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Bananas in danger of becoming extinctz (27th January, 2016)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

There is bad news for banana lovers. The most common banana in the world is in danger of becoming extinct. It is called the Cavendish banana and people eat it all over the world. A fungus called Tropical Race 4 (TP4) is killing millions of banana plants. The fungus blocks small tubes that absorb water inside the plant. This means the plant cannot get the water it needs and so it dies. Scientists first discovered TP4 in Malaysia in 1990. It quickly spread to other parts of South-East Asia and then to Australia and Africa. TP4 is spread in dirt that is carried by the wind, water, cars and even people's boots. A tiny amount of TP4 can spread across large areas very quickly. Some scientists believe TP4 could kill the banana industry.

This is not the first time that a variety of banana has become extinct. Before we started eating the Cavendish banana, we ate a variety called the Gros Michel. Fifty years ago, the Gros Michel banana was the main banana grown around the world. However, it was hit by a fungus called Panama Disease. The Gros Michel banana became extinct in 1965 and banana growers switched to the Cavendish banana. The problem for the banana industry is that even if they burn all their banana plants, the fungus stays in the soil. This means new plants cannot be grown. Scientists say one option is genetically modified (GM) bananas that are resistant to diseases like TP4 and Panama Disease.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.theinertia.com/health/big-problem-bananas-are-going-extinct/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/banana-fungus-could-be-potentially-devastating-if-it-spreads-across-the-americas-warn-experts-a6830956.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-35131751

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. BANANAS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bananas. 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?

bad news / banana lovers / common / fungus / small tubes / dirt / a tiny amount / variety / extinct / banana industry / new plants / genetically modified / resistant

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

3. EXTINCT: How bad would it be if these things became extinct? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How bad?	Why?
Bananas
Rice
Chickens
Cows
Ants
Fish

4. BEST FRUIT: Students A strongly believe bananas are the best fruit; Students B strongly believe the opposite. 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. FRUITS: Rank these fruits with your partner. Put the most useful at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• pineapple

• strawberry

• papaya

• banana

• apple

• melon

• date

• blueberry

6. DISEASE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "disease". 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 world's most common banana has just become extinct.	T / F
b.	The world's most common banana is in danger from a fungus.	T / F
c.	A banana disease is stopping banana plants from getting water.	T / F
d.	The banana disease can spread via cars and on people's boots.	T / F
e.	This is the first time a variety of banana could become extinct.	T / F
f.	Today's banana disease was first discovered in Panama.	T / F
g.	Burning all banana plants will not help solve the problem.	T / F
h.	GM bananas would also not be able to resist the banana diseases.	T / F

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

1.	in danger	a.	type
2.	absorb	b.	dirt
3.	parts	c.	very small
4.	tiny	d.	premier
5.	kill	e.	at risk
6.	variety	f.	soak up
7.	main	g.	changed
8.	switched	h.	wipe out
9.	soil	i.	choice
10.	option	j.	areas

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

1.	There is bad	a.	water
2.	in danger of	b.	called Panama Disease
3.	small tubes that absorb	c.	by the wind
4.	TP4 is spread in dirt that is carried	d.	modified
5.	A tiny amount of TP4	e.	diseases like TP4
6.	the first time that a variety of banana	f.	news for banana lovers
7.	it was hit by a fungus	g.	in the soil
8.	the fungus stays	h.	has become extinct
9.	genetically	i.	becoming extinct
10.	bananas that are resistant to	j.	can spread

GAP FILL

There is bad (1) ____________ for banana lovers. The most (2) ____________ banana in the world is in danger of becoming extinct. It is called the Cavendish banana people eat it all over the world. A fungus called Tropical Race 4 (TP4) is killing (3) ____________ of banana plants. The fungus blocks small tubes inside the plant that (4) ____________ water. This means the plant cannot get the water it needs and so it dies. Scientists first discovered TP4 in Malaysia in 1990. It (5) ____________ spread to other parts of South-East Asia and then to Australia and Africa. TP4 is spread in (6) ____________ that is carried by the wind, water, cars and even people's boots. A (7) ____________ amount of TP4 can spread across large areas very quickly. Some scientists believe TP4 could kill the banana (8) ____________.

millions
dirt
common
absorb
industry
news
tiny
quickly

This is not the first time that a (9) ____________ of banana has become extinct. Before we started eating the Cavendish banana, we ate a variety called the Gros Michel. Fifty years (10) ____________, the Gros Michel banana was the main banana (11) ____________ around the world. However, it was (12) ____________ by a fungus called Panama Disease. The Gros Michel banana became extinct in 1965 and banana (13) ____________ switched to the Cavendish banana. The problem for the banana industry is that even if they (14) ____________ all their banana plants, the fungus stays in the soil. This means new plants cannot be (15) ____________. Scientists say one (16) ____________ is genetically modified bananas that are resistant to diseases like TP4 and Panama Disease.

