Breaking News English Lesson: Methane Emissions

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Bill Gates wants to reduce methane from cow burps (26th January 2023)

The Reading / Listening - Methane Emissions - Level 3

We all know that cars and factories produce a lot of greenhouse gas. Not many of us know that livestock such as cows, deer and goats also create emissions. These farm animals are responsible for a lot of the world's methane. This is the most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2). Billionaire Bill Gates decided to do something about the methane these animals belch out. He invested in a technology start-up that aims to reduce the amount of methane coming from animal burps. The tech company is called Rumin8. It is located in Australia. It has now created a synthetic, seaweed-based dietary supplement for animals. The company says its supplement stops the creation of methane in animals' stomachs.

Bill Gates is the co-founder of the tech giant Microsoft. He spends a lot of his money on projects that help the environment. He believes the farming of animals for meat should be reduced because of the impact it has on climate change. He says one third of all greenhouse gas emissions comes from livestock production. A spokesperson for Mr Gates' energy investment company spoke about the benefits of the new synthetic dietary supplement. He said: "Rumin8 offers a low-cost toolbox that has already proven to be effective in reducing emissions." He added: "Our team will support Rumin8 in working closely with farmers to expand the reach of this solution globally."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Methane Emissions - Level 0, Methane Emissions - Level 1 or Methane Emissions - Level 2

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64382400
https://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/bill-gates-stop-cows-burping-latest-investment
https://nypost.com/2023/01/23/bill-gates-aims-to-fight-climate-change-by-stopping-cows-from-burping/

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. METHANE EMISSIONS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about methane emissions. 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?
cars / factories / greenhouse gas / cows / deer / goats / CO2 / methane / seaweed /
Microsoft / money / environment / meat / emissions / livestock / supplement / team
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. VEGETARIAN: Students A strongly believe we should all become vegetarians; Students B strongly believe we shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. FOOD: How good are these foods for us? How good or bad are they for the environment? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How Good for Us?	For the Environment?	Why?
Beef
Chicken
Tuna
Rice
Corn
Locusts

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. GAS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "gas". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CLIMATE CHANGE: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst industries for the climate at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Livestock farming
Steel production
Aviation
Fashion
Mining
Sport
Tourism
Shipping

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	factory	a.	Happening, found, or done often.
2.	livestock	b.	A building or group of buildings where people or robots make things by machine.
3.	emission	c.	The production and release of something, especially gas or radiation.
4.	common	d.	Made by chemicals to copy a natural product.
5.	belch	e.	Something extra people eat to make the quality of their diet better.
6.	synthetic	f.	Farm animals that are sold as meat or used to make more animals.
7.	supplement	g.	Pass wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth.

Paragraph 2

8.	founder	h.	The action of putting money into a company, project or thing to make more money later.
9.	giant	i.	Become or make larger.
10.	impact	j.	Successful in producing the result you wanted.
11.	investment	k.	The action of one thing making contact with or affecting another thing.
12.	benefit	l.	A good thing we get from something.
13.	effective	m.	A person who starts a company or organization.
14.	expand	n.	A really, really big company.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says factories produce the most greenhouse gases. T / F
The article says cows, goats and deer are livestock. T / F
Bill Gates started a new company called Rumin8. T / F
A possible solution to cows producing methane is based on seaweed. T / F
Bill Gates believes there should be more cows on farms. T / F
The article says a third of greenhouse gas emissions are from livestock. T / F
A spokesperson said the Rumin8 solution doesn't cost a lot. T / F
Bill Gates' team will work with Rumin8 to help farmers worldwide. T / F

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

produce
responsible
belch
located
stops
help
reduced
spokesperson
effective
expand

situated
representative
successful
to blame
cut
increase
create
prevents
aid
burp

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

cars and factories produce
livestock such as
farm animals are responsible
reduce the amount of methane coming
a synthetic, seaweed-based dietary
Bill Gates is the co-founder
the impact it has
one third of all greenhouse gas
already proven to
working closely with

of the tech giant
from animal burps
be effective
for a lot
emissions
a lot of greenhouse gas
farmers
supplement
cows, deer and goats
on climate change

