Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

Babies make husbands lazier (13th May, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

New research suggests that husbands do not do their fair share of work around the house. A study from the Ohio State University says that men who do an equal share of housework are a rare breed. Researchers looked at the lifestyles of 182 working couples who became first-time parents. Both partners worked roughly the same amount of hours in full-time jobs. The research team found that men did less housework after the baby was born, even though both mothers and fathers worked the same number of hours outside the home. During the first few weeks of parenthood, fathers did an average of five hours a week less housework, although they spent this time helping to look after the baby.

It is a different story for mothers. Becoming a parent added about 21 hours per week to the amount of work she did, even with her full-time job. Most of their extra work was spent looking after her baby. The researchers explained why new fathers did not keep up with the extra work after a child was born. They said that most men were simply unaware that the mother was doing so much more work. Another reason is that after a baby is born, fathers tend to follow what happened in their own homes when they were younger. They automatically accept and follow the 'traditional' roles of the mother looking after the baby and the father working, even though the mother is also working the same number of hours in her job.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1352264-dual-earner-couples-share-housework-equally-until-first-baby-comes/
http://www.stwnewspress.com/cnhi_network/study-men-are-lazy-to-their-core/article_bbfd72ec-3be8-56e5-b4be-9f9bab767ed2.html
http://www.smh.com.au/business/parenthood-makes-men-even-lazier-says-study-20150508-ggwxnr.html

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. LAZINESS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about laziness. 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?

research / fair share / equal / rare breed / working couples / full-time jobs / average / story / amount / extra work / unaware / younger / automatically / traditional roles

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

3. HOUSEWORK: What do you think of housework? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

	Good things	Bad things	How to make it faster
Ironing
Dusting
Washing up
Laundry
Vacuuming
Cleaning

4. 50-50: Students A strongly believe men and women should share the housework 50-50; Students B strongly believe otherwise. 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. BABIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to do at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• changing diapers

• bathing

• feeding

• burping

• going to the doctor with baby

• sleeping with baby

• carrying

• shopping with baby

6. RARE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "rare". 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.	Research suggests husbands do their fair share of housework.	T / F
b.	Researchers looked at 1,820 couples.	T / F
c.	Men in the research worked twice as many hours as their wives.	T / F
d.	Fathers spent an average of five hours a week looking after their baby.	T / F
e.	A new baby adds 21 hours to a mother's weekly workload.	T / F
f.	Fathers were totally aware their wife was working harder.	T / F
g.	Fathers followed what happened at home when they were younger.	T / F
h.	Fathers took on traditional roles after their baby was born.	T / F

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

1.	share	a.	about
2.	equal	b.	additional
3.	couples	c.	used
4.	roughly	d.	quantity
5.	spent	e.	partners
6.	amount	f.	part
7.	extra	g.	go along with
8.	unaware	h.	identical
9.	accept	i.	positions
10.	roles	j.	in the dark

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

1.	do their fair share of	a.	up with the extra work
2.	men who do an equal	b.	breed
3.	a rare	c.	roles
4.	roughly the same amount	d.	of five hours a week
5.	fathers did an average	e.	homes
6.	It is a different	f.	work around the house
7.	fathers did not keep	g.	unaware
8.	most men were simply	h.	of hours
9.	in their own	i.	share of housework
10.	traditional	j.	story for mothers

GAP FILL

New research suggests that husbands do not do their (1) ____________ share of work around the house. A study from the Ohio State University says that men who do an equal (2) ____________ of housework are a rare (3) ____________. Researchers looked at the lifestyles of 182 working couples who became first-time parents. Both partners worked (4) ____________ the same amount of hours in full-time jobs. The research team found that men did less housework after the baby was (5) ____________, even though both mothers and fathers worked the same number of hours outside the home. During the first (6) ____________ weeks of parenthood, fathers did an (7) ____________ of five hours a week less housework, although they (8) ____________ this time helping to look after the baby.

breed
share
few
fair
spent
born
average
roughly

It is a different (9) ____________ for mothers. Becoming a parent added about 21 hours per week to the (10) ____________ of work she did, even with her full-time job. Most of their extra work was spent looking after her baby. The researchers explained why new fathers did not keep (11) ____________ with the extra work after a child was born. They said that most men were (12) ____________ unaware that the mother was doing so much more work. Another reason is that after a baby is born, fathers (13) ____________ to follow what happened in their own homes when they were younger. They automatically (14) ____________ and follow the 'traditional' (15) ____________ of the mother looking after the baby and the father working, (16) ____________ though the mother is also working the same number of hours in her job.

