Lesson
Mo Farah Opposes Cuts to School Sports Funding
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
Mo Farah and over 70 sports organizations are urging the UK government to reconsider a proposed £120 million cut to school sports funding, emphasizing its importance for children's health and well-being.
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Standard — Natural English
85 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
Mo Farah, a famous runner, is worried about cuts to school sports. The government might take away £120 million. Many sports groups support Farah. They believe school sports are important for kids' health and happiness. They want the government to keep the funding.Standard version (B1–B2)
Mo Farah, the National School Sport Champion, is leading a campaign against proposed cuts to school sports funding in England. The government is considering a £120 million reduction, with £60 million coming from the Department of Health and £60 million from the Department for Education. Farah and over 70 sports organizations argue that this funding is crucial for children's health, happiness, and academic success. They believe that cutting funds for school sports would harm children's well-being and urge the government to maintain current spending levels.Advanced version (C1–C2)
Mo Farah, the National School Sport Champion and Olympic gold medalist, has voiced strong opposition to the UK government's potential £120 million cuts to school sports funding. This proposed reduction stems from a disagreement between the Department of Health and the Department for Education, each suggesting a £60 million cut. Farah, along with over 70 prominent sporting organizations, has expressed deep concern regarding these cuts, emphasizing that quality physical education and inclusive school sports are vital for children's health, well-being, and academic performance. He argues that sacrificing long-term benefits for short-term savings could jeopardize children's happiness and health. The sporting bodies have coordinated a letter to government officials, urging them to reconsider and maintain current funding levels to ensure that all children can benefit from active lifestyles.Lesson audio
Standard level
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Test your understanding
Test your understanding
01Who is leading the campaign against the funding cuts?
02How much funding is proposed to be cut from school sports?
03What do the sporting organizations believe is critical for children's health?
04What is the expected outcome of the funding decision?
Discussion
Discussion
How do you think cuts to school sports funding could affect students?
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
funding word
money provided for a specific purpose
“The school needs more funding for sports programs.”
concern word
a feeling of worry or interest
“There is growing concern about the cuts to school sports.”
well-being word
the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy
“Sports contribute to the well-being of children.”
inclusive word
including everyone, regardless of their background or ability
“The school aims to provide inclusive sports activities for all students.”
opportunity word
a chance for something to happen
“This program provides a great opportunity for young athletes.”