The 2020s

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Level 6 - 2nd January, 2020
The 2020s are here - Happy New Decade
FREE online quizzes, mp3 listening and more for this lesson here:
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2001/200102-the-2020s.html
Contents
The Article 2 Discussion (Student-Created Qs) 15
Warm-Ups 3 Language Work (Cloze) 16
Vocabulary 4 Spelling 17
Before Reading / Listening 5 Put The Text Back Together 18
Gap Fill 6 Put The Words In The Right Order 19
Match The Sentences And Listen 7 Circle The Correct Word 20
Listening Gap Fill 8 Insert The Vowels (a, e, i, o, u) 21
Comprehension Questions 9 Punctuate The Text And Add Capitals 22
Multiple Choice - Quiz 10 Put A Slash ( / ) Where The Spaces Are 23
Role Play 11 Free Writing 24
After Reading / Listening 12 Academic Writing 25
Student Survey 13 Homework 26
Discussion (20 Questions) 14 Answers 27
Please try Levels 4 and 5 (they are easier).
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THE ARTICLE
From https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2001/200102-the-2020s.html
As the clock struck twelve midnight to herald the arrival of the 2020s,
people the world over were filled with a mixture of optimism and
pessimism at what the new decade might have in store for us. Many hope
the New Year will see an upturn in their fortunes and those of planet
Earth. The past decade could be described as having been somewhat
tumultuous. Global warming stoked fears of our very existence being in

peril; wars and conflict have continued to rage around the world; millions
still lack basic things like clean water and education; and thousands of
species became endangered or extinct. There is hope that technology and
greater cooperation between nations will make the 2020s a better

decade.
The technology website cnet.com predicted that many of us will advance

further into the realms of science fiction. It wrote: "The decade beginning
in 2020 will take us even further toward a world where far-out ideas like
hooking brains up to computers, and even immortality, become topics of
serious conversation." Futurologist Vivek Wadhwa wrote about the
prospect of flying cars, bionic exoskeleton suits and unlimited clean
energy. He told cnet.com that: "Some technologies will take longer to

reach the masses than others, but they will be at hand. The 2020s will be
when the incredible promises of technology finally happen." Let's get
together again in 2030 and compare notes on how things went.
Sources: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bijankhosravi/2019/12/22/happy-new-year-happy-new-decade-and-
welcome-to-the-2020s/#2c50444a2508
https://fortune.com/longform/ideas-shape-2020s-tech-economy-markets-ai-health-work-society/
https://www.cnet.com/news/2020s-visions-we-will-get-flying-cars-just-before-becoming-software-
based-people/
Level 6 The 2020s are here - Happy New Decade – 2nd January, 2020
More free lessons at breakingnewsenglish.com - Copyright Sean Banville 2020 2
WARM-UPS
1. THE 2020s: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the
2020s. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will
the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
clock / midnight / 2020 / optimism / pessimism / Earth / global warming / hope /

technology / science fiction / far-out ideas / immortality / flying car / promises / notes
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. THIS DECADE: Students A strongly believe this decade will be better than the
2010s; Students B strongly believe it won't. Change partners again and talk about your
conversations.
4. PREDICTIONS: What are your predictions about these things for the 2030s?
Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.
Prediction What Will This Change?
Environment
World Peace
Business
Technology
Equality
Health
5. MIDNIGHT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you
associate with the word "midnight". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about
them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SCIENCE FICTION: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that are
most likely to come true in 2030 at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.
• flying cars • greater equality

• space travel • a cleaner environment
• animal-free diets • nuclear disarmament
• the end of cancer • redistribution of wealth
VOCABULARY MATCHING
Paragraph 1
1. herald a. Stormy, volatile and full of ups and downs.
2. pessimism b. Of a species of animal or plant having no

living members.
3. upturn c. Be a sign that something is about to

happen.
4. tumultuous d. An improvement in economic conditions or

in someone's fortunes.
5. peril e. A tendency to see the worst aspect of things

or believe that the worst will happen.
6. rage f. Serious and immediate danger.
7. extinct g. Continue with great force or intensity.
Paragraph 2
8. realms h. Unconventional; unusual; out of the

ordinary.
9. far-out i. The ability to live forever; eternal life.
10. immortality j. The ordinary people.
11. prospect k. A field or area of activity or interest.
12. bionic l. Share experiences or opinions with someone

