In northern India, farmers grow special seeds called makhana. These seeds come from a plant called lotus. Before, farmers had to dive into deep water to get them. Now, they can grow makhana in fields with less water. This makes it easier and helps farmers earn more money.

A scientist named Dr. Manoj Kumar helped farmers grow makhana in a better way. He showed them how to use shallow water fields. This new way helps farmers make more money. Farmers are happier because they can grow more makhana. It also helps them when the weather is bad.

In Bihar, more farmers are growing makhana now. A farmer named Dhirendra Kumar switched to growing makhana and is making more money. This change also gives more jobs to people. Some companies are helping by making machines to roast makhana. These changes help farmers and make makhana popular around the world.

Original news source: The ‘superfood’ taking over fields in northern India (BBC)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write down key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., makhana, lotus, farmer, scientist) on separate pieces of paper. One student from each team will come to the board and pick a word. They have to draw it while their team guesses what the word is. Set a time limit for each round. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– Charades
Instructions: Write down actions related to the article (e.g., planting seeds, harvesting, using machines, bad weather) on separate pieces of paper. Have one student come to the front of the class and silently act out the action while the rest of the class guesses. This will help students practice vocabulary and comprehension in a fun way.

– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to work in pairs. One student will be the reporter, and the other will be the interviewee. The reporter will summarize the main points of the article using their own words while the interviewee asks questions for clarification. Then, they switch roles. This activity helps students practice summarizing and paraphrasing skills.

– Two Truths and a Lie
Instructions: Have each student come up with two true statements and one false statement related to the article (e.g., Farmers grow makhana in the sky, Farmers used to dive into deep water to get makhana, Dr. Manoj Kumar helped farmers). Students take turns sharing their statements, and the rest of the class guesses which statement is the lie. This activity encourages listening skills and critical thinking.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. One student describes a scene or concept from the article (e.g., a farmer growing makhana in a field) while the other student sketches it on a piece of paper. After a set time, they switch roles. This activity helps students practice communication, listening, and vocabulary skills in a creative way.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What do farmers in northern India grow that comes from a plant called lotus?
2. How did farmers used to get the special seeds called makhana before?
3. Who helped the farmers grow makhana in a better way?
4. Why are farmers happier now that they can grow makhana in fields with less water?
5. What is the name of the farmer who switched to growing makhana and is making more money?
6. How are some companies helping farmers with makhana?
7. Why are more farmers in Bihar growing makhana now?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In (1)______ India, farmers grow special seeds (2)______ makhana. These seeds come from a plant called lotus. Before, farmers had to dive into deep water to get them. Now, they can grow makhana in fields with less water. This makes it easier and helps farmers earn more money.

A scientist (3)______ Dr. Manoj Kumar helped farmers grow makhana in a (4)______ way. He showed them how to use shallow water fields. This new way helps farmers make more money. (5)______ are happier because they can grow more makhana. It also helps them when the weather is bad.

In Bihar, more farmers are growing makhana now. A farmer named Dhirendra (6)______ switched to growing (7)______ and is making more money. This change also gives more jobs to people. Some companies are helping by making machines to roast makhana. These changes help farmers and make makhana popular around the (8)______.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What do farmers grow in northern India?
2. Do you think it is good that farmers can grow makhana with less water now? Why?
3. How do you think farmers feel when they make more money?
4. Do you like the idea of growing special seeds like makhana? Why or why not?
5. What do you think about Dr. Manoj Kumar helping farmers grow makhana better?
6. How would you feel if you were a farmer and could grow more makhana?
7. Why do you think it is important for farmers to have more jobs?
8. What do you think about companies making machines to roast makhana?
9. Do you think it is good that makhana is becoming popular around the world? Why?
10. How do you think farmers feel when they can grow makhana even when the weather is bad?
11. What is a plant called lotus?
12. Why do you think more farmers in Bihar are growing makhana now?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. farmers
2. seeds
3. lotus
4. dive
5. fields
6. scientist
7. shallow
8. weather
9. switched
10. machines

Meanings:
(A) Big open spaces where plants grow
(B) Things that help people do work, like a robot or a tool
(C) A type of plant with big, pretty flowers
(D) A person who studies and learns about things
(E) People who grow food and plants
(F) To jump into water headfirst
(G) Not deep, easy to walk in
(H) The way the sky looks, like sunny or rainy
(I) Tiny things you plant to grow new plants
(J) Changed from one thing to another
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What kind of seeds do farmers in northern India grow?
(a) Sunflower
(b) Makhana
(c) Pumpkin
(d) Watermelon

2. Where do makhana seeds come from?
(a) Apple tree
(b) Lotus plant
(c) Pine tree
(d) Tomato plant

3. How did farmers used to get makhana seeds before?
(a) Climb trees
(b) Dig underground
(c) Buy from stores
(d) Dive into deep water

4. Who helped farmers grow makhana in a better way?
(a) Dr. Manoj Kumar
(b) Farmer Dhirendra Kumar
(c) Mrs. Sharma
(d) Teacher Singh

5. How does growing makhana in shallow water fields help farmers?
(a) Lose money
(b) Get sick
(c) Make more money
(d) Travel more

6. What state in India has more farmers growing makhana now?
(a) Bihar
(b) Kerala
(c) Gujarat
(d) Punjab

7. How are some companies helping with makhana production?
(a) Selling clothes
(b) Building houses
(c) Making machines to roast makhana
(d) Planting trees

8. Why are farmers happier with the new way of growing makhana?
(a) They can watch TV all day
(b) They can sleep all day
(c) They can eat ice cream
(d) They can grow more makhana

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Now, farmers can grow makhana in fields with less water.
2. Less farmers in Bihar are now growing makhana.
3. A farmer named Dhirendra Kumar switched from growing makhana and is making less money.
4. This new way hinders farmers to make more money and grow more makhana.
5. Farmers in northern India grow special seeds called makhana from a plant called lotus.
6. Some companies are making machines to roast makhana, which helps farmers and makes makhana popular worldwide.
7. Dr. Manoj Kumar hindered farmers from learning a better way to grow makhana.
8. Before, farmers had to go underwater to get the makhana seeds.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. What do farmers in northern India grow?
2. Who helped the farmers grow makhana in a better way?
3. Why is it easier for farmers to grow makhana now?
4. What did Dhirendra Kumar switch to growing?
5. How are some companies helping with makhana production?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What do farmers in northern India grow that comes from a plant called lotus?
Farmers in northern India grow special seeds called makhana that come from a plant called lotus.

2. How did farmers used to get the special seeds called makhana before?
Farmers used to dive into deep water to get the special seeds called makhana before.

3. Who helped the farmers grow makhana in a better way?
A scientist named Dr. Manoj Kumar helped the farmers grow makhana in a better way.

4. Why are farmers happier now that they can grow makhana in fields with less water?
Farmers are happier because growing makhana in fields with less water helps them make more money.

5. What is the name of the farmer who switched to growing makhana and is making more money?
The name of the farmer who switched to growing makhana and is making more money is Dhirendra Kumar.

6. How are some companies helping farmers with makhana?
Some companies are helping farmers with makhana by making machines to roast makhana.

7. Why are more farmers in Bihar growing makhana now?
More farmers in Bihar are growing makhana now because it helps them make more money and gives more jobs to people.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) northern
(2) called
(3) named
(4) better
(5) Farmers
(6) Kumar
(7) makhana
(8) world
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. farmers
Answer: (E) People who grow food and plants

2. seeds
Answer: (I) Tiny things you plant to grow new plants

3. lotus
Answer: (C) A type of plant with big, pretty flowers

4. dive
Answer: (F) To jump into water headfirst

5. fields
Answer: (A) Big open spaces where plants grow

6. scientist
Answer: (D) A person who studies and learns about things

7. shallow
Answer: (G) Not deep, easy to walk in

8. weather
Answer: (H) The way the sky looks, like sunny or rainy

9. switched
Answer: (J) Changed from one thing to another

10. machines
Answer: (B) Things that help people do work, like a robot or a tool
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What kind of seeds do farmers in northern India grow?
Answer: (b) Makhana

2. Where do makhana seeds come from?
Answer: (b) Lotus plant

3. How did farmers used to get makhana seeds before?
Answer: (d) Dive into deep water

4. Who helped farmers grow makhana in a better way?
Answer: (a) Dr. Manoj Kumar

5. How does growing makhana in shallow water fields help farmers?
Answer: (c) Make more money

6. What state in India has more farmers growing makhana now?
Answer: (a) Bihar

7. How are some companies helping with makhana production?
Answer: (c) Making machines to roast makhana

8. Why are farmers happier with the new way of growing makhana?
Answer: (d) They can grow more makhana
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Now, farmers can grow makhana in fields with less water. (Answer: True)
2. Less farmers in Bihar are now growing makhana. (Answer: False)
3. A farmer named Dhirendra Kumar switched from growing makhana and is making less money. (Answer: False)
4. This new way hinders farmers to make more money and grow more makhana. (Answer: False)
5. Farmers in northern India grow special seeds called makhana from a plant called lotus. (Answer: True)
6. Some companies are making machines to roast makhana, which helps farmers and makes makhana popular worldwide. (Answer: True)
7. Dr. Manoj Kumar hindered farmers from learning a better way to grow makhana. (Answer: False)
8. Before, farmers had to go underwater to get the makhana seeds. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