B1 – Intermediate
Beni is a city in Democratic Republic of the Congo. This city has endured two Ebola outbreaks and armed conflicts, but these did not stop a beer plant there from operating.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a brewery in Congo and some problems it is dealing with.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/congo-beer-factory-level-3/
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “impoverished” mean? It is an impoverished province that has been grappling with major fights by the M23 Rebel group. Give 2 synonyms. Use ‘impoverished’ in your own sentence.
- What does the expression “to grapple with something” mean? “It is an impoverished province that has been grappling with major fights by the M23 Rebel group.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
- What does it mean when someone/something is your “only hope”? “Many people joined the factory, and it has become their only hope to make money.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some problems running a business in Beni?
- Is it a good idea for the beer factory to continue? Why or why not?
- Share your thoughts on this, ” 73% of the people live on less than 1.9 dollars a day.“.
- What do you think are some common problems of companies in your industry? How are they being solved?
- Is it possible to end poverty? Share your opinion.