tend
story
roles
amount
even
simply
accept
up

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	New research suggests that husbands do not do their fair share of work ______
	a. abound the house b. around the house c. amount the house d. aground the house
2)	men who do an equal share of housework ______
	a. are a rare breed b. are a rear breed c. are a roar breed d. are a rarely breed
3)	Both partners worked roughly the same amount of hours ______
	a. on full-time jobs b. un-full-time jobs c. in a full-time jobs d. in full-time jobs
4)	both mothers and fathers worked the same number of hours ______
	a. out side the home b. outer side the home c. outsider the home d. outside the home
5)	fathers did an average of five hours a week ______
	a. least housework b. less housework c. lest housework d. lesser housework
6)	Becoming a parent added about 21 hours per week to the amount ______
	a. of work she does b. of work she didn't c. of work she do d. of work she did
7)	Most of their extra work was spent looking ______
	a. up her baby b. over her baby c. after her baby d. before her baby
8)	They said that most men were simply unaware that the mother was doing ______ work
	a. sew much more b. so much more c. sow much more d. though much more
9)	fathers tend to follow what happened in their own homes when ______
	a. they were youngest b. they were younger c. they were youngish d. they were young
10)	They automatically accept and follow the 'traditional' ______
	a. roles of the mother b. rolls of the mother c. rails of the mother d. lolls of the mother

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

New research suggests that husbands do not (1) ___________________ of work around the house. A study from the Ohio State University says that men who do (2) ___________________ of housework are a rare breed. Researchers looked at the lifestyles of 182 working couples who became first-time parents. Both partners worked (3) ___________________ amount of hours in full-time jobs. The research team found that men did less housework after the baby was born, (4) ___________________ mothers and fathers worked the same number of hours outside the home. During the first few weeks of parenthood, fathers did (5) ___________________ five hours a week less housework, although they (6) ___________________ helping to look after the baby.

It is a different story for mothers. Becoming a parent (7) ___________________ hours per week to the amount of work she did, even with her full-time job. Most of (8) ___________________ was spent looking after her baby. The researchers explained why new fathers did not keep up with (9) ___________________ after a child was born. They said that most men were (10) ___________________ that the mother was doing so much more work. Another reason is that after a baby is born, fathers tend to follow what happened in their own homes (11) ___________________ younger. They automatically accept and follow the 'traditional' roles of the mother looking after the baby and the father working, even though the mother (12) ___________________ the same number of hours in her job.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What did researchers find that husbands did not do their fair share of?
2.	Who do researchers say were a rare breed?
3.	How many couples did the researchers look at?
4.	What happened to the housework men did after a baby was born?
5.	How many hours a week on average do fathers look after their baby?
6.	How many additional hours a week do mothers do after giving birth?
7.	What were fathers unaware of after their baby was born?
8.	When do fathers follow what happened when they were younger?
9.	What roles do fathers follow?
10.	Where is the mother working the same number of hours?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What did researchers find that husbands did not do their fair share of?	6.	How many additional hours a week do mothers do after giving birth?
	a) equality b) complaining c) babysitting d) housework		a) 20 b) 21 c) 22 d) 23
2.	Who do researchers say were a rare breed?	7.	What were fathers unaware of after their baby was born?
	a) men who did no housework b) men who did an equal share of housework c) men d) men who did housework		a) their job b) the ironing needed doing c) how to feed a baby d) the mother worked harder
3.	How many couples did the researchers look at?	8.	When do fathers follow what happened when they were younger?
	a) 189 b) 185 c) 182 d) 172		a) after a baby is born b) at 6pm c) when they get home from work d) every time
4.	What happened to the housework men did after a baby was born?	9.	What roles do fathers follow?
	a) it went down b) it disappeared c) it improved d) they did ironing too		a) the role of a father b) role models c) traditional roles d) a mother's role
5.	How many hours a week on average do fathers look after their baby?	10.	Where is the mother doing the same number of hours?
	a) 3 b) 4 c) 5 d) 6		a) in hospital b) at work c) in the mornings d) upstairs

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Changing diapers

You think changing diapers is the most difficult thing to do with a baby. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so bad. Also, tell the others which is the easiest of these (and why): shopping, feeding or going to the doctor.

