Sweden, known for its high taxes and social equality, has seen a rise in the number of super-rich individuals. Despite its reputation for leftist politics, Sweden has experienced a boom in wealth over the past three decades. In 1996, there were only 28 billionaires in the country, but by 2021, there were 542 billionaires. This increase can be attributed to factors such as the thriving tech scene and favorable monetary policies. Sweden’s tech industry has produced numerous successful start-ups, including Skype and Spotify. Additionally, low interest rates have made it cheap to borrow money, leading to investments in property and high-risk ventures. While top earners in Sweden are taxed heavily, some taxes favor the rich, such as lower rates on capital gains and corporate taxes. Despite the increase in wealth, debates about taxing the super-rich are not as prominent in Sweden as in other countries. The concentration of wealth remains largely in the hands of white men, despite efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion.

Original news source: The rise of Sweden’s super rich (BBC)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually and then write a summary of the main points in their own words. Afterward, have them share their summaries in pairs or small groups and discuss any differences or similarities.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into groups and assign each group a specific question related to the article, such as “Should the super-rich be taxed more heavily?” or “Does the concentration of wealth in the hands of white men reflect a lack of gender equality?” Have each group brainstorm possible answers and then conduct a class-wide opinion poll using a show of hands or anonymous voting. Discuss the results as a class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of key vocabulary words from the article, such as “billionaires,” “tech scene,” “capital gains,” etc. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and give each group a set of vocabulary words. Have students take turns drawing pictures to represent the words while their partners or group members try to guess the word. This activity can help reinforce understanding of the article’s vocabulary.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups and assign each group a position to argue: one group will argue in favor of taxing the super-rich more heavily, while the other group will argue against it. Give students time to research and gather evidence to support their arguments. Then, have a debate where each group presents their arguments and counters the opposing group’s points. Encourage students to use examples from the article and their own knowledge.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students imagine themselves as economic or social experts and ask them to make predictions about the future of wealth distribution in Sweden. They can consider factors such as economic trends, political changes, and social movements. Students can present their predictions in pairs or small groups, discussing their reasoning and supporting their ideas with evidence from the article or other sources. Encourage critical thinking and creativity in their predictions.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How has the number of billionaires in Sweden changed over the past three decades?
2. What are some factors that have contributed to the increase in wealth in Sweden?
3. Can you give examples of successful start-ups that have come out of Sweden’s tech industry?
4. How have low interest rates impacted investments in Sweden?
5. Are top earners in Sweden heavily taxed?
6. What are some tax advantages that favor the rich in Sweden?
7. How prominent are debates about taxing the super-rich in Sweden compared to other countries?
8. Despite efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion, who primarily holds the concentration of wealth in Sweden?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Sweden, known for its high taxes and (1)______ equality, has seen a rise in the number of super-rich (2)______. Despite its (3)______ for leftist politics, Sweden has experienced a boom in wealth over the past three (4)______. In 1996, there were only 28 billionaires in the country, but by 2021, there were 542 billionaires. This increase can be attributed to (5)______ such as the thriving tech (6)______ and (7)______ monetary policies. Sweden’s tech industry has produced (8)______ successful start-ups, including Skype and Spotify. Additionally, low (9)______ rates have made it cheap to borrow money, (10)______ to investments in (11)______ and high-risk ventures. While top earners in Sweden are taxed heavily, some taxes favor the rich, such as (12)______ rates on capital gains and corporate taxes. Despite the increase in (13)______, debates about taxing the super-rich are not as prominent in Sweden as in (14)______ countries. The (15)______ of wealth remains largely in the hands of white men, despite efforts to promote (16)______ equality and inclusion.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion on the rise of billionaires in Sweden?
2. How would you feel if you were a billionaire in Sweden? Why?
3. Do you think the increase in wealth in Sweden is a positive or negative trend? Why or why not?
4. What do you think are the main factors contributing to the rise of billionaires in Sweden?
5. How do you think the increase in wealth in Sweden has affected social equality in the country?
6. Do you believe that the concentration of wealth in the hands of white men in Sweden is a problem? Why or why not?
7. What do you think could be done to promote more gender equality and inclusion in terms of wealth distribution in Sweden?
8. Do you think Sweden’s tax policies are fair and effective in addressing wealth inequality? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the rise of billionaires in Sweden has impacted the overall economy of the country?
10. What are some potential advantages and disadvantages of Sweden’s thriving tech scene?
11. How do you think Sweden’s reputation for leftist politics aligns with the increase in wealth in the country?
12. What do you believe are the main differences between the debates about taxing the super-rich in Sweden compared to other countries?
13. Do you think the increase in wealth in Sweden has led to a greater divide between the rich and the poor? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the rise of billionaires in Sweden has influenced the culture and values of the country?
15. What is your personal opinion on the role of billionaires in society? Do you think they have a responsibility to give back to their communities? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. super-rich
2. leftist
3. boom
4. billionaires
5. attributed
6. thriving
7. favorable
8. monetary
9. start-ups
10. ventures
11. capital gains
12. corporate
13. prominent
14. concentration
15. inclusion