about something.
13. the masses m. Having artificial body parts, especially

electromechanical ones.
14. compare notes n. The possibility or likelihood of some future

event occurring.
BEFORE READING / LISTENING
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
a. People over the world struck the clock of pessimism at twelve. T/F
b. The article says the new decade will see more stores closing. T/F
c. The article suggested the 2010s were somewhat tumultuous. T/F
d. The article says millions of people cannot get a basic education. T/F
e. The writer said we are living in science fiction and cannot go further. T/F
f. A website said our brains could be connected to computers. T/F
g. A futurologist wrote about the prospect of unlimited clean energy. T/F
h. The writer asked us to meet in 2030 to discuss the 2020s. T/F
2. SYNONYM MATCH:
Match the following synonyms. The words in bold are from the news article.
1. herald a. progressed
2. mixture b. stormy
3. upturn c. collaboration
4. tumultuous d. common people
5. cooperation e. combination
6. predicted f. inexhaustible
7. far-out g. forecast
8. unlimited h. announce
9. the masses i. unconventional
10. went j. improvement
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
1. the clock struck twelve midnight to herald a. up to computers

2. filled with a mixture of b. the masses
3. what the new decade might have in c. finally happen
4. described as having been somewhat d. realms of science fiction
5. stoked fears of our very existence e. optimism and pessimism
6. many of us will advance further into the f. how things went
7. far-out ideas like hooking brains g. store for us
8. take longer to reach h. tumultuous
9. the incredible promises of technology i. the arrival of the 2020s
10. compare notes on j. being in peril
GAP FILL
As the clock struck twelve midnight to (1) ____________ the tumultuous
arrival of the 2020s, people the world over were filled with a mixture
(2) ____________ of optimism and pessimism at what the new
rage
decade might have in (3) ____________ for us. Many hope the
herald
New Year will see an upturn in their fortunes and those of planet
Earth. The past decade could be described as having been peril
somewhat (4) ____________. Global warming stoked fears of our lack

very existence being in (5) ____________; wars and conflict have
store
continued to (6) ____________ around the world; millions still
extinct
(7) ____________ basic things like clean water and education; and
thousands of species became endangered or (8) ____________.
There is hope that technology and greater cooperation between
nations will make the 2020s a better decade.
The technology website cnet.com (9) ____________ that many of prospect
us will advance further into the (10) ____________ of science hooking

fiction. It wrote: "The decade beginning in 2020 will take us even
notes
further toward a world where far-out ideas like (11) ____________
immortality
brains up to computers, and even (12) ____________, become
topics of serious conversation." Futurologist Vivek Wadhwa wrote masses
about the (13) ____________ of flying cars, bionic exoskeleton realms

suits and (14) ____________ clean energy. He told cnet.com that:
predicted
"Some technologies will take longer to reach the
unlimited
(15) ____________ than others, but they will be at hand. The
2020s will be when the incredible promises of technology finally
happen." Let's get together again in 2030 and compare
(16) ____________ on how things went.
LISTENING – Guess the answers. Listen to check.
1) As the clock struck twelve midnight to ______

