B2 – Upper Intermediate
Farmers took to the streets of central Madrid to demonstrate against European Union’s agricultural policies and the Mercosur deal.
Farmers believe that allowing an influx of goods from countries that have lower health and environmental guarantees will have an impact on the country’s agricultural sector.
Read the article about farmers protesting against the EU-Mercosur deal.
Vocabulary Questions:
- Define “free trade agreement”. “Thousands of farmers marched into central Madrid on Wednesday to protest against European Union’s agricultural policies and a free trade agreement with a group of South American nations.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “politically charged” mean? “In Spain, farmer protests have become politically charged, with far-right nationalist party Vox having made large inroads among farmers in recent years by denouncing that the country’s largest parties – the governing Socialists and the conservative People’s Party – aren’t doing enough for the agricultural sector.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “to make inroads” mean? “In Spain, farmer protests have become politically charged, with far-right nationalist party Vox having made large inroads among farmers in recent years by denouncing that the country’s largest parties – the governing Socialists and the conservative People’s Party – aren’t doing enough for the agricultural sector.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the farmers protesting against?
- Share your thoughts about this protest.
- Share your thoughts about the Mercosur deal.
- Talk about everything you know about your country’s agricultural policies.
- What are your thoughts on this, “Farmers aren’t seeking a monopoly, but they want food products produced in other countries to be produced under the same conditions that are required of them.”