The Reading / Listening - Lockdown - Level 3

A survey in the United Kingdom asked people about life after lockdown. The market research and data analytics company YouGov asked 4,343 people about life after the lockdown ends. The company said they were surprised by the people's answers. Only nine per cent of Britons want life to return to "normal" after the coronavirus outbreak is over. This means 91 per cent want life to be different to how it was before the pandemic started. Over half of people (54%) said they hoped to change the way they live their lives. Lead researcher Professor Tom MacMillan said: "This data shows there is a real appetite for change, and for the nation to learn from this crisis."

Most of the people in the survey said they noticed big changes because of the lockdown. Just over half (51%) have noticed cleaner air outdoors, and 27 per cent have seen more wildlife in the past month. This may encourage people to use cars less when the lockdown ends. Maybe more people will work from home. Many people (42%) said they value food more, and 38 per cent said they are now cooking using recipes and not buying ready-made meals. Another change could be a stronger sense of community. Over 40 per cent of people said they now talk to people who live near them. Professor MacMillan said: "People are trying new things and noticing differences at home, in their work and in communities."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Lockdown - Level 0,  Lockdown - Level 1   or  Lockdown - Level 2

Sources
  • https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-only-9-of-britons-want-life-to-return-to-normal-once-lockdown-is-over-11974459
  • https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/just-9-want-things-go-21877899
  • https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-uk-lockdown-end-poll-environment-food-health-fitness-social-community-a9469736.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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. LOCKDOWN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about lockdown. 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?
       survey / lockdown / data / company / surprised / outbreak / half / change / crisis /
       cleaner air / outdoors / wildlife / encourage / value / cooking / recipes / communities
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CHANGE: Students A strongly believe we all need to change the way we live after the pandemic ends; Students B strongly believe we don't need to.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. NORMAL: What was normal life before the pandemic started and how should this change after the pandemic finishes? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Normal Life

Change

Exercise

 

 

Family

 

 

Eating

 

 

Socialising

 

 

Work

 

 

Internet

 

 
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. SURVEY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "survey". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. POST-PANDEMIC: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important changes at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Working from home
  • Less driving
  • More community work
  • More cooking
  • Focus on wildlife
  • Trying new things
  • More exercise
  • Less consumerism

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. survey a. A strong desire or liking for something.
      2. data b. Facts and statistics collected together to make information.
      3. normal c. A disease that is over a whole country or the world.
      4. pandemic d. A study of the opinions or experience of a group of people, based on different questions.
      5. lead e. A time of big difficulty, trouble, or danger.
      6. appetite f. Usual; ordinary.
      7. crisis g. Main; top.

    Paragraph 2

      8. noticed h. Think of something as being very important.
      9. wildlife i. Help and support someone to do something.
      10. encourage j. Food eaten at different times of the day (e.g. breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.).
      11. value k. Saw or became aware of something or someone.
      12. recipe l. Animals, birds, insects etc. in nature.
      13. meals m. A group of people living in the same place or the same part of town.
      14. community n. A set of instructions for making food.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. There was a survey in the UK about life after lockdown.     T / F
  2. A company asked over 43,000 about life after lockdown.     T / F
  3. About 90% of British people want life to return to normal.     T / F
  4. A researcher said there was an appetite for change among UK people.     T / F
  5. Less than half of people in the survey said the air was cleaner.     T / F
  6. Over a quarter of people said they have seen more wildlife.     T / F
  7. Over half of people are cooking by using recipes.     T / F
  8. More people in the survey are talking to their neighbours.     T / F

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

  1. survey
  2. data
  3. return
  4. change
  5. appetite
  6. noticed
  7. value
  8. meals
  9. sense
  10. things
  1. appreciate
  2. alter
  3. hunger
  4. activities
  5. figures
  6. food
  7. feeling
  8. questionnaire
  9. observed
  10. go back

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

  1. market
  2. they were surprised
  3. they hoped to change the way they
  4. This data shows there is a real appetite
  5. for the nation to learn from
  6. Just over half (51%) have
  7. This may encourage people
  8. cooking using recipes and not buying
  9. a stronger sense
  10. People are
  1. by the people's answers
  2. this crisis
  3. trying new things
  4. ready-made meals
  5. live their lives
  6. of community
  7. for change
  8. noticed cleaner air
  9. research
  10. to use cars less

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
answers
started
appetite
survey
data
crisis
outbreak
way

