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Global Poverty Reduction Goals

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English Learning: Global Poverty Reduction Goals

Dialogue

Alice: Hey Bob, did you see that email about the ‘Race Against Poverty’ 5K next month?

Bob: Alice! You mean the one where we’d have to, you know, run? My personal goal for poverty reduction is mostly focused on reducing my own poverty of snacks.

Alice: Hilarious, Bob. But seriously, it’s for a good cause. They’re aiming to raise awareness for the global poverty reduction goals.

Bob: Global poverty reduction goals, huh? That sounds like a heavy topic for a Tuesday morning. My goal for this morning was successfully extracting myself from bed. That was a challenge.

Alice: Well, one of the main goals is to end extreme poverty by 2030. It’s a massive undertaking.

Bob: 2030? That’s, like, tomorrow in global terms! We’d better get cracking. I suppose my snack reduction plan could free up some funds for a donation.

Alice: Every little bit helps! And it’s not just about money. It’s about access to education, healthcare, clean water… things we often take for granted.

Bob: Access to education, you say? So if I finally learn how to properly fold a fitted sheet, I’m contributing? Because that feels like a monumental personal achievement.

Alice: (rolls her eyes playfully) Very funny. But yes, empowering communities through education is crucial. Imagine the impact!

Bob: I am imagining it. Me, finally mastering the fitted sheet, leading a global revolution of neatly folded linens. It’s a noble dream.

Alice: You’re incorrigible. But on a serious note, the progress has actually been quite remarkable over the past few decades, even with all the current challenges.

Bob: So, you’re saying my refusal to run a 5K won’t single-handedly undo years of progress? What a relief! My calves thank you.

Alice: Not quite, but it’s a collective effort. Governments, NGOs, individuals… we all have a role.

Bob: Right, right. So, I’ll start by reducing the poverty of knowledge about fitted sheets, and then maybe, just maybe, I’ll consider that 5K. After a substantial pre-run snack.

Alice: Deal. Just promise me you’ll actually read up on what the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals entail.

Bob: Only if you promise to teach me the secret art of fitted sheet folding, Alice. It’s for a good cause, you know. Global domestic harmony!

Alice: (laughs) You’re impossible!

Current Situation

Global efforts to reduce poverty have made significant strides, particularly in decreasing extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15 a day (as of 2017 purchasing power parity). The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) aims to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere” by 2030. While millions have been lifted out of poverty over the past decades, challenges persist. Factors like climate change, conflicts, economic shocks, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have complicated progress, and in some regions, poverty rates have even risen. Achieving the 2030 goal requires sustained international cooperation, robust economic growth, and targeted social protection programs, alongside increased investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, especially for vulnerable populations.

Key Phrases

  • for a good cause: for a beneficial reason, usually related to charity or helping others.
    • Example: I’m volunteering at the food bank because it’s for a good cause.
  • massive undertaking: a very large and difficult task or project.
    • Example: Building that new bridge was a massive undertaking that took years.
  • take something for granted: to fail to appreciate something because you are too used to it.
    • Example: We often take clean water and electricity for granted in developed countries.
  • get cracking: to start working or doing something quickly.
    • Example: We’d better get cracking if we want to finish this project on time.
  • collective effort: work or action done by a group of people together.
    • Example: Solving climate change requires a collective effort from everyone.
  • read up on: to learn about a subject by reading a lot about it.
    • Example: Before my trip, I like to read up on the local culture and customs.

Grammar Points

1. Conditional Sentences (Type 1)

Type 1 conditional sentences are used to talk about real and possible situations in the future. They describe a condition and its probable result.

  • Structure: If + simple present, will + base form of verb.
  • Example from dialogue: “If I finally learn how to properly fold a fitted sheet, I’m contributing?” (Slight variation, using present continuous for a current consequence.)
  • Clearer example: “If we join the race, we will raise money for charity.”
  • Explanation: The ‘if’ clause states the condition (joining the race), and the main clause states the likely result (raising money).

2. Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with a preposition or adverb (or both) that create a new meaning, often idiomatic and different from the individual words.

  • Examples from dialogue: read up on, free up, get cracking, take for granted.
  • Explanation:
    • Read up on: (verb + preposition) meaning to study or research a topic by reading.
    • Free up: (verb + adverb) meaning to make something available or no longer busy/occupied.
    • Get cracking: (verb + adverb) meaning to start doing something quickly.
    • Take for granted: (verb + preposition + adverb) meaning to not appreciate something because you are so used to it.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using key phrases from the list (for a good cause, massive undertaking, take for granted, get cracking, collective effort, read up on).

  1. Donating blood is __________.
  2. Learning a new language can be a __________, but it’s very rewarding.
  3. We shouldn’t __________ the simple pleasures in life.
  4. If we want to finish this report by Friday, we need to __________.
  5. Protecting the environment requires a __________ from governments, businesses, and individuals.
  6. I need to __________ the history of this region before my presentation.

Answers 1:

  1. for a good cause
  2. massive undertaking
  3. take for granted
  4. get cracking
  5. collective effort
  6. read up on

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation (Conditional Sentences)

Rewrite these sentences using a Type 1 conditional structure (If… will…).

  1. I study hard. I pass the exam.
  2. She saves money. She buys a new phone.
  3. They practice a lot. They win the game.

Answers 2:

  1. If I study hard, I will pass the exam.
  2. If she saves money, she will buy a new phone.
  3. If they practice a lot, they will win the game.

Exercise 3: Phrasal Verb Matching

Match the phrasal verb with its meaning.

  1. read up on a. to start working quickly
  2. free up b. to make something available
  3. get cracking c. to learn about a subject by reading

Answers 3:

  1. read up on – c. to learn about a subject by reading
  2. free up – b. to make something available
  3. get cracking – a. to start working quickly

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