Unit 1: News Review
How to use the language from the latest news stories
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Session 45
There are now 8 billion people living on Earth. Neil and Sian teach you vocabulary to talk about the story.
Sessions in this unit
Session 45 score
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- 0 / 3Activity 1
Activity 1
News Review
World population reaches 8 billion
The world's population has officially hit 8 billion, just 11 years since reaching 7 billion. Many are concerned the expanding population is destroying the planet.
Watch the video and complete the activity

Image: Getty images
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The story
The world’s population has officially reached 8 billion.
The growth is partly because of developments in health, nutrition and medicine.
It’s taken just 11 years to go from 7 to 8 billion, but growth in many countries is actually slowing.
Many are concerned the expanding population is destroying the planet.
Key words and phrases
peak
can’t get any higher or better
- Ticket sales for the concert have peaked. Fewer people are buying them now.
- We expect the prices of holidays to peak in the summer.
poses
causes or creates something that is usually negative
- Drunk drivers pose a threat to other road users.
- This political scandal will pose big problems for the government.
shape
influence
- Moving to new countries as a child shaped my love for travel.
- Her dad’s attitude shaped her approach to hard work.
To do
Try our quiz to test yourself on today's language.
News Review quiz
3 Questions
Now you've watched the video, try to answer these questions about the language in the news.
Help
Activity
Now you've watched the video, try to answer these questions about the language in the news.
Hint
Which word or expression means 'can't get any higher or better'?Question 1 of 3
Help
Activity
Now you've watched the video, try to answer these questions about the language in the news.
Hint
Which expression means 'influenced'?Question 2 of 3
Help
Activity
Now you've watched the video, try to answer these questions about the language in the news.
Hint
Which expression means 'causes or creates something that is usually negative'?Question 3 of 3
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