A (1) ____________ in the United Kingdom asked people about life after lockdown. The market research and (2) ____________ analytics company YouGov asked 4,343 people about life after the lockdown ends. The company said they were surprised by the people's (3) ____________. Only nine per cent of Britons want life to return to "normal" after the coronavirus (4) ____________ is over. This means 91 per cent want life to be different to how it was before the pandemic (5) ____________. Over half of people (54%) said they hoped to change the (6) ____________ they live their lives. Lead researcher Professor Tom MacMillan said: "This data shows there is a real (7) ____________ for change, and for the nation to learn from this (8) ____________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
encourage
recipes
near
noticed
value
things
outdoors
community

Most of the people in the survey said they (9) ____________ big changes because of the lockdown. Just over half (51%) have noticed cleaner air (10) ____________, and 27 per cent have seen more wildlife in the past month. This may (11) ____________ people to use cars less when the lockdown ends. Maybe more people will work from home. Many people (42%) said they (12) ____________ food more, and 38 per cent said they are now cooking using (13) ____________ and not buying ready-made meals. Another change could be a stronger sense of (14) ____________. Over 40 per cent of people said they now talk to people who live (15) ____________ them. Professor MacMillan said: "People are trying new (16) ____________ and noticing differences at home, in their work and in communities."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  ... company YouGov asked 4,343 people about life after ______
     a.  the lockdown sends
     b.  the lockdown mends
     c.  the lockdown ends
     d.  the lockdown tends
2)  Only nine per cent of Britons want life to ______
     a.  return by normalise
     b.  return to norm all
     c.  return at normal
     d.  return to normal
3)  Over half of people (54%) said they hoped to change the way they ______
     a.  live their lives
     b.  life their lives
     c.  live their lifers
     d.  live their lifer
4)  This data shows there is a real ______
     a.  app a tight for change
     b.  upper tight for change
     c.  a petite for change
     d.  appetite for change
5)  and for the nation to learn ______
     a.  from this crisis
     b.  from this crises
     c.  from this cries
     d.  from this cries is

6)  Most of the people in the survey said they ______
     a.  noticed big changed
     b.  noticed big change is
     c.  noticed big changes
     d.  noticed big charges
7)  because of the lockdown. Just over half (51%) have noticed ______
     a.  cleaner rare outdoors
     b.  clean array outdoors
     c.  cleaner a rout doors
     d.  cleaner air outdoors
8)  and 38 per cent said they are now cooking ______
     a.  using recipe
     b.  using recipes
     c.  use in recipes
     d.  you sin recipes
9)  Another change could be a stronger ______
     a.  cents of community
     b.  sense of community
     c.  sense off community
     d.  sense of commune tea
10)  People are trying new things and noticing ______
     a.  differ ants at home
     b.  difference sat home
     c.  different is at home
     d.  differences at home

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A survey in the United Kingdom asked people about (1) ___________________. The market research and data analytics company YouGov asked 4,343 people about life after the lockdown ends. The company said they (2) ___________________ the people's answers. Only nine per cent of Britons want life to (3) ___________________ after the coronavirus outbreak is over. This means 91 per cent want life to be different to how it was before the pandemic started. (4) ___________________ people (54%) said they hoped to change the way they (5) ___________________. Lead researcher Professor Tom MacMillan said: "This data shows there is a real appetite for change, and for the nation to learn (6) ___________________."

Most of the people in the survey (7) ___________________ big changes because of the lockdown. Just over half (51%) have noticed cleaner air outdoors, and 27 per cent have seen (8) ___________________ the past month. This may encourage people to use cars less when the lockdown ends. Maybe more people (9) ___________________ home. Many people (42%) said they value food more, and 38 per cent said they are now cooking (10) ___________________ not buying ready-made meals. Another change could be a stronger sense of community. Over 40 per cent of people said they now talk to people who (11) ___________________. Professor MacMillan said: "People are trying new things and noticing differences at home, in their (12) ___________________ communities."

Comprehension questions

  1. What is the name of the company that did the survey?
  2. How many people did the company ask for the survey?
  3. What percentage of people in the survey wants life to return to normal?
  4. Who is Tom MacMillan?
  5. What did the data show there was an appetite for?
  6. What did 51% of people in the survey notice was cleaner?
  7. What have 27% of people seen more of?
  8. What might people use less after the pandemic ends?
  9. What kind of food are people buying less of?
  10. What did a professor say people are trying?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of the company that did the survey?
a) WeGov
b) YouGov
c) MeGov
d) OurGov
2) How many people did the company ask for the survey?
a) 4,342
b) 4,341
c) 4,340
d) 4,343
3) What percentage of people in the survey wants life to return to normal?
a) 80
b) 18
c) 9
d) 81
4) Who is Tom MacMillan?
a) the lead researcher
b) a pandemic expert
c) a doctor
d) a chef
5) What did the data show there was an appetite for?
a) hope
b) change
c) crisis
d) food

