The Reading / Listening - Living Space - Level 3

A new study shows that some poor people in Hong Kong live in tiny homes. Residents from a housing alliance found that 204 families in their area live in homes that are smaller than prison cells. The families live in the Kwai Chung area of Hong Kong. The average living space per person was just 4.6 square meters. This is roughly the size of three toilet cubicles, or about half the size of a car parking space. The average size of a prison cell for Hong Kong's maximum security prisoners is about 50 per cent bigger than the size of the Kwai Chung homes. A 2016 government report stated that over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families live in homes that range between 7 and 14 square meters.

Hong Kong has one of the world's most expensive housing markets. Britain's 'Guardian' newspaper said an average resident would have to save for more than 18 years in order to pay for a tiny home. A member of the Kwai Chung housing alliance told reporters about how unhappy people are about living in such a small home. He said: "It is completely unacceptable and inhumane that the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such a prosperous city like Hong Kong." Another resident said she could only afford a tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son. The room has a bunk bed, a closet and a small folding table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit sideways to go to the toilet."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Living Space - Level 0,  Living Space - Level 1   or  Living Space - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/prison-cells-larger-living-spaces-hong-kong-poor-article-1.3604376
  • https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/01/hong-kongs-poor-live-in-homes-smaller-than-prison-cells-study
  • http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/community/article/2117810/average-living-space-hong-kongs-poorest-residents-same


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. LIVING SPACE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about living space. 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?

       study / housing / families / prison cells / toilet / average / size / homes / square /
       expensive / markets / resident / unhappy / inhumane / prosperous / afford / toilet

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

3. MINIMUM SIZE: Students A strongly believe there should be a minimum size for all rooms and houses; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. TINY ROOM: How could we change this furniture so it functions in a tiny room? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Changes

Would you like this?

Bed

 

 

TV

 

 

Washing machine

 

 

Cooker

 

 

Bookcase

 

 

Desk

 

 
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. ROOM: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "room". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. ROOMS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important rooms in a house at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • dining room
  • study
  • bathroom
  • laundry room
  • bedroom
  • toilet
  • kitchen
  • living room

 

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. study a. a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis.
2. residents b. Normal or usual.
3. alliance c. Small rooms where a prisoner is locked up.
4. cells d. A group of people or other groups with the same interests or goal that join together.
5. average e. A piece of research that is written as an essay or article.
6. prisoner f. The area between a lower and upper number.
7. range g. A person who is locked in a prison or other place and cannot get out.

Paragraph 2

8. member h. Two beds – one on top of the other.
9. tiny i. A person, thing, country or organization that belongs to a group.
10. unacceptable j. very rich.
11. inhumane k. A small room to keep clothes and other things in.
12. prosperous l. Not acceptable; not satisfactory or allowable.
13. bunk bed m. Without being kind and being very bad to people and hurting them.
14. closet n. Very, very small.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article reported on 2,400 families in Hong Kong.     T / F
  2. The average living space in the homes was 4.6 square meters per family.   T / F
  3. The average living space was the size of three toilet cubicles.     T / F
  4. Maximum security prison cells were the same size as the tiny rooms.     T / F
  5. The article says people have to be over 18 to buy a house.     T / F
  6. The article said Hong Kong was a prosperous city.     T / F
  7. A woman's room had a bunk bed in it.     T / F
  8. A woman could not sit on her toilet properly.     T / F

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

  1. study
  2. found
  3. average
  4. roughly
  5. stated
  6. expensive
  7. reporters
  8. prosperous
  9. afford
  10. toilet
  1. costly
  2. usual
  3. rich
  4. announced
  5. pay for
  6. report
  7. bathroom
  8. journalists
  9. discovered
  10. about

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

  1. homes that are smaller
  2. roughly the size
  3. maximum
  4. A 2016 government
  5. homes that range between
  6. one of the world's most expensive
  7. save for more than 18 years in
  8. It is completely unacceptable
  9. a prosperous
  10. we have to sit sideways
  1. housing markets
  2. report
  3. to go to the toilet
  4. than prison cells
  5. order to pay
  6. security prisoners
  7. city like Hong Kong
  8. of three toilet cubicles
  9. and inhumane
  10. 7 and 14 square meters

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
area
housing
security
square
cells
stated
average
roughly