a. hear old the arrival
b. hurry and the arrival
c. her old the arrival
d. herald the arrival
2) people the world over were filled with a mixture of optimism ______
a. and pessimistic
b. and possum is arm
c. and pessimism
d. aid pessimism
3) Many hope the New Year will see an ______ fortunes
a. up tune in their
b. nap turn in their
c. upped urn in their
d. upturn in their
4) fears of our very existence being in peril; wars and conflict have ______
a. continued to trade
b. continued to rage
c. continued to rate
d. continued to gauge
5) and thousands of species became ______
a. in danger dead extinct
b. end danger door extinct
c. end and jarred or extinction
d. endangered or extinct
6) many of us will advance further into the ______ fiction
a. realms of science
b. reams of science
c. roams of science
d. rooms of science
7) further toward a world where far-out ideas like ______ to computers
a. hooking drains up
b. hooking grains up
c. hooking cranes up
d. hooking brains up
8) Futurologist Vivek Wadhwa wrote about the prospect of flying cars, ______
a. bio nick exoskeleton suits
b. bi tonic exoskeleton suits
c. biome mic exoskeleton suits
d. bionic exoskeleton suits
9) Some technologies will take longer to ______
a. reach the masses
b. reach the mass is
c. reach the ma says
d. reach the mass sis
10) Let's get together again in 2030 and ______
a. compare motes
b. compare moats
c. compare notes
d. compare nodes
LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps
As the clock struck twelve midnight to (1) ___________________ of the
2020s, people the world over were filled with (2) ___________________
optimism and pessimism at what the new decade might have in store for us.
Many hope the New Year will (3) ___________________ in their fortunes
and those of planet Earth. The past decade could be described as having
been somewhat tumultuous. Global warming (4) ___________________ our
very existence (5) ___________________; wars and conflict have continued
to rage around the world; millions still lack basic things like clean water and
education; and thousands of species became (6) ___________________.
There is hope that technology and greater cooperation between nations will
make the 2020s a better decade.
The technology website cnet.com predicted that many of us will advance
further (7) ___________________ of science fiction. It wrote: "The decade
beginning in 2020 will take us even further toward a world
(8) ___________________ like hooking brains up to computers, and even
immortality, become (9) ___________________ conversation." Futurologist
Vivek Wadhwa wrote about the (10) ___________________ cars, bionic
exoskeleton suits and unlimited clean energy. He told cnet.com that: "Some
technologies will take longer to (11) ___________________ than others, but
they will be at hand. The 2020s will be when the incredible promises of
technology finally happen." Let's get together again in 2030 and
(12) ___________________ how things went.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. What did people worldwide herald at the stroke of midnight?
2. What do people hope there is an upturn in besides their own fortunes?
3. What stoked our fears about our very existence?
4. What are millions of people lacking?
5. Who might cooperate more in the 2020s to make things better?
6. What did a website say we would advance further into the realms of?
7. What did the website say ideas about the future were?
8. What might we talk about besides hooking up brains to computers?
9. Who will some technology take longer to reach?
10. When did the writer suggest we meet again to compare notes?
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ
1) What did people worldwide herald 6) What did a website say we would
at the stroke of midnight? advance further into the realms of?
a) world peace a) fake news and deep fake videos
b) a newspaper b) science fiction
c) the arrival of the 2020s c) fantasy
d) fireworks d) the unknown
2) What do people hope there is an 7) What did the website say ideas
upturn in besides their own about the future were?
fortunes? a) hand out
a) Earth's fortunes b) shout out
b) the economy c) way out
c) the stock market d) far-out
d) the weather
8) What might we talk about besides
3) What stoked our fears about our hooking up brains to computers?
very existence? a) vloggers
a) nuclear weapons b) immortality
b) global warming c) cashless payments
c) antimicrobial resistance d) the zeitgeist
d) water shortages
9) Who will some technology take
4) What are millions of people longer to reach?
lacking? a) the missing
a) friends b) the masses
b) food c) the Mrs
c) fast wifi d) the messy
d) clean water
10) When did the writer suggest we
5) Who might cooperate more in the meet again to compare notes?
2020s to make things better? a) in 2030
a) people on social media b) next week
b) world leaders c) halfway through the decade
c) nations d) after a year
d) technology companies
ROLE PLAY
Role A – Flying Cars

You think flying cars are the things most likely to happen in the
2020s. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is
wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least
likely of these (and why): the end of cancer, nuclear
disarmament or space travel.
Role B – The End of Cancer

You think the end of cancer is the most likely to happen in the
likely of these (and why): flying cars, nuclear disarmament or
space travel.
Role C – Nuclear Disarmament

You think nuclear disarmament is the most likely to happen in
the 2020s. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is
likely of these (and why): the end of cancer, flying cars or
space travel.
Role D – Space Travel

You think space travel is the most likely to happen in the
likely of these (and why): the end of cancer, nuclear
disarmament or flying cars.
AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates,

other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'year' and 'decade'.
year decade
• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.
2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down

some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.
• Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.
3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise.

Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new,
interesting, worth learning…?
4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups,

pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.
5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try
to recall how they were used in the text:
• twelve • many
• store • further
• somewhat • prospect
• peril • longer
• rage • promises
• hope • notes
THE 2020s SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about the 2020s in the table. Do this in pairs. Each
student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.
STUDENT 1 STUDENT 2 STUDENT 3
_____________ _____________ _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.
• Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found
out. Change partners often.
• Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.
THE 2020S DISCUSSION
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1. What did you think when you read the headline?

