The Reading / Listening - Cash Handouts - Level 6

Japanese children may soon have smiles on their faces and money in their pockets. As part of a covid-19-related stimulus package, Japan's government is planning to give ¥100,000 ($880) to all children under the age of 19. Around 20 million children, from newborns to 18-year-olds, will receive the one-time payment. The initiative is part of an election pledge from Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister. During campaigning, he vowed to help "people in need," such as part-time workers and families with small children. Officials say the money will be given regardless of the financial status of a child's family. All children in any one family will receive the cash. The plan is expected to cost around ¥2 trillion ($17.6 billion).

The stimulus package is not without its critics. Many people have reservations about splurging so much money when Japan is burdened with so much debt. The country's debt is currently more than twice the size of its economy. Government sources argue the cash is available for the pandemic stimulus because of a surplus of funds from fiscal 2020. Skeptics are questioning the plan's logic. They said most recipients would not be going out to purchase high-cost items, dine in upmarket restaurants or take domestic holidays. It is predicted that much of the money will end up in savings accounts. However, mother of three Yuki Ono welcomed the plan. She said her children would benefit because they will buy new computers.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Cash Handouts - Level 4  or  Cash Handouts - Level 5

Sources
  • https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0007957410
  • https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/11/06/national/japan-ldp-cash-handout/
  • https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/11/37472f159862-breaking-news-japan-mulls-100000-yen-cash-handout-for-all-aged-18-or-younger.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. CASH HANDOUTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about cash handouts. 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?
       children / smiles / pockets / stimulus / newborns / payment / vow / part time / plan /
       critics / reservations / splurging / debt / pandemic / fiscal / dine / upmarket / benefit
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CASH FOR KIDS: Students A strongly believe it's a great idea to give children cash to stimulate the economy; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. STIMULUS: How would these things work to stimulate an economy? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

A Good Idea?

Effects on the Economy

Giving cash to children

 

 

Giving cash to the poor

 

 

Tax cuts

 

 

Infrastructure spending

 

 

Restaurant vouchers

 

 

Investment in education

 

 
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. POCKET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "pocket". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SPENDING: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things for children to spend their money on at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Toys
  • Candy
  • Books
  • Music
  • Sports gear
  • A computer
  • A bicycle
  • Amusement parks

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. stimulus a. Despite the current situation or circumstances.
      2. package b. Of a child or animal recently or just born.
      3. newborn c. A promise.
      4. initiative d. A thing that starts activity or energy in someone or something.
      5. pledge e. Promised to do a specified thing.
      6. vowed f. A set of financial terms offered or agreed as a whole.
      7. regardless g. An act or strategy to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation.

    Paragraph 2

      8. reservation h. A sum of money that is owed or due.
      9. splurging i. An excess of income or assets, typically in a financial year.
      10. burdened j. A person or thing that receives or is awarded something.
      11. debt k. An act of spending money freely or extravagantly.
      12. surplus l. Reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of truth.
      13. logic m. Loaded heavily with something (negative or bad).
      14. recipient n. An expression of doubt qualifying overall approval of a plan or statement.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says Japanese children are always smiling.     T / F
  2. Newborn babies will not get the cash handout.     T / F
  3. The cash handouts are part of the Prime Minister's election promises.     T / F
  4. The handouts will cost ¥17.6 billion.     T / F
  5. Everyone in Japan thinks the handouts are a great idea.     T / F
  6. Japan's debt is twice the size of its economy.     T / F
  7. Japan had a surplus of funds in the last fiscal year.     T / F
  8. A mother said her children would buy new computers.     T / F

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

  1. soon
  2. give
  3. payment
  4. pledge
  5. regardless
  6. critics
  7. surplus
  8. dine
  9. predicted
  10. welcomed
  1. notwithstanding
  2. amount
  3. embraced
  4. detractors
  5. bestow
  6. eat
  7. promise
  8. speculated
  9. before long
  10. excess