Role B – Shopping with baby

You think shopping is the most difficult thing to do with a baby. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so bad. Also, tell the others which is the easiest of these (and why): changing diapers, feeding or going to the doctor.

Role C – Feeding

You think feeding is the most difficult thing to do with a baby. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so bad. Also, tell the others which is the easiest of these (and why): shopping, changing diapers or going to the doctor.

Role D – Going to the doctor with baby

You think going to the doctor is the most difficult thing to do with a baby. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so bad. Also, tell the others which is the easiest of these (and why): shopping, feeding or changing diapers.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

house

work

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:

new
equal
182
less
few
five

21
extra
keep
so
roles
though

LAZINESS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about laziness 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.

LAZINESS DISCUSSION

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 'lazy'?
3)	Are men or women lazier?
4)	How lazy are you?
5)	Is it good or bad to be lazy? Why?
6)	Should men do an equal share of the housework?
7)	Do you do your fair share of the housework?
8)	Is it important that both a mother and father work?
9)	How important is it for one parent to stay at home with the kids?
10)	How difficult is it to look after a baby?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	Is it easier to be a mother than a father? Why / Why not?
13)	Would you rather stay at home and look after the baby or go to work?
14)	Are we becoming lazier or busier in our life?
15)	Do you like lazy days?
16)	What advice do you have for mothers with lazy husbands?
17)	Should fathers take lessons on looking after babies?
18)	Should we follow traditional mother and father roles?
19)	What do you think of mothers going to work and fathers staying at home?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the researcher?

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

New research suggests that husbands do not do their (1) ____ share of work around the house. A study from the Ohio State University says that men who do an (2) ____ share of housework are a (3) ____ breed. Researchers looked at the lifestyles of 182 working couples (4) ____ became first-time parents. Both partners worked roughly the same amount of hours in full-time jobs. The research team found that men did less housework after the baby was born, (5) ____ though both mothers and fathers worked the same number of hours outside the home. During the first few weeks of parenthood, fathers did an average (6) ____ five hours a week less housework, although they spent this time helping to look after the baby.

It is a different (7) ____ for mothers. Becoming a parent added about 21 hours per week to the amount of work she did, even (8) ____ her full-time job. Most of their extra work was spent looking after her baby. The researchers explained why new fathers did not keep (9) ____ with the extra work after a child was born. They said that most men were simply unaware that the mother was doing (10) ____ much more work. Another reason is that after a baby is born, fathers tend to follow what happened in their (11) ____ homes when they were younger. They automatically accept and follow the 'traditional' (12) ____ of the mother looking after the baby and the father working, even though the mother is also working the same number of hours in her job.

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

1.	(a)	fear	(b)	fair	(c)	flair	(d)	fare
2.	(a)	equals	(b)	equal	(c)	equality	(d)	equally
3.	(a)	lair	(b)	roar	(c)	rear	(d)	rare
4.	(a)	that	(b)	who	(c)	which	(d)	when
5.	(a)	ever	(b)	even	(c)	event	(d)	evenly
6.	(a)	at	(b)	for	(c)	of	(d)	by
7.	(a)	novel	(b)	book	(c)	story	(d)	paragraph
8.	(a)	on	(b)	by	(c)	with	(d)	up
9.	(a)	to	(b)	of	(c)	over	(d)	up
10.	(a)	so	(b)	by	(c)	on	(d)	of
11.	(a)	own	(b)	self	(c)	mine	(d)	ones
12.	(a)	rolls	(b)	lolls	(c)	roles	(d)	lulls

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	men who do an eaulq share
2.	loyugrh the same
3.	The ecrhears team
4.	men did less shrwooeku
5.	nrguDi the first few weeks
6.	an agaeevr of five hours a week less
Paragraph 2
7.	It is a dreftfeni story for mothers
8.	the onatmu of work she did
9.	xaeldeipn why new fathers did not keep up
10.	men were simply anrwuae
11.	They laiamloctyuta accept
12.	follow the lirantitdoa roles