grown
burn
variety
option
hit
grown
ago
growers

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The most common banana in the world is in danger ______ extinct
	a. for becoming b. off becoming c. have becoming d. of becoming
2)	The fungus blocks small tubes that absorb water ______
	a. inside a plant b. inside the plant c. inside that plant d. inside this plant
3)	This means the plant cannot get the water it needs ______
	a. until it dies b. then so it dies c. and so it dies d. and such it dies
4)	TP4 is spread in dirt that is carried by the wind, water, cars and ______
	a. evens people's boots b. evenly people's boots c. event people's boots d. even people's boots
5)	A tiny amount of TP4 can spread across large ______
	a. area very quickly b. area is very quickly c. areas very quick d. areas very quickly
6)	Before we started eating the Cavendish banana, we ate a variety ______
	a. called the Gros Michel b. calls the Gros Michel c. calling the Gros Michel d. scald the Gros Michel
7)	Fifty years ago, the Gros Michel banana was the main banana grown ______
	a. abound the world b. around the world c. a round the world d. all round the world
8)	The Gros Michel banana became extinct in 1965 and banana growers switched ______
	a. up the Cavendish banana b. by the Cavendish banana c. to the Cavendish banana d. at the Cavendish banana
9)	even if they burn all their banana plants, the fungus ______
	a. stays in the spoil b. stays in the soil c. stays in the swill d. stays in the oil
10)	Scientists say one option is genetically modified (GM) bananas ______
	a. that are resistance b. that are resistant c. that are resist ant d. that are resisting

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

There (1) ___________________ banana lovers. The most common banana in the world (2) ___________________ becoming extinct. It is called the Cavendish banana people eat it all over the world. A fungus called Tropical Race 4 (TP4) is killing millions of banana plants. The (3) ___________________ tubes inside the plant that absorb water. This means the plant cannot get the water it needs and so it dies. Scientists first discovered TP4 in Malaysia in 1990. It (4) ___________________ other parts of South-East Asia and then to Australia and Africa. TP4 is spread in dirt that is carried by the wind, water, cars and (5) ___________________. A tiny amount of TP4 can spread across large (6) ___________________. Some scientists believe TP4 could kill the banana industry.

This is not the first time (7) ___________________ banana has become extinct. Before we started eating the Cavendish banana, we ate a variety called the Gros Michel. Fifty years ago, the Gros Michel (8) ___________________ banana grown around the world. However, it was hit by a fungus called Panama Disease. The Gros Michel banana became extinct in 1965 and banana growers (9) ___________________ Cavendish banana. The problem for the banana industry is that (10) _______________ all their banana plants, the fungus stays in the soil. This means new plants cannot be grown. Scientists (11) ___________________ is genetically modified bananas that (12) ___________________ diseases like TP4 and Panama Disease.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What kind of news did the article say there was for banana lovers?
2.	What is the name of the banana that is going extinct?
3.	What is it that the disease is stopping the banana plant from getting?
4.	Where was TP4 first discovered?
5.	How much TP4 can spread across large areas very quickly?
6.	When was the Gros Michel the world's main banana?
7.	When did the Gros Michel become extinct?
8.	Why is burning all banana plants not an effective solution?
9.	What cannot be grown because of the fungus?
10.	What do scientists say could be a solution?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What kind of news did the article say there was for banana lovers?	6.	When was the Gros Michel the world's main banana?
	a) breaking b) fruity c) bad d) old		a) in the 16th century b) 50 years ago c) 1980 d) last month
2.	What is the name of the banana that is going extinct?	7.	When did the Gros Michel become extinct?
	a) Cavendish b) Gros Michel c) Minions d) Chiquita		a) 1965 b) 1955 c) 1945 d) 1975
3.	What is it that the disease is stopping the banana plant from getting?	8.	Why is burning all banana plants not an effective solution?
	a) water b) skin c) oxygen d) fruit		a) banana plants do not burn b) burning will spread the disease c) the disease stays in the soil d) a new disease will come
4.	Where was TP4 first discovered?	9.	What cannot be grown because of the fungus?
	a) Panama b) Malaysia c) Africa d) Australia		a) GM bananas b) fungus c) pineapples d) new plants
5.	How much TP4 can spread across large areas very quickly?	10.	What do scientists say could be a solution?
	a) around 100kg b) just one c) about 2kg d) a tiny amount		a) GM bananas b) grow bananas indoors c) water the bananas more d) do more research on the fungus

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Pineapples

You think pineapples are the most useful fruit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their fruit. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): bananas, melons or dates.