A new study shows that some poor people in Hong live in tiny homes. Residents from a (1) ____________ alliance found that 204 families in their area live in homes that are smaller than prison (2) ____________. The families live in the Kwai Chung (3) ____________ of Hong Kong. The average living space per person was just 4.6 square meters. This is (4) ____________ the size of three toilet cubicles, or about half the size of a car parking space. The (5) ____________ size of a prison cell for Hong Kong's maximum (6) ____________ prisoners is about 50 per cent bigger than the size of the Kwai Chung homes. A 2016 government report (7) ____________ that over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families live in homes that range between 7 and 14 (8) ____________ meters.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
unhappy
resident
sideways
completely
save
closet
expensive
prosperous

Hong Kong has one of the world's most (9) ____________ housing markets. Britain's 'Guardian' newspaper said an average (10) ____________ would have to (11) ____________ for more than 18 years in order to pay for a tiny home. A member of the Kwai Chung housing alliance told reporters about how (12) ____________ people are about living in such a small home. He said: "It is (13) ____________ unacceptable and inhumane that the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such a (14) ____________ city like Hong Kong." Another resident said she could only afford a tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son. The room has a bunk bed, a (15) ____________ and a small folding table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit (16) ____________ to go to the toilet."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A new study shows that some poor people in Hong live ______
     a.  in tiny home
     b.  in tinny homes
     c.  in tiny homes
     d.  inter-knee homes

2)  204 families in their area live in homes that are smaller ______
     a.  than prison cell
     b.  than prison cells
     c.  than prison sells
     d.  than prison sell

3)  This is roughly the size of three ______
     a.  toilet cube cycles
     b.  toilet queue bicycles
     c.  toilet cue bicycles
     d.  toilet cubicles

4)  The average size of a prison cell for Hong Kong's maximum ______
     a.  security prisoners
     b.  securely prisoner
     c.  secure ratty prisoners
     d.  secure city prisoner

5)  live in homes that range between 7 and 14 ______
     a.  squarely meters
     b.  squared meters
     c.  squire meters
     d.  square meters

6)  an average resident would have to save for more than 18 years ______ pay
     a.  in order too
     b.  on orders to
     c.  in order to
     d.  on order to

7)  how unhappy people are about living ______ small home
     a.  in much a
     b.  in such a
     c.  in so a
     d.  in such the

8)  the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such ______
     a.  a prosperity city
     b.  a prosper house city
     c.  a prosperous city
     d.  a prosper rouse city

9)  The room has a bunk bed, a closet and a small ______
     a.  folding table
     b.  fold in table
     c.  foal dining table
     d.  foal ding table

10)  The bathroom is so small we have to sit sideways to go ______
     a.  to a toilet
     b.  to that toilet
     c.  to this toilet
     d.  to the toilet

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new study shows (1) ___________________ people in Hong live in tiny homes. Residents from a housing (2) ___________________ 204 families in their area live in homes that are smaller than prison cells. The families live in the Kwai Chung area of Hong Kong. (3) ___________________ space per person was just 4.6 square meters. This (4) ___________________ size of three toilet cubicles, or about half the size of a car parking space. The average size of a (5) ___________________ Hong Kong's maximum security prisoners is about 50 per cent bigger than the size of the Kwai Chung homes. A 2016 government report stated that over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families live in homes (6) ___________________ 7 and 14 square meters.

Hong Kong has one of the world's most expensive housing markets. Britain's 'Guardian' newspaper said an average resident would (7) ___________________ for more than 18 years in order to pay for a tiny home. A member of the Kwai Chung (8) ___________________ reporters about how unhappy people are about living in such a small home. He said: "It is completely unacceptable (9) ___________________ that the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such a prosperous city like Hong Kong." Another resident said she could (10) ___________________ tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son. The room has a bunk bed, a (11) ___________________ small folding table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit (12) ___________________ to the toilet."

Comprehension questions

  1. How small did the first sentence say people's homes were?
  2. How big was the average living space per person for the tiny homes?
  3. How big are the rooms compared to a parking space?
  4. How much bigger are maximum-security prison cells?
  5. What percent of Hong Kong families live in homes of up to 14 sq meters?
  6. How long does someone have to save to buy a home in Hong Kong?
  7. What kind of city did a housing alliance member call Hong Kong?
  8. Who lived with a woman in a tiny room?
  9. What kind of bed was in a woman's room?
  10. How does a lady have to sit on the toilet?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How small did the first sentence say people's homes were?
a) microscopic
b) tiny
c) a little small
d) 3 square meters

2) How big was the average living space per person for the tiny homes?
a) 4.6 square meters
b) 3 square meters
c) 7 square maters
d) 14 square meters

3) How big are the rooms compared to a parking space?
a) twice the size
b) the same size
c) half the size
d) three times as big

4) How much bigger are maximum-security prison cells?
a) 50% bigger
b) 65% bigger
c) 15% bigger
d) a third bigger

