The Reading / Listening - Eating Bugs - Level 6

In the past decade, bugs have become a familiar sight on dinner tables. One reason for this is they are a great source of protein. Another reason is that people are concerned about the environment. Traditional livestock farming is detrimental to the environment as it is generally unsustainable. Raising insects is much more environmentally friendly. One kilogram of insect protein needs about 10 per cent of the feed, water and land used to produce the same amount of beef. Experts say farming insects is better for the environment than raising livestock. A final reason we may have to eat insects is because of the rise in the world's population. By 2050 this is expected to be 9.8 billion, up from the current 7.7 billion.

The insect farming industry is growing quickly. There are hundreds of companies worldwide creating meals made from bugs. Many supermarkets around the world now stock food made from insects. There are vending machines in Tokyo, Japan where you can purchase a can of insect snacks. The menu includes dried tarantula and scorpions. However, not everyone is excited by the idea of insects as food. An Israeli insect farmer, Dror Tamir, says there is a "yuck factor" to the thought of eating insects. He said people will get used to the idea and will find insects tasty. He said: "I am convinced it will soon be widely accepted, just like eating raw fish in sushi was embraced."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Eating Bugs - Level 4  or  Eating Bugs - Level 5

Sources
    https://theconversation.com/more-people-are-eating-bugs-but-is-it-ethical-to-farm-insects-for-food-167248 https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58636969 https://sunlive.co.nz/news/277465-study-finds-kiwis-keen-on-eating-insects.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. EATING BUGS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about eating bugs. 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?
       the past decade / dinner tables / protein / livestock / beef / experts / insects / rise /
       farming / worldwide / supermarkets / snacks / tarantula / scorpions / yuck / raw fish
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. INSECT DIET: Students A strongly believe there should be more insects in our diets; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. PROTEIN: Are these things good sources of protein? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good Things

Bad Things

Insects

 

 

Eggs

 

 

Nuts

 

 

Tuna

 

 

Tofu

 

 

Beef

 

 
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. DINNER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "dinner". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. INSECTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the insects you would most hate to see on the dinner table at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Tarantulas
  • Ants
  • Worms
  • Bees
  • Ladybirds
  • Locusts
  • Butterflies
  • Beetles

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. decade a. Substances we eat to strengthen our muscles.
      2. familiar b. Existing in or as part of a tradition; long-established.
      3. protein c. A period of ten years.
      4. feed d. Well known from long or close association.
      5. livestock e. Food for domestic, zoo or farm animals.
      6. traditional f. Farm animals regarded as an asset.
      7. expected g. Regarded something as likely to happen.

    Paragraph 2

      8. industry h. Used to express strong distaste or disgust.
      9. stock i. Economic activity around an area of business.
      10. vending machine j. Acquire something by paying for it.
      11. purchase k. Completely certain about something.
      12. yuck l. Have or keep a supply of a particular product or type or product available for sale.
      13. convinced m. Accepted a belief, theory, or change willingly and enthusiastically.
      14. embraced n. Something that sells small articles such as food, drinks, cigarettes, etc.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says more insects are crawling across dinner tables.     T / F
  2. Insect farming requires just 10% of the resources needed for beef.     T / F
  3. Traditional livestock is more environmentally friendly than insects.     T / F
  4. The global population will be over 10 billion by 2050.     T / F
  5. The article says hundreds of companies are making food from insects.     T / F
  6. You can buy tarantula snacks from vending machines in Tokyo.     T / F
  7. An Israeli insect farmer said there is a "yuck factor" to eating insects.     T / F
  8. The insect farmer said insects are tastier than sushi.     T / F

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

  1. decade
  2. concerned
  3. detrimental
  4. raising
  5. current
  6. growing
  7. stock
  8. purchase
  9. convinced
  10. embraced
  1. harmful
  2. certain
  3. rearing
  4. present
  5. supply
  6. 10 years
  7. buy
  8. accepted
  9. worried
  10. expanding

