Pre-reading questions:
- What factors contribute to the increasing cost of living in our society?
- What can individuals do to address the issue of the increasing cost of living?
Vocabulary:
- assistance /uh-SIS-tuhns/
- adequate /AD-i-kwit/
- struggle /STRUHG-uhl/
- budget /BUHJ-it/
- partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/
[noun] – help
When taking a test, students are not allowed to receive any assistance from others or use unauthorized materials.
[adjective] – enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose
It is important for athletes to maintain an adequate diet and hydration in order to perform at their best during competitions.
[verb] – to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something
Some people struggle to learn a new language, but with consistent practice and dedication, they can eventually become fluent.
[noun] – the amount of money you have available to spend
In order to save money, it’s important to create a budget and stick to it, tracking all expenses to ensure that you’re not overspending.
[noun] – the state of being a partner
The success of a business often relies on a strong partnership between the owners and their employees, with both parties working together towards a common goal.
Article reading:
One of the biggest challenges is the increasing cost of living. Social welfare systems are struggling to keep up as populations age and healthcare costs soar. Governments must balance their budgets while ensuring that their citizens have access to quality care. Furthermore, the rise of the gig economy has created a generation of workers who are left without adequate social protection. These issues highlight the need for innovative solutions to provide social security benefits to all workers. Despite these challenges, there is hope on the horizon. Many countries in Europe are experimenting with new ways of providing social security to their citizens. Basic income schemes and public-private partnerships are just a few of the innovative solutions being explored that could revolutionize Europe’s social welfare systems. However, implementing these changes will require political will and financial investment.
In conclusion, Europe’s social security systems are facing significant challenges that threaten their sustainability. As we face these trials, we must remember that social security is not a luxury but a basic necessity.
Comprehension questions
- Why do Europeans take pride in their government’s social welfare systems?
- What are the challenges that Europe is experiencing in providing social security to its citizens?
- Why are social welfare systems struggling to keep up?
- What is required to implement these changes?
- What is the importance of social security, according to the article?
Discussion questions
- What are some of the challenges that your country faces in terms of social security?
- How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your country’s social security?
- Do you agree that the rise of the gig economy has made it difficult to provide traditional social security benefits to workers who do not have a fixed employer?
- In your opinion, why is it important for governments to provide adequate social security to their citizens?
- What do you think can be done to ensure that all citizens have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their financial situation?