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

  1. Japanese children may soon have
  2. As part of a covid-19-
  3. from newborns
  4. The initiative is part of an
  5. regardless
  6. The stimulus package is not
  7. Japan is burdened
  8. a surplus of funds from
  9. purchase
  10. end up in savings
  1. of the financial status
  2. with so much debt
  3. election pledge
  4. high-cost items
  5. smiles on their faces
  6. accounts
  7. without its critics
  8. related stimulus package
  9. fiscal 2020
  10. to 18-year-olds

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
initiative
expected
stimulus
vowed
status
newborns
pockets
regardless

Japanese children may soon have smiles on their faces and money in their (1) _____________________. As part of a covid-19-related (2) _____________________ package, Japan's government is planning to give ¥100,000 ($880) to all children under the age of 19. Around 20 million children, from (3) _____________________ to 18-year-olds, will receive the one-time payment. The (4) _____________________ is part of an election pledge from Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister. During campaigning, he (5) _____________________ to help "people in need," such as part-time workers and families with small children. Officials say the money will be given (6) _____________________ of the financial (7) _____________________ of a child's family. All children in any one family will receive the cash. The plan is (8) _____________________ to cost around ¥2 trillion ($17.6 billion).

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
recipients
splurging
savings
critics
benefit
funds
debt
domestic

The stimulus package is not without its (9) _____________________. Many people have reservations about (10) _____________________ so much money when Japan is burdened with so much debt. The country's (11) _____________________ is currently more than twice the size of its economy. Government sources argue the cash is available for the pandemic stimulus because of a surplus of (12) _____________________ from fiscal 2020. Skeptics are questioning the plan's logic. They said most (13) _____________________ would not be going out to purchase high-cost items, dine in upmarket restaurants or take (14) _____________________ holidays. It is predicted that much of the money will end up in (15) _____________________ accounts. However, mother of three Yuki Ono welcomed the plan. She said her children would (16) _____________________ because they will buy new computers.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Japanese children may soon have smiles on their faces and money ______
     a.  on there pockets
     b.  in their pockets
     c.  in there pocket
     d.  in their pocket
2)  As part of a covid-19-related ______
     a.  stimulate packs sage
     b.  stimulant pack age
     c.  stimulus package
     d.  stimulus packed age
3)  Around 20 million children, from ______-year-olds
     a.  newborn to 18
     b.  newborns two 80
     c.  newborns too 18
     d.  newborns to 18
4)  the one-time payment. The initiative is part of ______
     a.  an elect shun pledge
     b.  an election pledge
     c.  an elect shun badge
     d.  an election barge
5)  Officials say the money will be given regardless of ______
     a.  the financially state us
     b.  the financial stats
     c.  the financial stay task
     d.  the financial status

6)  without its critics. Many people have reservations about ______
     a.  sponging so much
     b.  splurging so much
     c.  expunging so much
     d.  surging so much
7)  the cash is available for the pandemic stimulus because of a ______
     a.  sir plus of funds
     b.  surplus of funds
     c.  sure plus off ends
     d.  surplus offends
8)  be going out to purchase high-cost items, ______ restaurants
     a.  dine in upmarket
     b.  dining upmarket
     c.  dye in an up market
     d.  dinning upmarket
9)  It is predicted that much of the money will end up ______
     a.  in saving accounts
     b.  in savings account
     c.  in savings accounts
     d.  in saving account
10)  However, mother of three Yuki Ono ______
     a.  welcome  the plan
     b.  welcomes the plan
     c.  welcoming the plan
     d.  welcomed the plan

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Japanese children may soon (1) ____________________ their faces and money (2) ____________________. As part of a covid-19-related stimulus package, Japan's government is planning to give ¥100,000 ($880) to all children under the age of 19. Around 20 million children, from newborns to 18-year-olds, will receive the (3) ____________________. The initiative is part of an election pledge from Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister. During campaigning, he (4) ____________________ "people in need," such as part-time workers and families with small children. Officials say the money will be given regardless of (5) ____________________ of a child's family. All children in any one family will receive the cash. The plan (6) ____________________ cost around ¥2 trillion ($17.6 billion).