2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'fear'?
3. How did you celebrate the arrival of the new decade?
4. What are your hopes for the 2020s?
5. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the 2020s?
6. What do you think the 2020s have in store for us?
7. What were the 2010s like for you?
8. How worried are you about global warming?
9. How worried are you about species extinction?
10. Do you think nations will cooperate in the 2020s?
The 2020s are here - Happy New Decade – 2nd January, 2020
Thousands more free lessons at breakingnewsenglish.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE 2020S DISCUSSION
STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
11. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

12. What do you think of when you hear the word 'decade'?
13. What do you think about what you read?
14. What are your predictions for the 2020s?
15. What parts of the 2020s are like science fiction?
16. What far-out ideas do you think will come true in the 2020s?
17. Are you looking forward to traveling in flying cars?
18. What are your New Year resolutions?
19. What will we be saying about the 2020s in 2030?
20. What questions would you like to ask a futurologist?
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________
Copyright © breakingnewsenglish.com 2020
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________
LANGUAGE - CLOZE
As the clock (1) ____ twelve midnight to herald the arrival of the 2020s, people the
world over were filled with a mixture of optimism and pessimism (2) ____ what the
new decade might have in (3) ____ for us. Many hope the New Year will see an
upturn in their fortunes and those of planet Earth. The past decade could be
described as (4) ____ been somewhat tumultuous. Global warming stoked fears of
our very existence being in peril; wars and conflict have continued to (5) ____
around the world; millions still lack basic things like clean water and education; and
thousands of species became endangered or extinct. There is (6) ____ that
technology and greater cooperation between nations will make the 2020s a better
decade.
The technology website cnet.com predicted that many of us will advance further
into the (7) ____ of science fiction. It wrote: "The decade beginning in 2020 will
take us even further toward a world where far-(8) ____ ideas like hooking brains up
to computers, and even (9) ____, become topics of serious conversation."
Futurologist Vivek Wadhwa wrote about the prospect (10) ____ flying cars, bionic
technologies will take longer to reach the (11) ____ than others, but they will be at
hand. The 2020s will be when the incredible promises of technology finally happen."
Let's get together again in 2030 and compare notes on how things (12) ____.
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1. (a) struck (b) striking (c) stricken (d) stuck
2. (a) by (b) of (c) at (d) on
3. (a) shop (b) hoard (c) store (d) mall
4. (a) haves (b) has (c) had (d) having
5. (a) enrage (b) engage (c) rage (d) gauge
6. (a) hopes (b) hope (c) hopeful (d) hopefully
7. (a) auspices (b) realms (c) churns (d) alms
8. (a) up (b) out (c) in (d) way
9. (a) immortal (b) immortalize (c) immortality (d) mortals
10. (a) up (b) to (c) by (d) of
11. (a) misses (b) messes (c) Mrs (d) masses
12. (a) feared (b) came (c) gone (d) went
SPELLING
Paragraph 1
1. hlarde the arrival of the 2020s
2. filled with a mixture of msmtipio
3. having been somewhat uulotstumu
4. very existence being in lreip
5. became endangered or ctxntie
6. greater rpcoaonitoe between nations
Paragraph 2
7. into the meslar of science fiction
8. ua-tofr ideas
9. gtutusiorflo Vivek Wadhwa
10. and even ymlimtotrai
11. nibico exoskeleton suits
12. take longer to reach the assmse
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( 1 ) As the clock struck twelve midnight to herald the arrival of the

2020s, people the world over were filled
( ) with a mixture of optimism and pessimism at what the new decade

might have in store
( ) masses than others, but they will be at hand. The 2020s will be
when the incredible
( ) out ideas like hooking brains up to computers, and even

immortality, become topics of serious
( ) described as having been somewhat tumultuous. Global warming

stoked fears of our very existence being
( ) The technology website cnet.com predicted that many of us will

advance further into the realms of science
( ) fiction. It wrote: "The decade beginning in 2020 will take us even

further toward a world where far-
( ) in peril; wars and conflict have continued to rage around the world;
millions still lack basic
( ) things like clean water and education; and thousands of species

became endangered or
( ) conversation." Futurologist Vivek Wadhwa wrote about the prospect

of flying cars, bionic exoskeleton suits and unlimited clean
( ) promises of technology finally happen." Let's get together again in