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

amount
livestock
common
stomachs
factories
synthetic
responsible
belch

We all know that cars and (1) _____________________ produce a lot of greenhouse gas. Not many of us know that (2) _____________________ such as cows, deer and goats also create emissions. These farm animals are (3) _____________________ for a lot of the world's methane. This is the most (4) _____________________ greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2). Billionaire Bill Gates decided to do something about the methane these animals (5) _____________________ out. He invested in a technology start-up that aims to reduce the (6) _____________________ of methane coming from animal burps. The tech company is called Rumin8. It is located in Australia. It has now created a (7) _____________________, seaweed-based dietary supplement for animals. The company says its supplement stops the creation of methane in animals' (8) _____________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

closely
farming
globally
giant
proven
production
impact
benefits

Bill Gates is the co-founder of the tech (9) _____________________ Microsoft. He spends a lot of his money on projects that help the environment. He believes the (10) _____________________ of animals for meat should be reduced because of the (11) _____________________ it has on climate change. He says one third of all greenhouse gas emissions comes from livestock (12) _____________________. A spokesperson for Mr Gates' energy investment company spoke about the (13) _____________________ of the new synthetic dietary supplement. He said: "Rumin8 offers a low-cost toolbox that has already (14) _____________________ to be effective in reducing emissions." He added: "Our team will support Rumin8 in working (15) _____________________ with farmers to expand the reach of this solution (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) We all know that cars and factories produce a lot ______
     a. of green home gas
     b. of greens house gas
     c. of greenhouse gas
     d. of grin house gas
2) Not many of us know that livestock such as cows, deer and goats ______
     a. also created emissions
     b. also create emissions
     c. also creates emissions
     d. also recreate emissions
3) This is the most common greenhouse gas ______
     a. alter carbon dioxide
     b. offer carbon dioxide
     c. often carbon dioxide
     d. after carbon dioxide
4) a technology start-up that aims to reduce the amount of methane coming ______
     a. form animal burps
     b. from animal burps
     c. from animal burbs
     d. from animal baps
5) It has now created a synthetic, seaweed-based dietary ______
     a. supplement four animals
     b. supplement for animal
     c. supplement fore animal
     d. supplement for animals

6) Bill Gates is the co-founder of the ______
     a. teach giant Microsoft
     b. tech giant Microsoft
     c. trek giant Microsoft
     d. teak giant Microsoft
7) He believes the farming of animals for meat ______
     a. should be reduced
     b. should be induced
     c. should be reed deuce
     d. should be rid deuce
8) A spokesperson for Mr Gates' energy investment company spoke ______
     a. abut the benefits
     b. abet the benefits
     c. about the benefits
     d. abound the benefits
9) a low-cost toolbox that has already proven to be effective ______
     a. in reducing emission
     b. in reducing emissions
     c. in reducing remissions
     d. in reduce sin emissions
10) Our team will support Rumin8 in working ______
     a. closely within farmers
     b. closely with farmers
     c. closely wither farmers
     d. closely weave farmers

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

We all know that cars and factories (1) ____________________ of greenhouse gas. Not many of us know that livestock such as cows, deer and goats also create emissions. These farm animals are (2) ____________________ lot of the world's methane. This is the most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2). Billionaire Bill Gates decided to do something about the methane these (3) ____________________. He invested in a technology start-up that aims to reduce (4) ____________________ methane coming from animal burps. The tech company is called Rumin8. It is located in Australia. It has now (5) ____________________, seaweed-based dietary supplement for animals. The company says its supplement stops the creation of methane (6) ____________________.

Bill Gates is the co-founder of the tech giant Microsoft. He (7) ____________________ of his money on projects that help the environment. He believes the farming of animals for meat should be (8) ____________________ the impact it has on climate change. He says one (9) ____________________ greenhouse gas emissions comes from livestock production. A spokesperson for Mr Gates' energy investment company spoke about (10) ____________________ the new synthetic dietary supplement. He said: "Rumin8 offers a low-cost toolbox that has already (11) ____________________ effective in reducing emissions." He added: "Our team will support Rumin8 in working closely with farmers to expand the reach of (12) ____________________."

