English with Jo

Poverty

This is the preparation material for an English conversation lesson about poverty, homelessness and welfare.  There is an audio discussion to listen to about welfare, some key vocabulary and common idioms and a list of conversation questions about this subject.

Audio discussion

Download audio discussion about welfare

Transcript of audio discussion

Audio courtesy of elllo.org.

Key Vocabulary

• Malnutrition – ill health caused by inadequate food
• Illiteracy – inability to read or write
• Impoverished – poor, without much money to live on
• Destitute – without money, food, home or possessions
• Deprived – not having the things necessary for a pleasant life

Idioms

• To live on the poverty line – to have just the minimum level of income needed to secure the necessities of life
• To live on the breadline - impoverished; living at subsistence level
• Living from hand to mouth – having just enough money to live without suffering
• Money is tight – there is not much money

Conversation questions

• Why do so many people live below the poverty line?
• What programs does your government have to help poor people?
• What kind of poverty exists in your country?
• Do you think it is possible to eliminate poverty in the world?
• Why do you think poverty still exists in wealthy countries?
• What do you think can be done to help reduce poverty?
• What are the causes of poverty?
• What are the causes of homelessness?
• Are there many homeless people in your country?
• How does the government in your country support the homeless?
• What do you think about people receiving welfare?
• Do you think there should be a time limit on how long someone receives welfare?
• Does your country have a housing program for people who cannot afford rent?