2030 and compare notes on how things went.
( ) for us. Many hope the New Year will see an upturn in their fortunes
and those of planet Earth. The past decade could be
( ) energy. He told cnet.com that: "Some technologies will take longer

to reach the
( ) extinct. There is hope that technology and greater cooperation

between nations will make the 2020s a better decade.
PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER
1. The to herald arrival . clock twelve struck the
2. new have What decade might the store . in
3. being of existence Fears in peril . very our
4. to the continued around have world . Wars rage
5. endangered became extinct . Thousands of species or
6. realms into fiction . the science Advance further of
7. brains computers . hooking to Far-out up like ideas
8. masses to reach longer Take than the others .
9. of happen . The technology promises finally incredible
10. went . notes things on Let's compare how
CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)
As the clock struck / stricken twelve midnight to herald / herbal the arrival of
the 2020s, people the world over were filled with a mixture of optimistic /
optimism and pessimism at what the new decade might have in store / shop
for us. Many hope the New Year will see an overturn / upturn in their
fortunes and those / them of planet Earth. The past decade could be
described as having been somewhat tumultuous. Global warming stoked
fears of our very existence being in prevail / peril; wars and conflict have
continued to rage / gauge around the world; millions still lack basic /
basically things like clean water and education; and thousands of species
became endangered or extinction / extinct. There is hope that technology
and greater cooperation between nations will make the 2020s a better
decade.
The technology website cnet.com predicated / predicted that many of us will
advance further into the realms / roams of science fiction. It wrote: "The
decade begins / beginning in 2020 will take us even further toward a world
where far-out / faraway ideas like hooking brains up to computers, and even
immortality / immortal, become topics of serious conversation." Futurologist
Vivek Wadhwa wrote about the prospectus / prospect of flying cars, bionic
technologies will take longer to reach the mass / masses than others, but
they will be at arm / hand. The 2020s will be when the incredible promissory
/ promises of technology finally happen." Let's get together again in 2030
and compare notes / lines on how things went.
Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and
why the correct word is correct.
INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)
A s t h_ c l_c k s t r_c k t w_l v_ m_d n_g h t t_

h_r_l d t h_ _r r_v_l _f t h_ 2 0 2 0 s , p__ p l_ t h_
w_r l d _v_r w_r_ f_l l_d w_t h _ m_x t_r_ _f _p
t_m_s m _n d p_s s_m_s m _t w h_t t h_ n_w d_c_d_
m_g h t h_v_ _n s t_r_ f_r _s . M_n y h_p_ t h_
N_w Y__ r w_l l s__ _n _p t_r n _n t h__ r f_r
t_n_s _n d t h_s _ _f p l_n_t E_r t h . T h_ p_s t
d_c_d_ c__ l d b_ d_s c r_b_d _s h_v_n g b__ n
s_m_w h_t t_m_l t___s . G l_b_l w_r m_n g s t_k_d
f__ r s _f __ r v_r y _x_s t_n c_ b__ n g _n p_r_l ;
w_r s _n d c_n f l_c t h_v_ c_n t_n__ d t_ r_g_ _r__ n
d t h_ w_r l d ; m_l l__ n s s t_l l l_c k b_s_c t
h_n g s l_k_ c l__ n w_t_r _n d _d_c_t__ n ; _n d t
h__ s_n d s _f s p_c__ s b_c_m_ _n d_n g_r_d _r _x
t_n c t . T h_r_ _s h_p_ t h_t t_c h n_l_g y _n d g
r__ t_r c__ p_r_t__ n b_t w__ n n_t__ n s w_l l
m_k_ t h_ 2 0 2 0 s _ b_t t_r d_c_d_.
T h_ t_c h n_l_g y w_b s_t_ c n_t . c_m p r_d_c t_d t