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

  1. In the past decade, bugs have
  2. they are a great source
  3. livestock farming is detrimental
  4. better for the environment
  5. because of the rise in the
  6. The insect farming industry
  7. vending
  8. not everyone is excited
  9. there is a "yuck factor" to the
  10. I am convinced it will soon be
  1. thought of eating insects
  2. to the environment
  3. is growing quickly
  4. by the idea
  5. of protein
  6. than raising livestock
  7. widely accepted
  8. become a familiar sight
  9. machines
  10. world's population

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
concerned
detrimental
raising
familiar
feed
expected
source
protein

In the past decade, bugs have become a (1) _____________________ sight on dinner tables. One reason for this is they are a great (2) _____________________ of protein. Another reason is that people are (3) _____________________ about the environment. Traditional livestock farming is (4) _____________________ to the environment as it is generally unsustainable. Raising insects is much more environmentally friendly. One kilogram of insect (5) _____________________ needs about 10 per cent of the (6) _____________________, water and land used to produce the same amount of beef. Experts say farming insects is better for the environment than (7) _____________________ livestock. A final reason we may have to eat insects is because of the rise in the world's population. By 2050 this is (8) _____________________ to be 9.8 billion, up from the current 7.7 billion.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
purchase
stock
vending
idea
growing
yuck
embraced
scorpions

The insect farming industry is (9) _____________________ quickly. There are hundreds of companies worldwide creating meals made from bugs. Many supermarkets around the world now (10) _____________________ food made from insects. There are (11) _____________________ machines in Tokyo, Japan where you can (12) _____________________ a can of insect snacks. The menu includes dried tarantula and (13) _____________________. However, not everyone is excited by the idea of insects as food. An Israeli insect farmer, Dror Tamir, says there is a "(14) _____________________ factor" to the thought of eating insects. He said people will get used to the (15) _____________________ and will find insects tasty. He said: "I am convinced it will soon be widely accepted, just like eating raw fish in sushi was (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  In the past decade, bugs have become ______
     a.  a familiar slight
     b.  a familiar sate
     c.  a familiar site
     d.  a familiar sight
2) livestock farming is detrimental to the environment as it ______
     a.  is general unsustainable
     b.  is generally sustainable
     c.  is generally unsustainable
     d.  is general sustainable
3)  Experts say farming insects is better for the environment ______
     a.  than raising livestock
     b.  than rising livestock
     c.  than razing livestock
     d.  than raise in livestock
4)  A final reason we may have to eat insects is because ______
     a.  of the raise
     b.  of the high-rise
     c.  of the arise
     d.  of the rise
5)  this is expected to be 9.8 billion, up from the ______
     a.  currant 7.7 billion
     b.  current 7.7 billion
     c.  currently 7.7 billion
     d.  currency 7.7 billion

6)  The insect farming industry ______
     a.  is grown quickly
     b.  is grow in quickly
     c.  is growing quickly
     d.  is grown in quickly
7)  Many supermarkets around the world now stock food ______
     a.  made from insects
     b.  made for insects
     c.  made farm insects
     d.  made fro insects
8)  vending machines in Tokyo, Japan where you can purchase a can ______
     a.  offing sect snacks
     b.  of insect snack
     c.  of insect snacks
     d.  off insect snacks
9)  An Israeli insect farmer, Dror Tamir, says there is ______
     a.  a "duck factor"
     b.  a "yuck factor"
     c.  a "muck factor"
     d.  a "luck factor"
10)  it will soon be widely accepted, just like eating raw fish in ______
     a.  sushi was embarrassed
     b.  sushi was embossed
     c.  sushi was in braced
     d.  sushi was embraced

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

In (1) ____________________, bugs have become a familiar sight on dinner tables. One reason for this is they are a (2) ____________________ protein. Another reason is that people are concerned about the environment. Traditional livestock farming (3) ____________________ the environment as it is generally unsustainable. Raising insects is much more environmentally friendly. One kilogram of insect protein needs about 10 per cent (4) ____________________, water and land used to produce the same amount of beef. Experts say farming insects is better for the environment (5) ____________________. A final reason we may have to eat insects is because of the rise in the world's population. By 2050 this is (6) ____________________ 9.8 billion, up from the current 7.7 billion.

