j.	entire

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Basic goods
2.	Panic buying
3.	Grocery stores
4.	Food and groceries
5.	January
6.	Smugglers
7.	4
8.	Profits
9.	Dollar
10.	Privacy

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

b

4.

d

5.

a

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

9.

c

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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