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( 1 )	New research suggests that husbands do not do their fair share of work around the house. A study from the
( )	did less housework after the baby was born, even though both mothers and fathers worked the same
( )	her baby. The researchers explained why new fathers did not keep up with the extra work after a child was
( )	after the baby and the father working, even though the mother is also working the same number of hours in her job.
( )	of work she did, even with her full-time job. Most of their extra work was spent looking after
( )	time parents. Both partners worked roughly the same amount of hours in full-time jobs. The research team found that men
( )	less housework, although they spent this time helping to look after the baby.
( )	born. They said that most men were simply unaware that the mother was doing so much more work. Another
( )	younger. They automatically accept and follow the 'traditional' roles of the mother looking
( )	breed. Researchers looked at the lifestyles of 182 working couples who became first-
( )	number of hours outside the home. During the first few weeks of parenthood, fathers did an average of five hours a week
( )	Ohio State University says that men who do an equal share of housework are a rare
( )	It is a different story for mothers. Becoming a parent added about 21 hours per week to the amount
( )	reason is that after a baby is born, fathers tend to follow what happened in their own homes when they were

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	work do their of Husbands do share not fair .
2.	rare housework equal who breed are share do a of an Men .
3.	Researchers the 182 at of couples looked lifestyles working .
4.	roughly amount worked same hours partners the of Both .
5.	to look after the baby They spent this time helping .
6.	parent 21 week a about per Becoming added hours .
7.	looking baby extra spent her Their was after work .
8.	most men They were said simply that unaware .
9.	happened in their own homes Fathers tend to follow what .
10.	follow They the automatically traditional accept roles and .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

New research suggests that husbands do not do their fare / fair share of work around the house. A study / studious from the Ohio State University says that men who do an equal / equality share of housework are a rare breed. Researchers looked at the lifestyles of 182 working couple / couples who became first-time parents. Both partners worked rough / roughly the same amount of / for hours in full-time jobs. The research team found / find that men did less housework post / after the baby was born, even though both mothers and fathers worked the same number of hours outer / outside the home. During the first few weeks of parenthood, fathers did an average of five hours a week less / fewer housework, although they spent this time helping to look after the baby.

It is a different / difference story for mothers. Becoming a parent added about 21 hours par / per week to the amount of work she did, even with her full-time job. Most of their / there extra work was spent looking after her baby. The researchers explanation / explained why new fathers did not keeping / keep up with the extra work after a child was born. They said that most men were simply unaware / awareness that the mother was doing so much many / more work. Another reason is that after a baby is born / birth, fathers tend to follow what happened in their own homes when they were younger. They automatically acceptance / accept and follow the 'traditional' roles of the mother looking after the baby and the father working, even through / though the mother is also working the same number of hours in her job.

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)

N_w r_s__rch s_gg_sts th_t h_sb_nds d_ n_t d_ th__r f__r sh_r_ _f w_rk _r__nd th_ h__s_. _ st_dy fr_m th_ _h__ St_t_ _n_v_rs_ty s_ys th_t m_n wh_ d_ _n _q__l sh_r_ _f h__s_w_rk _r_ _ r_r_ br__d. R_s__rch_rs l__k_d _t th_ l_f_styl_s _f 182 w_rk_ng c__pl_s wh_ b_c_m_ f_rst-t_m_ p_r_nts. B_th p_rtn_rs w_rk_d r__ghly th_ s_m_ _m__nt _f h__rs _n f_ll-t_m_ j_bs. Th_ r_s__rch t__m f__nd th_t m_n d_d l_ss h__s_w_rk _ft_r th_ b_by w_s b_rn, _v_n th__gh b_th m_th_rs _nd f_th_rs w_rk_d th_ s_m_ n_mb_r _f h__rs __ts_d_ th_ h_m_. D_r_ng th_ f_rst f_w w__ks _f p_r_nth__d, f_th_rs d_d _n _v_r_g_ _f f_v_ h__rs _ w__k l_ss h__s_w_rk, _lth__gh th_y sp_nt th_s t_m_ h_lp_ng t_ l__k _ft_r th_ b_by.

