B1 – Intermediate
One of the biggest cocoa producer in the world is Ivory Coast. However, many farmers do not want to grow cocoa anymore. Instead, they are planting more rubber trees.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Ivory Coast shifting from cocoa to rubber cultivation.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/cocoa-farmers-grow-rubber-level-3/
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “shift” mean? “Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, is seeing a shift among farmers toward rubber cultivation.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘shift’ in your own sentence.
- What does “labor-intensive” mean? “Farmers find rubber farming cheaper and less labor-intensive.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘labor-‘intensive’ in your own sentence.
- What does “drive” mean in this context? “Climate change and high production costs are driving this change.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘drive” in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on the world’s largest cocoa producer shifting to rubber cultivation?
- What are the reasons farmers are do not want to grow cocoa anymore?
- What effects will this have on the cocoa industry?
- What can the government do to help cocoa farmers?
- What crops are most commonly cultivated in your country? Which ones are gaining more popularity among farmers in the recent years and why?