Over 100 tractors gathered at the Houses of Parliament in London as farmers protested against the lack of help for UK food production. The farmers are worried about cheap food imports and policies that they think are putting UK food security at risk. They had signs that said things like ‘Save British farming’ and ‘No farming, no food, no future’. Farmers from different parts of the UK, like Kent and Cornwall, took part in the protest.

This protest is happening while farmers in Europe are also protesting against European Union rules and cheap imports. In Wales, thousands of farmers are fighting against new plans for government support. Farmers in England are also unhappy with government agricultural policy, the Environmental Land Management farm payments scheme, weak trade deals, no import controls, and misleading labels. They think all of these things are hurting their businesses and making it hard for the UK to produce enough food.

One farmer at the protest, Colin Rayner, talked about how bad things are for his business and the future of farming. He said the government is focusing too much on the environment and not enough on making food. He also talked about how the cheap imports have lower standards. Rayner thinks it’s really important to have enough food and that it should be good quality and come from the UK.

The founder of Save British Farming, Liz Webster, wants the government to make big changes and stop making “terrible trade deals” that will hurt UK food production. The government says it will help farmers and make sure the UK has enough food. They have plans to limit how much land can be used for other things instead of growing food. They also said that at least 60% of the food eaten in the UK will still be produced in the UK.

In summary, UK farmers protested in London because they’re worried about the lack of help for UK food production. They’re concerned about cheap imports, policies that don’t support them, and what it means for food security. This protest is part of a bigger movement of farmers in Europe who are protesting against EU rules and cheap imports. The government says it will help farmers and make sure the UK has enough food, but the farmers want big changes to protect UK food production.

Original news source: Tractors brought to Parliament in farmers’ protest (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions:
1. Divide the students into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the students to read the article and summarize the main points in their own words.
4. Each group should then present their summaries to the class.
5. Encourage the class to discuss and compare the different summaries.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Assign each group a specific topic related to the article (e.g. cheap food imports, government support for farmers, food security).
3. Instruct each group to come up with three statements or questions related to their assigned topic.
4. Each group should then conduct an opinion poll within the class, asking their classmates to agree or disagree with the statements or answer the questions.
5. After collecting the responses, each group should present their findings to the class and lead a discussion based on the results.

– Word Association

Instructions:
1. Write the words “farmers” and “food production” on the board.
2. Instruct the students to brainstorm as many words or phrases as they can that are related to these two words within a given time limit (e.g. 2 minutes).
3. After the time is up, ask each student to share one word or phrase they came up with.
4. Write all the words and phrases on the board.
5. Encourage the students to make connections between the words and discuss their associations with each other.

– Sketch It

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs.
2. Provide each pair with a large piece of paper and markers.
3. Instruct one student in each pair to be the “drawer” and the other student to be the “describer”.
4. Without showing the article to the describers, the drawers should listen as their partners describe a specific scene or image from the article.
5. The drawers should then try to sketch what they imagine based on the descriptions.
6. After both partners have had a chance to describe and draw, they should compare their sketches to the original article and discuss any differences or similarities.

– Pros and Cons

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Assign each group a specific topic related to the article (e.g. cheap food imports, government support for farmers, food security).
3. Instruct each group to create a list of pros and cons for their assigned topic.
4. After completing their lists, each group should present their findings to the class and lead a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of each topic.
5. Encourage the students to consider different perspectives and weigh the arguments presented.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why did over 100 tractors gather at the Houses of Parliament in London?
2. What are the farmers worried about in terms of food production in the UK?
3. What signs did the farmers have at the protest?
4. Which parts of the UK did the farmers come from?
5. What are farmers in Europe also protesting against?
6. What are some specific things that farmers in England are unhappy with?
7. What did one farmer at the protest say about the government’s focus?
8. What changes does the founder of Save British Farming want the government to make?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Over 100 tractors gathered at the (1)______ of Parliament in London as (2)______ protested against the lack of help for UK food production. The farmers are worried about cheap food imports and policies that they think are putting UK food security at risk. They had signs that said things like ‘Save British (3)______’ and ‘No farming, no food, no future’. Farmers from different parts of the UK, like Kent and Cornwall, took part in the protest.

This protest is happening while farmers in (4)______ are also protesting against European Union rules and cheap imports. In Wales, thousands of farmers are fighting against new plans for government support. Farmers in England are also unhappy with government agricultural policy, the Environmental Land (5)______ farm payments scheme, weak (6)______ deals, no (7)______ controls, and (8)______ labels. They think all of these things are hurting their businesses and making it hard for the UK to produce enough food.

One farmer at the protest, Colin Rayner, talked about how bad things are for his business and the future of farming. He said the government is focusing too much on the environment and not enough on making food. He also talked about how the cheap imports have lower standards. Rayner thinks it’s really important to have enough food and that it should be good quality and come from the UK.

