The apple industry in Kashmir, India is going through a tough time. The apples this year are not as good because of a disease called fungal scab, changes in the weather, and problems with money. About 40% of the apples this year are not very good quality. The apple industry in Kashmir makes a lot of money and gives jobs to many people. But the weather has been strange, with rain and hailstorms at the wrong times, and this has made the apples smaller, worse, and less in number.
The weather in Kashmir has been getting worse in the past few years, and this has caused damage to the crops. It has also made it hard for farmers to move their apples around, because the only road to Kashmir gets blocked by landslides in winter. On top of that, apples from Iran are coming into India and this is affecting the market for Kashmiri apples. The government has also decided not to charge any taxes on imported apples, which has made the prices of Kashmiri apples go down.
The apple farmers in Kashmir have told the government about their problems and asked for help. They are also worried about bad pesticides being sold, which makes the disease spread in the apple trees. When the apple farmers don’t make much money, it affects the whole economy because people don’t have as much to spend. If the apple industry keeps suffering, it will affect everyone’s lives.
In conclusion, the apple industry in Kashmir is having a hard time because of the disease, the weather, and money problems. The strange weather and transportation issues have made things even worse. The imported apples and the government’s decision to not charge taxes have also affected the market and prices of Kashmiri apples. The government needs to step in and help the apple farmers in Kashmir.
Original news source: Kashmir’s famed apples face extreme weather and economic crisis (BBC)
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Vocabulary:
| 1 | industry | The production of goods or services in a particular area |
| 2 | disease | An illness or sickness that affects living things |
| 3 | fungal scab | A type of sickness that affects apple trees |
| 4 | weather | The condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time |
| 5 | money | The amount of money that you have or need |
| 6 | quality | The level of how good or bad something is |
| 7 | crops | Plants that are grown for food or other useful products |
| 8 | farmers | People who grow crops and take care of animals |
| 9 | pesticides | Chemicals that are used to kill insects or other pests |
| 10 | economy | The system of producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services in a country or region |
| 11 | transportation | The movement of people or goods from one place to another |
| 12 | imported | Goods or products that are brought into a country from another country |
| 13 | market | The place where goods are bought and sold |
| 14 | prices | The amount of money that you have to pay for something |
| 15 | government | The group of people who control and make decisions for a country or region |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Each pair will read the article and then summarize it in 3-4 sentences. They should focus on the main points and key information. After they finish, they can share their summaries with another pair and compare their understanding of the article.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “apple” on the board. Ask students to brainstorm and write down as many words as they can think of that are related to apples. After a few minutes, have students share their words with the class and explain the connections. This activity will help expand their vocabulary and encourage creative thinking.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to think about the challenges faced by the apple industry in Kashmir based on the information in the article. Then, pair them up and have them discuss their thoughts with their partner. After a few minutes, bring the class back together and have a few pairs share their ideas with the whole class. This activity promotes critical thinking and encourages students to express their opinions.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into groups of three or four. Each group will choose a scene or event from the article and create a sketch or drawing to depict it. They should focus on capturing the main details and ideas. After they finish, have each group present their sketch to the class and explain their interpretation. This activity encourages creativity and visual representation of information.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. One group will brainstorm the pros of the apple industry in Kashmir, while the other group will brainstorm the cons. Give them a few minutes to come up with their ideas, and then have them share their lists with the class. Afterward, facilitate a class discussion where students can debate and discuss the positive and negative aspects of the apple industry in Kashmir. This activity encourages critical thinking and oral communication skills.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What are some reasons why the apple industry in Kashmir is facing difficulties?
2. How has the weather in Kashmir affected the quality and quantity of the apples this year?
3. Why is it difficult for farmers to transport their apples in Kashmir?
4. How have apples from Iran affected the market for Kashmiri apples?
5. Why have the prices of Kashmiri apples gone down?
6. What concerns do the apple farmers in Kashmir have about pesticides?
7. How does the apple industry’s decline affect the overall economy?
8. What action should the government take to help the apple farmers in Kashmir?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The apple (1)______ in Kashmir, India is going through a tough time. The apples this year are not as good because of a disease called fungal scab, changes in the weather, and problems with (2)______. About 40% of the apples this year are not very good quality. The apple industry in Kashmir makes a lot of money and gives jobs to many people. But the weather has been (3)______, with rain and hailstorms at the (4)______ times, and this has made the apples smaller, worse, and less in (5)______.
The weather in (6)______ has been getting worse in the past few years, and this has (7)______ damage to the crops. It has also made it hard for farmers to move their apples around, because the only road to Kashmir gets blocked by landslides in winter. On top of that, apples from Iran are coming into India and this is affecting the (8)______ for Kashmiri apples. The government has also decided not to charge any (9)______ on imported apples, which has made the prices of Kashmiri apples go down.
