Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What particular crops or agricultural products are your region or country known for producing?
- What are some common challenges or problems that farmers encounter during the cultivation of crops in your region or country?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- substantial /suhb-STAN-shuhl/
- import /im-PAWRT/
- significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/
- decline /dih-KLAHYN/
- potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/
[adjective] – large in size, value, or importance
The company recorded substantial growth in its revenue last quarter.
[verb] – to buy or bring in products from another country
The company decided to import raw materials from overseas to reduce production costs.
[adjective] – important or noticeable
The discovery of a significant drop in pollution levels brought hope for a healthier environment in the region.
[noun] – when something becomes less in amount, importance, quality, or strength
The decline in sales figures was concerning for the company’s future profitability.
[adjective] – possible when the necessary conditions exist
Despite our team’s remarkable progress on the project, we foresee potential delays if we encounter unexpected technical challenges during the final phase.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
India, known as the second-largest sugar producer worldwide, faces a substantial decrease in sugar production this year due to insufficient rain. This scarcity might make India import sugar for the first time in seven years, a significant change from its usual trend of supplying. The primary reason behind this decline is the reduced cultivation of sugarcane in leading sugar-producing states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The lack of rain has caused water levels in essential reservoirs to drop, forcing farmers to switch to crops that need less water and grow faster than sugarcane. These include sorghum and chickpeas, as found in a Reuters survey involving over 200 farmers. This situation might lead to reduced sugar production not only this year but also until September 2025. India’s contribution to the global sugar market, about 12%, might shift from being an exporter to an importer by the first half of 2025. This anticipated shortage in sugar production might lead to a surge in global sugar prices, favoring the primary sugar exporter, Brazil. Although the government has not responded yet, the industry expects a drop in sugar output, hinting at a potential need for imports to meet the country’s sugar needs.
The lack of rain has caused water levels in essential reservoirs to drop, forcing farmers to switch to crops that need less water and grow faster than sugarcane. These include sorghum and chickpeas, as found in a Reuters survey involving over 200 farmers. This situation might lead to reduced sugar production not only this year but also until September 2025. India’s contribution to the global sugar market, about 12%, might shift from being an exporter to an importer by the first half of 2025. This anticipated shortage in sugar production might lead to a surge in global sugar prices, favoring the primary sugar exporter, Brazil. Although the government has not responded yet, the industry expects a drop in sugar output, hinting at a potential need for imports to meet the country’s sugar needs.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Why might India face a decrease in sugar production this year, according to the article?
- What might India have to do for the first time in seven years due to the current situation in sugar production?
- Why are leading sugar-producing states like Maharashtra and Karnataka experiencing reduced sugarcane cultivation?
- How has the lack of rain affected farmers in these regions, according to the Reuters survey?
- Which crops are farmers switching to, and why are they preferring these crops over sugarcane?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you seen a lack of crops in your area? If so, how did it affect your community? If not, what can be done to prevent crop shortages?
- Have you noticed changes in how crops are grown because of weather changes? If yes, what changes did you see? If not, how do you think weather changes might affect how farmers grow crops?
- Do you think that if there’s less sugarcane grown in major Indian states due to climate issues, it will affect India’s sugar production and trade?
- What problems might India face if it has to import more sugar due to less production caused by less rain?
- If India starts importing sugar instead of exporting it, how might it change the price and trade of sugar worldwide in the future?