Comprehension questions

What does the article say factories and cars create a lot of?
What is the most common greenhouse gas?
What does Bill Gates want to reduce levels of in animal burps?
Where is the company Rumin8 located?
What is the dietary supplement that Rumin8 created based on?
What did Bill Gates co-found?
What do the projects Bill Gates spends money on help?
How much of the world's greenhouse gasses are from livestock?
What kind of toolbox did a spokesperson say Rumin8 has?
Who will Rumin8 work closely with?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say factories and cars create a lot of?
a) mess
b) greenhouse gas
c) problems
d) fumes
2) What is the most common greenhouse gas?
a) nitrous oxide
b) methane
c) ozone
d) carbon dioxide
3) What does Bill Gates want to reduce levels of in animal burps?
a) methane
b) smell
c) noise
d) particles
4) Where is the company Rumin8 located?
a) the USA
b) Brazil
c) Australia
d) China
5) What is the dietary supplement that Rumin8 created based on?
a) corn
b) seaweed
c) plankton
d) grass

6) What did Bill Gates co-found?
a) Microsoft
b) climate change
c) investments
d) technology
7) What do the projects Bill Gates spends money on help?
a) cows
b) livestock
c) the environment
d) computers
8) How much of the world's greenhouse gasses are from livestock?
a) a third
b) two thirds
c) half
d) a quarter
9) What kind of toolbox did a spokesperson say Rumin8 has?
a) a low-cost toolbox
b) a greasy toolbox
c) a full toolbox
d) an expensive toolbox

10) Who will Rumin8 work closely with?
a) scientists
b) investors
c) cows
d) farmers

Role play

Role A – Livestock Farming
You think livestock farming is the worst industry for the climate. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their industries aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): aviation, fashion or tourism.

Role B – Aviation
You think aviation is the worst industry for the climate. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their industries aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): livestock farming, fashion or tourism.

Role C – Fashion
You think fashion is the worst industry for the climate. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their industries aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): aviation, livestock farming or tourism.

Role D – Tourism
You think tourism is the worst industry for the climate. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their industries aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): aviation, fashion or livestock farming.

After reading / listening

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

'cow'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'burp'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

cars

such

most

aims

located

stops

giant

meat

third

energy

low

reach

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 - Methane Emissions

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'cows'?
What do you know about methane?
How worried are you about greenhouse gases?
Should we eat less meat to reduce the need for livestock?
What do you do to help the environment?
What do you think of the dietary supplement?
Do you think human burps add to climate change?
What might animals think of the seaweed-based supplement?
Do you take dietary supplements?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'burps'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of Microsoft?
What do you know about Bill Gates?
What could Microsoft do to reduce emissions?
What do you think the environment will be like in 50 years?
What do you think of eating seaweed?
What three adjectives best describe this article?
What questions would you like to ask Bill Gates?

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)

We all know that cars and factories produce a (1) ____ of greenhouse gas. Not many of us know that livestock such as cows, deer and goats also create emissions. These farm animals are responsible (2) ____ a lot of the world's methane. This is the most common greenhouse gas (3) ____ carbon dioxide (CO2). Billionaire Bill Gates decided to do something about the methane these animals belch out. He invested (4) ____ a technology start-up that aims to reduce the amount of methane coming from animal burps. The tech company is called Rumin8. It is located in Australia. It has now created a synthetic, seaweed-(5) ____ dietary supplement for animals. The company says its supplement (6) ____ the creation of methane in animals' stomachs.

Bill Gates is the co-founder of the tech (7) ____ Microsoft. He spends a lot of his money on projects that help the environment. He believes the farming of animals for meat should (8) ____ reduced because of the impact it has on climate change. He says one third of (9) ____ greenhouse gas emissions comes from livestock production. A spokesperson for Mr Gates' energy investment company spoke about the (10) ____ of the new synthetic dietary supplement. He said: "Rumin8 offers a low-cost toolbox that has already proven to be effective (11) ____ reducing emissions." He added: "Our team will support Rumin8 in working closely with farmers to expand the reach of this (12) ____ globally."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) loaded (b) loads (c) allot (d) lot
(a) at (b) as (c) by (d) for
(a) ahead (b) after (c) past (d) post
(a) of (b) as (c) in (d) to
(a) basted (b) biased (c) based (d) bass
(a) stops (b) helps (c) increases (d) ups
(a) ogre (b) giant (c) mammoth (d) dwarf
(a) be (b) do (c) eat (d) taste
(a) whole (b) all (c) every (d) entire
(a) bento (b) bends (c) benefits (d) benches
(a) on (b) at (c) in (d) of
(a) recipe (b) ingredients (c) sauce (d) solution

Spelling

Paragraph 1

cars and cotarfeis
sveltoick such as cows, deer and goats
These farm animals are snposrbiele for a lot
carbon ioxidde (CO2)
He invested in a ehtlonocgy start-up
a nsehttyic, seaweed-based dietary supplement