Role B – Bananas

You think bananas are the most useful fruit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their fruit. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): pineapples, melons or dates.

Role C – Melons

You think melons are the most useful fruit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their fruit. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): bananas, pineapples or dates.

Role D – Dates

You think dates are the most useful fruit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their fruit. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): bananas, melons or pineapples.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

banana

variety

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:

bad
danger
killing
small
dirt
some

first
ate
hit
switched
even
option

BANANAS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about bananas 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.

BANANAS 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 'banana'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	How bad is this news?
5)	How much of a banana lover are you?
6)	How surprised are you at this news?
7)	Why do you think scientists cannot help the banana plants?
8)	How useful are bananas?
9)	How would you feel if all bananas died?
10)	What three adjectives best describe bananas, and why?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What's the best way to eat bananas?
13)	What do you know about bananas?
14)	What could people eat instead of bananas?
15)	Who would suffer if bananas died out?
16)	What are the health benefits of bananas?
17)	What do you know about the different varieties of banana?
18)	Would you eat GM bananas?
19)	What other options are there for the banana industry?
20)	What questions would you like to ask a banana grower?

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 is bad news for banana (1) ____. The most common banana in the world is in danger of (2) ____ extinct. It is called the Cavendish banana people eat it all over the world. A fungus called Tropical Race 4 (TP4) is killing millions of banana plants. The fungus blocks small tubes inside the plant that (3) ____ water. This means the plant cannot get the water it needs and so it dies. Scientists first discovered TP4 in Malaysia in 1990. It (4) ____ spread to other parts of South-East Asia and then to Australia and Africa. TP4 is spread in dirt that is (5) ____ by the wind, water, cars and even people's boots. A (6) ____ amount of TP4 can spread across large areas very quickly. Some scientists believe TP4 could kill the banana industry.

This is not the first (7) ____ that a variety of banana has become extinct. Before we started eating the Cavendish banana, we ate a variety called the Gros Michel. Fifty years ago, the Gros Michel banana was the (8) ____ banana grown around the world. However, it was hit by a fungus called Panama Disease. The Gros Michel banana became extinct in 1965 and banana growers switched (9) ____ the Cavendish banana. The problem for the banana industry is that (10) ____ if they burn all their banana plants, the fungus stays in the (11) ____. This means new plants cannot be grown. Scientists say one option is genetically modified bananas that are resistant (12) ____ diseases like TP4 and Panama Disease.

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

1.	(a)	lovelies	(b)	lovers	(c)	loves	(d)	loveless
2.	(a)	becomes	(b)	becoming	(c)	became	(d)	become
3.	(a)	energy	(b)	reject	(c)	milk	(d)	absorb
4.	(a)	quick	(b)	quickly	(c)	quicken	(d)	quicker
5.	(a)	carry	(b)	carrying	(c)	carries	(d)	carried
6.	(a)	tin	(b)	tinned	(c)	tiny	(d)	tinny
7.	(a)	time	(b)	timing	(c)	timed	(d)	times
8.	(a)	mine	(b)	mean	(c)	main	(d)	moan
9.	(a)	at	(b)	of	(c)	by	(d)	to
10.	(a)	even	(b)	evens	(c)	event	(d)	events
11.	(a)	soil	(b)	spoil	(c)	spoiler	(d)	soiling
12.	(a)	to	(b)	of	(c)	on	(d)	by

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	There is bad news for banana seovlr
2.	The most nommoc banana in the world
3.	A snguuf called Tropical Race 4
4.	small tubes that sbabro water inside the plant
5.	A tiny oauntm of TP4 can spread
6.	TP4 could kill the banana uytrsnid
Paragraph 2
7.	a eaivyrt of banana
8.	banana growers whtidsce to the Cavendish banana
9.	new plants cannot be orwng
10.	one toonpi
11.	genetically idmedfoi (GM) bananas
12.	bananas that are resistant to sdesasei