The insect farming (7) ____________________ quickly. There are hundreds of companies worldwide creating meals made from bugs. Many supermarkets around the world now (8) ____________________ from insects. There are vending machines in Tokyo, Japan where you can (9) ____________________ of insect snacks. The menu includes dried (10) ____________________. However, not everyone is excited by the idea of insects as food. An Israeli insect farmer, Dror Tamir, says there is (11) ____________________ to the thought of eating insects. He said people will get used to the idea and will find insects tasty. He said: "I am convinced it will soon (12) ____________________, just like eating raw fish in sushi was embraced."

Comprehension questions

  1. Where have bugs become a familiar sight?
  2. What does the article say insects are a great source of?
  3. What does raising insects need 10% less of compared to beef?
  4. What does the article say insect farming is better for?
  5. How big is the world's population expected to be by 2050?
  6. What does the article say is growing quickly?
  7. Where can people buy tarantula snacks from in Tokyo?
  8. What kind of factor did an Israeli farmer say there was with insects?
  9. What is a farmer convinced people will get used to?
  10. What did the farmer say was eventually embraced?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  Where have bugs become a familiar sight?
a) in gardens
b) on dinner tables
c) in restaurants
d) on farms
2)  What does the article say insects are a great source of?
a) amusement
b) fun
c) CO2
d) protein
3) What does raising insects need 90% less of compared to beef?
a) feed, water and land
b) pesticide
c) love, care and attention
d) grass
4) What does the article say insect farming is better for?
a) farmers
b) profits
c) the environment
d) business
5) How big is the world's population expected to be by 2050?
a) 9.9 billion
b) 9.8 billion
c) 9.6 billion
d) 9.7 billion

6) What does the article say is growing quickly?
a) the insect farming industry
b) worms
c) the appetite for insects
d) the meat industry
7) Where can people buy tarantula snacks from in Tokyo?
a) train stations
b) convenience stores
c) vending machines
d) zoos
8) What kind of factor did an Israeli farmer say there was with insects?
a) a "yuck factor"
b) an "X" factor
c) an unknown factor
d) a factor of 10
9) What is a farmer convinced people will get used to?
a) eating insects
b) a changed environment
c) worm chocolate
d) not eating meat

10) What did the farmer say was eventually embraced?
a) insect farming
b) not eating meat
c) killing insects humanely
d) eating raw fish in sushi

Role play

Role  A – Tarantulas
You think tarantulas are best for the dinner table. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least fitting of these (and why): ants, worms or locusts.

Role  B – Ants
You think are best for the dinner table. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least fitting of these (and why): tarantulas, worms or locusts.

Role  C – Worms
You think worms are best for the dinner table. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least fitting of these (and why): ants, tarantulas or locusts.

Role  D – Locusts
You think locusts are best for the dinner table. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least fitting of these (and why): ants, worms or tarantulas.

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:

    • past
    • great
    • generally
    • needs
    • raising
    • current
    • quickly
    • meals
    • machines
    • idea
    • find
    • fish

    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 - Eating Bugs

    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 'insect'?
    3. What do you think of the idea of insects as food?
    4. How will eating insects help the planet?
    5. Will insects become a familiar sight on your dinner table?
    6. Will traditional livestock farming eventually end?
    7. What do you think of the idea of insect burgers?
    8. Would you eat food from insects if it didn't look like insects?
    9. How worried are you about overpopulation?
    10. What advice do you have for people who don't want to eat insects?

    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 'cow'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What insects can we eat?
    5. What kinds of dishes can we make with insects?
    6. Have you ever seen food made from insects in supermarkets?
    7. What would you prefer - a tarantula or a scorpion dish?
    8. What do you think of the 'yuck factor' of eating insects?
    9. Do you think eating bugs is healthier than eating beef?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the insect farmers?