Paragraph 2

the tech ignat Microsoft
help the nirnoemvnet
greenhouse gas ieissomns
spoke about the enbfetis
proven to be ffceiteve
expand the reach of this lstuoion

Put the text back together

(...) to do something about the methane these animals belch out. He invested in a technology start-up that aims to
(...) called Rumin8. It is located in Australia. It has now created a synthetic, seaweed-based dietary
( 1 ) We all know that cars and factories produce a lot of greenhouse gas. Not many of us know that livestock such
(...) on climate change. He says one third of all greenhouse gas emissions comes from livestock
(...) methane. This is the most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2). Billionaire Bill Gates decided
(...) closely with farmers to expand the reach of this solution globally."
(...) Bill Gates is the co-founder of the tech giant Microsoft. He spends a lot of his money on projects that help the
(...) production. A spokesperson for Mr Gates' energy investment company spoke about the benefits
(...) of the new synthetic dietary supplement. He said: "Rumin8 offers a low-cost toolbox that has already
(...) as cows, deer and goats also create emissions. These farm animals are responsible for a lot of the world's
(...) proven to be effective in reducing emissions." He added: "Our team will support Rumin8 in working
(...) reduce the amount of methane coming from animal burps. The tech company is
(...) supplement for animals. The company says its supplement stops the creation of methane in animals' stomachs.
(...) environment. He believes the farming of animals for meat should be reduced because of the impact it has

Put the words in the right order

and Cars greenhouse factories produce gas . lots of
lots responsible animals for of methane . Farm are
after carbon The gas greenhouse most common dioxide .
technology start-up that A to aims reduce methane .
supplement stops the creation Its of methane .
spends his of lots money He on projects .
of for Farming should meat animals be reduced .
come emissions gas from Greenhouse livestock production .
benefits the The synthetic new of dietary supplement .
closely working Rumin8 with is to farmers expand .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

We all know that cars and factories produce a lots / lot of greenhouse gas. Not many of us know that livestock such as / was cows, deer and goats also create emissions. These / Them farm animals are responsible for a lot of the world's methane. This is the most common / commonly greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2). Billionaire Bill Gates decided to do something about / around the methane these animals belch out. He ingested / invested in a technology start-up that aims to increase / reduce the amount of methane coming from animal burps / burbs. The tech company is called Rumin8. It is located on / in Australia. It has now created a synthetic, seaweed-based dietary supplement for animals. The company says its supplement slops / stops the creation of methane in animals' stomachs.

Bill Gates is the co-founder of the tech ogre / giant Microsoft. He spends a lot of his money on projects that helpful / help the environment. He believes the farming of animals for meat / meaty should be reduced because of the impact it has in / on climate change. He says one third / thirdly of all greenhouse gas emissions comes from livestock production. A spokesperson for Mr Gates' energy / energetic investment company spoke about the beneficial / benefits of the new synthetic dietary supplement. He said: "Rumin8 offers a low-cost toolbox that has already eaten / proven to be effective in reducing emissions." He added: "Our team will support Rumin8 in working far / closely with farmers to expand the reach / beach of this solution globally."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

W_ _ll kn_w th_t c_rs _nd f_ct_r__s pr_d_c_ _ l_t _f gr__nh__s_ g_s. N_t m_ny _f _s kn_w th_t l_v_st_ck s_ch _s c_ws, d__r _nd g__ts _ls_ cr__t_ _m_ss__ns. Th_s_ f_rm _n_m_ls _r_ r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r _ l_t _f th_ w_rld's m_th_n_. Th_s _s th_ m_st c_mm_n gr__nh__s_ g_s _ft_r c_rb_n d__x_d_ (C_2). B_ll__n__r_ B_ll G_t_s d_c_d_d t_ d_ s_m_th_ng _b__t th_ m_th_n_ th_s_ _n_m_ls b_lch __t. H_ _nv_st_d _n _ t_chn_l_gy st_rt-_p th_t __ms t_ r_d_c_ th_ _m__nt _f m_th_n_ c_m_ng fr_m _n_m_l b_rps. Th_ t_ch c_mp_ny _s c_ll_d R_m_n8. _t _s l_c_t_d _n __str_l__. _t h_s n_w cr__t_d _ synth_t_c, s__w__d-b_s_d d__t_ry s_ppl_m_nt f_r _n_m_ls. Th_ c_mp_ny s_ys _ts s_ppl_m_nt st_ps th_ cr__t__n _f m_th_n_ _n _n_m_ls' st_m_chs.