Meanings:
(A) Relating to large companies or businesses
(B) Individuals with a net worth of at least one billion dollars
(C) Noticeable or widely recognized
(D) Extremely wealthy individuals
(E) A period of rapid economic growth
(F) Newly established businesses, often in the tech industry
(G) Risky business activities or investments
(H) The act of gathering or amassing in one place
(I) The practice of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized
(J) Growing or developing successfully
(K) Profits from the sale of assets or investments
(L) Regarded as being caused by
(M) Creating advantageous conditions
(N) Relating to money or currency
(O) Relating to political views that support social equality and government intervention in the economy
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What has contributed to the rise in the number of billionaires in Sweden?
(a) The thriving tech scene and favorable monetary policies
(b) High taxes and social equality
(c) Efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion
(d) None of the above

2. Which successful start-ups have come out of Sweden’s tech industry?
(a) Facebook and Twitter
(b) Google and Amazon
(c) Skype and Spotify
(d) Apple and Microsoft

3. How many billionaires were there in Sweden in 1996?
(a) 542
(b) 28
(c) 199
(d) 365

4. What has made it cheap to borrow money in Sweden?
(a) High interest rates
(b) Low interest rates
(c) Government subsidies
(d) None of the above

5. How are top earners in Sweden taxed?
(a) Minimally
(b) Equally to all income levels
(c) None of the above
(d) Heavily

6. Which taxes favor the rich in Sweden?
(a) Higher rates on capital gains and corporate taxes
(b) Equal rates on capital gains and corporate taxes
(c) Lower rates on capital gains and corporate taxes
(d) None of the above

7. Despite efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion, who largely holds the concentration of wealth in Sweden?
(a) White men
(b) Women
(c) People of color
(d) None of the above

8. How has Sweden’s wealth changed over the past three decades?
(a) It has seen a decline in wealth
(b) It has remained relatively stable
(c) None of the above
(d) It has experienced a boom in wealth

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The decline in wealth in Sweden can be attributed to factors such as the struggling tech scene and unfavorable monetary policies.
2. The concentration of wealth in Sweden remains largely in the hands of diverse individuals, despite efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion.
3. Sweden’s tech industry has not produced successful start-ups like Skype and Spotify.
4. Low interest rates in Sweden have made it cheap to borrow money, leading to investments in property and high-risk ventures.
5. Debates about taxing the super-rich are not as prominent in Sweden as in other countries.
6. Sweden has not seen a rise in the number of super-rich individuals.
7. Some taxes in Sweden favor the rich, such as lower rates on capital gains and corporate taxes.
8. The number of billionaires in Sweden increased from 28 in 1996 to 542 in 2021.
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. How has Sweden’s wealth changed over the past three decades?
2. What factors have contributed to the increase in billionaires in Sweden?
3. What role has the tech industry played in Sweden’s wealth boom?
4. How have low interest rates impacted Sweden’s wealth accumulation?
5. Despite efforts to promote gender equality, who primarily holds the concentration of wealth in Sweden?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How has the number of billionaires in Sweden changed over the past three decades?
The number of billionaires in Sweden has increased from 28 in 1996 to 542 in 2021.