6) What did 51% of people in the survey notice was cleaner?
a) air
b) cars
c) their homes
d) cities
7) What have 27% of people seen more of?
a) life
b) data
c) wildlife
d) their family
8) What might people use less after the pandemic ends?
a) cars
b) computers
c) things
d) trains
9) What kind of food are people buying less of?
a) fast food
b) microwave dinners
c) salads
d) ready-made meals
10) What did a professor say people are trying?
a) new medicines
b) to sleep early
c) new things
d) exercise

Role play

Role  A – Working From Home
You think working from home is the most important change we need to make. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): more exercise, less driving or more cooking.

Role  B – More Exercise
You think more exercise is the most important change we need to make. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): working from home, less driving or more cooking.

Role  C – Less Driving
You think less driving is the most important change we need to make. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): more exercise, working from home or more cooking.

Role  D – More Cooking
You think more cooking is the most important change we need to make. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): more exercise, less driving or working from home.

After reading / listening

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

'life'

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

    • and 'lockdown'.

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

    • • 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:

    • market
    • surprised
    • nine
    • pandemic
    • hoped
    • crisis
    • big
    • air
    • cars
    • cooking
    • near
    • things

    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 - Lockdown

    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 'life'?
    3. What do you think about life after lockdown?
    4. How will people feel when lockdown ends?
    5. Will life return to normal after lockdown ends?
    6. Do you want life to return to normal after lockdown finishes?
    7. What will you do differently after lockdown ends?
    8. What did you learn about yourself during lockdown?
    9. What can your country learn from this crisis?
    10. What advice do you have for people in lockdown?

    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 'lockdown'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What changes have you noticed outdoors?
    5. Have you noticed more wildlife around?
    6. Has your opinion on food changed in this pandemic?
    7. What things do you value more now?
    8. Has your sense of community changed recently?
    9. What new things might you try after lockdown?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the market research company?

    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 survey in the United Kingdom (1) ____ people about life after lockdown. The market research and data analytics company YouGov asked 4,343 people about life after the lockdown (2) ____. The company said they were surprised by the people's answers. Only nine per cent of Britons want (3) ____ to return to "normal" after the coronavirus outbreak is over. This means 91 per cent want life to be different to (4) ____ it was before the pandemic started. Over half of people (54%) said they hoped to (5) ____ the way they live their lives. Lead researcher Professor Tom MacMillan said: "This data shows there is a real (6) ____ for change, and for the nation to learn from this crisis."

    Most of the people in the survey said they noticed big changes (7) ____ of the lockdown. Just over half (51%) have noticed cleaner air outdoors, and 27 per cent have seen more wildlife (8) ____ the past month. This may encourage people to use cars less when the lockdown ends. Maybe more people will work from home. Many people (42%) said they (9) ____ food more, and 38 per cent said they are now cooking (10) ____ recipes and not buying ready-made meals. Another change could be a stronger sense of community. Over 40 per cent of people said they now talk to people who live (11) ____ them. Professor MacMillan said: "People are trying new things and (12) ____ differences at home, in their work and in communities."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     asked     (b)     asks     (c)     asking     (d)     ask    
    2. (a)     end     (b)     ending     (c)     ends     (d)     ended    
    3. (a)     live     (b)     lifer     (c)     life     (d)     lifetime     
    4. (a)     whichever     (b)     which     (c)     who     (d)     how    
    5. (a)     change     (b)     chance     (c)     charge     (d)     chain    
    6. (a)     hungry     (b)     appetite     (c)     thirsty     (d)     greedy    
    7. (a)     nevertheless     (b)     although     (c)     however     (d)     because    
    8. (a)     on     (b)     in     (c)     by     (d)     to    
    9. (a)     weight     (b)     worth     (c)     value     (d)     money    
    10. (a)     taste     (b)     using     (c)     book     (d)     shopping    
    11. (a)     far     (b)     close     (c)     soon     (d)     near    
    12. (a)     noticed     (b)     noticing     (c)     notice     (d)     notices

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. market rhaesrce
    2. they were deriuspsr
    3. after the coronavirus eakorbtu is over
    4. before the eadcmnip started
    5. there is a real taetppie for change
    6. learn from this scsrii

    Paragraph 2

    1. Most of the people in the yerusv
    2. 51% have doniect cleaner air
    3. raoeucgne people to use cars less
    4. they are now cooking using ecripes
    5. a stronger sense of mtmuoyicn
    6. noticing fderescfein at home

