A changing society — ready-made English lesson, C1

Lesson goal: Students can discuss social and political issues, express nuanced opinions and support them with arguments.

Add the lesson to get your own copies of the word set and exercises; the lesson opens in the builder, where you can adjust the steps and teach it.

Lesson plan

1
Warm-up
Questions to get the student talking and lead into the topic.
- What do you think is the biggest problem facing your country today?
- Have you ever signed a petition or taken part in a campaign? What was it for?
- At what age should people be allowed to vote?
- How does your generation's view of society differ from your parents'?
2
New words
Meet the words and practise them in games.
FlashcardsUnjumble
inequality · welfare · policy · legislation · election · campaign · citizen · poverty · unemployment · human rights · controversial · public opinion
All words in the set
3
Exercises
The lesson's words in context. Only you see the answers.
1. Fill the gap
  The government has promised to reduce ___ by creating 50,000 new jobs next year.
  Answer: unemployment
2. Fill the gap
  Millions of people around the world still live in ___. (POOR)
  Answer: poverty
3. Fill the gap
  Not only ___ the new law protect workers, but it also reduces costs for employers.
  Answer: does
4. Multiple choice
  Which word means a law or group of laws passed by parliament?
  legislationpolicycampaignwelfare
5. Multiple choice
  'Public opinion is divided on the issue.' This means ...
  people hold different views on itthe public doesn't care about itthe government has already decidedalmost everyone agrees
6. Multiple choice
  Which verb collocates naturally with 'a campaign'?
  launchcommitreachperform
7. Multiple choice
  In the phrase 'the welfare of children', what does 'welfare' mean?
  health and happinessmoney from the stateeducationlegal rights
8. True / false
  Read: 'A recent survey found that inequality between the richest and poorest regions has widened over the past decade. Unemployment has fallen overall, but most new jobs are low-paid and temporary. Critics argue that current welfare policy does little to lift people out of poverty.' According to the text, unemployment has risen.
  Answer: False
9. True / false
  Read: 'A recent survey found that inequality between the richest and poorest regions has widened over the past decade. Unemployment has fallen overall, but most new jobs are low-paid and temporary. Critics argue that current welfare policy does little to lift people out of poverty.' The text suggests that falling unemployment has not solved the problem of poverty.
  Answer: True
10. Discussion question
  Some people say voting should be compulsory for every citizen. Do you agree? Give arguments for both sides and then your own view.
  Sample answer: On the one hand, compulsory voting would mean election results reflect the views of the whole population, not just the most motivated groups. On the other hand, forcing people to vote could lead to random choices from those who don't follow politics. On balance, I'd rather make voting easier than make it compulsory.
4
Speaking
The student answers using the new words.
- Is it the government's job to reduce inequality, or should that be left to the market?
- Can social media campaigns really change legislation, or are they just 'clicktivism'?
- Should politicians follow public opinion even when experts disagree with it?
- Which human right do you think is most under threat in the world today?
- Would a universal basic income end poverty or create new problems?
5
Review
A quiz on the lesson's words. With a student, it's homework on their link.
Quiz

Lesson plan

Warm-up

Questions to get the student talking and lead into the topic.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing your country today?
Have you ever signed a petition or taken part in a campaign? What was it for?
At what age should people be allowed to vote?
How does your generation's view of society differ from your parents'?

New words

Meet the words and practise them in games.

FlashcardsUnjumble

inequality · welfare · policy · legislation · election · campaign · citizen · poverty · unemployment · human rights · controversial · public opinion

All words in the set

Exercises

The lesson's words in context. Only you see the answers.

Fill the gap
The government has promised to reduce ___ by creating 50,000 new jobs next year.
Answer: unemployment
Fill the gap
Millions of people around the world still live in ___. (POOR)
Answer: poverty
Fill the gap
Not only ___ the new law protect workers, but it also reduces costs for employers.
Answer: does
Multiple choice
Which word means a law or group of laws passed by parliament?
legislationpolicycampaignwelfare
Multiple choice
'Public opinion is divided on the issue.' This means ...
people hold different views on itthe public doesn't care about itthe government has already decidedalmost everyone agrees
Multiple choice
Which verb collocates naturally with 'a campaign'?
launchcommitreachperform
Multiple choice
In the phrase 'the welfare of children', what does 'welfare' mean?
health and happinessmoney from the stateeducationlegal rights
True / false
Read: 'A recent survey found that inequality between the richest and poorest regions has widened over the past decade. Unemployment has fallen overall, but most new jobs are low-paid and temporary. Critics argue that current welfare policy does little to lift people out of poverty.' According to the text, unemployment has risen.
Answer: False
True / false
Read: 'A recent survey found that inequality between the richest and poorest regions has widened over the past decade. Unemployment has fallen overall, but most new jobs are low-paid and temporary. Critics argue that current welfare policy does little to lift people out of poverty.' The text suggests that falling unemployment has not solved the problem of poverty.
Answer: True
Discussion question
Some people say voting should be compulsory for every citizen. Do you agree? Give arguments for both sides and then your own view.
Sample answer: On the one hand, compulsory voting would mean election results reflect the views of the whole population, not just the most motivated groups. On the other hand, forcing people to vote could lead to random choices from those who don't follow politics. On balance, I'd rather make voting easier than make it compulsory.

Speaking

The student answers using the new words.

Is it the government's job to reduce inequality, or should that be left to the market?
Can social media campaigns really change legislation, or are they just 'clicktivism'?
Should politicians follow public opinion even when experts disagree with it?
Which human right do you think is most under threat in the world today?
Would a universal basic income end poverty or create new problems?

Review

A quiz on the lesson's words. With a student, it's homework on their link.

Quiz