The stimulus package is (7) ____________________ critics. Many people have reservations about splurging so much money when Japan is burdened with so much debt. The country's (8) ____________________ more than twice the size of its economy. Government sources argue the cash is available for the pandemic stimulus because of a (9) ____________________ from fiscal 2020. Skeptics are questioning the plan's logic. They said most recipients would not be going (10) ____________________ high-cost items, (11) ____________________ restaurants or take domestic holidays. It is predicted that much of the money will end up (12) ____________________. However, mother of three Yuki Ono welcomed the plan. She said her children would benefit because they will buy new computers.

Comprehension questions

  1. What will soon be on the faces of Japanese children?
  2. How many children will get the cash?
  3. Who promised that there would be a cash handout?
  4. Who will benefit besides children, people in need and part-time workers?
  5. How much will the plan cost in Japanese yen?
  6. What does the article say Japan is burdened with?
  7. When was the last time Japan had a surplus of funds?
  8. What kinds of restaurants will children not go to?
  9. Where did critics say the money would end up?
  10. What will the children of a mother of three buy?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What will soon be on the faces of Japanese children?
a) masks
b) sun screen
c) smiles
d) face visors
2) How many children will get the cash?
a) around 20 million
b) exactly 20 million
c) over 20 million
d) under 20 million
3) Who promised that there would be a cash handout?
a) Japan's children's minister
b) Japan's education minister
c) Japan's finance minister
d) Japan's prime minister
4) Who will benefit besides children, people in need and part-time workers?
a) shopkeepers
b) families with small children
c) amusement parks
d) grandparents
5) How much will the plan cost in Japanese yen?
a) around ¥17.6 billion
b) around $17.8 billion
c) around ¥2 trillion
d) around $2 trillion

6) What does the article say Japan is burdened with?
a) expectations
b) debt
c) cargo
d) guilt
7) When was the last time Japan had a surplus of funds?
a) 2008
b) 2010
c) 2019
d) fiscal 2020
8) What kinds of restaurants will children not go to?
a) fast food restaurants
b) upmarket restaurants
c) sushi restaurants
d) hotel restaurants
9) Where did critics say the money would end up?
a) in savings accounts
b) down the back of sofas
c) in candy stores
d) being wasted
10) What will the children of a mother of three buy?
a) cakes and candies
b) toys
c) books and music
d) new computers

Role play

Role  A – Toys
You think toys are the best thing for children to spend their money on. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): music, candy or amusement parks.

Role  B – Music
You think music is the best thing for children to spend their money on. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): toys, candy or amusement parks.

Role  C – Candy
You think candy is the best thing for children to spend their money on. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): music, toys or amusement parks.

Role  D – Amusement Parks
You think amusement parks are the best thing for children to spend their money on. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): music, candy or toys.

After reading / listening

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

'cash'

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

    • and 'handout'.

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

    • • 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:

    • smiles
    • under
    • part
    • vowed
    • status
    • any
    • critics
    • burdened
    • twice
    • fiscal
    • domestic
    • benefit

    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 - Cash Handouts

    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 'cash'?
    3. What puts a smile on your face?
    4. How often does money make you smile?
    5. Are you happy with the amount of money in your pocket?
    6. What do you think of having a covid stimulus package?
    7. How has your country's economy fared during covid-19?
    8. Do you think giving $880 to children is a good idea?
    9. What do you think children would do with $880?
    10. What do you think Japan's children will think of this plan?

    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 'handout'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why might critics dislike the stimulus package?
    5. When was the last time you splurged on something?
    6. What do you know about your country's debt?
    7. What would you do with $880?
    8. Do you purchase high-cost items and dine in expensive restaurants?
    9. What financial advice do you have for the children?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Japan's government?