    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)

    In the (1) ____ decade, bugs have become a familiar sight on dinner tables. One reason for this is they are a great (2) ____ of protein. Another reason is that people are concerned about the environment. Traditional livestock farming is (3) ____ to the environment as it is generally unsustainable. Raising insects is much more environmentally friendly. One kilogram of insect protein (4) ____ about 10 per cent of the feed, water and land used to produce the same amount (5) ____ beef. Experts say farming insects is better for the environment than raising livestock. A final reason we may have to eat insects is because of the rise in the world's population. By 2050 this is expected to be 9.8 billion, (6) ____ from the current 7.7 billion.

    The insect farming industry is (7) ____ quickly. There are hundreds of companies worldwide creating meals made from bugs. Many supermarkets around the world now (8) ____ food made from insects. There are vending machines in Tokyo, Japan where you can (9) ____ a can of insect snacks. The menu includes dried tarantula and scorpions. However, not everyone is excited by the (10) ____ of insects as food. An Israeli insect farmer, Dror Tamir, says there is a "(11) ____ factor" to the thought of eating insects. He said people will get used to the idea and will find insects tasty. He said: "I am convinced it will soon be (12) ____ accepted, just like eating raw fish in sushi was embraced."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     psst     (b)     parsed     (c)     past     (d)     passed    
    2. (a)     source     (b)     sauce     (c)     sorts     (d)     saucy    
    3. (a)     detrimental     (b)     detrimentally     (c)     detrimental     (d)     detriment    
    4. (a)     needs     (b)     necessitates     (c)     needy     (d)     nerdy    
    5. (a)     offer     (b)     off     (c)     of     (d)     offal    
    6. (a)     height     (b)     high     (c)     increase     (d)     up    
    7. (a)     growing     (b)     grown     (c)     growth     (d)     grower    
    8. (a)     stack     (b)     strike     (c)     stick     (d)     stock    
    9. (a)     purchase     (b)     refund     (c)     supply     (d)     demand    
    10. (a)     thesis     (b)     idea     (c)     hypothesis     (d)     conundrum    
    11. (a)     muck     (b)     yuck     (c)     duck     (d)     luck    
    12. (a)     widely     (b)     deepen     (c)     length     (d)     breadth

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. in the past edacde
    2. bugs have become a mfliaiar sight
    3. traditional vseitlcok farming
    4. rdeimtnteal to the environment
    5. one kilogram of insect rotpien
    6. up from the urrcent 7.7 billion

    Paragraph 2

    1. The insect farming ndustiry is growing quickly
    2. ednving machines
    3. urchapse a can of insect snacks
    4. dried aattnrula and scorpions
    5. I am ncnivcoed it will soon be widely accepted
    6. raw fish in sushi was mcreabed

    Put the text back together

    (...)  tarantula and scorpions. However, not everyone is excited by the idea of insects as
    (...)  used to produce the same amount of beef. Experts say farming insects is better for
    (...)  convinced it will soon be widely accepted, just like eating raw fish in sushi was embraced."
    (...)  meals made from bugs. Many supermarkets around the world now stock food made from insects. There are vending
    (...)  the environment than raising livestock. A final reason we may have to eat insects is because of the rise
    (...)  farming is detrimental to the environment as it is generally unsustainable. Raising insects is much more
    (...)  of protein. Another reason is that people are concerned about the environment. Traditional livestock
    (...)  The insect farming industry is growing quickly. There are hundreds of companies worldwide creating
    (...)  environmentally friendly. One kilogram of insect protein needs about 10 per cent of the feed, water and land
    (...)  machines in Tokyo, Japan where you can purchase a can of insect snacks. The menu includes dried
    (...)  food. An Israeli insect farmer, Dror Tamir, says there is a "yuck factor" to the thought
    (  1  ) In the past decade, bugs have become a familiar sight on dinner tables. One reason for this is they are a great source
    (...)  in the world's population. By 2050 this is expected to be 9.8 billion, up from the current 7.7 billion.
    (...)  of eating insects. He said people will get used to the idea and will find insects tasty. He said: "I am