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	Africa. TP4 is spread in dirt that is carried by the wind, water, cars and even people's boots. A tiny amount of TP4 can
( )	option is genetically modified (GM) bananas that are resistant to diseases like TP4 and Panama Disease.
( )	around the world. However, it was hit by a fungus called Panama Disease. The Gros Michel
( 1 )	There is bad news for banana lovers. The most common banana in the world is in danger of becoming
( )	banana became extinct in 1965 and banana growers switched to the Cavendish banana. The problem
( )	This is not the first time that a variety of banana has become extinct. Before we started eating the Cavendish banana, we
( )	ate a variety called the Gros Michel. Fifty years ago, the Gros Michel banana was the main banana grown
( )	water inside the plant. This means the plant cannot get the water it needs and so it dies. Scientists first
( )	spread across large areas very quickly. Some scientists believe TP4 could kill the banana industry.
( )	discovered TP4 in Malaysia in 1990. It quickly spread to other parts of South-East Asia and then to Australia and
( )	for the banana industry is that even if they burn all their banana plants, the fungus stays
( )	in the soil. This means new plants cannot be grown. Scientists say one
( )	(TP4) is killing millions of banana plants. The fungus blocks small tubes that absorb
( )	extinct. It is called the Cavendish banana and people eat it all over the world. A fungus called Tropical Race 4

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	most common banana in the world is in danger The .
2.	absorb blocks water small tubes The that fungus .
3.	is that dirt in spread is TP4 wind the by carried .
4.	large areas A tiny amount of TP4 can spread across .
5.	banana believe the Scientists kill could industry TP4 .
6.	has banana of variety a that time first The extinct become .
7.	around grown banana main The world the .
8.	banana Cavendish the to switched growers Banana .
9.	their if banana they plants burn all Even .
10.	that like are TP4 resistant to Bananas diseases .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

There is badly / bad news for banana lovers. The most common banana in the world is in danger / endanger of becoming extinct. It is called the Cavendish banana people eat it all under / over the world. A fungus called Tropical Race 4 (TP4) is / are killing millions of banana plants. The fungus blocks small tubes inside the plant that absorbs / absorb water. This means the plant cannot get the water it need / needs and so it dies. Scientists first discovery / discovered TP4 in Malaysia in 1990. It quickly spread to other / another parts of South-East Asia and then to Australia and Africa. TP4 is spread in dirt / dirty that is carried by the wind, water, cars and even people's boots. A tiny amount of TP4 can spread across large areas very quickly. Some scientists belief / believe TP4 could kill the banana industry.

This is not the first time that a various / variety of banana has become extinct. Before we started eating the Cavendish banana, we ate a variety / vary called the Gros Michel. Fifty years ago, the Gros Michel banana was the main / mainly banana grown around the world. However, it was hit at / by a fungus called Panama Disease. The Gros Michel banana became distinct / extinct in 1965 and banana growers exited / switched to the Cavendish banana. The problem for the banana industry is that even / ever if they burn all their banana plants, the fungus stays in the soil. This meaning / means new plants cannot be grown / growing. Scientists say one option is genetically modified bananas that are resistant to / at diseases like TP4 and Panama Disease.

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_ _s b_d n_ws f_r b_n_n_ l_v_rs. Th_ m_st c_mm_n b_n_n_ _n th_ w_rld _s _n d_ng_r _f b_c_m_ng _xt_nct. _t _s c_ll_d th_ C_v_nd_sh b_n_n_ p__pl_ __t _t _ll _v_r th_ w_rld. _ f_ng_s c_ll_d Tr_p_c_l R_c_ 4 (TP4) _s k_ll_ng m_ll__ns _f b_n_n_ pl_nts. Th_ f_ng_s bl_cks sm_ll t_b_s _ns_d_ th_ pl_nt th_t _bs_rb w_t_r. Th_s m__ns th_ pl_nt c_nn_t g_t th_ w_t_r _t n__ds _nd s_ _t d__s. Sc__nt_sts f_rst d_sc_v_r_d TP4 _n M_l_ys__ _n 1990. _t q__ckly spr__d t_ _th_r p_rts _f S__th-__st _s__ _nd th_n t_ __str_l__ _nd _fr_c_. TP4 _s spr__d _n d_rt th_t _s c_rr__d by th_ w_nd, w_t_r, c_rs _nd _v_n p__pl_'s b__ts. _ t_ny _m__nt _f TP4 c_n spr__d _cr_ss l_rg_ _r__s v_ry q__ckly. S_m_ sc__nt_sts b_l__v_ TP4 c__ld k_ll th_ b_n_n_ _nd_stry.