    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)

    Japanese children may soon have smiles (1) ____ their faces and money in their pockets. As part of a covid-19-related stimulus (2) ____, Japan's government is planning to give ¥100,000 ($880) to all children under the age of 19. Around 20 million children, from newborns to 18-year-olds, will receive the (3) ____-time payment. The initiative is part of an election (4) ____ from Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister. During campaigning, he vowed to help "people in need," such as part-time workers and families with small children. Officials say the money will be given (5) ____ of the financial status of a child's family. All children in any one family will receive (6) ____ cash. The plan is expected to cost around ¥2 trillion ($17.6 billion).

    The stimulus package is not (7) ____ its critics. Many people have reservations about splurging so much money when Japan is burdened (8) ____ so much debt. The country's debt is currently more than twice the size of its economy. Government sources (9) ____ the cash is available for the pandemic stimulus because of a surplus of funds from fiscal 2020. Skeptics are questioning the plan's (10) ____. They said most recipients would not be going out to purchase high-cost items, (11) ____ in upmarket restaurants or take domestic holidays. It is predicted that much of the money will end up in savings accounts. However, mother of three Yuki Ono (12) ____ the plan. She said her children would benefit because they will buy new computers.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     at     (b)     on     (c)     as     (d)     to    
    (a)     parcel     (b)     package     (c)     container     (d)     carton    
    (a)     ones     (b)     only     (c)     once     (d)     one    
    (a)     edge     (b)     pledge     (c)     ledge     (d)     allege    
    (a)     regarded     (b)     regardless     (c)     regards     (d)     regarding    
    (a)     a     (b)     much     (c)     the     (d)     as    
    (a)     wither     (b)     within     (c)     without     (d)     wherewithal    
    (a)     up     (b)     at     (c)     with     (d)     on    
    (a)     vindicate     (b)     combat     (c)     clash     (d)     argue    
    (a)     logic     (b)     donation     (c)     campaign     (d)     justify    
    (a)     dine     (b)     dire     (c)     dive     (d)     dime    
    (a)     pleased     (b)     red carpet     (c)     welcomed     (d)     hospitable

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. a covid-19-related tluimssu package
    2. The niittveiia is part of an election pledge
    3. During ainpnimagcg
    4. he woevd to help people in need
    5. lrseaedrgs of the financial status
    6. The plan is txecdpee to cost around ¥2 trillion

    Paragraph 2

    1. people have satonieersrv
    2. ipsrlgugn so much money
    3. Japan is rdedeubn with so much debt
    4. because of a susrulp of funds
    5. most tecenrpisi would not be going out
    6. money will end up in savings otsnucca

    Put the text back together

    (...)  the age of 19. Around 20 million children, from newborns to 18-year-olds, will receive the one-
    (...)  so much money when Japan is burdened with so much debt. The country's debt is currently more than twice
    (...)  The stimulus package is not without its critics. Many people have reservations about splurging
    (...)  the size of its economy. Government sources argue the cash is available for the pandemic stimulus because of a surplus of
    (...)  funds from fiscal 2020. Skeptics are questioning the plan's logic. They said most recipients would not be going out to purchase high-
    (...)  time payment. The initiative is part of an election pledge from Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister. During campaigning, he vowed
    (  1  ) Japanese children may soon have smiles on their faces and money in their pockets. As part
    (...)  say the money will be given regardless of the financial status of a child's family. All children in any
    (...)  the plan. She said her children would benefit because they will buy new computers.
    (...)  one family will receive the cash. The plan is expected to cost around ¥2 trillion ($17.6 billion).
    (...)  to help "people in need," such as part-time workers and families with small children. Officials
    (...)  cost items, dine in upmarket restaurants or take domestic holidays. It is predicted that
    (...)  of a covid-19-related stimulus package, Japan's government is planning to give ¥100,000 ($880) to all children under
    (...)  much of the money will end up in savings accounts. However, mother of three Yuki Ono welcomed