h_t m_n y _f _s w_l l _d v_n c_ f_r t h_r _n t_ t h_
r__ l m s _f s c__ n c_ f_c t__ n . I t w r_t_: " T h_
d_c_d_ b_g_n n_n g _n 2 0 2 0 w_l l t_k_ _s _v_n
f_r t h_r t_w_r d _ w_r l d w h_r_ f_r -__ t _d__ s
l_k_ h__ k_n g b r__ n s _p t_ c_m p_t_r s , _n d
_v_n _m m_r t_l_t y , b_c_m_ t_p_c s _f s_r___s c_n
v_r s_t__ n . " F_t_r_l_g_s t V_v_k W_d h w_ w r_t_
_b__ t t h_ p r_s p_c t _f f l y_n g c_r s , b__ n_c
_x_s k_l_t_n s__ t s _n d _n l_m_t_d c l__ n _n_r g y .
H_ t_l d c n_t . c_m t h_t : " S_m_ t_c h n_l_g__ s
w_l l t_k_ l_n g_r t_ r__ c h t h_ m_s s_s t h_n _t
h_r s , b_t t h_y w_l l b_ _t h_n d . T h_ 2 0 2 0 s
w_l l b_ w h_n t h_ _n c r_d_b l_ p r_m_s_s _f t_c h
n_l_g y f_n_l l y h_p p_n . " L_t ' s g_t t_g_t h_r
_g__ n _n 2 0 3 0 _n d c_m p_r_ n_t_s _n h_w t
h_n g s w_n t .
PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS
as the clock struck twelve midnight to herald the arrival of the 2020s people
the world over were filled with a mixture of optimism and pessimism at what
the new decade might have in store for us many hope the new year will see
an upturn in their fortunes and those of planet earth the past decade could
be described as having been somewhat tumultuous global warming stoked
fears of our very existence being in peril wars and conflict have continued to
rage around the world millions still lack basic things like clean water and
education and thousands of species became endangered or extinct there is
hope that technology and greater cooperation between nations will make the
2020s a better decade
the technology website cnetcom predicted that many of us will advance
further into the realms of science fiction it wrote the decade beginning in
2020 will take us even further toward a world where farout ideas like
hooking brains up to computers and even immortality become topics of
serious conversation futurologist vivek wadhwa wrote about the prospect of
flying cars bionic exoskeleton suits and unlimited clean energy he told
cnetcom that some technologies will take longer to reach the masses than
others but they will be at hand the 2020s will be when the incredible
promises of technology finally happen lets get together again in 2030 and
compare notes on how things went
PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE
Astheclockstrucktwelvemidnighttoheraldthearrivalofthe2020s,peo
pletheworldoverwerefilledwithamixtureofoptimismandpessimismat
whatthenewdecademighthaveinstoreforus.ManyhopetheNewYearw
illseeanupturnintheirfortunesandthoseofplanetEarth.Thepastdecad
ecouldbedescribedashavingbeensomewhattumultuous.Globalwarm
ingstokedfearsofourveryexistencebeinginperil;warsandconflicthav
econtinuedtoragearoundtheworld;millionsstilllackbasicthingslikecle
anwaterandeducation;andthousandsofspeciesbecameendangeredo
rextinct.Thereishopethattechnologyandgreatercooperationbetwee
nnationswillmakethe2020sabetterdecade.Thetechnologywebsitecn
et.compredictedthatmanyofuswilladvancefurtherintotherealmsofsc
iencefiction.Itwrote:"Thedecadebeginningin2020willtakeusevenfur
thertowardaworldwherefar-outideaslikehookingbrainsuptocompute
rs,andevenimmortality,becometopicsofseriousconversation."Futur
ologistVivekWadhwawroteabouttheprospectofflyingcars,bionicexos
keletonsuitsandunlimitedcleanenergy.Hetoldcnet.comthat:"Somet
echnologieswilltakelongertoreachthemassesthanothers,buttheywill
beathand.The2020swillbewhentheincrediblepromisesoftechnologyf
inallyhappen."Let'sgettogetheragainin2030andcomparenotesonho
wthingswent.
FREE WRITING
Write about the 2020s for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.
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ACADEMIC WRITING
The 2020s will be infinitely better than the 2010s. Discuss.
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HOMEWORK
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the

text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to
build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news
story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. THE 2020s: Make a poster about the 2020s. Show your work to your
classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. THE BEST DECADE: Write a magazine article about the 2020s being
the best decade ever. Include imaginary interviews with people who believe
this is true and with people who do not think the 2020s will be so great.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any
new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next

stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the
next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on the 2020s. Ask him/her three