    Put the words in the right order

    1. a   Bugs   on   dinner   sight   are   familiar   tables   .
    2. a   They   great   are   of   protein   .   source
    3. farming   to  detrimental  environment .   Traditional   the   is   livestock
    4. better   Experts   say   insects   are   for   environment   .   the
    5. have   insects   .   reason   to   A   we   may   eat
    6. meals   worldwide   Companies   made   from   bugs   .   creating
    7. can   a   purchase   snacks   .   can   of   You   insect
    8. of   yuck   A   eating   ideas   factor   to   insects   .
    9. said   get   to   He   used   will   it   .   people
    10. widely   convinced   accepted   .   I'm   soon   it   be   will

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    In the past decade, bugs have become a familiar site / sight on dinner tables. One / Once reason for this is they are a great sauce / source of protein. Another reason is that people are concerned about the environment. Traditional / Traditionally livestock farming is detrimental to the environment as it is general / generally unsustainable. Raising insects is much more environmentally friendly / friendliness. One kilogram of insect protein needs about 10 per cent of the / a feed, water and land used to produce the same amount of beef. Experts say farming insects is better for the environment than rising / raising livestock. A final reason we may have to eat insects is because of the rise / raise in the world's population. By 2050 this is expected to be 9.8 billion, up from the currant / current 7.7 billion.

    The insect farming industry is growth / growing quickly. There are hundreds of companies worldwide creating meals made for / from bugs. Many supermarkets around the world now stock / stick food made from insects. There are vendor / vending machines in Tokyo, Japan where you can purchase / preach a can of insect snacks. The menu includes dried tarantula and scorpions. However, not someone / everyone is excited by the idea of insects as food. An Israeli insect farmer, Dror Tamir, says there is a "duck factor" / "yuck factor" to the thought of eating insects. He said people will get used to the idea and will find insects tastiness / tasty. He said: "I am convinced it will soon be widely / shallowly accepted, just like eating raw fish in sushi was embraced / embarrassed."

    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  th_  p_st  d_c_d_,  b_gs  h_v_  b_c_m_  _  f_m_l__r  s_ght  _n  d_nn_r  t_bl_s.  _n_  r__s_n  f_r  th_s  _s  th_y  _r_  _  gr__t  s__rc_  _f  pr_t__n.  _n_th_r  r__s_n  _s  th_t  p__pl_  _r_  c_nc_rn_d  _b__t  th_  _nv_r_nm_nt.  Tr_d_t__n_l  l_v_st_ck  f_rm_ng  _s  d_tr_m_nt_l  t_  th_  _nv_r_nm_nt  _s  _t  _s  g_n_r_lly  _ns_st__n_bl_.  R__s_ng  _ns_cts  _s  m_ch  m_r_  _nv_r_nm_nt_lly  fr__ndly.  _n_  k_l_gr_m  _f  _ns_ct  pr_t__n  n__ds  _b__t  10  p_r  c_nt  _f  th_  f__d,  w_t_r  _nd  l_nd  _s_d  t_  pr_d_c_  th_  s_m_  _m__nt  _f  b__f.  _xp_rts  s_y  f_rm_ng  _ns_cts  _s  b_tt_r  f_r  th_  _nv_r_nm_nt  th_n  r__s_ng  l_v_st_ck.  _  f_n_l  r__s_n  w_  m_y  h_v_  t_  __t  _ns_cts  _s  b_c__s_  _f  th_  r_s_  _n  th_  w_rld's  p_p_l_t__n.  By  2050  th_s  _s  _xp_ct_d  t_  b_  9.8  b_ll__n,  _p  fr_m  th_  c_rr_nt  7.7  b_ll__n.