The apple farmers in Kashmir have told the government about their problems and (10)______ for help. They are also worried about bad pesticides being sold, which makes the disease spread in the apple (11)______. When the apple farmers don’t make much money, it affects the whole (12)______ because people don’t have as much to spend. If the apple industry keeps suffering, it will (13)______ everyone’s lives.
In conclusion, the apple industry in Kashmir is having a hard time because of the disease, the weather, and money problems. The strange weather and transportation issues have made things even worse. The imported apples and the (14)______’s (15)______ to not charge taxes have also affected the market and prices of Kashmiri apples. The government (16)______ to step in and help the apple farmers in Kashmir.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is the apple industry in Kashmir going through right now?
2. How would you feel if you were an apple farmer in Kashmir?
3. Do you like eating apples? Why or why not?
4. What do you think is causing the apples in Kashmir to be of lower quality this year?
5. How do you think the weather has been affecting the apple farmers in Kashmir?
6. Do you think it is fair for the government to not charge taxes on imported apples? Why or why not?
7. What do you think the government should do to help the apple farmers in Kashmir?
8. How do you think the bad pesticides are affecting the apple trees in Kashmir?
9. How do you think the apple industry in Kashmir affects the whole economy?
10. Do you think the imported apples from Iran are a threat to the market for Kashmiri apples? Why or why not?
11. Why do you think the only road to Kashmir gets blocked by landslides in winter?
12. Have you ever seen the effects of strange weather on crops in your country?
13. How important do you think the apple industry is for the people in Kashmir?
14. What would you do if you were in charge of helping the apple farmers in Kashmir?
15. Do you think the government should prioritize supporting local industries like the apple industry in Kashmir? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. industry
2. disease
3. fungal scab
4. weather
5. money
6. quality
7. crops
8. farmers
9. pesticides
10. economy
11. transportation
12. imported
13. market
14. prices
15. government
Meanings:
(A) The production of goods or services in a particular area
(B) The level of how good or bad something is
(C) The system of producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services in a country or region
(D) The amount of money that you have to pay for something
(E) The group of people who control and make decisions for a country or region
(F) Chemicals that are used to kill insects or other pests
(G) The condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time
(H) The movement of people or goods from one place to another
(I) Plants that are grown for food or other useful products
(J) The amount of money that you have or need
(K) An illness or sickness that affects living things
(L) Goods or products that are brought into a country from another country
(M) The place where goods are bought and sold
(N) People who grow crops and take care of animals
(O) A type of sickness that affects apple trees
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is the main reason why the apples in Kashmir are not as good this year?
(a) Lack of water and sunlight
(b) Fungal scab, changes in weather, and money problems
(c) Insects and pests
(d) Poor quality soil
2. How much of the apples this year in Kashmir are of low quality?
(a) About 60%
(b) About 20%
(c) About 80%
(d) About 40%
3. What has been causing damage to the crops in Kashmir?
(a) Lack of pesticides
(b) Worsening weather conditions
(c) Overuse of fertilizers
(d) Poor irrigation systems
4. Why is it difficult for farmers to transport their apples in Kashmir?
(a) Lack of proper transportation vehicles
(b) High transportation costs
(c) The only road gets blocked by landslides in winter
(d) Government regulations
5. What is affecting the market for Kashmiri apples?
(a) Apples from China
(b) Apples from Pakistan
(c) Apples from Afghanistan
(d) Apples from Iran
6. What has the government decided to do regarding imported apples?
(a) Not charge any taxes on them
(b) Increase taxes on them
(c) Ban them completely
(d) Subsidize their prices
7. What are the apple farmers in Kashmir worried about regarding pesticides?
(a) Lack of availability of pesticides
(b) High prices of pesticides
(c) Bad pesticides being sold
(d) Government regulations on pesticides
8. Why does the suffering of the apple industry in Kashmir affect everyone’s lives?
(a) It affects the whole economy as people have less money to spend
(b) It causes pollution in the region
(c) It leads to an increase in crime rates
(d) It results in a shortage of food in the market
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. The apple industry in Kashmir, India is thriving due to a disease called fungal scab and despite changes in the weather and financial problems.
2. Apple farmers in Kashmir have sought assistance from the government and expressed concerns about the sale of harmful pesticides that contribute to the spread of the disease in apple trees.
3. The market for Kashmiri apples remains unaffected by the importation of apples from Iran, despite the government’s decision to waive taxes on imported apples.
4. The apple industry in Kashmir is an insignificant source of income and employment for few people.
5. The worsening weather in Kashmir over the past few years has caused crop damage and made transportation of apples challenging due to landslides blocking the only road to the region during winter.
6. The struggling apple industry in Kashmir has a ripple effect on the overall economy, as reduced income for farmers means people have less money to spend, impacting everyone’s lives.
7. Favorable weather conditions, including rain and hailstorms at the right times, have resulted in bigger, higher quality, and increased quantities of apples.