5) What percent of Hong Kong families live in homes of up to 14 sq meters?
a) 65%
b) 50%
c) 15%
d) 35%

6) How long does someone have to save to buy a home in Hong Kong?
a) 18 years
b) 28 years
c) 38 years
d) 118 years

7) What kind of city did a housing alliance member call Hong Kong?
a) lively
b) busy
c) prosperous
d) crowded

8) Who lived with a woman in a tiny room?
a) her husband and son
b) her 3 sisters
c) her 3 friends
d) no one

9) What kind of bed was in a woman's room?
a) a double bed
b) a water bed
c) a futon
d) a bunk bed

10) How does a lady have to sit on the toilet?
a) upside-down
b) carefully
c) sideways
d) back to front

Role play

Role  A – Bedroom

You think the bedroom is the most important room in a house. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rooms aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): bathroom, kitchen or living room.

Role  B – Bathroom

You think the bathroom is the most important room in a house. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rooms aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): bedroom, kitchen or living room.

Role  C – Kitchen

You think the kitchen is the most important room in a house. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rooms aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): bathroom, bedroom or living room.

Role  D – Living Room

You think the living room is the most important room in a house. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rooms aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  bathroom, kitchen or bedroom.

After reading / listening

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

''

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and ''.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • most
    • save
    • such
    • afford
    • bed
    • toilet
    • cells
    • 4.6
    • three
    • 50
    • 2016
    • 14

    Student survey

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

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

    Discussion - Hong Kong's poor live in homes smaller than prison cells

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'living'?
    3. How much space do you need in your house?
    4. What things must you have in your room?
    5. Why are rooms and houses in Hong Kong so small?
    6. How would a tiny living space make you feel?
    7. Should Hong Kong make its prison cells smaller?
    8. What do you know about Hong Kong?
    9. What would you do with a bigger living space?
    10. What advice do you have for those living in small rooms?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'space'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How much space do you have in your house?
    5. What is the good thing about a big living space?
    6. Is it better to buy or rent a house?
    7. How can prison cells be bigger rooms in houses?
    8. What good things are there about tiny rooms?
    9. How would you survive in a really tiny room?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the lady in the article?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    A new study shows that some poor people in Hong live in (1) ____ homes. Residents from a housing (2) ____ found that 204 families in their area live in homes that are smaller than prison cells. The families live in the Kwai Chung area of Hong Kong. The average living space (3) ____ person was just 4.6 square meters. This is (4) ____ the size of three toilet cubicles, or about half the size of a car parking space. The average size of a prison cell for Hong Kong's maximum (5) ____ prisoners is about 50 per cent bigger than the size of the Kwai Chung homes. A 2016 government report stated that over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families live in homes that (6) ____ between 7 and 14 square meters.

    Hong Kong has one of the world's most expensive housing markets. Britain's 'Guardian' newspaper said an average (7) ____ would have to save for more than 18 years in (8) ____ to pay for a tiny home. A member of the Kwai Chung housing alliance told reporters about how unhappy people are about living in such a small home. He said: "It is completely unacceptable and (9) ____ that the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such a (10) ____ city like Hong Kong." Another resident said she could only (11) ____ a tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son. The room has a bunk bed, a closet and a small folding table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit (12) ____ to go to the toilet."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     tinny     (b)     tawny     (c)     tiny     (d)     tingly    
    2. (a)     alliance     (b)     ally     (c)     allied     (d)     allure    
    3. (a)     per     (b)     pore     (c)     par     (d)     purr    
    4. (a)     roughly     (b)     roughed     (c)     roughs     (d)     rougher    
    5. (a)     severely     (b)     serenely     (c)     security     (d)     security    
    6. (a)     ranch     (b)     derange     (c)     grange     (d)     range    
    7. (a)     resident     (b)     residence     (c)     residential     (d)     reside    
    8. (a)     pay     (b)     purchase     (c)     request     (d)     order    
    9. (a)     inhumane     (b)     humanly     (c)     humanoid     (d)     inhumanity    
    10. (a)     prosper     (b)     prosperous     (c)     prosperity     (d)     prospers    
    11. (a)     affront     (b)     afford     (c)     affect     (d)     afflict    
    12. (a)     sideways     (b)     sides     (c)     sidings     (d)     sidles

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. detneriss from a housing alliance
    2. The aegerva living space
    3. luyrohg the size of three toilet cubicles
    4. maximum icyuster prisoners
    5. egran between 7 and 14
    6. 7 and 14 qaeurs meters