The founder of Save British Farming, Liz Webster, (9)______ the government to make big changes and stop making “terrible trade deals” that will hurt UK food (10)______. The government says it will help farmers and make sure the UK has enough food. They have plans to (11)______ how much land can be used for other things instead of (12)______ food. They also said that at least 60% of the food eaten in the UK will still be produced in the UK.

In summary, UK farmers protested in London because they’re worried about the lack of help for UK food production. They’re (13)______ about (14)______ (15)______, policies that don’t support them, and what it means for food security. This protest is part of a (16)______ movement of farmers in Europe who are protesting against EU rules and cheap imports. The government says it will help farmers and make sure the UK has enough food, but the farmers want big changes to protect UK food production.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a protest?
2. How would you feel if you were a farmer and you were worried about the lack of help for food production?
3. Do you think it’s important for countries to produce enough food for themselves? Why or why not?
4. How do you think cheap imports can affect local farmers?
5. Do you like the idea of government support for farmers? Why or why not?
6. What do you think are some challenges that farmers face in their businesses?
7. How would you feel if the government focused more on the environment than on making food?
8. Do you think it’s important for food to meet certain quality standards? Why or why not?
9. What do you think are some potential consequences of “terrible trade deals” for UK food production?
10. How would you feel if a large portion of the food you ate came from other countries?
11. Do you think it’s fair for the government to limit how much land can be used for things other than growing food? Why or why not?
12. What do you think are some ways that the government can support farmers?
13. How would you feel if you were a farmer and your business was being negatively affected by agricultural policies?
14. Do you think it’s important for countries to have import controls? Why or why not?
15. What do you think are some ways that farmers can protect UK food production?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. tractors
2. protested
3. policies
4. security
5. imports
6. agricultural
7. misleading
8. standards
9. founder
10. government
11. production
12. environment
13. movement
14. support
15. security

Meanings:
(A) The state of being safe and protected
(B) Goods brought into a country from another country for sale
(C) The group of people who run a country or area
(D) The person who establishes an organization or a cause
(E) The condition of being free from danger or threat
(F) Showed disagreement or disapproval, usually in a public way
(G) Levels of quality or excellence that are accepted as a benchmark
(H) A group of people working together to achieve a common goal
(I) Machines used in farming for plowing, planting, and harvesting
(J) The natural world, including all living and non-living things
(K) The process of making or growing something, usually on a large scale
(L) Related to farming and the cultivation of land
(M) Guidelines or rules that govern how things are done
(N) Giving the wrong idea or impression
(O) Help, assistance, or backing
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why did farmers gather at the Houses of Parliament in London?
(a) To support government agricultural policy
(b) To protest against the lack of help for UK food production
(c) To advocate for cheap food imports
(d) To discuss new plans for government support

2. What are UK farmers worried about?
(a) Lack of government support for the environment
(b) Weak trade deals and import controls
(c) Cheap food imports and policies that put UK food security at risk
(d) Misleading labels and lower standards for food imports

3. Where did the farmers at the protest come from?
(a) Different parts of the UK, like Kent and Cornwall
(b) European countries like France and Germany
(c) Wales and England
(d) London and Paris

4. What are farmers in Europe also protesting against?
(a) European Union rules and cheap imports
(b) Lack of government support for the environment
(c) Weak trade deals and import controls
(d) Misleading labels and lower standards for food imports

5. What does Colin Rayner think the government is focusing too much on?
(a) Making food and not enough on the environment
(b) The environment and not enough on making food
(c) European Union rules and cheap imports
(d) Weak trade deals and import controls

6. What does Liz Webster want the government to do?
(a) Support EU rules and cheap imports
(b) Focus on the environment instead of making food
(c) Limit how much land can be used for other things instead of growing food
(d) Make big changes and stop making “terrible trade deals”

7. What plans does the government have to help farmers?
(a) Increase cheap food imports
(b) Decrease government support for agriculture
(c) Limit how much land can be used for other things instead of growing food
(d) Ensure at least 60% of the food eaten in the UK is produced in the UK

8. What is the main concern of the farmers at the protest?
(a) The government’s focus on the environment instead of making food
(b) The impact of EU rules and cheap imports on UK farmers
(c) The need for big changes to protect UK food production
(d) The lack of help for UK food production and its impact on food security