_t _s _ d_ff_r_nt st_ry f_r m_th_rs. B_c_m_ng _ p_r_nt _dd_d _b__t 21 h__rs p_r w__k t_ th_ _m__nt _f w_rk sh_ d_d, _v_n w_th h_r f_ll-t_m_ j_b. M_st _f th__r _xtr_ w_rk w_s sp_nt l__k_ng _ft_r h_r b_by. Th_ r_s__rch_rs _xpl__n_d why n_w f_th_rs d_d n_t k__p _p w_th th_ _xtr_ w_rk _ft_r _ ch_ld w_s b_rn. Th_y s__d th_t m_st m_n w_r_ s_mply _n_w_r_ th_t th_ m_th_r w_s d__ng s_ m_ch m_r_ w_rk. _n_th_r r__s_n _s th_t _ft_r _ b_by _s b_rn, f_th_rs t_nd t_ f_ll_w wh_t h_pp_n_d _n th__r _wn h_m_s wh_n th_y w_r_ y__ng_r. Th_y __t_m_t_c_lly _cc_pt _nd f_ll_w th_ 'tr_d_t__n_l' r_l_s _f th_ m_th_r l__k_ng _ft_r th_ b_by _nd th_ f_th_r w_rk_ng, _v_n th__gh th_ m_th_r _s _ls_ w_rk_ng th_ s_m_ n_mb_r _f h__rs _n h_r j_b.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

new research suggests that husbands do not do their fair share of work around the house a study from the ohio state university says that men who do an equal share of housework are a rare breed researchers looked at the lifestyles of 182 working couples who became first-time parents both partners worked roughly the same amount of hours in full-time jobs the research team found that men did less housework after the baby was born even though both mothers and fathers worked the same number of hours outside the home during the first few weeks of parenthood fathers did an average of five hours a week less housework although they spent this time helping to look after the baby

it is a different story for mothers becoming a parent added about 21 hours per week to the amount of work she did even with her full-time job most of their extra work was spent looking after her baby the researchers explained why new fathers did not keep up with the extra work after a child was born they said that most men were simply unaware that the mother was doing so much more work another reason is that after a baby is born fathers tend to follow what happened in their own homes when they were younger they automatically accept and follow the 'traditional' roles of the mother looking after the baby and the father working even though the mother is also working the same number of hours in her job

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Newresearchsuggeststhathusbandsdonotdotheirfairshareofworkar
oundthehouse.AstudyfromtheOhioStateUniversitysaysthatmenwho
doanequalshareofhouseworkareararebreed.Researcherslookedatth
elifestylesof182workingcoupleswhobecamefirst-timeparents.Bo
thpartnersworkedroughlythesameamountofhoursinfull-timejo
bs.Theresearchteamfoundthatmendidlesshouseworkafterthebabyw
asborn,eventhoughbothmothersandfathersworkedthesamenumber
ofhoursoutsidethehome.Duringthefirstfewweeksofparenthood,fath
ersdidanaverageoffivehoursaweeklesshousework,althoughtheyspe
ntthistimehelpingtolookafterthebaby.Itisadifferentstoryformothers
.Becomingaparentaddedabout21hoursperweektotheamountofwork
shedid,evenwithherfull-timejob.Mostoftheirextraworkwasspentloo
kingafterherbaby.Theresearchersexplainedwhynewfathersdidnotke
epupwiththeextraworkafterachildwasborn.Theysaidthatmostmenw
eresimplyunawarethatthemotherwasdoingsomuchmorework.Anoth
erreasonisthatafterababyisborn,fatherstendtofollowwhathappenedi
ntheirownhomeswhentheywereyounger.Theyautomaticallyaccepta
ndfollowthe'traditional'rolesofthemotherlookingafterthebabyandth
efatherworking,eventhoughthemotherisalsoworkingthesamenumb
erofhoursinherjob.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Men and women should always share housework 50-50. 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 parenthood. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. HOUSEWORK: Write a magazine article about housework. Include imaginary interviews with people who think men and woman should always do half each, and with people who think.

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 laziness. Ask him/her three questions about laziness. 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

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a F b F c F d T e T f F g T h T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	share	a.	part
2	equal	b.	identical
3.	couples	c.	partners
4.	roughly	d.	about
5.	spent	e.	used
6.	amount	f.	quantity
7.	extra	g.	additional
8.	unaware	h.	in the dark
9.	accept	i.	go along with
10.	roles	j.	positions

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Work around the house (housework)
2.	Men who did an equal share of housework
3.	182
4.	It went down
5.	Five
6.	21
7.	Their wife works harder
8.	After a baby is born
9.	Traditional roles
10.	At work

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

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 ;-)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

Babies make husbands lazier (13th May, 2015)

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS