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)
π§ Listen:
π 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.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Farmers in northern India grow special seeds called makhana that come from a plant called lotus.
Farmers used to dive into deep water to get the special seeds called makhana before.
A scientist named Dr. Manoj Kumar helped the farmers grow makhana in a better way.
Farmers are happier because growing makhana in fields with less water helps them make more money.
The name of the farmer who switched to growing makhana and is making more money is Dhirendra Kumar.
Some companies are helping farmers with makhana by making machines to roast makhana.
More farmers in Bihar are growing makhana now because it helps them make more money and gives more jobs to people.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
In India, farmers grow special seeds 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 Dr. Manoj Kumar helped farmers grow makhana in a way. He showed them how to use shallow water fields. This new way helps farmers make more money. 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 switched to growing 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 .
π¬ Discussion Questions:
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
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π 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!
