6.+BTN+August+16th

BTN episode 22, August 16th, 2011

go to [|www.abc.net.au/btn] or google btn

choose video, then find the episode, then click on theme
 * REPORT SUMMARIES **

US Debt (0.38 – 4.43)

As government debt continues to climb, the United States has had its credit rating downgraded.

Banana Prices (5.44 – 9.11)

After the cost of Australian bananas went sky high as a result of extensive damage to crops, consumers can now look forward to a gradual drop in prices in the near future.

Youth Sleep Out (9.40 – 13.52)

A group of kids have taken part in a big sleep out in order to raise money and awareness of the issue of homelessness among children.

Tooth Decay (13.58 – 17.42)

In this report, BTN visits a dentist to find out more about tooth decay and how it can be prevented.

Aerobics (19.24 – 23.58)

In this report, we meet some school students taking part in an aerobics competition.


 * US Debt ** (0.38 – 4.43)

As government debt continues to climb, the United States has had its credit rating downgraded.

// Focus Questions //


 * What is a ‘credit rating’? What is the highest credit rating a country can have?
 * Why do you think the USA’s credit rating was recently downgraded?
 * Which countries do you think have the best credit rating?
 * What is the consequence for a government if they have a lower credit rating?
 * Why has government debt been rising in the US?
 * What does it mean to ‘default’ on a debt?
 * If a government doesn’t have enough money, who might not get paid?
 * How much is one trillion? Write the number down.

// Watch the report and answer the questions //


 * 1) How much money does America's government owe? ………………………………………
 * 2) What did the opposition want the US government to do?
 * a. Borrow more money b. Cut debt **
 * 1) If America defaulted on its debt, what is one example of who wouldn't be paid? ………………………………………
 * 2) What happened after negotiations were held between the government and the opposition?
 * 3) ** The government got more money **
 * 4) ** The government had to cut spending **
 * 5) ** Both A. and B. **
 * 6) What is Australia’s credit rating? ………………………………………
 * 7) Which European country has one of the lowestcredit ratings? ………………………………………
 * 8) What is America's? ………………………………………
 * 9) What is the consequence of a lower credit rating?
 * 10) ** Countries can’t borrow any money **
 * 11) ** Countries can’t borrow as much money **
 * 12) ** It costs countries more to borrow **


 * Banana Prices ** (5.44 – 9.11)

After the cost of Australian bananas went sky high as a result of extensive crop damage, consumers can now start looking forward to a gradual drop in prices.

// Focus Questions //


 * Why did bananas become so expensive in Australia? What happened to the crops?
 * How much do bananas normally cost?
 * Why weren’t bananas imported from overseas to make up for the shortage?
 * Do you eat a lot of bananas?

// Watch the report and complete the sentences with no more than __2 words__ //


 * 1) Bananas became very expensive in Australia because of a cyclone and massive …………………
 * 2) ……………………………………… of Australia's banana crops were destroyed.
 * 3) About 90% of bananas sold in Australia are grown in ………………………………………
 * 4) Some bananas were still available because they are also grown in places like New South Wales and ………………………………………
 * 5) Prices went from $2 a kilo to about ………………………………………
 * 6) Imported bananas are banned because of the risk of bringing into Australia ……………………………
 * 7) A gradual fall in the price of bananas is expected to start happening as soon as ………………………


 * Youth Sleep Out ** (9.40 – 13.52)

A group of kids have taken part in a big sleep out in order to raise money and awareness of the issue of homelessness among children.

// Focus Questions //


 * Why do you think a lot of people in Australia are homeless?
 * Where do homeless people sleep?
 * What do you think the kids learned from the experience?

// Watch the report and answer the questions //


 * 1) Where was the 'Sleep'n'Bag' sleepover held? ………………………………………
 * 2) The event has taken place every year for several years. **T / F**
 * 3) What does one participant say might be a problem for her?
 * a. She snores b. She sleepwalks **
 * 1) The participants ... **a. had mats b. didn’t have mats**
 * 2) With the money raised, what do the kids want to buy for homeless people?
 * Some ** ………………………………………
 * 1) On any given night, how many people are estimated to be homeless in Australia?
 * Up to ** ………………………………………
 * 1) What are so-called ‘hidden homeless’? **People who sleep on** ………………………………………

|| ** Tooth Decay ** (13.58 – 17.42)

In this report, BTN visits a dentist to find out more about tooth decay and how it can be prevented.

// Focus Questions //


 * What is tooth decay? How do you find out if you have it?
 * How is it caused? How can it be treated? How can it be prevented?
 * Why do you think more kids these days have tooth decay?
 * How often should you brush your teeth? How often do you brush your teeth?
 * Why do you think dentists advise people to drink tap water instead of bottled water?
 * How can we look after our gums?


 * //__ Before __//**// watching the report, complete the gaps with a noun from the table //

|| an acid
 * decay || plaque || the enamel || a disease || sugar ||

|| Tooth decay is (1) ……………………………………. It can occur when (2) ……………….……....…, a layer of bacteria that's continually forming on our teeth, is left there for too long. The bacteria feed on the (3) …………………………………… in the food we eat and produces (4) ……………………………………, which weakens the white bits of your teeth called (5) ……………………………………. Over time, that's how (6) …………………………………… is caused.

// Watch the report and answer the questions //

………………………………………….............................................………………
 * 1) According to a new study, what proportion of 12-year olds in Australia have already had tooth decay? ………………………………………
 * 2) What happens if tooth decay is not treated?
 * It can get infected and cause health problems like gum disease, diabetes and ** ………………
 * 1) In an x-ray, tooth decay shows up as a ...
 * a. light patch on the tooth b. dark patch on the tooth **
 * 1) Dentists say it's also really important to brush your teeth ………………………………
 * 2) What else do dentists advise? (Note down at least 1 thing mentioned)


 * Aerobics ** (19.24 – 23.58)

In this report, we meet some school students taking part in an aerobics competition.

// Focus Questions //


 * What is ‘aerobics’? What are some exercises people do in aerobics?
 * Why do people do aerobics? Have you ever done aerobics?
 * What makes someone good at aerobics?
 * What do you think competition judges might look at? Why is a competitor’s expression important?

// Watch the report and answer the questions //


 * 1) When did fitness routines such as aerobics first become popular on TV?
 * a. In the 1970s b. In the 1980s c. In the 1990s **
 * 1) On what basis do judges award marks in aerobics competitions?
 * ** How good it looks **
 * ** How ** ………………………………
 * 1) At the school competition shown in the report, how many boys are among the 20 students taking part? ………………………………
 * 2) What does the group’s coach say makes Edward a stand-out performer?
 * 3) ** His good looks b. His confidence c. His energy **
 * 4) What does the reporter say you need to do in aerobics?
 * Keep your toes pointed, heels on the ground, legs straight, and arms pointing in ** ………………
 * 1) What is a ‘straddle’ used to test?
 * 2) ** Flexibility b. Strength c. Coordination **