    Put the words in the right order

    1. may   their   smiles   have   soon   on   faces   .   Children
    2. part   of   a   stimulus   As   covid-19-related   package   .
    3. pledge   .   election   initiative   is   of   part   an   The
    4. such   as   need   in   part-time   people   workers   .   Help
    5. The   to   is   around   ¥2 trillion   .   expected   plan   cost
    6. stimulus   is   without   not   package   its   The   critics   .
    7. splurging   money   .   so   have   much   People   about   reservations
    8. from   surplus   2020   .   A   funds   of   fiscal
    9. up   in   will   money   The   savings   end   accounts   .
    10. computers   .   they'll   because   Children   benefit   would   buy   new

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Japanese children may soon have smiling / smiles on their faces and money in their pockets. As part of a covid-19-related stimulate / stimulus package, Japan's government is planning to give ¥100,000 ($880) to all children under / before the age of 19. Around 20 million children, from newborns to 18-year-olds, will receipt / receive the one-time payment. The initiative / initiation is part of an election pledge / ledge from Japan's newly-elected Prime Minister. During campaigning, he vowed / wowed to help "people in need," such has / as part-time workers and families with small children. Officials say the money will be given regardless at / of the financial status of a child's family. All children in any one family will receive the / a cash. The plan is expected to cost around ¥2 trillion ($17.6 billion).

    The stimulus package is not within / without its critics. Many people have reservations about splurging / sponging so much money when Japan is burdened with / to so much debt. The country's debt is currently most / more than twice the size of / off its economy. Government sources argue the cash is available for the pandemic stimulus because of a surplus off / of funds from fiscal 2020. Skeptics are questioning the plan's logic / logical. They said most recipients would not be going out to purchase high-cost items, dire / dine in upmarket restaurants or take domestic holidays. It is predicted that much of the money will end up / down in savings accounts. However, mother of three Yuki Ono welcomed / pleased the plan. She said her children would benefit because they will buy new computers.

    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)

    J_p_n_s_  ch_ldr_n  m_y  s__n  h_v_  sm_l_s  _n  th__r  f_c_s  _nd  m_n_y  _n  th__r  p_ck_ts.  _s  p_rt  _f  _  c_v_d-19-r_l_t_d  st_m_l_s  p_ck_g_,  J_p_n's  g_v_rnm_nt  _s  pl_nn_ng  t_  g_v_  ¥100,000  ($880)  t_  _ll  ch_ldr_n  _nd_r  th_  _g_  _f  19.  _r__nd  20  m_ll__n  ch_ldr_n,  fr_m  n_wb_rns  t_  18-y__r-_lds,  w_ll  r_c__v_  th_  _n_-t_m_  p_ym_nt.  Th_  _n_t__t_v_  _s  p_rt  _f  _n  _l_ct__n  pl_dg_  fr_m  J_p_n's  n_wly-_l_ct_d  Pr_m_  M_n_st_r.  D_r_ng  c_mp__gn_ng,  h_  v_w_d  t_  h_lp  "p__pl_  _n  n__d,"  s_ch  _s  p_rt-t_m_  w_rk_rs  _nd  f_m_l__s  w_th  sm_ll  ch_ldr_n.  _ff_c__ls  s_y  th_  m_n_y  w_ll  b_  g_v_n  r_g_rdl_ss  _f  th_  f_n_nc__l  st_t_s  _f  _  ch_ld's  f_m_ly.  _ll  ch_ldr_n  _n  _ny  _n_  f_m_ly  w_ll  r_c__v_  th_  c_sh.  Th_  pl_n  _s  _xp_ct_d  t_  c_st  _r__nd  ¥2  tr_ll__n  ($17.6  b_ll__n).