Th_s _s n_t th_ f_rst t_m_ th_t _ v_r__ty _f b_n_n_ h_s b_c_m_ _xt_nct. B_f_r_ w_ st_rt_d __t_ng th_ C_v_nd_sh b_n_n_, w_ _t_ _ v_r__ty c_ll_d th_ Gr_s M_ch_l. F_fty y__rs _g_, th_ Gr_s M_ch_l b_n_n_ w_s th_ m__n b_n_n_ gr_wn _r__nd th_ w_rld. H_w_v_r, _t w_s h_t by _ f_ng_s c_ll_d P_n_m_ D_s__s_. Th_ Gr_s M_ch_l b_n_n_ b_c_m_ _xt_nct _n 1965 _nd b_n_n_ gr_w_rs sw_tch_d t_ th_ C_v_nd_sh b_n_n_. Th_ pr_bl_m f_r th_ b_n_n_ _nd_stry _s th_t _v_n _f th_y b_rn _ll th__r b_n_n_ pl_nts, th_ f_ng_s st_ys _n th_ s__l. Th_s m__ns n_w pl_nts c_nn_t b_ gr_wn. Sc__nt_sts s_y _n_ _pt__n _s g_n_t_c_lly m_d_f__d b_n_n_s th_t _r_ r_s_st_nt t_ d_s__s_s l_k_ TP4 _nd P_n_m_ D_s__s_.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

there is bad news for banana lovers the most common banana in the world is in danger of becoming extinct it is called the cavendish banana people eat it all over the world a fungus called tropical race 4 (tp4) is killing millions of banana plants the fungus blocks small tubes inside the plant that absorb water this means the plant cannot get the water it needs and so it dies scientists first discovered tp4 in malaysia in 1990 it quickly spread to other parts of south-east asia and then to australia and africa tp4 is spread in dirt that is carried by the wind water cars and even people's boots a tiny amount of tp4 can spread across large areas very quickly some scientists believe tp4 could kill the banana industry

this is not the first time that a variety of banana has become extinct before we started eating the cavendish banana we ate a variety called the gros michel fifty years ago the gros michel banana was the main banana grown around the world however it was hit by a fungus called panama disease the gros michel banana became extinct in 1965 and banana growers switched to the cavendish banana the problem for the banana industry is that even if they burn all their banana plants the fungus stays in the soil this means new plants cannot be grown scientists say one option is genetically modified bananas that are resistant to diseases like tp4 and panama disease

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Thereisbadnewsforbananalovers.Themostcommonbananainthewor
ldisindangerofbecomingextinct.ItiscalledtheCavendishbananaandp
eopleeatitallovertheworld.AfunguscalledTropicalRace4(TP4)iskillin
gmillionsofbananaplants.Thefungusblockssmalltubesthatabsorbwa
terinsidetheplant.Thismeanstheplantcannotgetthewateritneedsand
soitdies.ScientistsfirstdiscoveredTP4inMalaysiain1990.Itquicklyspr
eadtootherpartsofSouth-EastAsiaandthentoAustraliaandAfrica.TP
4isspreadindirtthatiscarriedbythewind,water,carsandevenpeople's
boots.AtinyamountofTP4canspreadacrosslargeareasveryquickly.So
mescientistsbelieveTP4couldkillthebananaindustry.Thisisnotthefirs
ttimethatavarietyofbananahasbecomeextinct.Beforewestartedeati
ngtheCavendishbanana,weateavarietycalledtheGrosMichel.Fiftyye
arsago,theGrosMichelbananawasthemainbananagrownaroundthew
orld.However,itwashitbyafunguscalledPanamaDisease.TheGrosMic
helbananabecameextinctin1965andbananagrowersswitchedtotheC
avendishbanana.Theproblemforthebananaindustryisthatevenifthey
burnalltheirbananaplants,thefungusstaysinthesoil.Thismeansnewpl
antscannotbegrown.Scientistssayoneoptionisgeneticallymodified(
GM)bananasthatareresistanttodiseaseslikeTP4andPanamaDisease.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

The world would be in trouble without bananas. 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 the Cavendish banana. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. EXTINCT: Write a magazine article about bananas becoming. Include imaginary interviews with banana farmers and banana lovers.

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

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	in danger	a.	at risk
2	absorb	b.	soak up
3.	parts	c.	areas
4.	tiny	d.	very small
5.	kill	e.	wipe out
6.	variety	f.	type
7.	main	g.	premier
8.	switched	h.	changed
9.	soil	i.	dirt
10.	option	j.	choice

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Bad news
2.	The Cavendish
3.	Water
4.	Malaysia
5.	A tiny amount
6.	Fifty years ago
7.	1965
8.	The disease stays in the soil
9.	New plants
10.	Genetically modified (GM) bananas

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

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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Breaking News English Lesson on Bananas

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Bananas in danger of becoming extinctz (27th January, 2016)

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