    Put the text back together

    (...)  change the way they live their lives. Lead researcher Professor Tom MacMillan said: "This data shows
    (...)  things and noticing differences at home, in their work and in communities."
    (  1  ) A survey in the United Kingdom asked people about life after lockdown. The market research and data
    (...)  home. Many people (42%) said they value food more, and 38 per cent said they are now cooking using
    (...)  analytics company YouGov asked 4,343 people about life after the lockdown ends. The company said they were
    (...)  "normal" after the coronavirus outbreak is over. This means 91 per cent want life to be different to how
    (...)  surprised by the people's answers. Only nine per cent of Britons want life to return to
    (...)  Most of the people in the survey said they noticed big changes because of the lockdown. Just over half
    (...)  (51%) have noticed cleaner air outdoors, and 27 per cent have seen more wildlife in the past
    (...)  it was before the pandemic started. Over half of people (54%) said they hoped to
    (...)  recipes and not buying ready-made meals. Another change could be a stronger sense of community. Over 40 per cent
    (...)  of people said they now talk to people who live near them. Professor MacMillan said: "People are trying new
    (...)  there is a real appetite for change, and for the nation to learn from this crisis."
    (...)  month. This may encourage people to use cars less when the lockdown ends. Maybe more people will work from

    Put the words in the right order

    1. in   Kingdom   asked   survey   people   .   the   United   A
    2. answers   .   were   They   surprised   people's   the   by
    3. was   to   how   the   before   pandemic   .   it   Different
    4. their   live   lives   .   way   they   Change   the
    5. an   shows   there   change   .   Data   is   for   appetite
    6. lockdown   .   noticed   the   of   big   because   They   changes
    7. half   noticed   air   over   have   cleaner   outdoors   .   Just
    8. cars   people   This   encourage   less   .   to   may   use
    9. not   ready-made   buying   Using   and   meals   .   recipes
    10. now   who   live   nearby   .   to   talk   They   people

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A survey in the United Kingdom asked people about live / life after lockdown. The market research and data / dating analytics company YouGov asked 4,343 people about life after the lockdown end / ends. The company said they were surprising / surprised by the people's answers. Only nine per cent of Britons want life to return to "normal" after a / the coronavirus outbreak is over. This means 91 per cent want life to be different / difference to how it was before the pandemic started. Over halve / half of people (54%) said they hoped to chance / change the way they live their lives. Lead researcher Professor Tom MacMillan said: "This data shows there is a real / really appetite for change, and for the nation to learn from these / this crisis."

    Most of the people on / in the survey said they noticed big changes because of the lockdown. Just over half (51%) have noticed cleaner / cleaning air outdoors, and 27 per cent have seen more wildlife in / on the past month. This may encourage people to use cars fewer / less when the lockdown ends. Maybe more people will work from house / home. Many people (42%) said they value food more, and 38 per cent said they are now cook / cooking using recipes and not buying ready-made meal / meals. Another change could be a stronger sense off / of community. Over 40 per cent of people said they now talk to people who / whose live near them. Professor MacMillan said: "People are trying new things and noticing differences at home, in their work and in community / communities."

    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)

    A s_r v_y _n t h_ U n_t_d K_n g d_m _s k_d p__ p l_ _b__ t l_f_ _f t_r l_c k d_w n . T h_ m_r k_t r_s__ r c h _n d d_t_ _n_l y t_c s c_m p_n y Y__ G_v _s k_d 4 , 3 4 3 p__ p l_ _b__ t l_f_ _f t_r t h_ l_c k d_w n _n d s . T h_ c_m p_n y s__ d t h_y w_r_ s_r p r_s_d b y t h_ p__ p l_' s _n s w_r s . O n l y n_n_ p_r c_n t _f B r_t_n s w_n t l_f_ t_ r_t_r n t_ " n_r m_l " _f t_r t h_ c_r_n_v_r_s __ t b r__ k _s _v_r . T h_s m__ n s 9 1 p_r c_n t w_n t l_f_ t_ b_ d_f f_r_n t t_ h_w _t w_s b_f_r_ t h_ p_n d_m_c s t_r t_d . O v_r h_l f _f p__ p l_ ( 5 4 % ) s__ d t h_y h_p_d t_ c h_n g_ t h_ w_y t h_y l_v_ t h__ r l_v_s . L__ d r_s__ r c h_r P r_f_s s_r T_m M_c M_l l_n s__ d : " T h_s d_t_ s h_w s t h_r_ _s _ r__ l _p p_t_t_ f_r c h_n g_, _n d f_r t h_ n_t__ n t_ l__ r n f r_m t h_s c r_s_s . "