    Th_  _ns_ct  f_rm_ng  _nd_stry  _s  gr_w_ng  q__ckly.  Th_r_  _r_  h_ndr_ds  _f  c_mp_n__s  w_rldw_d_  cr__t_ng  m__ls  m_d_  fr_m  b_gs.  M_ny  s_p_rm_rk_ts  _r__nd  th_  w_rld  n_w  st_ck  f__d  m_d_  fr_m  _ns_cts.  Th_r_  _r_  v_nd_ng  m_ch_n_s  _n  T_ky_,  J_p_n  wh_r_  y__  c_n  p_rch_s_  _  c_n  _f  _ns_ct  sn_cks.  Th_  m_n_  _ncl_d_s  dr__d  t_r_nt_l_  _nd  sc_rp__ns.  H_w_v_r,  n_t  _v_ry_n_  _s  _xc_t_d  by  th_  _d__  _f  _ns_cts  _s  f__d.  _n  _sr__l_  _ns_ct  f_rm_r,  Dr_r  T_m_r,  s_ys  th_r_  _s  _  "y_ck  f_ct_r"  t_  th_  th__ght  _f  __t_ng  _ns_cts.  H_  s__d  p__pl_  w_ll  g_t  _s_d  t_  th_  _d__  _nd  w_ll  f_nd  _ns_cts  t_sty.  H_  s__d:  "_  _m  c_nv_nc_d  _t  w_ll  s__n  b_  w_d_ly  _cc_pt_d,  j_st  l_k_  __t_ng  r_w  f_sh  _n  s_sh_  w_s  _mbr_c_d."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    in the past decade bugs have become a familiar sight on dinner tables one reason for this is they are a great source of protein another reason is that people are concerned about the environment traditional livestock farming is detrimental to the environment as it is generally unsustainable raising insects is much more environmentally friendly one kilogram of insect protein needs about 10 per cent of the feed water and land used to produce the same amount of beef experts say farming insects is better for the environment than raising livestock a final reason we may have to eat insects is because of the rise in the worlds population by 2050 this is expected to be 98 billion up from the current 77 billion

    the insect farming industry is growing quickly there are hundreds of companies worldwide creating meals made from bugs many supermarkets around the world now stock food made from insects there are vending machines in tokyo japan where you can purchase a can of insect snacks the menu includes dried tarantula and scorpions however not everyone is excited by the idea of insects as food an israeli insect farmer dror tamir says there is a yuck factor to the thought of eating insects he said people will get used to the idea and will find insects tasty he said i am convinced it will soon be widely accepted just like eating raw fish in sushi was embraced

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Inthepastdecade,bugshavebecomeafamiliarsightondinnertables.O
    nereasonforthisistheyareagreatsourceofprotein.Anotherreasonisth
    atpeopleareconcernedabouttheenvironment.Traditionallivestockfar
    mingisdetrimentaltotheenvironmentasitisgenerallyunsustainable.R
    aisinginsectsismuchmoreenvironmentallyfriendly.Onekilogramofin
    sectproteinneedsabout10percentofthefeed,waterandlandusedtopr
    oducethesameamountofbeef.Expertssayfarminginsectsisbetterfort
    heenvironmentthanraisinglivestock.Afinalreasonwemayhavetoeati
    nsectsisbecauseoftheriseintheworld'spopulation.By2050thisisexpe
    ctedtobe9.8billion,upfromthecurrent7.7billion.Theinsectfarmingind
    ustryisgrowingquickly.Therearehundredsofcompaniesworldwidecre
    atingmealsmadefrombugs.Manysupermarketsaroundtheworldnow
    stockfoodmadefrominsects.TherearevendingmachinesinTokyo,Jap
    anwhereyoucanpurchaseacanofinsectsnacks.Themenuincludesdrie
    dtarantulaandscorpions.However,noteveryoneisexcitedbytheideao
    finsectsasfood.AnIsraeliinsectfarmer,DrorTamir,saysthereisa"yuck
    factor"tothethoughtofeatinginsects.Hesaidpeoplewillgetusedtothei
    deaandwillfindinsectstasty.Hesaid:"Iamconvinceditwillsoonbewidel
    yaccepted,justlikeeatingrawfishinsushiwasembraced."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Insects are the best solution to food shortages. 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. EATING BUGS: Make a poster about eating bugs. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. INSECT LIVESTOCK: Write a magazine article about getting farmers to focus on insect livestock rather than traditional livestock. 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 eating bugs. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on eating insects. 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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