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Farmers in England are satisfied with government agricultural policy, strong trade deals, and accurate labels.
2. Farmers from different parts of the UK, like Kent and Cornwall, participated in the protest.
3. The founder of Save British Farming, Liz Webster, does not want the government to make significant changes to protect UK food production.
4. One farmer at the protest, Colin Rayner, expressed concerns about the future of farming and the lower standards of cheap imports.
5. Farmers in Europe are also protesting against European Union rules and cheap imports.
6. In Wales, thousands of farmers are fighting against new government plans for support.
7. Over 100 tractors gathered at the Houses of Parliament in London as farmers celebrated the support for UK food production.
8. The farmers are not concerned about cheap food imports and policies that they believe are endangering UK food security.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why did over 100 tractors gather at the Houses of Parliament in London?
2. What are the farmers worried about regarding UK food production?
3. What are some of the signs that the farmers had during the protest?
4. Why are farmers in Europe also protesting?
5. What are some of the issues that farmers in England are unhappy with?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why did over 100 tractors gather at the Houses of Parliament in London?
The farmers gathered to protest against the lack of help for UK food production.

2. What are the farmers worried about in terms of food production in the UK?
The farmers are worried about cheap food imports and policies that they think are putting UK food security at risk.

3. What signs did the farmers have at the protest?
The signs said things like ‘Save British farming’ and ‘No farming, no food, no future’.

4. Which parts of the UK did the farmers come from?
Farmers from different parts of the UK, like Kent and Cornwall, took part in the protest.

5. What are farmers in Europe also protesting against?
Farmers in Europe are also protesting against European Union rules and cheap imports.

6. What are some specific things that farmers in England are unhappy with?
Farmers in England are unhappy with government agricultural policy, the Environmental Land Management farm payments scheme, weak trade deals, no import controls, and misleading labels.

7. What did one farmer at the protest say about the government’s focus?
One farmer at the protest said that the government is focusing too much on the environment and not enough on making food.

8. What changes does the founder of Save British Farming want the government to make?
The founder of Save British Farming wants the government to make big changes and stop making “terrible trade deals” that will hurt UK food production.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Houses
(2) farmers
(3) farming
(4) Europe
(5) Management
(6) trade
(7) import
(8) misleading
(9) wants
(10) production
(11) limit
(12) growing
(13) concerned
(14) cheap
(15) imports
(16) bigger
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. tractors
Answer: (I) Machines used in farming for plowing, planting, and harvesting

2. protested
Answer: (F) Showed disagreement or disapproval, usually in a public way

3. policies
Answer: (M) Guidelines or rules that govern how things are done

4. security
Answer: (A) The state of being safe and protected

5. imports
Answer: (B) Goods brought into a country from another country for sale

6. agricultural
Answer: (L) Related to farming and the cultivation of land

7. misleading
Answer: (N) Giving the wrong idea or impression

8. standards
Answer: (G) Levels of quality or excellence that are accepted as a benchmark

9. founder
Answer: (D) The person who establishes an organization or a cause

10. government
Answer: (C) The group of people who run a country or area

11. production
Answer: (K) The process of making or growing something, usually on a large scale

12. environment
Answer: (J) The natural world, including all living and non-living things

13. movement
Answer: (H) A group of people working together to achieve a common goal

14. support
Answer: (O) Help, assistance, or backing

15. security
Answer: (E) The condition of being free from danger or threat
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why did farmers gather at the Houses of Parliament in London?
Answer: (b) To protest against the lack of help for UK food production

2. What are UK farmers worried about?
Answer: (c) Cheap food imports and policies that put UK food security at risk

3. Where did the farmers at the protest come from?
Answer: (a) Different parts of the UK, like Kent and Cornwall

4. What are farmers in Europe also protesting against?
Answer: (a) European Union rules and cheap imports

5. What does Colin Rayner think the government is focusing too much on?
Answer: (b) The environment and not enough on making food

6. What does Liz Webster want the government to do?
Answer: (d) Make big changes and stop making “terrible trade deals”

7. What plans does the government have to help farmers?
Answer: (c) Limit how much land can be used for other things instead of growing food

8. What is the main concern of the farmers at the protest?
Answer: (d) The lack of help for UK food production and its impact on food security
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Farmers in England are satisfied with government agricultural policy, strong trade deals, and accurate labels. (Answer: False)
2. Farmers from different parts of the UK, like Kent and Cornwall, participated in the protest. (Answer: True)
3. The founder of Save British Farming, Liz Webster, does not want the government to make significant changes to protect UK food production. (Answer: False)
4. One farmer at the protest, Colin Rayner, expressed concerns about the future of farming and the lower standards of cheap imports. (Answer: True)
5. Farmers in Europe are also protesting against European Union rules and cheap imports. (Answer: True)
6. In Wales, thousands of farmers are fighting against new government plans for support. (Answer: True)
7. Over 100 tractors gathered at the Houses of Parliament in London as farmers celebrated the support for UK food production. (Answer: False)
8. The farmers are not concerned about cheap food imports and policies that they believe are endangering UK food security. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