questions about the decade. Give him/her three of your predictions for the
next 10 years. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your
partner(s) will answer your questions.
ANSWERS
VOCABULARY (p.4)
1. c 2. e 3. d 4. a 5. f 6. g 7. b
8. k 9. h 10. i 11. n 12. m 13. j 14. l
TRUE / FALSE (p.5)

a F b F c T d T e F f T g T h T
SYNONYM MATCH (p.5)
1. h 2. e 3. j 4. b 5. c
6. g 7. i 8. f 9. d 10. a
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.9) WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER (p.20)
1. The arrival of the 2020s 1. The clock struck twelve to herald the arrival.
2. Earth's fortunes 2. What the new decade might have in store.
3. Global warming 3. Fears of our very existence being in peril.
4. Clean water and education 4. Wars have continued to rage around the world.
5. Nations 5. Thousands of species became endangered or
extinct.
6. Science fiction 6. Advance further into the realms of science fiction.
7. Far-out 7. Far-out ideas like hooking brains up to
computers.
8. Immortality 8. Take longer to reach the masses than others.
9. The masses 9. The incredible promises of technology finally
happen.
10. In 2030 10. Let's compare notes on how things went.
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.10)

1. c 2. a 3. b 4. d 5. c 6. b 7. d 8. b 9. b 10. a
ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Breaking News English.

“1,000 IDEAS & ACTIVITIES Thousands more free lessons

Level 6 - 2nd January, 2020

The 2020s are here - Happy New Decade

Please try Levels 4 and 5 (they are easier).

tumultuous. Global warming stoked fears of our very existence being in

greater cooperation between nations will make the 2020s a better

The technology website cnet.com predicted that many of us will advance

prospect of flying cars, bionic exoskeleton suits and unlimited clean

energy. He told cnet.com that: "Some technologies will take longer to

together again in 2030 and compare notes on how things went.

clock / midnight / 2020 / optimism / pessimism / Earth / global warming / hope /

Prediction What Will This Change?

• flying cars • greater equality

1. herald a. Stormy, volatile and full of ups and downs.

2. pessimism b. Of a species of animal or plant having no

3. upturn c. Be a sign that something is about to

4. tumultuous d. An improvement in economic conditions or

5. peril e. A tendency to see the worst aspect of things

6. rage f. Serious and immediate danger.

7. extinct g. Continue with great force or intensity.

8. realms h. Unconventional; unusual; out of the

9. far-out i. The ability to live forever; eternal life.

10. immortality j. The ordinary people.

11. prospect k. A field or area of activity or interest.

12. bionic l. Share experiences or opinions with someone

13. the masses m. Having artificial body parts, especially

14. compare notes n. The possibility or likelihood of some future

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1. the clock struck twelve midnight to herald a. up to computers

As the clock struck twelve midnight to (1) ____________ the tumultuous

Earth. The past decade could be described as having been peril

somewhat (4) ____________. Global warming stoked fears of our lack

thousands of species became endangered or (8) ____________.

There is hope that technology and greater cooperation between

nations will make the 2020s a better decade.

The technology website cnet.com (9) ____________ that many of prospect

us will advance further into the (10) ____________ of science hooking

topics of serious conversation." Futurologist Vivek Wadhwa wrote masses

about the (13) ____________ of flying cars, bionic exoskeleton realms

2020s will be when the incredible promises of technology finally

happen." Let's get together again in 2030 and compare

(16) ____________ on how things went.

1) As the clock struck twelve midnight to ______

As the clock struck twelve midnight to (1) ___________________ of the

been somewhat tumultuous. Global warming (4) ___________________ our

very existence (5) ___________________; wars and conflict have continued

education; and thousands of species became (6) ___________________.

make the 2020s a better decade.

The technology website cnet.com predicted that many of us will advance

further (7) ___________________ of science fiction. It wrote: "The decade

beginning in 2020 will take us even further toward a world

(8) ___________________ like hooking brains up to computers, and even

immortality, become (9) ___________________ conversation." Futurologist

Vivek Wadhwa wrote about the (10) ___________________ cars, bionic

technologies will take longer to (11) ___________________ than others, but

technology finally happen." Let's get together again in 2030 and

(12) ___________________ how things went.

1. What did people worldwide herald at the stroke of midnight?

_______ _ _______