2. What are some factors that have contributed to the increase in wealth in Sweden?
Some factors that have contributed to the increase in wealth in Sweden include the thriving tech scene and favorable monetary policies.

3. Can you give examples of successful start-ups that have come out of Sweden’s tech industry?
Examples of successful start-ups that have come out of Sweden’s tech industry include Skype and Spotify.

4. How have low interest rates impacted investments in Sweden?
Low interest rates have made it cheap to borrow money, leading to increased investments in property and high-risk ventures in Sweden.

5. Are top earners in Sweden heavily taxed?
Yes, top earners in Sweden are heavily taxed.

6. What are some tax advantages that favor the rich in Sweden?
Some tax advantages that favor the rich in Sweden include lower rates on capital gains and corporate taxes.

7. How prominent are debates about taxing the super-rich in Sweden compared to other countries?
Debates about taxing the super-rich are not as prominent in Sweden compared to other countries.

8. Despite efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion, who primarily holds the concentration of wealth in Sweden?
Despite efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion, the concentration of wealth in Sweden primarily remains in the hands of white men.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) social
(2) individuals
(3) reputation
(4) decades
(5) factors
(6) scene
(7) favorable
(8) numerous
(9) interest
(10) leading
(11) property
(12) lower
(13) wealth
(14) other
(15) concentration
(16) gender
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. super-rich
Answer: (D) Extremely wealthy individuals

2. leftist
Answer: (O) Relating to political views that support social equality and government intervention in the economy

3. boom
Answer: (E) A period of rapid economic growth

4. billionaires
Answer: (B) Individuals with a net worth of at least one billion dollars

5. attributed
Answer: (L) Regarded as being caused by

6. thriving
Answer: (J) Growing or developing successfully

7. favorable
Answer: (M) Creating advantageous conditions

8. monetary
Answer: (N) Relating to money or currency

9. start-ups
Answer: (F) Newly established businesses, often in the tech industry

10. ventures
Answer: (G) Risky business activities or investments

11. capital gains
Answer: (K) Profits from the sale of assets or investments

12. corporate
Answer: (A) Relating to large companies or businesses

13. prominent
Answer: (C) Noticeable or widely recognized

14. concentration
Answer: (H) The act of gathering or amassing in one place

15. inclusion
Answer: (I) The practice of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What has contributed to the rise in the number of billionaires in Sweden?
Answer: (a) The thriving tech scene and favorable monetary policies

2. Which successful start-ups have come out of Sweden’s tech industry?
Answer: (c) Skype and Spotify

3. How many billionaires were there in Sweden in 1996?
Answer: (b) 28

4. What has made it cheap to borrow money in Sweden?
Answer: (b) Low interest rates

5. How are top earners in Sweden taxed?
Answer: (d) Heavily

6. Which taxes favor the rich in Sweden?
Answer: (c) Lower rates on capital gains and corporate taxes

7. Despite efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion, who largely holds the concentration of wealth in Sweden?
Answer: (a) White men

8. How has Sweden’s wealth changed over the past three decades?
Answer: (d) It has experienced a boom in wealth
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The decline in wealth in Sweden can be attributed to factors such as the struggling tech scene and unfavorable monetary policies. (Answer: False)
2. The concentration of wealth in Sweden remains largely in the hands of diverse individuals, despite efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion. (Answer: False)
3. Sweden’s tech industry has not produced successful start-ups like Skype and Spotify. (Answer: False)
4. Low interest rates in Sweden have made it cheap to borrow money, leading to investments in property and high-risk ventures. (Answer: True)
5. Debates about taxing the super-rich are not as prominent in Sweden as in other countries. (Answer: True)
6. Sweden has not seen a rise in the number of super-rich individuals. (Answer: False)
7. Some taxes in Sweden favor the rich, such as lower rates on capital gains and corporate taxes. (Answer: True)
8. The number of billionaires in Sweden increased from 28 in 1996 to 542 in 2021. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