News lessons japan pm’s solution to dire birth rate has already been rejected by young Level 3

b. Use the phrases in your own sentences.

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Japan PM’s solution to dire birth rate has already been rejected by young
Level 3:
 
Advanced
5
6

Discussion
a. Discuss these statements.
• “Having children is a personal choice. Governments should not try to influence individuals.”
• “It is everyone’s right to have children, so governments should provide financial support to those 
who do.”
• “The environment cannot handle more people, so governments shouldn’t encourage their citizens 
to start families.”

In your own words
a. Look online for information about the countries with the highest and lowest birth rates. 
Find out how the governments are dealing with this.
b. Report your findings to the class.

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Published by Macmillan Education Ltd. © Macmillan Education Limited, 2023.
Home >> Adults >> General English >> NEWS LESSONS
Japan PM’s solution to dire birth rate has already been rejected by young
Level 3:
 
Advanced – Teacher’s notes
8. spearhead; spearheads
9. shun
10. Strain; strain
11. flesh out
12. gaffe; gaffe(s)
3. Comprehension check
a. Ask students to scan the text quickly to find the 
paragraph that contains the information and then to 
read it carefully before they make their choice. 
Key:
1. under 800,000
2. people
3. 30 per cent
4. are over 65
5. financial
6. twice
7. challenging
8. immigration
9. work–life balance
10. embarrassed
11. won’t