    Paragraph 2

    1. in rrdoe to pay for a tiny home
    2. It is tleoclypme unacceptable
    3. unacceptable and umhenain
    4. in such a spurroopse city
    5. she could only fdarfo a tiny room
    6. we have to sit ywiadsse

    Put the text back together

    (    )     a small home. He said: "It is completely unacceptable and inhumane that the living area for people is the

    (    )     size of a prison cell for Hong Kong's maximum security prisoners is about 50 per cent bigger

    (    )     alliance found that 204 families in their area live in homes that are smaller than prison cells. The families live

    (    )     newspaper said an average resident would have to save for more than 18 years in order to pay for a tiny home. A member

    (    )     in the Kwai Chung area of Hong Kong. The average living space per person was just 4.6 square meters. This is roughly the

    (    )     live in homes that range between 7 and 14 square meters.

    (    )     same as for prisoners in such a prosperous city like Hong Kong." Another resident said she could only

    (    )     Hong Kong has one of the world's most expensive housing markets. Britain's 'Guardian'

    (    )     than the size of the Kwai Chung homes. A 2016 government report stated that over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families

    (    )     afford a tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son. The room has a bunk bed, a closet and a small folding

    (    )     of the Kwai Chung housing alliance told reporters about how unhappy people are about living in such

    (    )     table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit sideways to go to the toilet."

    (    )     size of three toilet cubicles, or about half the size of a car parking space. The average

    (  1  )     A new study shows that some poor people in Hong Kong live in tiny homes. Residents from a housing

    Put the words in the right order

    1. in   live   homes   people   Kong   tiny   poor   Hong   in   Some   .
    2. in   than   homes   prison   that   cells   are   Live   smaller   .
    3. toilet   the   cubicles   size   This   of   is   three   roughly   .
    4. Kong's   prison   maximum   cell   security   for   prisoners   Hong   A   .
    5. in   homes   that   range  between   7  and  14   square  meters   Live  .
    6. of   One   markets   housing   expensive   most   world's   the   .
    7. unacceptable   completely   is   and   said:   inhumane   ."   He   "It
    8. prisoners   a   The   for   such   city   as   in   prosperous   same   .
    9. bed  The  and  bunk  table  closet  a  folding  a  has  small  ,  room  a   .
    10. sideways   is   we   sit   bathroom   small   to   The   so   have   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new study / studying shows that some poor people in Hong live in tiny homes. Residents from a housing allied / alliance found that 204 families in their area living / live in homes that are smaller than prison sells / cells. The families live in the Kwai Chung arena / area of Hong Kong. The average living space per / par person was just 4.6 square meters. This is rough / roughly the size of three toilet cubicles, or about half / halved the size of a car parking space. The average size of a prison cell for Hong Kong's maximum security prisoners is about 50 per cent bigger than the sizing / size of the Kwai Chung homes. A 2016 government report stated that over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families live in homes that range / ranch between 7 and 14 square meters.

    Hong Kong has one of the world's must / most expensive housing markets. Britain's 'Guardian' newspaper said an average residence / resident would have to save for more than 18 years in order / orders to pay for a tiny home. A member of the Kwai Chung housing alliance told reporters about how unhappy / unhappily people are about living in such a small home. He said: "It is completely / complete unacceptable and inhumane that the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such a prosper / prosperous city like Hong Kong." Another resident said she could only ford / afford a tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son. The room has a bunk / sunk bed, a closet and a small fold / folding table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit sideways / sides to go to the toilet."

    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 st_dy sh_ws th_t s_m_ p__r p__pl_ _n H_ng l_v_ _n t_ny h_m_s. R_s_d_nts fr_m _ h__s_ng _ll__nc_ f__nd th_t 204 f_m_l__s _n th__r _r__ l_v_ _n h_m_s th_t _r_ sm_ll_r th_n pr_s_n c_lls. Th_ f_m_l__s l_v_ _n th_ Kw__ Ch_ng _r__ _f H_ng K_ng. Th_ _v_r_g_ l_v_ng sp_c_ p_r p_rs_n w_s j_st 4.6 sq__r_ m_t_rs. Th_s _s r__ghly th_ s_z_ _f thr__ t__l_t c_b_cl_s, _r _b__t h_lf th_ s_z_ _f _ c_r p_rk_ng sp_c_. Th_ _v_r_g_ s_z_ _f _ pr_s_n c_ll f_r H_ng K_ng's m_x_m_m s_c_r_ty pr_s_n_rs _s _b__t 50 p_r c_nt b_gg_r th_n th_ s_z_ _f th_ Kw__ Ch_ng h_m_s. _ 2016 g_v_rnm_nt r_p_rt st_t_d th_t _v_r 65 p_r c_nt _f H_ng K_ng f_m_l__s l_v_ _n h_m_s th_t r_ng_ b_tw__n 7 _nd 14 sq__r_ m_t_rs.