B_ll G_t_s _s th_ c_-f__nd_r _f th_ t_ch g__nt M_cr_s_ft. H_ sp_nds _ l_t _f h_s m_n_y _n pr_j_cts th_t h_lp th_ _nv_r_nm_nt. H_ b_l__v_s th_ f_rm_ng _f _n_m_ls f_r m__t sh__ld b_ r_d_c_d b_c__s_ _f th_ _mp_ct _t h_s _n cl_m_t_ ch_ng_. H_ s_ys _n_ th_rd _f _ll gr__nh__s_ g_s _m_ss__ns c_m_s fr_m l_v_st_ck pr_d_ct__n. _ sp_k_sp_rs_n f_r Mr G_t_s' _n_rgy _nv_stm_nt c_mp_ny sp_k_ _b__t th_ b_n_f_ts _f th_ n_w synth_t_c d__t_ry s_ppl_m_nt. H_ s__d: "R_m_n8 _ff_rs _ l_w-c_st t__lb_x th_t h_s _lr__dy pr_v_n t_ b_ _ff_ct_v_ _n r_d_c_ng _m_ss__ns." H_ _dd_d: "__r t__m w_ll s_pp_rt R_m_n8 _n w_rk_ng cl_s_ly w_th f_rm_rs t_ _xp_nd th_ r__ch _f th_s s_l_t__n gl_b_lly."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

we all know that cars and factories produce a lot of greenhouse gas not many of us know that livestock such as cows deer and goats also create emissions these farm animals are responsible for a lot of the worlds methane this is the most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide co2 billionaire bill gates decided to do something about the methane these animals belch out he invested in a technology startup that aims to reduce the amount of methane coming from animal burps the tech company is called rumin8 it is located in australia it has now created a synthetic seaweedbased dietary supplement for animals the company says its supplement stops the creation of methane in animals stomachs

bill gates is the cofounder of the tech giant microsoft he spends a lot of his money on projects that help the environment he believes the farming of animals for meat should be reduced because of the impact it has on climate change he says one third of all greenhouse gas emissions comes from livestock production a spokesperson for mr gates energy investment company spoke about the benefits of the new synthetic dietary supplement he said rumin8 offers a lowcost toolbox that has already proven to be effective in reducing emissions he added our team will support rumin8 in working closely with farmers to expand the reach of this solution globally

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Weallknowthatcarsandfactoriesproducealotofgreenhousegas.Notm
anyofusknowthatlivestocksuchascows,deerandgoatsalsocreateemi
ssions.Thesefarmanimalsareresponsibleforalotoftheworld'smethan
e.Thisisthemostcommongreenhousegasaftercarbondioxide(CO2).B
illionaireBillGatesdecidedtodosomethingaboutthemethanetheseani
malsbelchout.Heinvestedinatechnologystart-upthataimstoreduc
etheamountofmethanecomingfromanimalburps.Thetechcompanyis
calledRumin8.ItislocatedinAustralia.Ithasnowcreatedasynthetic,se
aweed-baseddietarysupplementforanimals.Thecompanysaysitssu
pplementstopsthecreationofmethaneinanimals'stomachs.BillGatesi
stheco-founderofthetechgiantMicrosoft.Hespendsalotofhismoneyo
nprojectsthathelptheenvironment.Hebelievesthefarmingofanimalsf
ormeatshouldbereducedbecauseoftheimpactithasonclimatechange
.Hesaysonethirdofallgreenhousegasemissionscomesfromlivestockp
roduction.AspokespersonforMrGates'energyinvestmentcompanysp
okeaboutthebenefitsofthenewsyntheticdietarysupplement.Hesaid:
"Rumin8offersalow-costtoolboxthathasalreadyproventobeeffective
inreducingemissions."Headded:"OurteamwillsupportRumin8inwork
ingcloselywithfarmerstoexpandthereachofthissolutionglobally."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We should all eat less meat (or no meat). Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. METHANE EMISSIONS: Make a poster about methane emissions. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. NO MEAT: Write a magazine article about all of us reducing the amount of meat we eat (or cutting it out completely). 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 methane emissions. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to cut greenhouse gasses. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

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Answers

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

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