8. Approximately 40% of the apples produced this year in Kashmir are of low quality.
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. What are the three main reasons why the apple industry in Kashmir is facing difficulties?
2. Why has the weather in Kashmir been causing damage to the apple crops?
3. How are apples from Iran affecting the market for Kashmiri apples?
4. What are the concerns of the apple farmers in Kashmir regarding pesticides?
5. Why is it important for the government to help the apple farmers in Kashmir?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What are some reasons why the apple industry in Kashmir is facing difficulties?
The apple industry in Kashmir is facing difficulties because of a disease called fungal scab, changes in the weather, and problems with money.
2. How has the weather in Kashmir affected the quality and quantity of the apples this year?
The weather in Kashmir has been strange, with rain and hailstorms at the wrong times. This has made the apples smaller, worse, and less in number.
3. Why is it difficult for farmers to transport their apples in Kashmir?
It is difficult for farmers to transport their apples in Kashmir because the only road to Kashmir gets blocked by landslides in winter.
4. How have apples from Iran affected the market for Kashmiri apples?
Apples from Iran coming into India have affected the market for Kashmiri apples by creating more competition.
5. Why have the prices of Kashmiri apples gone down?
The government has decided not to charge any taxes on imported apples, which has made the prices of Kashmiri apples go down.
6. What concerns do the apple farmers in Kashmir have about pesticides?
The apple farmers in Kashmir are concerned about bad pesticides being sold, which makes the disease spread in the apple trees.
7. How does the apple industry’s decline affect the overall economy?
When the apple farmers don’t make much money, it affects the whole economy because people don’t have as much to spend.
8. What action should the government take to help the apple farmers in Kashmir?
The government should step in and help the apple farmers in Kashmir by providing financial support, improving transportation infrastructure, and regulating the sale of pesticides.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) industry
(2) money
(3) strange
(4) wrong
(5) number
(6) Kashmir
(7) caused
(8) market
(9) taxes
(10) asked
(11) trees
(12) economy
(13) affect
(14) government
(15) decision
(16) needs
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. industry
Answer: (A) The production of goods or services in a particular area
2. disease
Answer: (K) An illness or sickness that affects living things
3. fungal scab
Answer: (O) A type of sickness that affects apple trees
4. weather
Answer: (G) The condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time
5. money
Answer: (J) The amount of money that you have or need
6. quality
Answer: (B) The level of how good or bad something is
7. crops
Answer: (I) Plants that are grown for food or other useful products
8. farmers
Answer: (N) People who grow crops and take care of animals
9. pesticides
Answer: (F) Chemicals that are used to kill insects or other pests
10. economy
Answer: (C) The system of producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services in a country or region
11. transportation
Answer: (H) The movement of people or goods from one place to another
12. imported
Answer: (L) Goods or products that are brought into a country from another country
13. market
Answer: (M) The place where goods are bought and sold
14. prices
Answer: (D) The amount of money that you have to pay for something
15. government
Answer: (E) The group of people who control and make decisions for a country or region
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is the main reason why the apples in Kashmir are not as good this year?
Answer: (b) Fungal scab, changes in weather, and money problems
2. How much of the apples this year in Kashmir are of low quality?
Answer: (d) About 40%
3. What has been causing damage to the crops in Kashmir?
Answer: (b) Worsening weather conditions
4. Why is it difficult for farmers to transport their apples in Kashmir?
Answer: (c) The only road gets blocked by landslides in winter
5. What is affecting the market for Kashmiri apples?
Answer: (d) Apples from Iran
6. What has the government decided to do regarding imported apples?
Answer: (a) Not charge any taxes on them
7. What are the apple farmers in Kashmir worried about regarding pesticides?
Answer: (c) Bad pesticides being sold
8. Why does the suffering of the apple industry in Kashmir affect everyone’s lives?
Answer: (a) It affects the whole economy as people have less money to spend
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. The apple industry in Kashmir, India is thriving due to a disease called fungal scab and despite changes in the weather and financial problems. (Answer: False)
2. Apple farmers in Kashmir have sought assistance from the government and expressed concerns about the sale of harmful pesticides that contribute to the spread of the disease in apple trees. (Answer: True)
3. The market for Kashmiri apples remains unaffected by the importation of apples from Iran, despite the government’s decision to waive taxes on imported apples. (Answer: False)
4. The apple industry in Kashmir is an insignificant source of income and employment for few people. (Answer: False)
5. The worsening weather in Kashmir over the past few years has caused crop damage and made transportation of apples challenging due to landslides blocking the only road to the region during winter. (Answer: True)
6. The struggling apple industry in Kashmir has a ripple effect on the overall economy, as reduced income for farmers means people have less money to spend, impacting everyone’s lives. (Answer: True)
7. Favorable weather conditions, including rain and hailstorms at the right times, have resulted in bigger, higher quality, and increased quantities of apples. (Answer: False)
8. Approximately 40% of the apples produced this year in Kashmir are of low quality. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