    Th_  st_m_l_s  p_ck_g_  _s  n_t  w_th__t  _ts  cr_t_cs.  M_ny  p__pl_  h_v_  r_s_rv_t__ns  _b__t  spl_rg_ng  s_  m_ch  m_n_y  wh_n  J_p_n  _s  b_rd_n_d  w_th  s_  m_ch  d_bt.  Th_  c__ntry's  d_bt  _s  c_rr_ntly  m_r_  th_n  tw_c_  th_  s_z_  _f  _ts  _c_n_my.  G_v_rnm_nt  s__rc_s  _rg__  th_  c_sh  _s  _v__l_bl_  f_r  th_  p_nd_m_c  st_m_l_s  b_c__s_  _f  _  s_rpl_s  _f  f_nds  fr_m  f_sc_l  2020.  Sk_pt_cs  _r_  q__st__n_ng  th_  pl_n's  l_g_c.  Th_y  s__d  m_st  r_c_p__nts  w__ld  n_t  b_  g__ng  __t  t_  p_rch_s_  h_gh-c_st  _t_ms,  d_n_  _n  _pm_rk_t  r_st__r_nts  _r  t_k_  d_m_st_c  h_l_d_ys.  _t  _s  pr_d_ct_d  th_t  m_ch  _f  th_  m_n_y  w_ll  _nd  _p  _n  s_v_ngs  _cc__nts.  H_w_v_r,  m_th_r  _f  thr__  Y_k_  _n_  w_lc_m_d  th_  pl_n.  Sh_  s__d  h_r  ch_ldr_n  w__ld  b_n_f_t  b_c__s_  th_y  w_ll  b_y  n_w  c_mp_t_rs.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    japanese children may soon have smiles on their faces and money in their pockets as part of a covid19related stimulus package japans government is planning to give 100000 880 to all children under the age of 19 around 20 million children from newborns to 18yearolds will receive the onetime payment the initiative is part of an election pledge from japans newlyelected prime minister during campaigning he vowed to help people in need such as parttime workers and families with small children officials say the money will be given regardless of the financial status of a childs family all children in any one family will receive the cash the plan is expected to cost around 2 trillion 176 billion

    the stimulus package is not without its critics many people have reservations about splurging so much money when japan is burdened with so much debt the countrys debt is currently more than twice the size of its economy government sources argue the cash is available for the pandemic stimulus because of a surplus of funds from fiscal 2020 skeptics are questioning the plans logic they said most recipients would not be going out to purchase highcost items dine in upmarket restaurants or take domestic holidays it is predicted that much of the money will end up in savings accounts however mother of three yuki ono welcomed the plan she said her children would benefit because they will buy new computers

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Japanesechildrenmaysoonhavesmilesontheirfacesandmoneyintheir
    pockets.Aspartofacovid-19-relatedstimuluspackage,Japan'sgovern
    mentisplanningtogive¥100,000($880)toallchildrenundertheageof1
    9.Around20millionchildren,fromnewbornsto18-year-olds,willreceiv
    etheone-timepayment.TheinitiativeispartofanelectionpledgefromJ
    apan'snewly-electedPrimeMinister.Duringcampaigning,hevowedt
    ohelp"peopleinneed,"suchaspart-timeworkersandfamilieswithsm
    allchildren.Officialssaythemoneywillbegivenregardlessofthefinanci
    alstatusofachild'sfamily.Allchildreninanyonefamilywillreceivethecas
    h.Theplanisexpectedtocostaround¥2trillion($17.6billion).Thestimul
    uspackageisnotwithoutitscritics.Manypeoplehavereservationsabou
    tsplurgingsomuchmoneywhenJapanisburdenedwithsomuchdebt.Th
    ecountry'sdebtiscurrentlymorethantwicethesizeofitseconomy.Gove
    rnmentsourcesarguethecashisavailableforthepandemicstimulusbec
    auseofasurplusoffundsfromfiscal2020.Skepticsarequestioningthepl
    an'slogic.Theysaidmostrecipientswouldnotbegoingouttopurchasehi
    gh-costitems,dineinupmarketrestaurantsortakedomesticholidays.I
    tispredictedthatmuchofthemoneywillendupinsavingsaccounts.How
    ever,motherofthreeYukiOnowelcomedtheplan.Shesaidherchildren
    wouldbenefitbecausetheywillbuynewcomputers.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    All children need a sizeable cash handout. 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. COVID STIMULUS PACKAGES: Make a poster about COVID stimulus packages. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. CASH HANDOUTS: Write a magazine article about giving sizeable cash handouts to children. 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 stimulus packages. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to stimulate economies after COVID. 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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