    H_ng K_ng h_s _n_ _f th_ w_rld's m_st _xp_ns_v_ h__s_ng m_rk_ts. Br_t__n's 'G__rd__n' n_wsp_p_r s__d _n _v_r_g_ r_s_d_nt w__ld h_v_ t_ s_v_ f_r m_r_ th_n 18 y__rs _n _rd_r t_ p_y f_r _ t_ny h_m_. _ m_mb_r _f th_ Kw__ Ch_ng h__s_ng _ll__nc_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs _b__t h_w _nh_ppy p__pl_ _r_ _b__t l_v_ng _n s_ch _ sm_ll h_m_. H_ s__d: "_t _s c_mpl_t_ly _n_cc_pt_bl_ _nd _nh_m_n_ th_t th_ l_v_ng _r__ f_r p__pl_ _s th_ s_m_ _s f_r pr_s_n_rs _n s_ch _ pr_sp_r__s c_ty l_k_ H_ng K_ng." _n_th_r r_s_d_nt s__d sh_ c__ld _nly _ff_rd _ t_ny r__m f_r h_r h_sb_nd _nd s_x-y__r-_ld s_n. Th_ r__m h_s _ b_nk b_d, _ cl_s_t _nd _ sm_ll f_ld_ng t_bl_. Sh_ s__d: "Th_ b_thr__m _s s_ sm_ll w_ h_v_ t_ s_t s_d_w_ys t_ g_ t_ th_ t__l_t."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new study shows that some poor people in hong live in tiny homes. residents from a housing alliance found that 204 families in their area live in homes that are smaller than prison cells. the families live in the kwai chung area of hong kong. the average living space per person was just 4.6 square meters. this is roughly the size of three toilet cubicles, or about half the size of a car parking space. the average size of a prison cell for hong kong's maximum security prisoners is about 50 per cent bigger than the size of the kwai chung homes. a 2016 government report stated that over 65 per cent of hong kong families live in homes that range between 7 and 14 square meters.

    hong kong has one of the world's most expensive housing markets. britain's 'guardian' newspaper said an average resident would have to save for more than 18 years in order to pay for a tiny home. a member of the kwai chung housing alliance told reporters about how unhappy people are about living in such a small home. he said: "it is completely unacceptable and inhumane that the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such a prosperous city like hong kong." another resident said she could only afford a tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son. the room has a bunk bed, a closet and a small folding table. she said: "the bathroom is so small we have to sit sideways to go to the toilet."

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AnewstudyshowsthatsomepoorpeopleinHongKongliveintinyhomes.
    Residentsfromahousingalliancefoundthat204familiesintheirarealive
    inhomesthataresmallerthanprisoncells.ThefamiliesliveintheKwaiCh
    ungareaofHongKong.Theaveragelivingspaceperpersonwasjust4.6s
    quaremeters.Thisisroughlythesizeofthreetoiletcubicles,orabouthalf
    thesizeofacarparkingspace.TheaveragesizeofaprisoncellforHongKo
    ng'smaximumsecurityprisonersisabout50percentbiggerthanthesize
    oftheKwaiChunghomes.A2016governmentreportstatedthatover65
    percentofHongKongfamiliesliveinhomesthatrangebetween7and14s
    quaremeters.HongKonghasoneoftheworld'smostexpensivehousing
    markets.Britain's'Guardian'newspapersaidanaverageresidentwould
    havetosaveformorethan18yearsinordertopayforatinyhome.Amemb
    eroftheKwaiChunghousingalliancetoldreportersabouthowunhappyp
    eopleareaboutlivinginsuchasmallhome.Hesaid:"Itiscompletelyunac
    ceptableandinhumanethatthelivingareaforpeopleisthesameasforpri
    sonersinsuchaprosperouscitylikeHongKong."Anotherresidentsaidsh
    ecouldonlyaffordatinyroomforherhusbandandsix-year-oldson.Ther
    oomhasabunkbed,aclosetandasmallfoldingtable.Shesaid:"Thebath
    roomissosmallwehavetositsidewaystogotothetoilet."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Governments should make sure there is a minimum size for houses. Discuss.

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    Homework

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

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

    3. LIVING SPACE: Make a poster about living space. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. MINIMUM SIZE: Write a magazine article about governments making a minimum size for rooms for people to live in. 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 living space. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on this. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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