    M_s t _f t h_ p__ p l_ _n t h_ s_r v_y s__ d t h_y n_t_c_d b_g c h_n g_s b_c__ s_ _f t h_ l_c k d_w n . J_s t _v_r h_l f ( 5 1 % ) h_v_ n_t_c_d c l__ n_r __ r __ t d__ r s , _n d 2 7 p_r c_n t h_v_ s__ n m_r_ w_l d l_f_ _n t h_ p_s t m_n t h . T h_s m_y _n c__ r_g_ p__ p l_ t_ _s_ c_r s l_s s w h_n t h_ l_c k d_w n _n d s . M_y b_ m_r_ p__ p l_ w_l l w_r k f r_m h_m_. M_n y p__ p l_ ( 4 2 % ) s__ d t h_y v_l__ f__ d m_r_, _n d 3 8 p_r c_n t s__ d t h_y _r_ n_w c__ k_n g _s_n g r_c_p_s _n d n_t b_y_n g r__ d y - m_d_ m__ l s . A n_t h_r c h_n g_ c__ l d b_ _ s t r_n g_r s_n s_ _f c_m m_n_t y . O v_r 4 0 p_r c_n t _f p__ p l_ s__ d t h_y n_w t_l k t_ p__ p l_ w h_ l_v_ n__ r t h_m . P r_f_s s_r M_c M_l l_n s__ d : " P__ p l_ _r_ t r y_n g n_w t h_n g s _n d n_t_c_n g d_f f_r_n c_s _t h_m_, _n t h__ r w_r k _n d _n c_m m_n_t__ s . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a survey in the united kingdom asked people about life after lockdown the market research and data analytics company yougov asked 4343 people about life after the lockdown ends the company said they were surprised by the peoples answers only nine per cent of britons want life to return to normal after the coronavirus outbreak is over this means 91 per cent want life to be different to how it was before the pandemic started over half of people 54 said they hoped to change the way they live their lives lead researcher professor tom macmillan said this data shows there is a real appetite for change and for the nation to learn from this crisis

    most of the people in the survey said they noticed big changes because of the lockdown just over half 51 have noticed cleaner air outdoors and 27 per cent have seen more wildlife in the past month this may encourage people to use cars less when the lockdown ends maybe more people will work from home many people 42 said they value food more and 38 per cent said they are now cooking using recipes and not buying readymade meals another change could be a stronger sense of community over 40 per cent of people said they now talk to people who live near them professor macmillan said people are trying new things and noticing differences at home in their work and in communities

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AsurveyintheUnitedKingdomaskedpeopleaboutlifeafterlockdown.T
    hemarketresearchanddataanalyticscompanyYouGovasked4,343pe
    opleaboutlifeafterthelockdownends.Thecompanysaidtheyweresurp
    risedbythepeople'sanswers.OnlyninepercentofBritonswantlifetoret
    urnto"normal"afterthecoronavirusoutbreakisover.Thismeans91per
    centwantlifetobedifferenttohowitwasbeforethepandemicstarted.Ov
    erhalfofpeople(54%)saidtheyhopedtochangethewaytheylivetheirliv
    es.LeadresearcherProfessorTomMacMillansaid:"Thisdatashowsther
    eisarealappetiteforchange,andforthenationtolearnfromthiscrisis."M
    ostofthepeopleinthesurveysaidtheynoticedbigchangesbecauseofth
    elockdown.Justoverhalf(51%)havenoticedcleanerairoutdoors,and2
    7percenthaveseenmorewildlifeinthepastmonth.Thismayencourage
    peopletousecarslesswhenthelockdownends.Maybemorepeoplewillw
    orkfromhome.Manypeople(42%)saidtheyvaluefoodmore,and38per
    centsaidtheyarenowcookingusingrecipesandnotbuyingready-mad
    emeals.Anotherchangecouldbeastrongersenseofcommunity.Over4
    0percentofpeoplesaidtheynowtalktopeoplewholivenearthem.Profes
    sorMacMillansaid:"Peoplearetryingnewthingsandnoticingdifference
    sathome,intheirworkandincommunities."

    Free writing

    Write about the lesson page for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    We all need to change our lifestyle after the pandemic ends. 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 story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. LOCKDOWN: Make a poster about lockdown. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. CHANGE: Write a magazine article about all of us greatly changing our lifestyle. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    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 lockdown. Ask him/her three questions about lockdown. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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