English Daily: Poverty

Engramme: Your Daily English Programme #61: Poverty (Listening B1-C1)

October 17 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Think Before You Listen

1. How do you define "poverty"? Does poverty mean "a lack of money"? What problems do poor people have?

2. Do you think it is possible to eradicate poverty in the world? If yes, how? If no, then why not?

3. Which of the following, in your opinion, are the main causes of poverty:

• inadequate food
• limited access to education
• disability
• living in a war zone
• spatial inequality
• poor infrastructure and/or investment opportunities
• vulnerability to disease
• low income/wages

(move your mouse over the words above to see their meaning)

Watch and Listen

Watch the first 1-minute of the video: How is this question answered in the video: "People living in poverty have described poverty as..."?

Let's Practice

Watch the video from 00:58 to 2:15: Find the words in the listening passage that fit in the blanks below:

(mouse over the colored words to see their meaning)

If you're a girl, have a disability, or live in a war zone, you're more ______ to live in poverty. There are a range of economic, social, technological, political, and environmental causes for poverty and spatial inequality. Some of Australia's neighbors live in nations that are stuck in a ______ of poor infrastructure, low investment, and low trade. Some are particularly vulnerable to climate change and geographic isolation, especially in ______ areas. If countries are poor, that means governments struggle to provide _______  ________ or opportunities for all of their people. Good schools, hospitals, safe water and roads take a lot of money to build and ________. If communities are poor, isolated, or vulnerable to environmental disasters, it's difficult for families to thrive, it's hard to find employment, ______ health services, and build safe homes and a better future for children. If parents are poor, they can't ______ to send their children to school, or get them immunized, or provide them with enough food to eat. When generation after generation _______ from sickness, lack of education, and opportunities to earn a fair wage, the cycle of poverty threatens to ______ itself again and again and again.

(turn on the video subtitles to check your answers)

Over to You

Watch the last part of the video (2:15 to the end): Do you agree that poverty has halved in the last 20 years? What are the signs that this has happened? (type your answers in the comments' section below and receive feedback from us)

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Congratulations! You have covered a very common and important topic of discussion in many ESL textbooks and examinations. The vocabulary you learned will also help you express yourself better when it comes to poverty, lifestyle, and essential needs. Good luck!

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